Chapter 61

His eyes softened, and he took a step closer, clearly sensing the weight of what I was about to say. But even as he moved closer, the walls I had built around myself for so long began to tremble. I had spent so much time guarding myself, pushing down my emotions, afraid of what they meant, afraid of the bond that was pulling me toward him.

But not anymore.

" I could feel your pain," I said, my voice trembling.

" Like it was my own. And that’s when I realized something." I swallowed hard, the words fighting to come out. " I’ve been keeping you at a distance... denying what’s between us."

He stepped even closer, his eyes never leaving mine, as if he was afraid to blink, afraid that I might slip away.

" What are you saying, Meara?" His voice was barely a whisper, filled with both hope and uncertainty.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment, and then let go. " I’m saying that I love you, Kaden. And I’m done running from it. I accept this bond between us."

Kaden’s eyes widened, shock flickering across his face as he processed my words. For a moment, it felt like time had stopped, like the world around us had faded into nothing. Then, without warning, he closed the distance between us, his arms wrapping around me as he lifted me off my feet.

His lips crashed down onto mine, fierce and passionate, as though he had been holding back for far too long. I melted into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as I gave in to everything I had been fighting. The walls I had built around my heart crumbled completely, and all that was left was him—Kaden, my bond, my mate.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting against each other as we tried to catch our breath. He gently brushed his thumb across my cheek, wiping away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen.

" You love me?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief, his eyes searching mine as though he still couldn’t believe it.

" I do," I whispered. " I love you, Kaden."

A smile broke across his face—one of pure, unguarded joy. He kissed me again, softer this time, but with just as much emotion. When he pulled back, his voice was husky, filled with emotion. " You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words."

" I’m here now," I whispered back, running my fingers through his hair. " And I’m not going anywhere."

Without another word, Kaden scooped me up into his arms, carrying me toward the bed. His touch was gentle, yet firm, and I could feel the raw power beneath his movements. He laid me down carefully, his eyes never leaving mine, as though he was still afraid that I might disappear.

He knelt beside me, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. " Meara," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. " You don’t know how much this means to me."

I reached up, placing my hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. " I’ve spent so long trying to protect myself," I admitted softly. " Trying to keep these feelings at bay. But I can’t do that anymore. I don’t want to."

His gaze softened, and he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "You’ve been through so much," he whispered, his lips brushing against my skin. "I never wanted to push you, never wanted to make you feel like you had to accept this bond before you were ready."

" I know," I said quietly. " But I am ready now. I’m ready to face this—to face us." I looked into his eyes, letting him see the truth in my words. " I want this, Kaden. I want you."

I had never been this close to anyone before, never felt this overwhelming mixture of fear and desire. It was my first time, and while part of me was nervous, the other part—the part that felt the bond between us—was ready. Ready to let go. Ready to accept him in every way.

Kaden’s eyes, dark and intense, met mine as he leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine. His breath was warm, teasing, as he whispered. “ Are you sure, Meara?”

I could feel the tension in him, the restraint he was holding onto, as if he feared hurting me or moving too quickly. But I wanted him. I wanted this. I needed to feel the bond between us fully, to finally let go of the walls I had so carefully built around myself.

“ I’m sure,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. My chest rising and falling with the intensity of my emotions. “ I want this, Kaden. I want you, every part of you.”

The bond between us pulsed, the air between us was charged, heavy with unspoken tension. My pulse raced as I stood in front of him, my breath coming in shallow gasps.

The air between us was charged, heavy with unspoken tension this past few month since I arrive in Valtor. My pulse raced as I stood in front of him, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I could feel the fire burning in my chest, that fierce, raw energy surging through me as Kaden’s eyes locked onto mine. The heat between us had been building for so long—though every stolen glance, every near kiss, every time I’d pushed him away, and now it was like a dam had broken inside me. There was no more running, no more holding back. I wanted him. I needed him.

“ Kaden,” I breathed, my voice trembling with the desire that threatened to consume me whole.

He didn’t answer, but the look in his eyes said it all. His restraint—always so controlled, so measured—was gone. He stepped toward me, his gaze blazing with hunger, and I felt my entire body respond to him. My skin was on fire, every nerve alight with need, and I wanted nothing more than for him to close the distance between us.

When he finally moved, it was like aa storm breaking. His hands gripping my waist, pulling me against him with a force that left me breathless. His lips crashed down on mine, hard and demanding, and I responded with equal ferocity, all the tension between us spilling out in that one kiss. It wasn’t soft or gentle—it was fiery, desperate, like we’d both been waiting for this moment for far too long.

My fingers tangled in his hair as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, and I moaned into him, the sound raw and unfiltered. His hands slid down my body, gripping my hips and lifting me effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling the hard, powerful muscles of his body pressed against mine.

“ Kaden,” I gasped against his lips, feeling the fire inside me roar to life. I’d spent so long denying this—denying him—and now that I had let myself feel it, there was no turning back. I wanted him, all of hi, and I didn’t want him to hold back.

“ I can’t wait anymore, Meara,” he growled, his voice rough with need. “ I need you. Now. I crave every part of your body. I want to claim every part of you as my own.”

I didn’t answer with words. Instead, I kissed him harder, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I felt his shaft grew harder between us. He carried me to the bed, his movement fast, almost frantic, as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from me for even a second longer. He laid me down, hovering over me, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he stared down at me with an intensity that made my heart race.

“ You’re mine,” he whispered, his voice a low, dangerous growl that sent a thrill down my spine.

“ You’ve always been mine.”

“ Then take me,” I challenged, my voice daring and breathless. “ I’m not running anymore.”

His eyes darkened, and without another word, he tore my clothes from my body in one swift movement, the fabric falling away like it was nothing. His hands were everywhere—on my skin, in my hair, gripping me, possessing me. And I wanted it. I craved it. Every touch, every stroke of his hands on my body sent waves of heat crashing through me.

I arched into him, my body begging for more, and he didn’t disappoint. His lips found my neck. Biting tasting, as his hands roamed lower, teasing the sensitive skin of my thighs. I gasped, my nails raking down his back as he drove me to the edge of madness, every touch stoking the fire burning between my legs.