~Lucas POV~
"It proves I'm yours," I growled, my lips on her neck, right over my mark. Her moan sent fire through me, and I slid my hands under her shirt, feeling her skin burn. She was already wet when I reached her core, and I groaned, working her until she was trembling, her cries sharp in the quiet room.
"You're mine," I whispered, as she came undone, clinging to me. But as she caught her breath, her eyes were still wary.
"We're not done talking," she said, fixing her clothes. "But... I believe you. For now."
I nodded, relief hitting hard. "Good. Because we've got work to do."
The next morning, I was out in the highlands, leading a counter-scouting mission with Calix and Matteo. The forest was thick with mist, but my senses were sharp, tracking the Visaya scent from last night's patrol. We found their camp—a small setup, hidden by pines, with tracks leading everywhere.
"They're sloppy," Calix muttered, crouching by a firepit. "Left gear behind."
