Page 47 of Bite the Power
Tessa settled into the chair adjacent to Kaidan who sat at the head of the table, while Elora and Bjorn sat across from Tessa. The staff came in almost immediately and served them the most delicious looking salmon Tessa had ever seen along with a bottle of wine that must have been decades old.
"I owe you an apology, Tessa." Bjorn's words cut through the silence, his brown eyes sincere and thoughtful. "I've been cold and distant since you arrived, and that wasn't fair. Judging you solely because you're human was wrong."
Tessa blinked in surprise, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. She'd expected continued skepticism from Kaidan's stoic Beta, not this honest admission.
"You've proven yourself more than capable these past six days," Bjorn continued, his voice gaining conviction. "The chaos you've faced—both environmental and political with Magnus—would have sent most people running. Hell, even some shifters would have cowered at what you've endured. But you've stood firm, using your intelligence to help us and showing remarkable courage."
A lump formed in Tessa's throat at his unexpected words. "Thank you. That... that means more than you know, Bjorn. And it gives me hope," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, "that maybe other clan members might see my worth someday too. Maybe I could actually..." She trailed off, not quite ready to voice the possibility of staying permanently.
Elora leaned forward with a warm smile. "I've seen your fierce warrior spirit from the start. Any woman who tries to save research files while escaping a burning building has the heart of a true queen."
Kaidan's hand found Tessa's under the table, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gesture of possessive tenderness. The love radiating from him through their growing mate bond made her chest tighten.
"Elora and Bjorn accepting you means everything," Kaidan said, his blue eyes moving between his sister and Beta. "You're not just gaining a mate, Tessa. You're gaining a family."
The word 'family' hit Tessa like a physical force—in the best possible way. She'd been alone for so long, focusing solely onher career and building walls around her heart. But here, in this candlelit sanctuary while a historic blizzard raged outside, she felt something she'd thought was lost forever: belonging.
When dinner finally wound down, Kaidan's alpha senses clearly picked up on her emotional state through their bond. His thumb traced soothing circles on her knuckles while his other hand moved to rest possessively on her thigh.
"Let's retire to my chambers," he suggested, his voice deepening to that rumble that made a heat pool in her belly. "This storm will keep us from investigating Magnus further tonight anyway. We should rest and regroup."
The promise in his voice made her pulse quicken with anticipation, the stress of the day transforming into something far more primal and electric.
When Kaidan and Tessa finally arrived at his private chambers, the solid click of the lock behind them felt like sealing out the entire world. Tessa watched as he shrugged off his formal suit jacket with deliberate movements, the fabric sliding over his broad shoulders before he tossed it carelessly onto a nearby chair.
"Come here," he commanded softly.
Kaidan led her to the massive fur rug spread before the stone fireplace, where orange flames danced and cast flickering shadows across the ancient walls. The heat immediately began chasing away the chill from their harrowing day, but it was the way Kaidan settled beside her that truly warmed her from the inside out.
They sat in comfortable silence for several moments, watching the hypnotic dance of fire while the Arctic storm raged beyond the thick walls. Tessa found herself studying Kaidan's profile in the firelight, memorizing the strong features of his face, the way his golden hair caught the amber glow, and the protective set of his shoulders even in this moment of peace.
This is what safety feels like,she realized with startling clarity.This is what home feels like.
The thought hit her like a freight train, and suddenly the emotions she'd been holding back since Magnus's cruel words in the council chamber crashed over her in an unstoppable wave. Tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them, each drop carrying six days of fear, hope, and overwhelming love.
"Tessa." Kaidan's voice rumbled with concern as he immediately turned toward her, his large hands cupping her face with devastating gentleness. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I—" she started, then stopped, her voice catching. The words felt too big, too important to risk getting wrong. But looking into his piercing blue eyes, seeing nothing but fierce protectiveness and growing love, she found her courage. "I want to be here, Kaidan. With you. In Frosthaven."
His thumbs brushed away her tears, but she wasn't finished.
"The Arctic feels like home in a way nowhere else ever has," she continued, her voice gaining strength. "And you... you make me feel like I belong somewhere for the first time in my life." She paused for a moment, taking a steadying breath. "Kaidan, I've fallen in love with you—completely, utterly, ridiculously in love."
Kaidan's breath caught, his eyes widening with something that looked like wonder.
Tessa pressed on, needing to get it all out before her courage failed. "The past two years since my grandmother died have been so lonely. I threw myself into work because it was easier than admitting I had no one to share my life with, no one who cared if I came home late at night or celebrated my successes with or held me when things went wrong. But here, with you, I finally understand what I've been missing."
"Tessa," Kaidan breathed, his voice heavy with emotion.
"I know Magnus thinks I'll destroy your kingdom," she whispered, fresh tears threatening. "Maybe he's right. MaybeI'm selfish for wanting to stay when my presence causes such conflict?—"
"Stop." The single word cracked like a whip, filled with total authority. Kaidan's hands moved to frame her face more firmly, his gaze boring into hers with an intensity that stole her breath. "Magnus is a bitter fool clinging to old grudges. You're not destroying anything—you're making everything better."
The passion in his voice made her chest fill with hope.
"Tessa, I love you," he said, each word deliberate and weighted with meaning. "Not just because fate marked you as mine, but because of who you are. Your incredible mind, your fierce courage, your stubborn independence that drives me crazy in the best possible way. You're exactly what this kingdom needs—what I need."
Tessa's heart hammered as he continued.
