Chapter 29
At the helipad, I helped her into the helicopter, making sure her safety harness was secure before taking my seat at the controls. The powerful engine roared to life, and soon we were airborne, the city sprawling beneath us like a glittering mosaic.
Summer stared out the window, her reflection in the glass revealing the turmoil behind her calm facade. I focused on the controls, giving her the space she seemed to need.
“It’s beautiful up here,” she finally said, breaking the silence between us. “Peaceful.”
“One of the reasons I got my license,” I admitted. “The perspective helps when things get overwhelming on the ground.”
She turned toward me then, her amber eyes studying my profile. “You’ve changed, Alex.”
“Have I?”
“You’re… steadier now. More certain of yourself.” A small smile touched her lips. “But your eyes are the same. They still give away what you’re thinking.”
I glanced at her briefly, curious. “And what am I thinking now?”
“That you’re worried about me. About Felix.” She paused, her voice softening. “That you want to protect us, but you’re afraid of overstepping.”
My hands tightened on the controls, surprised by her accuracy. “And is it overstepping?”
She was quiet for so long I thought she might not answer. When she finally did, her voice was barely audible over the helicopter’s engine.
“No,” she said simply. “It’s not.”
The next few minutes passed in silence as I navigated through a patch of clouds. When we emerged into clear air, Summer spoke
again.
“I’ve been thinking about your proposal,” she said, surprising me. “The one you made last night.”
My heart rate picked up slightly. “You don’t need to decide anything right now, Summer. I meant what I said in Evelyn’s office.”
“I know.” She turned more fully toward me closer. “But I want to.”
“Want to what?” I asked, keeping my eyes fixed on the horizon.
“Marry you.”
The helicopter dipped momentarily as my concentration slipped. I quickly recovered, casting her a startled look. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, a new determination in her eyes. “Foster won’t stop until he’s taken everything from me–my son, my dignity, my future, I won’t let him win, Alex. Not again.”
“This isn’t just about beating Alpha Foster,” I said carefully. “Marriage–even one of convenience–means something in our world.”
“I know that.” She reached across the small space between us, placing her hand on my arm. Even through my jacket, her touch sent heat coursing through my veins. “But it’s more than convenience to me. It’s…”
Something warm unfurled in my chest at her words. “What?”
Her gaze dropped to where her hand rested on my arm. “At having someone I can trust. Someone who sees me–the real me, not just the perfect Luma that Alpha Foster tried to mold me into.”
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Chapter 29
+15 BONUS
“I’ve always seen you, Summer,” I said quietly. “Since we were cubs.”
She looked up then, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. “I know,” she whispered. “That’s why
I’m saying yes.”
The air between us crackled with something electric and primal. My wolf was suddenly at full attention, urging me to close the distance between us, to claim what he already considered ours.
With effort, I kept my focus on flying, though every instinct screamed to pull over to the nearest clearing and show her exactly what this “marriage of convenience” could become.
“When we land,” I said, my voice rougher than intended, “we should discuss the details.”
“Yes,” she agreed, she move back to her seat.
I couldn’t resist any longer.As the Blackwood territory came into view below us, my wolf grew restless, pacing beneath my skin. Landing the helicopter in a small clearing just short of our destination, I unbuckled my harness in a single fluid motion.
I reached over, unbuckled her harness, and pulled her onto my lap in one fluid motion.
Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting on a gasp. “Alex-”
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