Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Right next to me.
What’s he doing?
Hiro stopped there, looked at Reo, and said nothing.
What’s going on?
Reo kept a neutral expression, stood without hesitation, and picked up his tea.
What is Reo doing?
Still carrying his tea, Reo walked away. Seconds later, he stopped at the empty chair by the twins and sat down.
O-kay. . .
Yawning, Hiro sat in the empty chair beside me. His shoulder grazed mine, but that tiny touch carried weight, acceptance, and unexpected warmth.
The Claws' eyes widened slightly. Kaede's eyebrow raised. Toma's knowing grin returned. The twins tilted their heads in unison, processing. Daisuke nodded once, making note of something.
Confused, I leaned toward Kenji and whispered, “Why did that happen?”
Kenji’s lips brushed my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Hiro is putting himself next to you. The Claws follow him. If he sits beside you, it tells them you're not just mine. You're ours. Family. They'll trust his judgment.”
Okay. That makes complete sense.
The realization hit me all at once.
Hiro’s scent swarmed around me next.
Hmmm.
Today, he smelled like toasted sugar and cherry blossoms.
Warm, sweet, and dangerous.
Yawning again, Hiro reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two red-and-gold lollipops.
Without looking at anyone else, he held a lollipop out to me. “Here, sis.”
The entire room sharpened.
Kaede froze mid-breath.
Toma’s eyes actually widened.
Daisuke blinked three times.
The twins exchanged another quick glance—this one not suspicion but surprise.
Even Reo, now seated farther away, paused with his tea halfway to his lips.
Only Kenji didn’t move; he watched with a faint curl at the corner of his mouth, as if this were something he already figured would happen and was glad he’d guessed right.
Shocked, I took the lollipop. “Thanks. . .bro.”
Hiro unwrapped his lollipop with a single flick of his thumb.
Smooth.
Fluid.
He’d definitely done that a thousand times.
Alright then.
I did my best to mirror him and failed.
Daisuke's shoulder twitched—the barest movement, but I caught it.
Amusement.
I gave up and used both hands to take off the wrapping. The plastic crinkled softly between my fingers.
Hiro watched me with intrigue and lifted his lollipop to his mouth.
Fast, I did the same.
Together, we placed them on our tongues.
Oh damn.
The flavor hit instantly—dark cherry syrup, warm vanilla sugar, and a tiny spark of citrus that melted against my tongue like an illicit secret.
No wonder he’s always sucking on these.
This was not sweet or childish. This was a grown man’s candy. A killer’s indulgence refined into softness.
Kaede straightened with new respect.
The twins eased back in their chairs, suspicion dissolving into something closer to allegiance.
Toma let out a sharp, approving huff—almost a laugh.
Daisuke’s chin dipped once and then he blended back into the surroundings.
Next, Hiro faced the Claws and pulled out the lollipop. “Have you all met Nyomi?”
The Claws nodded.
“Good.” Hiro twisted the lollipop between his fingers. “Nyomi fed me this morning. Eggs Benedict. We cooked together.”
Daisuke snorted.
Hiro raised his eyebrows.
Daisuke cleared his throat and pursed his lips.
Hiro licked the lollipop. “The food was good. Really good.”
The twins exchanged awkward glances.
“For the first time since Nura died. . .I slept without a nightmare.”
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence came.
Next, the Claws' body language shifted.
Kaede's gloved hands unfolded on the table.
Acceptance.
Daisuke put his gaze on me and it actually held respect.
She's not a threat.
Toma's grin became genuine and he even gave me a friendly nod.
Welcome to the Claws.
The twins' synchronized tilt stopped. For once, they weren't mirrors. Aki's hand moved to his throat—just above his scar—while Yuki's fingers curled into a fist on the table. Two different reactions to the same relief: their captain could finally rest.
The shift in the room was so sudden it left me dizzy.
One second: hostile assessment, wolves deciding if I was prey.
Next second: full acceptance due to their alpha, the pack making room for a new member.
I dragged in a breath—deep, full, the first one that didn't feel like it was being squeezed through a straw. I was glad I had passed whatever test the Claws had been giving me. . .because of Hiro.
My hands, still hidden in my lap, finally unclenched. Part of me still couldn’t believe I was here—trusted, protected, tested. The other part knew I’d earned this seat, and that scared me more than anything.
I raised one hand, took out the lollipop, looked at Hiro, and kept my voice low. "Thank you."
“No. Thank you. . .”
I grinned.
Reo stood.
The room went silent again, but this time the energy was different.
Focused.
Ready.
Reo's voice carried over the space. "Today another message to the Fox was intercepted on the island."
The words hung in the air.
Under the table, Kenji let go of my thigh and turned his hand up so that our fingers laced together. His grip was firm, possessive, and tender. His thumb traced the sensitive skin of my inner wrist, finding my pulse point. And I swore that touch said, ‘You did well. You're safe. You're mine. I love you.’
Placing the lollipop back into my mouth, I squeezed his hand twice and delivered my own message to the Dragon, ‘I know. I trust you. I love you too.’