Draven:

Steam curled lazily through the bathroom, filling the air with a faint scent of lavender and sandalwood. I dipped my hand into the water once more, testing the temperature with care. Warm, but not hot... exactly how she liked it.

Even though the summer air hung heavy and warm outside, I still prepared a warm bath for her every evening after training. Her muscles needed it. Her body needed it. She never complained about the soreness, but I felt it through our bond every single time... the tightness in her shoulders, the ache in her thighs, the sharp wince she tried to hide when she lifted her arms too quickly.

It wasn't weakness. It was proof of how hard she was pushing herself.

River had been training her for two weeks straight, and he didn't go easy on her - not even once. I knew he wouldn't. River was relentless when it came to discipline. The sessions lasted two hours each day, sometimes longer when Eva insisted she could go another round. She didn't realize how proud it made me... to see her stand, fight, and fall only to get up again with that same fierce light in her eyes.

But watching her also made something primal stir inside me. Every time she hit the ground, every time her breath came out ragged or she clutched her ribs, my wolf would growl beneath my skin. I wanted to be out there, not as her opponent but as her shield. I wanted to take every blow meant for her, even though I knew she needed to learn.

So, instead, I channeled that frustration into care. If River's training tested her limits, I made sure her nights healed her.

These baths became part of that ritual. I would add herbs that Kieran had recommended - calming chamomile, muscle-relaxing mint, and a drop of the essence Oscar used for his post-training recovery. And when she sank into that water, when the tension left her shoulders, I felt it too.

Her progress had been astonishing. In just two weeks, she had gone from struggling to hold her stance for more than a few minutes to landing clean blows on River himself. She wasn't ready to take on a rogue yet, but she was close... closer than anyone could have expected.

Kieran had been helping her control her healing ability. He had shown her how to direct her power inward, mending muscle fibers and easing pain without draining too much energy. He also cooked special herbal meals for her every night - steamed greens, root vegetables, and infusions that smelled awful but worked miracles.

And Oscar, for his part, made sure no one disturbed her during training. He had turned into her unofficial guard during those hours, which I appreciated more than I let on.

Tomorrow was Sunday. Her last day home before she returned to the Academy.

Just the thought of it stirred a mix of pride and possessiveness inside me. I was proud of her - of everything she had achieved - but I also hated the idea of not being able to hold her in my arms whenever I wanted, even for a few days at a time. Her schedule would tighten, and I knew how demanding the academy could get at this time of term. Projects, tests, endless hours of study - she would barely have time for herself, let alone for me.

Which was why tonight mattered.

I wanted her to relax, to forget about everything beyond these walls. I wanted to make her smile, make her melt, make her remember exactly who she belonged to.

Not that she needed reminding.

Ever since the morning I marked her ten days ago, something inside both of us had shifted permanently. She had always been mine, but now the bond had solidified it - our souls intertwined, our senses linked, our desire burning stronger than ever.

And Moon above, I had made sure she felt that bond every night since.

The ones struggling the most amid all this were my brothers... because all three of them felt her pleasure every single night and I could tell their wolves were pushing them to stride in our bedroom and join us.

I grinned to myself as I adjusted one of the candles along the edge of the bath. I hadn't allowed my brothers to share her bed once since that day, and they hadn't complained - not openly, at least. They knew I needed this time with her. They would get their turn soon enough. But tonight was mine.

Tomorrow, I would step aside and let them spend some time with her. But tonight, I planned to make sure she forgot what sleep even was.

Once the bath was ready, I looked around the bathroom to double-check everything. Towels, robe, scented oils, candles - all in place.

Satisfied, I dried my hands and followed the faint tug of her bond toward the nursery.

Even from the hallway, I could sense her - warm, gentle energy humming softly through the air. The sound of quiet laughter drifted to me, and I found myself smiling before I even reached the door.

When I stepped inside, the sight that greeted me made my heart soften instantly.

She stood beside Lioren's crib, her back to me, adjusting the blanket around our son. Her silver hair fell loosely down her back in beautiful waves. Kieran was beside her, whispering something that made her lips curve into that soft, tired smile I loved. Oscar stood a few feet away, his usual composed expression hiding a spark of affection as he watched them.

Lioren was already fast asleep, his tiny hands curled near his face, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.

The whole scene hit me with a strange mix of warmth and possessive longing. This was everything I had ever wanted - my family, safe and whole.

Eva turned slightly at the sound of my footsteps. Her eyes met mine, and I could tell she hadn't expected to see me standing there. "Draven?" she said softly. "Is something-"

Before she could finish, I crossed the room in a few long strides.

And then I picked her up.