Page 59 of Into the Dawn

"Close your eyes," Ben says, helping me out of the truck.

I comply, letting him guide me up the porch steps and through the front door. The air smells like fresh paint and... something else. Something green and alive.

"Okay, look."

I open my eyes and gasp. The bedroom has been transformed. The walls are painted in the soft sage green we picked out, and the old carpet’s been torn up to reveal the beautiful hardwood floors underneath. But what takes my breath away is the window seat Ben has built, complete with cushions and potted plants.

"Your reading nook," he says softly. "I asked Maisy first, and she said it was okay..."

I throw myself into his arms, overwhelmed by love for this man who remembers every little dream I mention. "It's perfect. You're perfect."

His hands slide down to my hips, pulling me closer. "Not done yet," he murmurs against my neck.

Heat floods my body at his tone. "Show me."

He sweeps me up into his arms, carrying me across the hall to the tiny spare room. Here too, the transformation is stunning. Gone is the dated wallpaper and musty carpet. The walls are a warm cream, the floors, gleaming wood. But what catches my eye is the tiny cot dominating the space. I can't take my eyes off it as I move closer and run my fingertips around the edge.

"When did you do all this?"

"Had some help," he admits. "John came by while you were at work. Even Holly supervised from the porch." His voice drops lower, gravelly even. "Wanted everything perfect for when you got home, but then I couldn't wait any longer."

I shiver, pressing closer. "How can you be so sure?"

"I know." His eyes glow amber in the dim light. "I smell it on you. And it’s getting stronger every day."

"Ben..."

"Shh." He soothes, pulling me back to our room and laying me down on our new bed. "I've got you, little mate. Always got you."

I trace patterns on his chest. "I got a letter from Mom today."

He stills but doesn't tense up like he used to at mentions of my family. "Yeah? How is she?"

"Good. Really good, actually. She's making lots of changes up there. The women especially are finding their voices." I take a deep breath. "Jed's trial starts next week. She wants us to come."

Ben is quiet for a long moment, his fingers running through my hair. "Do you want to? You don't have to, you know that, yeah?"

I do know that, but it's not just about me.

"I think I need to. To see it through. To show them we're not afraid anymore." I lift my head to meet his eyes. "But only if you're with me, and if you're okay with it."

"Whatever you need. Always," he says firmly. "We'll do it together."

I curl back into his warmth, feeling truly safe for the first time in my life. Outside our window, an owl calls into the gathering darkness. This is what I was too afraid to reach for before, this perfect completeness of being with my mate. This time, there's nobody threatening to ruin it, to hurt him, and I can just… be.

"I love you," I whisper into his skin.

His arms tighten around me. "Love you too, little mate. Now, get some sleep."

Letting my eyes fall shut, I melt into the mattress as a wave of exhaustion washes over me.

"I shouldn't be tired, I didn't even do a full shift at the coffee shop," I murmur, stifling a yawn and snuggling in closer to Ben.

"That's okay. Your body's working hard."

I don't really register the meaning behind his words as I drift away on a cloud of blissful contentment.

All I can focus on is how I'm the luckiest woman alive to get a second chance with a man like this.

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