“Jeez, set her down for a second,” Dario says from behind me.
Kaz grumbles but obeys, and Dario pulls his shirt over my head. I rise up and kiss him, and I feel him smile into it.
“Alright,” Keir says, brushing leaves off his pants. “Let’s get you home and into a nice hot bath.”
Kaz lifts me into his arms again with ease. “No more running from you, moon. Only toward you.”
I smile, tucking my head against his chest as we make our way back.
And for the first time in a long time, I don’t just feel whole—I feel kept.
Chapter 25
Selene
I’m wrapped in warmth from all sides, cocooned by steady heartbeats and familiar scents. It’s peaceful in a way that feels almost unreal. With my men surrounding me, I feel safe. Loved. It makes me crave our future—whatever that may look like. I know our world will never be without chaos or danger, but with them, I feel invincible.
The sun begins its slow climb across the sky, casting a golden glow over the room. Carefully, I slip out from their arms and pad to the bathroom. After using the washroom, I head out to the balcony, needing a breath of solitude. The early morning air is crisp, grounding me as the orange tones of dawn stretch across the horizon.
I close my eyes and inhale deeply. I’m still here surviving. Thriving.
A lesser person would’ve shattered after losing their father. A weaker soul might’ve given up after a bullet tore through them. A bitter heart would’ve turned away from love, from forgiveness. But I’m none of those things.
I’m me.
And I finally understand—everything happened for a reason.
So, I let go. Of the grief. Of the guilt. Of the pain that tried to bury me.
Tears fall freely, but I don’t hide them. They’re not just for sadness—they’re for joy. For freedom. For the love I never saw coming.
Footsteps approach, and I turn toward the sound.
“Princess,” Keir’s voice is quiet, tinged with worry. “Why are you crying?”
I smile softly through my tears. “I’m just… letting myself feel everything.”
He pulls me into his arms, warm and steady. “You’re allowed to feel it all and still be the strong woman you are.”
Dario appears next, rubbing his eyes. His gaze lands on me, and his expression crumples. “Pumpkin, you’re crying.”
“They aren’t all sad tears,” I reassure him, and he pulls me into a hug, kissing each of my eyelids.
“Oh thank God,” he breathes, grinning. “You know you’re a badass, right?”
I laugh. “Yes, love. I know.”
“Fuck yeah! I got a cute name!” He pumps his fist in the air proudly.
A throat clears, and Kaz steps into view—dark, brooding, beautiful. Dario lets me go, and I walk into Kaz’s arms. He wraps me tightly against his chest and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“You okay, malyshka?” he murmurs.
I open my mouth to answer, but something catches my eye. Ink. A new tattoo—right above his heart. A crescent moon with my name etched into it.
My breath stutters. I reach out, fingertips brushing the design. “What is this?”
“You have my heart,” Kaz says softly. “You’re the brightest sliver of moon on my darkest days.”
