Nearly an hour had slipped away.
Outside, Clearwater Pack continued celebrating their new Alpha.
Laughter echoed through the great hall.
Music drifted through the corridors, accompanied by cheers, dancing, and the occasional triumphant howl.
Inside the secluded room, however…
Time seemed to stand still.
Moonlight spilled softly through the narrow shutters, washing everything in pale silver.
Wrapped in a blanket pulled from an old wooden chest, you rested quietly in Calix’s embrace.
His ceremonial duties, his new title, the endless expectations waiting beyond the door-all of it felt impossibly distant.
For the first time since the mountain where he had rejected you…
There were no walls between you.
Calix brushed another kiss against your forehead before letting his lips linger near your temple.
Then your cheek.
Then your neck.
Every touch was slow, unhurried, almost reverent.
It wasn’t driven by urgency anymore.
It was as though he were trying to memorize you.
His fingers gently combed through your hair while he held you close, his forehead occasionally resting against yours in comfortable silence.
You smiled.
“So this is what it’s like…”
He looked at you.
“What?”
“Having you beside me.”
A faint laugh escaped him.
“I was about to say the same thing.”
Your fingers traced one of the fading scratches across his shoulder.
“You should let Lira see these.”
“They’ll heal.”
“You always say that.”
“They usually do.”
You shook your head with an affectionate smile.
“You really are impossible.”
“And yet…”
His emerald eyes softened.
“You stayed.”
The words settled quietly between you.
You reached up, brushing your fingertips across his cheek.
“I love you.”
Everything stopped.
Calix stared at you.
For a long moment he simply searched your face, as though afraid he had imagined the words.
“You…”
His voice failed him.
You smiled again, gentler this time.
“I love you.”
The last of the distance between you disappeared.
He wrapped both arms around you, holding you with a mixture of relief and disbelief.
His forehead rested against yours as he closed his eyes.
“I love you too.”
The confession left him almost as a whisper.
“So much more than I ever allowed myself to admit.”
His voice trembled.
“I thought rejecting you was protecting everyone.”
A sad smile crossed his face.
“It only taught me how empty life is without you.”
Emotion tightened your throat.
You leaned forward, kissing him softly.
Not with urgency.
Not with passion alone.
Just love.
When you shifted closer, resting comfortably against him, he smiled into the kiss, one hand gently brushing along your back while the other intertwined with yours.
Neither of you spoke.
You didn’t need to.
The silence carried every promise words couldn’t.
Outside, another roar of celebration echoed through the lodge.
Neither of you moved.
For a little while longer…
The world belonged only to the two of you.
Then-
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The sharp sound shattered the quiet.
Calix immediately opened his eyes.
His entire posture changed in an instant.
Not because he wanted to leave.
Because duty had found him again.
Another knock followed.
“Alpha.”
“Your father requests your presence immediately.”
Calix closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose.
“So much for disappearing.”
You couldn’t help smiling.
“It was nice while it lasted.”
“It was more than nice.”
He looked at you with quiet affection.
“It was perfect.”
You reached up and kissed his cheek.
“You should go.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I know.”
Your smile remained gentle.
“They’re waiting for their Alpha.”
“And you’re waiting for Calix.”
His eyes softened.
“I’ll come back.”
“I know you will.”
Those four words eased something inside him.
He leaned down one last time, pressing a lingering kiss against your forehead before reluctantly standing.
He quickly gathered his discarded shirt and cloak, dressing without taking his eyes off you for long.
Meanwhile, you quietly pulled on your clothes before stepping behind the open door, hidden from view should anyone glance inside.
A moment later, Calix opened the door.
Outside stood one of the palace guards, standing at attention.
“The former Alpha is waiting,” the guard reported respectfully.
Calix gave a short nod.
“I’ll be there.”
Without another word, he stepped into the hallway.
Before closing the door completely, he looked back one last time.
Your eyes met.
No words passed between you.
Only a small smile.
A promise.
Then the door closed.
The music outside continued as though nothing had happened.
But you remained standing in the quiet room, your fingers unconsciously touching the place where his hand had rested moments before.
Somehow…
You had the feeling that this peaceful hour would become one of the memories both of you would cling to when far darker days finally arrived.