All Chapters of Save Me, Claim Me: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Tessa POVThe air outside the cell was colder. Sharper. As if the stone walls themselves had been holding their breath and only now dared to exhale.I stepped into the corridor beside Dorian, my movements stiff, every limb aching. My thigh screamed where it was slashed open, but I didn’t limp. I wouldn’t - not in front of anyone. Not even myself.The scent of blood still clung to me like a second skin. Dried in my hair. Soaked into my shirt. Some of it was mine. Most of it wasn’t.Behind us, the door hung crooked on its hinges. Inside, Callum’s body lay where I’d left it, in pieces, the last of his control rotting with him. I didn’t look back. I wouldn’t give him that.The corridor widened as we moved forward. Our steps echoed off the stone, but it wasn’t empty for long.Two figures waited at the junction ahead, their silhouettes tense and alert, weapons drawn. But they didn’t raise them.Victor stepped forward first, eyes scanning me, then flicking to Dorian as if silently asking: Is

Dorian POVShe lay on my bed like a goddamned vision - wet skin glistening in the low light, bruised, scraped, beautiful. Her hair fanned across my pillow, damp and tangled from the shower. Her chest rose and fell like she was holding back a storm.My storm. And I was done holding back.I prowled toward her, slow and deliberate, every muscle coiled with purpose. Her eyes tracked my every move - wide, glowing gold, her wolf close to the surface. She wasn’t afraid. Not even close.She was waiting for me.Tessa.Mine.The bond pulled at us, bringing us closer. My wolf - Kael - howled inside me, demanding what was owed. What had been denied. What had nearly been lost.I dropped to the edge of the bed, bracing my weight beside her, hands on either side of her hips. My gaze dragged over her body. Each bruise, each scrape, each drop of water still clinging to her skin - they were sacred now. Proof that she’d survived. That she’d fought. That she’d won.“Say it,” I rasped, voice shredded with

Tessa POVHis body was heavy over mine, but not in a way that crushed me - he anchored me. The way his breathing still hadn’t leveled, the heat of him still inside me… it felt like the world had stopped just for us.Slowly, he shifted - rolling us until I was on top, tangled in the sheets, sprawled across his chest. I could feel the steady thrum of his heart beneath my palm. Strong. Steady. Ours.My fingers trailed upward, tracing the bite mark on his shoulder. My mark.It was dark against his golden skin - already healed over, but raw enough to make my chest clench. I did that. I’d claimed him back. And the magic in that moment still buzzed faintly under my skin.“You keep touching me like that,” Dorian murmured, voice hoarse and low, “and I’m going to forget the part where we’re supposed to rest.”I smiled, but didn’t stop. “Just admiring my work.”His hand slid along my spine, slow and firm. Possessive. “You look good on me, sweetheart.”Heat bloomed low in my belly again. “You’re

Dorian POVShe was still breathless when we stepped out of the shower, cheeks flushed and eyes heavy-lidded with satisfaction. I wrapped a towel around her and pressed a kiss to her temple, then pulled on a pair of dark slacks while she lingered by the mirror, staring at the mark I’d left on her neck.Mine. In blood. In soul.But it wasn’t just about us anymore. “I have something for you,” I said, crossing the room to the armoire I never let anyone else open. Not even Rylan.Tessa turned, brows lifting slightly as I unlocked the lower drawer and revealed what I’d prepared.Three sets of clothes. Each meant something.The first was sleek, dark leather - tailored to her form, reinforced at the shoulders and waist with fine metal studs that caught the light. The top laced tightly, cut in a way that bared her throat and marked collarbone. Warrior. Untouchable. Fierce.The second was regal. A soft cream blouse with a deep neckline and embroidered cuffs, paired with a floor-length midnight

Tessa POV Dorian’s head tilted slightly, the distant look in his eyes sharpening. Mind link. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the shift in his energy - tense, brief, then resigned. He brushed his lips against my temple and murmured, “I’ll be back in a minute,” before disappearing through the bedroom doors and down the hallway. I stood there, unsure, when Elara’s voice floated in behind me. “He hates those. Mind links, I mean.” She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely, her smile softening. “Feels like they pry into his peace.” I turned to face her. “Is it… something urgent?” She shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe just annoying.” Then she stepped into the room and looked around. “He did all of this himself, you know. No help. No opinions. Not even mine.” I ran my hand over the velvet on the back of the armchair, still overwhelmed. “He didn’t have to-” “He needed to,” she cut in gently. “After everything… he needed something that felt like hope.” I looked at he