The moment I stepped on the landing pad , I felt it.
That tight little tug in my chest—the bond giving a faint, tremulous flutter like a heartbeat holding its breath.
I didn't even have to say anything.
Because seconds later, I heard the soft slap of bare feet on marble, a flurry of motion down the corridor, and then—
"Nine," I breathed, right as he collided with me.
He didn't leap into my arms like usual. Didn't murmur "Alpha" like a prayer against my collarbone. He just buried his face in my chest and clung with every inch of his body like I'd left for years, not days.
My hands automatically curved around his waist, tugging him close. His arms wrapped around my middle, fists knotting into my jacket.
"I missed you too," I whispered into his hair, but something in him didn't relax.
He trembled.
Subtly. Like he was trying not to. Like he didn't want me to notice.
Nyx stirred sharply. Something's wrong.
I ran my fingers down his spine, soothing. "Hey. You okay?"
He didn't answer.
Just nuzzled in closer like if he held tight enough, whatever it was would go away.
I bent, sliding an arm under his thighs. "Come on. Let's get you somewhere softer than a landing pad."
He didn't resist as I scooped him up bridal-style—just curled into me, silent and unnervingly still, eyes hidden against my throat.
Back in our suite, I lowered us onto the couch in the sunken lounge area, cradling him in my lap. The golden afternoon light poured through the wide windows, catching in the silver strands of his hair.
Still, he didn't meet my eyes.
"Nine." I tilted his chin up gently. "Talk to me."
He looked at me then—but it wasn't his usual dazed wonder or bashful worship. It wasn't even one of his rare mischievous sparkles.
It was... guarded.
Like he was trying very hard to hide something and failing terribly at it.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. Too quickly. "I was just—waiting for you."
"You're a terrible liar."
He pouted faintly, but it was watered down. The fight in him was gone.
I tapped his nose. "I was gone two days, not two decades."
"You were gone," he murmured, almost inaudibly.
"And I came back." I pressed a kiss to his temple. "Now tell me what's bothering you. Please."
He squirmed a little, tucking his arms between our bodies. "Some people were talking."
I stilled. "What did they say?"
Nine bit his lip, not meeting my gaze. "They said... I'm only with you because I was made to be. That you'd get bored eventually. That I'm just a toy. Pretty but replaceable."
I felt my wolf snap to attention with a feral growl.
Who said it? Nyx hissed.
But Nine wasn't finished.
"They said I wasn't... really a person. Just something someone else designed to please the strongest Alpha."
The silence that followed was heavy. My breath lodged behind my teeth.
Nine, still curled on my lap, whispered, "Is that true?"
"No," I said immediately. "No, Nine."
He flinched at the sharpness of my voice, and I quickly softened. "Listen to me, baby. You're not some toy. You're not replaceable. You're you. And you're mine."
He looked up, uncertain. "Even if I'm... not always useful?"
"You don't have to be useful. You just have to be you. That's enough."
"But what if—"
"No," I cut in gently, wrapping my arms fully around him. "Stop right there."
I held his face in both hands, guiding his forehead to mine. "I've fought monsters. I've dealt with politicians. I've survived mates and betrayals and god-knows-what else. But the only time I ever feel like home is when I'm with you."
His lower lip trembled.
"You're not a possession, Nine. You're my partner. My bond. My stubborn, clingy, gorgeous mate. And if anyone says otherwise again, I'll peel their skin off with a spoon."
That got a snort-laugh out of him.
I grinned. "There's my dramatic boy."
He sniffled and finally—finally—relaxed fully against me, resting his head on my chest with a tired sigh.
"I didn't like being alone," he muttered. "Everything felt... too big without you."
"I'll warn you next time, I promise. And maybe take you with me if you're up for it."
He perked up a little at that.
Nyx rolled her eyes affectionately in the back of my mind. He'd go anywhere with you if it meant being carried.
Honestly? I didn't mind.
I stroked Nine's hair, letting the quiet stretch. His breathing slowed.
Eventually, he whispered, "Can I sleep like this?"
"As long as you want."
He shifted a little, face nestled against my chest. "Don't let go."
"Never."