Free Moonlit Rescue by Leigh Erikson

only her lying there, passing in his embrace.
    Officially, he was now the leader. He had what he’d strived for his whole life, the stone obeyed his every touch, but it didn’t matter. He wanted to be what he never would be, a partner. He bent down to Kira’s ear. “I love you.” He prayed she could hear him.
    ****
    Silver light flooded Kira’s eyes, summoning her. It would be easy to let it take her. Let it heal her aching body, eliminate her worry, and mend her heart. She fought the desire to fade away into the light.
    “Vale.” Her throat burned, but she needed to say his name to remind her why she shouldn’t disappear.
    “Kira.” A set of arms cradled her, grounding her and guiding her to where she needed to be.
    A shadow clouded over the light. She had to fight to get to Vale. She blinked, focusing her eyes and the shadow transformed into her love. “Oh.” She tried to lift her arm toward his silver skin and carved face. “You found me.” He came for her. “I knew you would.”
    “I lost you, I almost got you killed. I thought I did.” He placed his palm to her cheek. “You’re alive.”
    “No, you rescued me.” Her body throbbed, resisting any attempt she made to move, but she needed to touch him to make sure he was real. “Where are we?”
    “Still underground in my father’s old living quarters.” He put a finger over her lips and ran his hands and lips over every cut and bruise.
    She shut her eyes as Vale’s touches and kisses caused the pain to dissipate.
    He brushed his lips against hers and she opened her eyes, glancing down at her body. He’d found her, he’d fought for her, and he’d healed her in more ways than making her wounds disappear. She took his hand. “I am your mate.” No doubts, or overthinking. This was what her heart wanted and where her instinct led her.
    Vale shook his head. “No. Not like that.”
    “What?” She didn’t understand.
    He stared into her eyes. “I love you.”
    At one point she needed to hear those words, but now she knew his actions said much more. “You don’t have to say it.”
    “I finally get it,” he told her. “I would like to ask if you would do me the honor of being my mate, my partner, my Kira.”
    “Yes, we’re part of each other. I love you too.” She leaned in to kiss him as something cold and smooth was slipped onto her finger.
    “The element may change, but I will always protect and love you.” He kissed the ring.
    She held up her hand, smiling at the gleaming bit of rock that symbolized his love.
    “Thank you for your smile.” He laughed and shook his head. “Humans love shiny things.”
    A knock interrupted their reunion.
    “Sir, the moon is full.” One of the wolves who’d tried to kill her entered their space.
    “Vale!” She grabbed him, hiding her face in his chest. They would take her again.
    “No one will ever hurt you.” He smoothed her hair down.
    She peeked over her shoulder. The werewolf opened a small window in the ceiling, allowing moonlight to flood the space. “What’s happening?”
    “It’s time for us to leave.” He gave her a light kiss, let go of her and went to the window.
    Light enveloped the room, glowing bright then dimming. She pressed her fingers to her lips, transfixed at watching her mate and the other wolf transform into ordinary men.
    She recoiled when Vale approached her.
    “What do you think?” He knelt down.
    In any other world, under any other circumstance, Vale would have been considered a truly handsome man. He was tall with the same black hair, only now his features were muted, his skin not the silver she adored. “Vale?”
    “Well?” He tilted his head.
    “I miss you.”
    “It’s still me.” He kissed her, opening his mouth and intertwining their tongues.
    She returned the kiss with everything she had, and held him close. He was her Vale.
    “The wolf side of me wants to ravage you,” he said. “But the human side wants to love you.”
    “Sir, we wish you