I lay tangled in the sheets, Kaelen's large body pressed against mine in the early morning light. His reassurance about Selene had calmed me, but I still felt raw, vulnerable. His arms encircled me protectively, even in sleep, one hand splayed across my growing bump.
The warmth of his body was comforting, yet my mind wouldn't quiet. What did it mean that he chose me over his fated mate? Could I really trust that choice to last? I'd been burned before - catastrophically - by men who'd claimed to love me. But none of those relationships had felt like this, with stakes this high or emotions this intense.
Kaelen stirred beside me, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal those piercing green eyes. "Morning," he rumbled, voice thick with sleep. His hand traced lazy circles over my belly. "How's our pup?"
"Quiet for now," I whispered. "Usually starts the gymnastics routine after breakfast."
