We both go to take showers, in separate bathrooms of course, and I make it back to my room before he does.

Killian wants to sleep with me. In my bed. The butterflies in my stomach increase tenfold at the thought.

I stare up at the ceiling and think about what happened in his office only hours ago. I know I said I'd give him a chance, but I didn't think I'd give in to him so quickly. Still, I don't regret it. After everything I've found out, I realize that giving up on someone that's literally made for me before even giving him a real chance would be insane.

I know it won't be easy, but I know I'll forsake everything I've ever known to fight this war with him, and if that means the man who raised me has to go down in the fight, I'll hand Killian his head on a silver fucking platter.

"Hey," I hear from the doorway.

I'm astounded that his voice can sound so soft yet so rough at the same time.

"Hey," I look up at him and smile warmly.

He walks to the edge of the bed and hesitates, asking me permission with his eyes. I scoot over and pat the empty side next to me.

"Are you sure about this?"

It warms my heart how nervous he sounds.

"Just get in the fucking bed, Killian," I roll my eyes.

Finally, he crawls in next to me, making sure to keep enough distance so we don't touch; I can't help but giggle at him.

"You're ridiculous," I tease.

"I'm just trying to protect your virtue until you're properly in love with me."

"And what part of my virtue were you protecting when your hand was in my pants earlier?"

"Warrior!" Killian admonishes jokingly.

He pulls the pillow from behind his head and throws it at my face. I throw it back at him, and soon enough we're in a full-on pillow fight, both of us laughing so hard we can barely breathe.

"Okay, okay, I give! Mercy!" I manage to wheeze out.

We both fall back onto the bed, panting and breathless.

"You know, for a badass warrior, I expected more out of you. You're weak!" He mocks when he manages to finally catch his breath.

"Oh, I'm sorry my training never required pillow fighting like a teenage girl."

"Then I hate to say your training is severely lacking," he laughs.

We lay there in comfortable silence, the only sound coming from Killian turning off the lamp on the nightstand. Even in the darkness, I can still make out the details of his face. I lay there and admire his chiseled cheeks, the strong line of his jaw, and the way his long lashes lay delicately along his eyes. Even just laying there he looked dangerous, but that just made him even more beautiful to me.

"Thank you. For earlier," he murmurs.

He was so still and quiet at first, I thought he had fallen asleep.

"You're welcome," I reply simply, not knowing what else to say.

"I know it's hard, turning your back on your family. I know Sage is like a father to you."

"He is. It is hard," I admit. "But if they've been letting this go on for this long, they're not my family. They're supposed to help and make sure our kind is safe. Besides, I think... I think I may have found a new family," I whisper hesitantly.

Despite what happened earlier, I still feel insecure about my place here. I all but rejected the man beside me when I first got here, and of course Lexie's presence in his life does nothing for my ego. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want me anymore, but somehow, he's given me a second chance, leaving me hoping for something more.

"I'd like that. But, for the record, I have no idea what I'm doing here," he admits with a grin.

"Then we're on the same page. I've spent my whole life killing people and pissing off authority, I'm clueless when it comes to relationships or positive feelings," I joke.

He slides closer to me so that our arms are touching and turns to face me. Gently, he slides his other arm across my waist, causing the skin there to tingle.

"We'll figure this out together," he promises.

"Yes, we will," I concur. "But first, we have to dismantle the council and take out Alpha Lucas."

"Oh, is that all?"

His hand grazes along my arm before resting on my cheek delicately.

"Just another day," I feign nonchalance, knowing Killian can hear my heartbeat quickening.

He leans down and brushes his lips against mine lightly, so different from the desperate, needy exchange in his office.

"Just another day," he agrees.