Strategic Temptation

Magnus closed his eyes. Her words settled inside him. Not when you are beside me.

Garmr went quiet. Then slowly—

“We stay beside mate.”

Magnus sighed inwardly.

“Yes.”

“We never leave her.”

“Never.”

“We kill anything that gets close.”

“Within reason.”

Garmr ignored the qualification. Magnus opened his eyes. Valera was still watching him. Waiting. Not demanding agreement.

Simply asking him to trust