Chapter 785 - I guess you are both ready for the war now

Chapter 785: Chapter 785 - I guess you are both ready for the war now

As soon as Seraphine left the leaders’ ward with Voren, Kael spoke up, his voice soft but steady, pure gratitude and residual grief mixed in every word.

"I’m sorry you went through all that. Those Lycans deserve everything that’s coming to them."

Jasmine smiled, more grateful than pained, the expression warming her pale face and easing some of the lingering cold in her chest. She couldn’t imagine the sorrow on the faces of all pack members if that Lycan had succeeded in taking Espe.

From the looks of things, they didn’t even have a way of entering the Lycans’ fortress, so how would they have been able to reclaim her? The thought of it left a cold dread in her chest that she quickly pushed aside.

"Honestly, I have no regrets, and I didn’t mind losing my life. I only prayed for theirs, and not mine."

Now it was clear what the shaman had said, that Jasmine’s destiny was written by her own hands, that she had chosen her fate with her words and her heart, pure selfless love in the choice.

"I’m just glad you came back to me." Kael finally said, his gaze locked onto hers from where he sat before her, pure relief and love shining in his eyes.

Then he stood up from the chair and sat beside her on the bed, careful not to mess up the IV, his movements gentle, his presence warm and grounding.

Jasmine adjusted herself to the side to make room for him and smiled, her eyes soft with quiet affection.

"Thank you for being here, for saying those things, and now giving me your blood."

Kael laughed softly, though his eyes were sorrowful, the weight of everything that had happened still heavy in his chest, pure regret lingering beneath the joy of having her back.

"I’m so sorry, Jasmine. I should have followed my heart. I..."

"No, Kael." She interrupted, her voice gentle but firm, pure understanding in the words. "Thank you for accepting your mate."

Kael was confused until she explained, her words carrying a wisdom that surprised him and left a quiet warmth blooming in his chest.

"If not, I would not have discovered myself. I realized that I can be happy either way, and there was nothing wrong with it. I found a new world, and yet, I still love the pack."

Kael was nodding at her every word, his gaze not leaving hers as he asked, his voice almost teary, pure vulnerability cracking through his usual strength.

"Do you still feel anything for me?" He paused, his throat tight with the fear of the answer. "Please don’t worry about offending me. Your honesty is what matters, and don’t worry. Even if you don’t love me anymore, it won’t change how I feel about you."

Jasmine smiled, her heart warm, the love she had wanted for so long finally finding her. It didn’t take the road she expected, but it still found her, pure and steady.

"Kael, the moment I decided to love you, everything changed. I moved on, have a new life in a new world, had so many men asking me out on dates. I attended a few just to get over you, but none of it worked." She paused, her eyes meeting his with pure honesty. "I still love you."

Kael closed his eyes to absorb the words, the relief flooding through him like a wave that left him almost dizzy with gratitude, but it was short lived as she added, "But..."

"But what?" His eyes suddenly opened, his gaze pleading as he hoped she wasn’t going to break his heart, as he braced himself for the pain he knew might be coming, pure fear rising hard and fast.

"The mate bond." Her voice was quiet, uncertain, the old wound still tender. "What if..."

"No." Kael cut her off, his voice fierce, unyielding, pure determination burning in every syllable. "That would never happen again. I realized after all that happened that we have only one life. I don’t want to lose you again." He paused, his gaze burning into hers with absolute certainty. "So will you marry me? Mate bond or not?"

Jasmine’s eyes were red and teary, her heart swelling with emotion so strong it left her breathless. Knowing how much Kael cared about the mate bond, it was hard to imagine he gave it all up for her.

Though she hoped to feel the real bond with him, she had no idea about when her wolf would return, if it would ever return. The uncertainty left a quiet ache beneath the joy.

"Before I give you an answer..."

She was saying when Kael’s lips pressed to hers, cutting off her words. With his one arm strung to the IV, he used the other arm to press the back of her head, deepening the kiss as he explored the corners of her warm mouth passionately, his touch both gentle and desperate, pure love and longing poured into every second of contact.

When he pulled away, Jasmine was stunned, her lips tingling, but he had only sparked a fire that made her crave for more. Her fingers traced her lips, her eyes wide with wonder and quiet heat.

"That was my first kiss."

"Mine too." Kael said proudly, having achieved his aim, a satisfied smile curving his lips, pure triumph and tenderness mixed in the expression. "You have no idea for how long I’ve wanted to do this but held back each time."

Jasmine smiled, about to tell him what she wanted before, but it was as if he already read her mind, pure understanding flowing between them.

"I can’t tell which of you I like best, the old or new, but I accept both." His voice was soft, sincere, pure acceptance in every word. "You are a model, and marrying you means there will be lonely times when you are away. It’s fine, and all I want is for us to be in touch at all times."

Jasmine’s forehead joined to his, her breath warm against his lips, pure affection and quiet joy radiating from her.

"That’s what I wanted to say."

Kael smiled, his hand cupping her cheek with infinite care. "I know, and you still owe me that candlelit dinner." He whispered, his hot breath fanning her face as she giggled like a kid, the sound light and free, pure happiness finally breaking through the fear of the last days.

They had no idea that two people were standing at the entrance watching and listening to them, their presence unnoticed in the warmth of the moment, pure intimacy wrapping around the couple like a shield.

However, as soon as their lips met again, Voren cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the intimate silence with quiet authority.

"There will be more time for a honeymoon." He paused, his gaze sharp with purpose that pulled them both back to the reality waiting outside. "I guess you are both ready for the war now."