Free Web NovelChapter 143: Chapter 143
Gunnar’s POV
The first thing I noticed was how quiet everything felt.
Not the kind of silence that felt empty or lonely, but the kind that felt calm. It wrapped around me like everything was in place, like nothing bad had ever happened.
I am in my room.
Seated near the window with a book in my hand.
The light from outside came in softly, and everything felt normal. My body felt relaxed, my mind was clear, and for once, there was no tension in my chest.
No hunger.
No anger.
No struggle.
Just peace.
I looked down at the book in my hand, reading through the lines slowly, but honestly, my attention wasn’t fully on it. I was just passing time.
Waiting. For her. Like I always did.
Then—
The door opened.
The sound was soft, but it was enough to pull my attention away from the book instantly.
I looked up.
And there she was.
Standing at the entrance.
For a second, I just stared at her.
She looked... perfect.
Her hair was neatly arranged, falling around her shoulders in a way that made her look even more beautiful than usual. She was dressed in a light outfit, something simple but elegant, and it suited her completely.
She smiled the moment our eyes met. freēwebnovel.com
And just like that—
Everything else faded.
I stood up immediately, dropping the book without even thinking about it.
"You’re back," I said, already walking toward her.
She laughed softly.
"I was gone for just a few minutes," she replied.
"That’s too long," I said.
I didn’t stop until I reached her.
My hands went around her waist, pulling her close to me as I leaned down and kissed her.
She didn’t resist.
She melted into it easily, her hands resting against my chest as she kissed me back.
For a moment, nothing else mattered.
Just her.
Just us.
When I pulled back slightly, I rested my forehead against hers, looking into her eyes.
"Where were you going again?" I asked quietly.
She smiled again."I wanted to take Summer out for some fresh air," she said.
My brows furrowed immediately."What?" I asked.
She stepped back slightly, still smiling."Just for a walk," she added casually.
I didn’t smile back."Why didn’t you tell me?" I asked.
She tilted her head slightly."I’m telling you now," she replied.
"That’s not the same thing," I said, my tone more serious now.
She sighed softly."Gunnar, it’s just a walk," she said.
"With Summer," I added.
"Yes," she nodded.
I shook my head slightly."No," I said immediately.
Her smile faded just a little."No?" she repeated. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"You’re not going out alone with her," I said firmly.
Her brows furrowed now."Why?" she asked.
I stepped closer again."Because it’s not safe," I replied.
She let out a small laugh."We’re not going far," she said.
"That doesn’t matter," I said. "Outside these walls is not safe."
Her expression changed slightly."You’re overreacting," she said.
"I’m not," I replied. "You know what’s out there."
She crossed her arms slightly."And what exactly is out there?" she asked.
"Enemies," I said without hesitation. "People who would love to get their hands on you... on her."
She shook her head."No one is going to attack us in broad daylight," she said.
"You don’t know that," I replied.
"I do," she said calmly.
I clenched my jaw slightly."That’s not a risk I’m willing to take," I said.
She stared at me for a moment."You don’t trust me?" she asked.
"That’s not what this is about," I replied immediately.
"Then what is it about?" she asked.
"It’s about keeping you safe and our daughter," I said.
Her expression softened slightly, but she still didn’t agree.
"I can take care of myself," she said.
"I know you can," I replied. "But that doesn’t mean you should be out there alone."
"I won’t be alone," she said. "I’ll be with Summer."
"That makes it worse," I said.
Her brows furrowed again."How does that make it worse?" she asked.
"Because you’ll be focused on her," I replied. "And if anything happens, you won’t react fast enough to protect yourself."
She looked at me like she didn’t believe what I was saying.
"You think I can’t protect my own child?" she asked.
"That’s not what I said," I replied quickly.
"But that’s what you’re implying," she said.
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "This isn’t a discussion," I said. "If you’re going out, then I’m coming with you. Or at least take guards."
She shook her head immediately."No," she said.
I blinked."What?" I asked.
"I don’t want guards following me everywhere," she said. "And I don’t need you hovering over me every second."
"That’s not hovering," I said. "That’s protection."
"It feels stuffy," she replied.
That made me pause."That’s not what I’m doing," I said.
She looked at me carefully."It is," she said quietly.
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"I just want to take our daughter out," she continued. "Let her see something outside these walls. Let her feel normal for once."
My expression tightened slightly."She is safe here," I said.
"She’s trapped here," she corrected.
"That’s for her own good," I said.
She shook her head again."She deserves more than this, Gunnar" she said.
"And what if something happens?" I asked.
"Nothing will happen," she replied.
"You don’t know that," I said again.
She stepped closer to me now. Her eyes locked onto mine. "I do," she said.
There was something in her tone.
Something certain. Something unshakable.
It made me pause. "What makes you so sure?" I asked.
She smiled softly. Then she reached up and touched my face gently.
"Because you keep forgetting who I am," she said.
I frowned slightly."What are you talking about?" I asked.
Her smile widened just a little. "I’m not weak, Gunnar," she said.
"I never said you were," I replied.
"But you act like I am," she said.
I opened my mouth to respond, but she spoke again before I could.
"I am not just your mate," she continued.
Her voice dropped slightly. "I am not just Summer’s mother too."
She held my gaze firmly. "I am of Emberwyn blood."
My chest tightened slightly.
"And nothing..." she added slowly, her eyes still locked onto mine. "...nothing can possibly harm me."
