Chapter 49 Chapter 49
Ethan's POV
The moment we stepped back inside the palace, I couldn't take my eyes off her.
Sophia walked beside me, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, her green eyes still sharp with the remnants of anger from Marcus's accusations. Even exhausted, even after everything that happened tonight, she was breathtaking.
"Are you alright?" I asked quietly as we climbed the stairs toward my chambers.
She glanced at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "I should be asking you that. You're the one who almost started a war."
"Almost," I corrected, pulling her closer. "But I would've finished it if it meant protecting you."
Her smile faded, replaced by something softer. Something vulnerable. "You always say things like that."
"Because I mean them."
We reached my door and I pushed it open, guiding her inside. The room was dimly lit, the fireplace casting warm shadows across the walls. I closed the door behind us and turned to find her watching me, her expression unreadable.
"Ethan," she started, but I crossed the distance between us in two strides and cupped her face in my hands.
"I thought I was going to lose you tonight," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. "When Marcus accused you, when those guards reached for you, I.."
"But you didn't lose me," she whispered, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. "I'm right here."
"I know." I pressed my forehead against hers, breathing her in. "But I need you to understand something, Sophia. I will never let anyone hurt you. Not Marcus. Not Lila. Not anyone."
Her fingers curled into my shirt. "I know that. I trust you."
Those three words undid something inside me.
I kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't careful. It was desperate and consuming and filled with every emotion I'd been holding back since the moment I met her.
She responded immediately, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pulled me closer. Her lips parted beneath mine and I deepened the kiss, tasting her, claiming her.
This was my mate. My fated mate. The woman the Moon Goddess herself chose for me.
And she was finally, completely mine.
I lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carried her toward the bed. She never broke the kiss, her fingers threading through my hair, tugging slightly in a way that made my wolf growl with approval.
I laid her down gently on the silk sheets, hovering over her as I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes.
"Are you sure?" I asked, even though every fiber of my being was screaming at me to take her. Mark her. Make her mine in every possible way.
But I needed to hear her say it.
Sophia's eyes softened and she reached up to trace her fingers along my jaw. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
That was all I needed.
I captured her lips again, slower this time, savoring every moment. My hands roamed over her body, learning every curve, every soft gasp she made when I touched her in just the right way.
She tugged at my shirt impatiently and I pulled back long enough to tear it over my head before returning to her. Her hands explored my chest, her touch sending sparks of electricity through me.
I worked at the buttons of her dress, taking my time even though my wolf demanded I hurry. But this wasn't just about desire. This was about showing her that she was cherished. Worshipped. Loved.
The dress fell away and I took a moment to simply look at her, sprawled across my bed in nothing but moonlight and shadows.
"You're staring," she whispered, a blush creeping across her cheeks.
"I can't help it," I murmured, leaning down to press kisses along her collarbone. "You're perfect."
She laughed softly, but it turned into a gasp as my lips found that sensitive spot just below her ear.
I took my time exploring every inch of her skin, memorizing the sounds she made, the way her body arched into my touch. She was responsive and eager, matching my intensity with her own.
When I finally claimed her completely, she cried out my name, her nails digging into my shoulders as pleasure washed over both of us.
We moved together in perfect rhythm, our bodies fitting together as though they were made for this. Made for each other.
And when we finally reached that peak together, I buried my face in her neck, breathing in her scent as the bond between us blazed to life, stronger and more powerful than anything I'd ever felt.
She was mine. Completely and utterly mine.
And I was hers.
Afterwards, we lay tangled together, her head resting on my chest as I traced lazy patterns across her bare shoulder.
"That was..." she started, but trailed off, as if words couldn't quite capture what we'd just shared.
"I know," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
She was quiet for a moment before she spoke again, her voice soft and thoughtful. "Marcus never... he was never like this."
My hand stilled on her shoulder.
She tilted her head to look up at me. "I don't mean to bring him up now, of all times. But being with you, it makes me realize how wrong everything was with him. How little I understood about what it meant to be cherished."
My jaw tightened at the mention of her ex-husband, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Tell me."
She hesitated, then sighed. "Marcus was... rough. Demanding. He took what he wanted without asking, without caring if I was ready or willing. He said it was his right as my husband, as my Alpha." Her voice wavered slightly. "And I believed him. I thought that was just how it was supposed to be."
Rage surged through me, hot and violent. If Marcus had been in front of me right now, I would've torn him apart with my bare hands.
"Sophia," I said carefully, keeping my voice steady even though every instinct screamed to hunt Marcus down. "That's not love. That's not how a mate should treat you."
"I know that now," she whispered. "Being with you showed me what it should be like. You asked if I was sure. You made sure I wanted this." She pressed a kiss to my chest. "Marcus never did that."
I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her protectively. "I'm sorry you went through that. I'm sorry he made you think that was normal."
"It's not your fault," she said quietly. "But thank you. For showing me what real love feels like."
I kissed her forehead, then her temple, then her lips. "I will spend every day of my life making sure you never doubt that you're loved, Sophia. I promise you that."
She smiled against my lips. "I believe you."
We drifted into a comfortable silence, our breathing eventually syncing as exhaustion from the long night caught up with us.
I was just starting to doze off when her voice broke through the quiet.
"Ethan?"
"Mmm?"
"Thank you. For everything."
I tightened my hold on her. "Always, love. Always."
Morning light filtered through the curtains, warm and golden.
I woke slowly, blinking against the brightness. Sophia was still in my arms, her body pressed against mine, her hair splayed across my chest like silk.
She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine.
"Good morning," I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She smiled sleepily. "Good morning."
We stayed like that for a moment, simply looking at each other, neither of us wanting to break the peaceful bubble we'd created.
Then her stomach growled.
She blushed and I laughed, the sound rumbling through my chest.
"Come on," I said, starting to sit up. "Let's get you some breakfast."
But before I could move further, a sharp voice cut through my mind.
"Alpha!"
Max's voice. Urgent. Panicked.
I froze.
"What is it?" I sent back through the mind-link.
"We have a situation. You need to come to the eastern border. Now."
My jaw clenched. Of course. Of course something had to interrupt this moment.
Sophia must have seen the change in my expression because she sat up immediately, the sheet clutched to her chest. "What's wrong?"
"Max," I said shortly, already swinging my legs out of bed. "Something's happening at the border."
Her eyes widened. "What kind of something?"
"Tell me what's going on, Max," I demanded through the link as I reached for my clothes.
"Someone attacked one of our patrols. Three guards are injured. And Alpha... there's something else you need to see."
My blood ran cold.
"I'm on my way."
I turned to Sophia, who was already getting dressed, her movements quick and efficient.
"It's an attack," I told her. "Three of my guards are injured."
Her face paled but she nodded. "Let's go."
We dressed quickly and headed for the door, but I paused before opening it, turning back to cup her face in my hands.
"Stay close to me," I said firmly. "Whatever's out there, we face it together."
She nodded. "Together."
I kissed
her once more, quick and hard, before pulling open the door.
Whatever waited for us at that border, we'd handle it.
Because now, I had something worth fighting for.
I had her.