Page 34 of Rehabilitated

“These are happy tears.”

He cups my face. “You don’t have to decide any of that now.”

“I know. I never really thought about kids or finding someone like you. I would daydream, but it always seemed so unattainable. But not now. It could happen.”

“It will happen,” Russo vows.

I lean forward, kissing him sweetly. “I can’t wait to spend every tomorrow with you.”

He presses his forehead against mine. “Same.”

Forever, mate, my bear rumbles happily, rolling around on her back.

She feels so free inside me. I guess it’s going to take some time for the two of us to get used to the freedom.

For the first time in my life, the future isn’t something I fear. It’s something I can’t wait to reach. No matter what is waiting for us… I already know I won’t face it alone. I have Russo, my mate, and he’ll always be there.

9

Russo

Everything feels perfect when I first open my eyes. I mean, everything is perfect. I have my mate tucked against my side. She’s wearing my mark, and I’m wearing hers. We’re together, claimed, and have the rest of our lives to do whatever we want.

A smile tugs at my lips as I look at Ever. She’s still asleep, curled against my chest with one hand fisted in my shirt. She’s never looked so peaceful.

Protect her, my bear growls.

We will, I promise him.

I brush a strand of hair away from her face before carefully slipping out of bed.

“I’ll make breakfast,” I whisper.

She hums softly but doesn’t wake.

I dress quietly and slip downstairs into the kitchen. I start the coffee and pull eggs from the refrigerator, whistling to myself as I make breakfast. It feels good to be taking care of Ever in this way. She deserves to be spoiled and pampered.

Three sharp raps sound at the door as I reach for the skillet.

Dread immediately settles in my gut, and my bear stirs uneasily beneath my skin, pacing restlessly.

Danger, he says.

I frown. We don’t even know who it is.

Another knock, sharp and insistent.

My bear explodes forward. Threat!

Every muscle in my body tightens. He’s right. No one from the pack knocks like that.

I cross the living room quietly and look through the narrow window beside the door. A middle-aged man and woman stand on the porch. The woman clutches a photograph, and she looks like she’s practicing looking worried. The man’s expression is hard enough to chip stone.

It’s them! my bear snarls.

I know before I even open the door that it’s Ever’s adopted parents.

Kill them, my bear orders.