Chapter 451:

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That made Nero look at me. “They’re ready,” I said. “My training is complete. Bram made sure of it.”

His eyes moved toward the window. “Then when I return, this time we start hunting the Chimera.”

I felt something harden inside me. This was the Dark Alpha King, the man who had spent weeks preparing for war. Except now there was something different about him. He wasn’t fighting because the curse demanded it. He was fighting because he had something to protect.

Me.

D𝗂𝘀co𝘃𝘦𝘳 𝗁𝗶𝖽𝖽𝘦ո 𝘨еm𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘨а𝘭𝗻𝗈𝘃e𝗅ѕ.𝖼о𝗺

For a few seconds, we sat quietly. Then Nero’s expression changed. “I owe you something. A proper Luna ceremony night.”

My face heated at once. “Nero.”

He smiled. “After everything we’ve been through, I think we deserve one.”

I laughed nervously. “You can barely stand.”

“I’ll recover.” He leaned closer. “This time, there will be no curse.” My heart skipped. “No fear.” His fingers intertwined with mine. “No interruptions.”

Parrot immediately stirred. Bad, bad Alpha.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. His eyes narrowed playfully. “What is it, Remi?”

I smiled. “Fine. Parrot is being annoying.”

A slow, dark smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I could get us a room at the inn…”

“No need.” My cheeks burned hotter, and Parrot started cackling inside my head. Oh, she has plans. Look at her trying to be bold. “We restored your father’s cabin. When you’re better, we go home. And I’ll take what’s mine.”

He opened his arms, and I went into them at once. He held me tightly, his face buried in my hair. “I’ve been longing for you to say that,” he murmured. “My Luna. This time there’s no curse between us. No clock ticking down. I’m going to show you exactly what it means to be loved by the Dark Alpha King.”

Parrot made a low, appreciative sound. Yes, please. And make it thorough.

I closed my eyes. “I’ve wanted to say it for a long time.”

He kissed my temple. Then he reached into the pocket of the trousers someone had given him. “I got you something.”

I pulled back. “What?”

He brought out a small box, and my eyes widened. “You were fighting half the kingdom and still had time to shop?”

He laughed softly. “I have priorities.” He opened the box.

Inside was a ring. It was beautiful. A delicate silver band surrounded a pale stone that caught the morning light, and tiny markings like miniature moons had been carved around the edges.

“Nero…”

“I wanted something new.” He took my hand. “A new beginning deserves something that doesn’t belong to the past.”

I stared. “How did you even… Nero, this is…” My throat tightened as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly. “How did you know my size?”

His mouth curved. “After the things you did with these hands, I was never going to forget the exact measure of them.”

Parrot actually fanned herself. Well. That’s one way to remember.

He lifted my hand and kissed my fingers. “I remember everything about them.”

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