She grinned then traced her hands over his back. "I'm going to finish your ink, make you shine, then love you until the day I die."

He smiled back and she fell just that much more in love. "I'll be your everything. Your strength, your canvas, just yours."

Forever.

He wouldn't grovel, wouldn't fall to his knees and beg forgiveness. He was the son of the Leo, the King of all lions. He would, one day soon, be the Leo and reign over his people. He couldn't fall for her more than he already had, but he could hope she could see how he felt.

Because if she didn't, he wasn't sure what he would do next.

Dude. I’m going to have a baby. A baby cub. What the hell am I going to do?”
Amara hugged her close and kissed her temple. Her friend warmed her when Eliana hadn’t been sure she could ever feel any form of warmth again. “You’re going to be a kickass mom. You and Malik are going to talk and figure out a plan. Whether you are together or apart, you’ll be there for this baby. We all will. I know fate just threw you a curveball of epic proportions, but you can handle it. You’re stronger than you think you are.”
Eliana hoped her friend was right. Because everything had changed once again and now she had to be the rock for not only herself but her baby, as well. Only she was tired of being the rock. She wanted to lean against someone. She wanted a partner.
She just didn‘t think Malik knew what it meant to be a partner. Because she sure as hell didn’t.

He perched the bat on his shoulder, giving a nod that he understood I needed his help. With one loud yell and a couple swings of the bat, he cleared me another path.

I'm a stranger here I'm only passing through, but every place I go leaves it's own tattoo. That's how it is laying stone on stone, building little altars by the side of the road.

Goals are to be inscribed. Don’t just think it, ink it.