Chapter 53

The moment I stepped into the bedroom that housed my nest, the tension of the day clung to me like a second skin. The soft glow of the string lights whispered promises of reprieve, but my mind was a chaotic mess, refusing to settle. I set my bag down beside the mattress, sinking onto the plush cushions that made up my haven. My fingers found their way to the bracelet Gideon had slipped into my bag, its cool metal heavy and unfamiliar against my skin.

I studied the intricate loops and etchings, the craftsmanship so fine it had to be significant. This wasn’t just a random token; it was an heirloom, a piece of something deeper. The realization sent a chill down my spine. Xavier and Gideon were formally courting me. The bracelet was a statement, a promise and a challenge all at once.

A rush of memories hit me—sharp, painful moments of their laughter, taunts, and the subtle ways they’d pushed me to the sidelines. Yet, tangled within those memories were newer ones: Gideon’s steady gaze, soft and apologetic; Xavier’s heated eyes, the tension between us crackling like a live wire when he’d cornered me in the hallway. The fire and sincerity in their actions now warred with the echoes of their past cruelty.

Did I even want them in my life, let alone my pack? The idea of trusting them felt foolish, almost reckless. But a small, traitorous part of me, buried under layers of resentment and guardedness, wondered what it would feel like if they truly showed me they’d changed. If they really wanted me, they would have to show me, prove it in ways that went beyond simple words or gifts.

My fingers tightened around the bracelet as a sense of resolve stirred within me. They needed to grovel for all the years they’d chipped away at me with their jabs and mockery. If this was their attempt to rewrite history, then they would need to do more than present heirlooms and make half-hearted gestures.

A soft click from the main door echoed down the hall, and I instinctively drew a deep breath, catching Silas’s scent even before he called my name. The bedroom door creaked open, and his familiar presence filled the space, grounding me. There was something in the air that shifted when he was around—a warmth, a subtle calm that softened the sharp edges of my thoughts.

Silas set his books on a nearby shelf, eyes locking onto mine as he stepped into the room. His gaze, deep and searching, landed on the bracelet in my hand, a spark of curiosity lighting up the green in his eyes. But he didn’t say anything about it. Instead, he crossed the room with the graceful stride that always made my heart stutter. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, the touch gentle, familiar.

“Rough day?” he asked, his voice a soothing rumble that vibrated through me, easing the tension from my muscles.

I nodded, the tightness in my throat making it impossible to speak. The silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t empty. It was filled with the unspoken understanding that had grown between us, the bond that had become an anchor in the storm.

Silas’s eyes softened as he took in the exhaustion I knew must be written across my face. Without another word, he sat beside me on the nest, the mattress dipping under his weight. His hand found its way to mine, fingers threading together, warm and sure. He squeezed gently, a silent promise that he was there, unwavering.

“Come here,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. He tugged me toward him, and I let myself fall into his embrace, pressing my face into the space between his shoulder and neck. The steady thrum of his heartbeat drummed against my cheek, syncing with the wild rhythm of my own, slowing it, calming it.

His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, each touch grounding me further. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, the deep timbre of his voice wrapping around me like a cocoon. “Just let me hold you.”

I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of his body seep into mine, dispelling the chill that had settled in my bones. The bracelet slipped from my hand, forgotten for the moment as Silas’s scent, warm and woodsy with a hint of something sharper—something that was just him—filled my senses.

“You’re safe,” he said, the words a gentle command that settled deep in my chest. “Whatever it is, whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

A shiver ran down my spine at the quiet certainty in his voice. Silas had always been like this—a calm, steady presence when everything else felt like it was unraveling. I pulled back just enough to look at him, taking in the sharp line of his jaw, the softness in his eyes that he reserved only for me.

“You always know what to say,” I whispered, a small, tremulous smile breaking through the exhaustion.

He chuckled, a low sound that rumbled through his chest. “Only for you, Mara.”

I reached up, tracing the curve of his jaw with my fingers. The bond between us hummed, warm and alive, thrumming with unspoken words and shared feelings. He leaned into my touch, eyes fluttering shut for a moment as if savoring it.

“Stay with me,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

His eyes opened, soft and sure, and he nodded. “Always.”

As he wrapped me in his arms again, the world outside—the taunts, the whispers, the uncertainty—faded. Here, with Silas, there was no question of where I stood or whether I was wanted. I was his, and he was mine, and for this moment, that was enough.