The enemy was one day away.
Scouts brought news hourly. Their numbers: overwhelming. Their weapons: silver, fire, and worse. Their wolves: forced fighters, collared and chained, with no choice but to obey.
Kael hadn't slept in two days.
I felt his exhaustion through the bond—a gnawing weight that never lifted. But beneath it, something else. Determination. Love. Fear.
Mostly fear.
Not of dying. Of losing me.
---
The pack gathered at dusk.
Kael stood before them, scarred and tired but unbowed. I stood at his side, my hand in his.
"Tomorrow, we fight." His voice carried across the clearing. "Not for territory. Not for pride. For each other. For our families. For our freedom."
Wolves howled their agreement.
"They'll bring wolves like us. Forced to fight. Chained and collared." His jaw tightened. "If you can, free them. Break their chains. Show them they have a choice."
Murmurs through the crowd.
"But if you can't—" His voice hardened. "If they won't be freed—do what you must. Survive. Protect each other. Come home."
He looked at me.
"I love you all. Every one of you. You're my pack. My family. My heart."
He raised his fist.
"Tomorrow, we fight. Tomorrow, we win. Tomorrow, we come home."
The clearing erupted.
Howls. Cheers. War cries.
I stood beside my mate, my heart pounding, and knew—whatever happened—I was exactly where I belonged.
---
After the gathering, we walked home in silence.
The cabin felt different tonight. Smaller. More precious. Every detail stood out—the fire crackling, the furs on the bed, the photographs on the wall.
Kael pulled me close.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"If tomorrow—"
"Don't." I pressed my fingers to his lips. "Don't say it. We're coming home. Both of us."
He kissed me. Soft at first, then deeper.
"I need you," he breathed. "Need to feel you. Need to remember."
"Then remember."
---
He laid me on the bed slowly.
Reverently. Every touch a prayer. Every kiss a promise.
"I love every part of you," he whispered against my skin. "Your strength. Your courage. Your stubbornness."
"My stubbornness?"
"Especially that." He kissed lower. "It's going to keep you alive tomorrow."
I laughed—then gasped as his mouth found a sensitive spot.
"Kael—"
"Shh. Let me worship you. Just in case."
"Not in case. For always."
He looked up at me. Gold eyes burning.
"For always."
---
He entered me slowly. Deeply.
We moved together, the bond blazing, every sensation amplified. I felt his love, his fear, his hope. He felt mine.
"Come back to me," I whispered. "Promise me."
"I promise." He thrust deeper. "You promise me."
"I promise."
We came together, holding each other tight, the bond singing with love.
Afterward, he held me close.
"Whatever happens—"
"I know."
"You're my heart, Elena. My soul. My everything."
"You're mine too." I kissed his chest. "Now sleep. Tomorrow, we fight."
"Tomorrow, we win."
"Tomorrow, we come home."