Chapter 7 Beneath the Surface

Night had fallen over the safehouse, blanketing the forest in silver light and the hush of distant wind.

Ember sat at the edge of the bath Kael had drawn for her - a large, deep copper tub that looked half-ancient and half-magical, filled with warm water steeped in crushed moonflower, mint, and herbs that tingled against her skin.

Kael waited outside the room, back turned to the door like a promise.

He hadn't looked at her naked once. Not even when she'd told him she could handle undressing herself. Not even when she'd left the door cracked open - part of her wanting to be seen. Part of her testing if she was still herself.

Her fingers brushed her stomach beneath the water. Bruises still marred her hips and ribs, but the pain was fading - faster now. Maybe it was the herbs. Maybe it was him.

Her wolf stretched inside her. Not just awake now - but present. He's ours, the wolf whispered. He's real. We can be whole with him.

Ember sank deeper into the water, letting the heat soak into her bones, the bond buzz like a soft hum behind her ribs.

Then she whispered, "Kael. Come in."

He entered like a shadow...

Kael stepped in slowly, barefoot, wearing only dark sweats. His eyes found hers, and stayed there. He didn't glance at her body. Not once.

Her heart ached from it.

"You sure?" he asked.

She nodded. "I need to feel safe... and I think I can, with you."

Kael knelt beside the tub. His hand found her face again, fingertips brushing her temple, sliding through her wet hair.

"I won't cross any line you don't draw," he said.

Ember leaned into the touch.

"You already crossed it," she whispered. "When you broke my chains."

He let out a breath - part laugh, part pain.

Then, still slow, he dipped his hand into the water and cupped her cheek with a wet palm. His fingers stroked her jaw, her throat, the hollow where her pulse fluttered.

Her body reacted without her permission. A shiver. A soft moan.

"I can feel it," she murmured. "When you touch me. My wolf... she rises to meet you."

His voice was rough. "The bond burns both ways."

She leaned up then, lifting from the water just enough to press her lips to his. It was gentle - soft and trembling - but it felt like fire rushing through her veins. A spark lighting every inch of her skin.

He didn't deepen it. He didn't demand more. He shivered like her kiss had wrecked him.

When they parted, he stayed close, foreheads touching.

"You're healing," he whispered. "And I'll never rush what's sacred. But when you're ready, Ember... when you want me..."

She nodded, voice breaking. "I'll ask."

And she would.

Because tonight, for the first time, she knew: her body wasn't broken. Her soul wasn't ruined. And her wolf - long buried - was beginning to rise.