Chapter 47 — "Forward to Glory"
(Act 2 — Aldecaldo Camp)
The Aldecaldo camp was alive — bonfires crackling, voices raised in rough laughter. They'd pulled it off. The Basilisk job was a legend in the making.
But Alaric's eyes weren't on the camp.
They were on Panam.
She stood by Saul's tent, arms crossed, head high as Saul praised her leadership in front of the clan. The Nomads cheered. She gave a proud nod — but her eyes… kept darting toward him.
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Later, under the neon-flicker of a half-dead lantern, Panam approached.
Her boots scuffed the dust near his.
"You… heading out?"
Alaric leaned against a crate, smirk tugging at his lips.
"Unless there's a reason to stay."
Panam's eyes met his — intense, burning, holding just a hint of that guarded Nomad heart.
"There is."
He straightened.
"Yeah?"
Without a word, Panam grabbed him by the collar and dragged him behind the Basilisk — shadows wrapping around them.
Her lips crashed onto his. Rough, hungry, full of all the things she hadn't said.
He let her set the pace… for the first few seconds.
Then Alaric's hands slid down — gripping her waist, pulling her flush against him, his mouth dominating hers with slow, deep intent.
Panam moaned softly, heat flooding between them.
"Fuck… you're gonna ruin me."
Alaric chuckled low.
"Already have."
---
They broke apart when footsteps echoed nearby. Panam's hand lingered on his chest.
"Don't leave yet."
Alaric raised a brow.
"I'm not going anywhere, Panam."
She gave a rare, crooked smile — the kind that said mine.
"Good."
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[System Feedback — Emotional Metrics Updated]
Panam Palmer
[Affection +40] — Post-mission kiss and silent claim
[Trust +30] — Standing by her side before Saul and the clan
[Attraction +35] — Shared heated moment, private embrace
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Footnote — Total Emotional Points (as of Ch 47):
Panam: Affection +200 / Trust +140 / Attraction +155