Noelle leaned further into Thorne, the warmth of the water a soothing contrast to the storm of emotions churning within him. His eyes remained closed as he spoke, his voice trembling slightly with vulnerability. "I don't even know how I fell in love with you," he admitted, a bittersweet smile curving his lips.
"When I came to that hill, all I wanted was a family of my own. After losing my mum… and with no alphas left in the village, you were my only chance. My only hope for something more. Someone I could call mine. A place to belong."
Thorne stilled behind him, his grip tightening around Noelle's hand as the words sank in.
