Chapter 30
Christian surfaced from sleep with unusual reluctance, lingering in that hazy space between dreams and reality.
A rare sense of calm enveloped him.
For several moments, he simply lay still, unable to remember the last time he had awakened without tension coiled beneath his skin. The familiar weight of responsibility wasn’t crushing his chest. The endless vigilance that normally accompanied every waking moment was absent.
Something felt different.
Then he realized why.
Someone was sleeping in his arms.
His gaze lowered instinctively, landing on the woman nestled securely against his side.
Fleur.
The sight stole the remaining traces of sleep from him.
She was curled against him as though she belonged there, her head resting lightly on his shoulder, her breathing slow and even. Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, painting golden highlights across her hair and illuminating the delicate features of her face.
Christian’s heartbeat softened instantly.
His wolf, usually alert and territorial even upon waking, settled with a deep sense of satisfaction.
There she is.
The simple realization filled him with a warmth he hadn’t experienced in years.
Christian couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so soundly.
For as long as he could recall, his nights had been plagued by fractured sleep, haunted by old battles, old wounds, and responsibilities that never allowed him true rest. Even when his body slept, his wolf remained vigilant, forever guarding, forever watching.
Yet somehow, beside Fleur, both man and beast had found something dangerously close to peace.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Carefully, so carefully, he lifted a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
His fingertips lingered against her cheek.
She looked younger while she slept.
The guarded expressions she often wore had vanished completely, leaving behind a softness that made something ache inside his chest.
Far too trusting. Far too defenseless.
His wolf purred possessively.
Only then did Christian become aware of the dull throbbing radiating through his injured shoulder.
The wound protested immediately.
His bandages had been stained red once again, and his arm had gone partially numb from remaining in the same position throughout the night.
The sensible thing would have been to move. Instead, he remained perfectly still.
Not if it meant disturbing her. Not if it meant breaking this fragile moment.
For the first time in years, Christian found himself wishing time would simply stop.
Just for a little longer.
As though sensing the intensity of his gaze, Fleur stirred.
One small movement. Then another. Her lashes fluttered gently against her cheeks.
Slowly, her eyes opened. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Fleur blinked sleepily up at him, still trapped in the lingering haze of slumber.
The warmth surrounding her. The familiar scent that seemed to calm her without explanation. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek.
Everything felt strangely comforting. Strangely familiar. Like fragments of a memory she couldn’t quite reach.
Or perhaps a dream she had forgotten upon waking.
Christian watched every subtle shift of expression that crossed her face.
The moment her eyes met his, something inside him tightened.
His wolf reacted instantly. Years of restraint cracked beneath the force of emotions he could no longer deny.
It was longing. Relief. Possession. Devotion.
Feelings he had buried for far too long surged violently to the surface.
The air between them seemed to grow impossibly still.
Neither moved away. Neither looked elsewhere.
Before either of them could fully process what was happening, the remaining distance between them vanished.
Fleur released a soft sigh.
Still half asleep, guided more by instinct than conscious thought, she lifted her arms and wrapped them loosely around his neck.
The simple gesture nearly shattered Christian’s control.
For several heartbeats, the outside world ceased to exist. There were no enemies. No obligations. No packs demanding his attention. No threats waiting beyond the walls.
There was only Fleur. Only the woman resting safely in his embrace.
Christian pulled her closer, holding her as though she might disappear the moment he loosened his grip.
His wolf practically howled with satisfaction.
Mine.
The possessive claim echoed through every part of him.
Not as a command. Not as ownership. But as a fierce, instinctive certainty that Fleur had become the center of a world he had never expected to share with anyone.
Meanwhile, Fleur felt completely overwhelmed.
The emotions surrounding her were so intense that she could barely separate them from her own.
The warmth. The safety. The strange sense of belonging that settled around her like a protective blanket.
None of it made sense, yet somehow, it felt right. Dangerously right.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing noticeably harder than before.
Neither spoke. Neither seemed willing to be the first to break the fragile spell hanging between them.
Christian rested his forehead gently against hers. His silver eyes burned with emotions that no longer had anywhere to hide.
Fleur’s thoughts had become a tangled mess. Questions crowded her mind, but none of them could form properly.
All she could do was stare at him… And wonder why her heart was beating so fast.
Then suddenly, the bedroom door swung open. The peaceful atmosphere shattered instantly.
Christian’s head snapped toward the interruption. His expression darkened.
A low, dangerous Alpha growl rolled through the room, vibrating with enough authority to make lesser wolves submit on instinct.
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Every protective instinct within him roared awake.
His eyes flashed.
“Out p>
The command cracked through the air like thunder. The unfortunate guard standing in the doorway paled instantly.
“Yes, Alpha p>
The door slammed shut a second later.
Silence returned. Fleur’s eyes widened. Reality crashed back into place.
Her face immediately turned scarlet.
Moon Goddess p>
She was in Christian Wayne’s bed.
Again.
And somehow, he looked entirely unapologetic about it.
Fleur shoved him backward. Christian allowed it, though amusement danced in his eyes.
“What was that?” she demanded.
Before she could continue, Christian spoke first.
“You spent the entire night in my arms, Miss Swann p>
His expression remained perfectly serious. “You used me as a pillow p>
Fleur widened her eyes in shock. “What p>
“You slept exceptionally well.” His lips twitched. “My shoulder, however, disagrees p>
Fleur stared at him in disbelief.
The audacity. The absolute audacity of this man.
Christian continued with a straight face.
“I believe compensation is appropriate p>
“Compensation?” she repeated.
“Naturally p>
His wolf was practically entertained now.
Fleur looked ready to throw something at him.
“What exactly do you want, Alpha Wayne p>
Before he could answer, her gaze landed on the blood soaking through his bandages.
Every trace of irritation vanished.
“Oh my God!” She immediately grabbed his arm.
Christian winced. Sharp pain shot through his shoulder. The sight made Fleur’s stomach drop.
Guilt hit her instantly. She remembered waking up with her head resting on that very shoulder. The injured shoulder.
“Oh no Her expression filled with panic. “I’m so sorry p>
Christian’s teasing mood faltered slightly. The genuine concern in her eyes affected him far more than it should have.
“This is my fault p>
“No, it isn’t p>
“It is p>
Fleur was already climbing off the bed.
“I need to get the doctors p>
She hurried toward the door, but before she could escape, Christian caught her wrist.
Fleur turned back in confusion. Christian’s grip remained gentle but firm, his silver eyes locked onto hers. The playful expression returned, too.
“So,” he said lazily, “how exactly are you planning to compensate me, Miss Swann p>
Fleur narrowed her eyes.
There it was. The shameless Alpha was back.
And somehow, despite herself, she was beginning to suspect that Christian Wayne enjoyed provoking her far more than he enjoyed recovering.