The weight of his love.

Mira's POV

The car comes to a halt just a short distance to the pack house.

"I'll have to leave you here, baby. You can walk the rest of the way slowly. You know no one can see us together," he says, his voice so soft it sinks right into my skin, making my wolf stir.

I nod quietly, not really having the words to say right now.

Theo Thornevail. The younger brother to Alpha Eryx Thornevail.

Hah, yeah, that's right, everyone at the pack house thinks I'm just a mere servant, but they are severely wrong.

Or at least I think they are. I mean, how can I be, when I'm being loved by an Alpha? And not just any Alpha, but one from Thornevail Pack.

That's the highest privilege anyone could dream of in their entire life.

But that's not why I accepted him so easily from the first days I arrived at Thornevail Pack House.

Morgana had brought me with her after marrying Alpha Eryx, dragging me along as her servant. In her words, I was bound to be a slave.

That my whole family is bound to slavery for generations. She could be right because I was born into it. I found my parents serving hers back in Clawingfang Pack.

That's my real pack. But I don't think I'll ever go back there again, not now that I'm slowly settling into Alpha Theo's heart.

I felt awful when Morgana dragged me here. But the moment I arrived and saw him… I don't know if it was heaven's blessing, but something changed. From the night of the wedding, when our eyes first met, that was the moment. That's what led us here. Today.

Sometimes I still wonder if I'm dreaming. Because how on earth would an Alpha from Thornevail Pack look at someone like me… and feel drawn toward me? And not even under the influence of a mate bond?

But all in all, I love him more than anything else in my life. And lately, it feels like I live for him. Like nothing else makes me want to keep going except him.

And every single day, I just hope he keeps his promise, that soon he'll tell the world that it's me he wants, and he won't care what anyone else says.

Of course, there would be chaos. That's exactly what he's trying to avoid right now. Which is why no one, absolutely no one, knows about our secret relationship.

Last night I felt like the most valued person in the world when he stayed with me at the hospital.

I'd been dropped there by the pack house servant manager after my legs were burned with hot tea.

That crazy woman Morgana had thrown it out in anger over something else entirely. But because I was there, I paid the price. And she didn't even care that she did it.

Like she didn't even see it.

The pain was unbearable. I think I passed out and woke up in a hospital bed. I've always been weak. Some kind of sickness, I've never really understood what it is, but it's always been there. Maybe that's why I collapsed with just that pain.

Thank the Moon Goddess for our fast healing. I still don't understand why they thought I needed a doctor. The burns were bad, yes, but they were already healing. Maybe it's because I collapsed.

Theo, on the other hand, had been furious. I had never seen him like that before. He was ready to confront her, I could tell that he was going to tear into her, but I begged him not to. That kind of reaction would have raised attention, and we couldn't risk that.

"What are you thinking about?" His voice pulls me back. "Your mind seems so far away. I'm right here with you, who else are you thinking about?"

His tone is calm, casual, but I can hear the possessiveness buried underneath.

Before I can answer, he leans in, closing the space between us, his lips meeting mine, kissing me.

As always, his simple touch melts me completely, leaving me helpless. His hands cradle my jaw, firm but gentle, his mouth brushing mine with just enough pressure to set my skin tingling.

He tilts my head, claiming me with the kind of hunger I've only read about in stories. His tongue grazes mine, slow and sensual, and my breath catches.

Heat coils in my belly as his fingers trail down my side, tugging me closer until our bodies press together.

The kiss turns hotter, rougher. I can feel him losing control again, just like he always does.

His breath grows heavy and uneven. His touch shifts from tender to desperate, his hands wandering, bold and eager. I feel his fingers brushing over the zipper of my dress.

And that's what snaps me out of it.

I pull away.

"Please…" The word escapes his lips in a voice so desperate it breaks my heart.

Guilt crashes into me. Every time we get to this point, I pull away. I know how much it tortures him, and yet I've never been ready.

Not truly.

As much as I love him… as much as I want him, I've never given my body to anyone before.

This is the first relationship I've ever had. I just can't wrap my mind around surrendering myself completely. Maybe it's the fear of finally loosing the only thing that I own, my own.

But… I think I'm ready now, if it's him, it won't be in vain. It's been long enough, and I can't keep pretending I don't see the need and pain in his eyes. Can't keep pretending I don't feel the same ache.

"When are you ever going to let me…?" he whispers. Then he chuckles, but it's a broken, tortured sound. "Don't you think twenty-three is too much to be a virgin?"

His voice is light, teasing but I can feel the weight behind it.

Embarrassment washes over me like a second skin. Still, the words slip out.

"Well, I was gonna let you tonight," I mutter, "but since you've said that to me, I'm cancelling that plan."

His head snaps up immediately. "No, baby please don't. I was kidding, you know that, right?"

His eyes darken with need. The kind of hunger that terrifies me, even though I know deep down, I want him too.

"Yeah, I know," I say quickly. "I should…" I reach for the car door handle, trying to find an excuse to leave. But he gently grabs my hand, holding me still.

"I know," he says softly. "I can see how terrified you are about the whole thing. It's okay. Take your time. I just hope… it won't be forever."

His voice is coaxing, gentle. He means it.

And just like that, the pressure fades. Warmth floods my chest, easing the guilt inside me. I lean in and plant a soft kiss on his lips.

"I promise it won't be forever," I whisper.

He smiles. "I love you," he says in a breath.

"I love you more," I reply, forcing myself to pull away. Because I know duties await. No one at the pack house cares if one is fine or not.

He releases me, slowly, reluctantly.

I step out and walk the remaining short distance to the pack house, my heart still carrying the weight of his love.

Can't help but smile all the way.