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His fingers dug into my hips as he drove into me one final time, burying himself to the hilt. I felt him throb inside me, his hot release flooding my core in powerful spurts.

The sensation of his warmth filling me triggered another wave of pleasure. It was primal, intimate. His essence marked me from within, claiming me in the most fundamental way. Each pulse of his cock sent another ribbon of heat deep inside, the slick warmth spreading through me like liquid fire.

I felt something shift between us, some final wall crumbling.

His forehead pressed against mine as the last tremors subsided, our breath mingling in the small space between us. For a moment, neither of us moved, locked together in the aftermath of our shared ecstasy. Then Jaxon’s expression softened, the fierce hunger in his eyes giving way to something deeper, more tender.

He lowered his lips to mine, not with the desperate passion of before, but with an achingly gentle touch. The kiss was unhurried, almost worshipful. His mouth moved against mine as if I were something precious, something sacred. His hands cradled my face with a delicacy that made my heart ache.

“Isabella,” he whispered against my lips, my name a prayer on his tongue. “My woman. My home…my life.”

Carefully, he withdrew from me, both of us wincing slightly at the loss of connection. He gathered me against his chest, one strong arm curving around my waist, drawing me close. My back pressed against his chest, our bodies fitting together perfectly like puzzle pieces meant to connect. He tucked my head beneath his chin, his steady heartbeat a reassuring drum against my shoulder blade.

“Sleep now, bella,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “I’ve got you.”

His legs tangled with mine, one muscular thigh thrown possessively over my own, anchoring me to him even in unconsciousness.

I sighed contentedly, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me like a heavy blanket. “You’ve got me.”

The tension that had lived in my muscles for so long melted away under his touch. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my hip, each circle growing slower as sleep began to claim him, too.

The rise and fall of his chest against my back grew deeper, more rhythmic. In the quiet darkness, I listened to his breathing slow, felt the moment when his body surrendered to sleep.

In the still quiet of the night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this thing was too precious, too good, and too fragile to survive the horrors of life.

But that wouldn’t stop me fighting with every breath in my body to keep it.

Chapter 48 – Isabella

I woke with a start. Only…instead of a nightmare, it was a good dream. A little cabin, lost in the woods, was glowing in the late autumn sunlight. Little ones rambled over the backyard as a brisket scented the air from the smoker. They were safe out there.Wewere safe. Because sitting next to me on the porch was the beast, who watched over his kingdom with vicious determination.

Sitting up, I glanced to the other side of the bed. There was that same beast, snoozing softly.

“So he does sleep,” I whispered.

My fingers itched to reach out and trace his spine. But I didn’t dare disturb his peace.

No…he’d earned that.

Mouth dry and bladder screaming, I padded into the bathroom. The floor was chilly. Luxuries like heated floors could come later, once the money we invested in security measures made this place impregnable.

I took care of business and washed my hands. My phone sat on the vanity, where I’d left it hours ago. I flicked it on to check the time.

My dry throat constricted.

There were seventeen missed calls.

An unlucky number.

Flicking through the data, horror swelled in my gut. One of my own had been taken. These were ransom calls, taunting me with the worst outcome if I didn’t comply.

Risking a peep into the bedroom, I gnawed my lip. The threatening verbiage ‘come alone or else’ wasn’t something to be taken lightly. I had the capital. I could make the trade and be back before dawn if all went well.

But I didn’t trust the other players.

Yet if I don’t go….

I fisted my hand at my side, clenching the phone in the other. No. No more death. I wouldn’t lose another soldier—one who had been with me even before the beginning of my reign.