The forest was quiet now, the echoes of growls and snarls fading into the evening air. Damien had been defeated—forced to flee into the shadows, his pack scattering behind him. Adrian stood over the area briefly, muscles coiled, golden eyes scanning the treeline for any lingering threat. Satisfied that Damien was gone, he turned to Celine.
Celine ran into his arms, trembling, her body still shaking from fear and adrenaline. "Adrian… I was so scared," she whispered, pressing her face against his chest.
Adrian held her tightly, lips brushing the top of her head. "I know, Celine," he murmured. "But you're safe now. He won't touch you again—not while I'm here. Not ever."
Shadow circled them protectively, ears flicked toward every movement in the shadows, tail bristling even though the immediate danger had passed.
Celine clung to Adrian, her hands resting over her stomach. "Thank you… for saving me. For… for the baby too," she said softly, tears pricking her eyes.
"You don't have to thank me," Adrian replied, brushing her hair from her face. "I'll always protect you. That's what I do. That's what I am."
The walk back to their apartment was quiet, each step easing the tension slightly. Celine leaned against Adrian's side, feeling the strength radiating from him, the undeniable pull of his presence that made her feel safe despite everything.
When they finally reached their home, Adrian made sure the doors were locked and every corner was checked before letting her settle. She sank onto the couch, exhausted but relieved, pressing her hands over her stomach.
Adrian knelt in front of her, cupping her face in his hands. "You're okay now," he said softly. "Everything is okay."
Celine smiled weakly, eyes glistening. "I feel… safe with you. Always."
Adrian pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "And I'll make sure you always are. You and our baby. Nothing can ever harm you when I'm around."
For a long moment, they stayed like that—close, connected, hearts beating together, the shadows of danger lingering outside but no longer pressing in. For the first time in what felt like weeks, Celine allowed herself to breathe, to relax, knowing Adrian was by her side and Damien had been driven away.
Outside, the city continued its rhythm, unaware of the fierce battle that had taken place in the forest. Inside, in the quiet apartment, the only sounds were the soft breathing of two people who had survived danger together, bound by love, trust, and the promise of a future they would protect fiercely—together.
Celine looked at David, hands pressed over her stomach, eyes glistening with tears.
"Adrian…" she began, voice trembling. "I am so sorry… I didn't listen to you. If I had, none of this would have happened. Everything… this danger… it's my fault."
Adrian knelt in front of her, golden eyes softening as he cupped her face gently. "Celine… look at me," he said firmly but tenderly.
Her gaze met his, filled with guilt and fear. "I should have listened. I should have stayed safe, not pushed to go into the forest. All of this… it's my fault. I almost… I almost lost you."
Adrian shook his head slowly, pressing a thumb to her cheek. "No. None of this is your fault. You were scared, and you wanted a little normalcy. You didn't deserve to be treated like a target, and you didn't deserve any of what happened. This… all of this… is on Damien, not you."
Tears slipped down Celine's cheeks, and she pressed her face against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "I'm so sorry… I never wanted to put us in danger. I… I just wanted to feel a little normal, to breathe…"
"You're human, Celine," Adrian whispered, voice low and unwavering. "And you are brave. That's why I love you. I will always protect you, and nothing you did changes that. Nothing. I'm not angry. I'm just… glad you're safe. You're safe now."
Celine clung to him, relief and love washing through her. "Thank you… for always being here… for always protecting me."
Adrian kissed the top of her head gently, holding her tightly. "Always. I'll never stop. You, the baby… our family… that's everything to me. Nothing can change that."
For a long moment, they stayed like that, holding onto each other, letting the danger of the evening melt away in the warmth of their bond. The shadows outside still loomed, reminders that Damien was still out there, but for now, in this house, Celine felt safe, loved, and understood like never before.
"I promise," Adrian murmured, "from now on, no more unnecessary risks. We face things together, carefully… and we survive together. Always."
Celine nodded, burying her face deeper into his chest. "Always," she whispered back, her heart finally finding a fragile, comforting peace.
Celine clung to Adrian, heart still racing from the evening's events. After a long moment of silence, she pulled back slightly, hands still on his chest, eyes searching his.
"Adrian… when will all of this end?" she asked, voice trembling. "When will Damien stop chasing me? Why… why me? What did I do wrong?"
Adrian's golden eyes softened, but the intensity behind them remained—protective, fierce, unwavering. He took a deep breath, cupping her face in his hands.
"Celine… it's not your fault," he said firmly. "This isn't because you did anything wrong. Damien… he's after you because of the baby. Because of the life inside you."
Celine froze, her hands instinctively pressing against her stomach. "The… the baby?" she whispered, fear and realization mingling. "It's because… it's part of you?"
Adrian nodded, voice steady, but deep with controlled anger. "Yes. The child you carry… has a part of me in it. A part of my world… my kind. Damien senses it. He knows. That's why he wants to hurt you, to control it, to control you. This danger… it's drawn to the wolf blood, the life inside you."
Celine's eyes widened, a mixture of fear, awe, and guilt washing over her. "So… this is why he won't stop? Because of… what's inside me?"
Adrian brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, voice softening. "Yes. But hear me, Celine… nothing will touch you. Not Damien, not anyone. I will protect you. I'll protect our baby. This… this life you carry is precious, and so are you."
Celine pressed her face against his chest, whispering, "But when… when will it end? When will he stop?"
Adrian held her tightly, eyes scanning the shadows outside their window, every instinct alert. "It might not end soon," he admitted quietly. "But I promise… as long as I live, as long as I breathe, you and our child will be safe. Damien won't ever win against us—not while I'm here."
Celine let out a shaky breath, pressing her hands over her stomach again. "I… I just… I don't want to lose anyone… not you, not the baby."
"You won't," Adrian whispered, voice low and reassuring, yet laced with that primal intensity that always made her feel safe. "We'll survive this… together. Always."
For a long moment, they stayed entwined, the fear and guilt lingering but tempered by the undeniable pull of love, trust, and protection. Outside, the shadows of danger still lurked, but inside, Celine finally felt a fragile sense of hope.