Chapter 44 — "Claimed by the Storm"
(Act 2 — With a Little Help from My Friends)
The sun cracked over the Badlands horizon, spilling light over two tangled bodies in the Nomad tent.
Panam stirred against Alaric, hair mussed, the blanket barely covering her bare back. She stretched, letting a soft sound escape her lips.
"Didn't peg you for the 'stay till morning' type," she teased, voice husky.
Alaric smirked, sliding a hand over her hip.
"Didn't peg you for the 'cuddle after' type."
Her laugh was low, genuine — rare.
"Maybe you're a bad influence."
He leaned in, lips brushing her ear.
"Or maybe I'm the best decision you've made in a while."
She rolled onto him with a grin, straddling his waist, fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest.
"Cocky bastard."
"Accurate bastard."
She kissed him hard, biting his lower lip before pulling back with a dangerous glint in her eye.
"Let's see if you can still ride after last night."
Alaric grinned, flipping her onto her back.
"Try me."
Morning bled into noon as Alaric leaned against Panam's Caliburn, watching her tug on her Nomad jacket.
But she wasn't fast enough.
His hand caught her wrist gently, eyes trailing over the faint bruises on her hips — fingerprints that matched his hands… from last night.
Panam caught his gaze, cheeks flushing, biting her lip before smirking.
"Gonna gawk all day?"
He stepped closer, voice low.
"Just admiring my handiwork."
She narrowed her eyes — but didn't pull away.
"And what… am I now? A notch on your belt?"
Alaric leaned in, brushing her hair aside, lips grazing the shell of her ear.
"No… You're the woman who begged for more — and meant every word."
Panam's breath hitched, and her hand gripped his shirt tightly.
"Cocky, arrogant, smug—"
He kissed her hard, silencing every word. When they parted, her smirk softened into something real.
"And you… are trouble."
"Always."
---
Later that day, as they loaded supplies for the camp, Saul gave Alaric a long stare but said nothing.
Panam didn't leave Alaric's side once.
[System Feedback — Emotional Metrics Updated]
Panam Palmer
[Affection +20] — Intimate morning after strengthens bond
[Trust +10] — Shared vulnerability grows
[Attraction +15] — Mutual desire reinforced
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