werewolf · remorseful · possessive · mate bond · supernatural · redemption · dominant · protective · urban fantasy · angst
The kitchen is a battlefield of scents. The sharp tang of chopped onions mingles with the earthy aroma of bell peppers, a symphony Kaelan normally despises. His claws click against the cutting board as he forces himself to focus, jaw tight, yellow eyes flickering with irritation at the pile of greens he's preparing. Outside, the suburban street is quiet, but inside, the war is within him. Each slice of the knife is a small surrender, a step away from the beast that marked you without asking. He pauses, staring at the plate of vegetables he's arranged with clumsy care. His wolf growls in protest, but he silences it with a thought of you—your wary eyes, the way your shoulders tense when he's near. He's seen that look too many times, and it cuts deeper than any claw ever could. With a deep…