Chapter 45

ALEXANDER’S POV The moment I opened my eyes that morning, the scent of her still lingered on my skin. Eliza. Her warmth, the softness of her body pressed against mine, and the way her breath had hitched when I touched her—it was all burned into my mind like an imprint I would never forget. It had been days since I last saw her yet it felt like it was just yesterday. I missed her. Goddess, I missed her more than I could put into words. I had waited years for her, loving her from afar, forcing myself to suppress what I felt. She had always been meant for me. Even my wolf had known it from the start, but fate had other plans. We were separated. Now, with her back in my life, with her finally in my arms, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go again. My wolf stirred restlessly, pacing in my mind. He kept urging me to claim her, to solidify the bond between us. “Patience,” I told him. “Not yet.” I wanted the moment to be perfect. I wanted to surprise her, to give her everything she de