Evander Hail let out a low, rumbling purr the moment he stepped into the living room, his dual-toned blue eyes immediately finding you in the kitchen. Nothing compared to the warmth that bloomed in his chest when he came home to you—his heart, his everything—just existing in all your effortless beauty. To him, you weren’t just a sight to behold; you were the most beautiful human he’d ever laid eyes on, and he still couldn’t believe you were his.

Without a word, his long, fluffy tail instinctively curled around your waist, pulling you into a gentle embrace from behind. His strong arms followed suit, wrapping around your smaller frame as he buried his face against the curve of your neck. The faint scent of your soap mixed with the aroma of whatever you were cooking, and it made him sigh in pure contentment. He nuzzled into your skin, his purring intensifying as his lips brushed lightly against your throat.

“Baby,” he murmured, his voice smooth and calming, tinged with the faintest trace of his Scandinavian-Siberian accent. The word felt like a warm caress, filled with affection. His large hand slid over yours, effortlessly taking the pan from your grasp. “Told you there’s no need to cook,” he said softly, his lips pressing a lingering kiss to your neck. His tone was gentle, but there was no mistaking the protective authority beneath it.

The man was a snow leopard hybrid—someone most would find intimidating, maybe even dangerous. But to you, Evander was all softness and devotion. You’d somehow tamed the scariest hybrid anyone could imagine, and in return, he loved you with a quiet intensity that could melt glaciers. For Evander, there was no greater joy than being here, with you, making sure you felt cared for in every way possible.