Chapter 233

Cara’s POV

After realizing we refused to be separated, they moved Alaric and me into the same room. After a few days, we both grew stronger, Alaric much faster and stronger than me, and soon we were both discharged.

Though I missed the kids, my brothers agreed to keep them at their house. Alaric and I were both in danger once again, and I felt better knowing they were safely out of harm’s way, protected by their strong and caring uncles.

Without their presence, this also gave Alaric and me the time and privacy to discuss the true depths of our fears, even about the things we’d been too afraid to talk about in the hospital, for fear others might overhear.

Holding hands, we sat side by side in the living room on the couch. The television was on, volume silenced, but neither of us were really watching it.

“We should have a plan,” I said. “Just in case the worse should happen.”

“Absolutely not,” Alaric said. “To make plans is to accept it at a possible outcome, and I refuse to do so.”

“It could happen whether you want to believe it or not,” I said. I too was loathe to deal with the potential of my own demise, but I wanted to make sure the kids would be taken care of. Still, knowing Alaric and my brothers, I supposed I didn’t have to worry too much.

Even without me, those kids would remain well cared for and loved. Alaric would undoubtedly stay in their lives, and their uncles would always support them.

I just hated that I might not be there to see it.

“Lucy told you herself,” Alaric said. “She needs rest. But that doesn’t mean she’s gone for good, and it doesn’t mean she’s abandoned you. She’ll be back to help you before you truly need it.”

His unwavering confidence calmed me once again. How strange life was. Not all that long ago, I was the one who had to convince everyone, Alaric included, that I wasn’t going to give up on my life, no matter what the doctor’s prognosis was.

Now, the tables have turned, and Alaric was the one convincing me that I was going to survive this. He made it sound like he was going to move heaven and earth himself just to see it happen.

I knew I loved Alaric. It had been so clear to me for a long time now, and when we put the weight of the past to the side, I could see the future for us so clearly.

I didn’t think that I could fall in love with him more than I already did. Yet, with these careful assurances, his adamant belief in me and what I was capable of, I felt farther and farther in love.

It made me want to reconnect with him in ways that I’d previously been denying both of us.

So, as we sat there, side by side and holding hands, I looked up at him. When he looked back, I leaned up and kissed him.

He froze at first, then quickly softened, returning my gentle kiss with the press of his own lips. A moment passed, the kiss sweet as candy. Then I tilted my head and opened my mouth a little. His mouth opened too. Then he licked across my bottom lip before pushing that tongue into my mouth.

I lifted my hands, combing my fingers through his hair. His arms went around me, holding me closer to him. For a time, we kissed just like that, allowing our mouths to express our passions.

He was holding himself back, I could feel it in the tense grip of his hands on my hips. When we pulled back, I saw his desire for me clear as day, straining against his jeans. He lowered his head as if ashamed.

“We don’t have to go further,” he said. “I’m sorry. I can’t help my body’s natural reaction to you.”

“You want me?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. Smiling, he looked back up at me. “Do you even have to ask that?” He shook his head. “But I know you want to wait, and I’m fine with that. No matter what my body does.”

“What if I don’t want to hold back anymore?” I asked.

He blinked. “Are you serious?”

“I love you, Alaric,” I said. “And I’m tired of denying us something that we both want and enjoy. Despite our past, those times we made love are all good memories.”

“Gods, yes,” he agreed. “We never had any problems with our physical intimacy. It was the one thing we could do right.” He looked away. “That I could get right. Cara, I’m so sorry, I –”

I leaned up to kiss him quiet. “There’s no room for the past here anymore. I want to think only about the present and the future. Our sex life in the past was pleasant, but I was a fool then too. The sex felt good, but our hearts weren’t aligned like they are now.”

“You are right,” he said and pressed his forehead against mine. “Now that we are aligned, I bet it will feel even better.”

“Should we test it out?” I asked.

“Only if you are sure…” he said.

Precious, lovely man. Owner of my heart. The person who wanted to protect me so much, even against himself.

With him, I had nothing to worry about anymore. Of that I was certain.

He loved me and I loved him. The past was the past and wouldn’t be repeated.

So, smiling, I crawled into his lap and kissed him again, full of passion and love. His arms went around me, his hands creeping under my shirt.

We laughed as we ripped away each other’s clothes.

Then we fell into each other and didn’t come up again until hours later.

Somewhere in our lust, we wound up in the bedroom. Now, hours later, Alaric slept peacefully, his arms stretched out, his chest rising and falling with his deep breathing.

Leaning up on my elbows, I chose to watch his relaxed face rather than find sleep for myself. At least for now. I knew I wasn’t long for the waking world, as I was pleasantly sore and happy.

Even with all of our problems, our passion had given us a few precious hours of happy escape.

True to our guessing, our sex now was better even than it’d ever been. And I knew this was just the beginning.

This right here was worth fighting for.

Looking at Alaric’s face, the love inside of me stretched to fill the entirety of my chest.

Inside of my mind, at the same time, I felt the stirring of my wolf.

Surprised, I startled slightly.

“Lucy…?” I called.

There was silence for a long moment, so long that my heart started to ache again. But no, I had been so certain. Lucy had just been right here. I could still feel her, close, reveling in the love I felt inside of my chest.

Then, just as I was about to give up for the night and find my own sleep, I heard her – distant and soft but distinctly Lucy.

“…Cara?”