Gianna's POV

"I love you, my little one."

The words lingered in my mind, uncertain, as though they might have been a dream. Yet, the thought alone made my heart seize in my chest. The warmth of his body, the strength of his arms wrapped around me, and the softness of his kiss—everything felt too real to be a figment of my imagination.

Suddenly, a chorus of voices reached my ears, their sounds distant and jumbled, but they quickly faded away. My wolf reassured me that I was safe, and ...