Page 26 of North’s Claim

“You don’t fight for your freedom!” I snap. “You act like you still belong to someone. Like you don’t get to choose anymore. And that kills me.”

Her eyes fill. She blinks fast, but a tear still slips down her cheek.

And fuck it, I pull her in. Her cheek lands on my chest, and she trembles there. “I think everything I say makes it worse,” I mutter.

She lets out a small, broken laugh. “Maybe just a little.”

“I’ll work on it.” I smile. Can’t help it.

Progress. Painful, brutal, but real. One step at a time and for her? I’ll take every damn one.

A sudden honk snaps us both out of it. Tornado rides by, makes a heart with his hands.

I flip him off.

“Come on,” I sigh. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To introduce you to the family.”

Her head jerks. “Me?”

I roll my eyes and swipe away a stray tear. “Yeah, you.”

We start walking again. I gesture to a long building behind iron gates. “Nursery and kindergarten. Our own. Staffed and safe.”

She nods slowly, taking it in.

We move down the street. “Playgrounds. Mini-market. Bakery. Pharmacy. If you ever need something, it’s here.”

She clutches the hem of her hoodie, eyes flicking around. Finally, we stop at the corner of a street that buzzes with the sound of bikes.

The Blacktope Blood.

It’s packed. Inside, it’s alive—music, laughter, the scent of grilled food, smoke, oil. Heads turn when we walk in. Everyone watches.

I nod at a few. Grab a beer.

I claim a stool and sit, watching her shift on her feet.

“Nyxa, this is Iron, my VP.” Iron nods, tall and broad, with eyes that see too much.

“Tornado—Enforcer.”

He winks. “Good to meet you, darlin’.”

“Colt—Road Captain.”

“Hey,” Colt says with a tip of his chin.

“Soul—Sergeant of Arms.”

Soul, dark-eyed and serious, gives her a once over. “We’re glad you’re here.”

“And these…” I gesture behind them. “Are the candies.”

Eva, Jess, Kayla, Andrea, each with their prospects, each different but solid. They smile at her, genuine and welcoming.