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Chapter 488
~Ella’s POV~
And there he was. Richard.
Tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal the strong lines of his forearms.
His intense gaze still flickered with restless energy as it locked onto mine, and sothing profound shifted in his expression.
He didn’t speak, didn’t ask for permission. He simply stepped forward and kissed .
There was no prelude, no gentle approach. Just the imdiate heat of his mouth on mine, the firm pressure of a man who had clearly been wrestling with his desires for far too long.
My breath hitched, a jolt of surprise montarily freezing .
I didn’t return the kiss imdiately, not even as his hand slid to the curve of my waist, holding with a possessiveness that spoke volus of his unspoken fears.
Perhaps I should have pulled away, or perhaps the thought even flickered through my mind.
But sothing deep within began to stir, and a slow, undeniable warmth spread through my chest.
The matebond.
It pulsed through , electric and terrifyingly right. Before conscious thought could intervene, I kissed him back, Vicky’s triumphant hum echoing in my mind.
His lips curved into a faint smile against mine—a fleeting mont of victory—before he drew back, his eyes searching my face, as if seeking reassurance.
"I wasn’t sure if you’d be here," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Didn’t want to wait until I returned from the kingdom again."
I stared at him, still slightly breathless, the unexpectedness of his arrival and his actions leaving montarily speechless. "You ca without warning."
"I know."
"You kissed ."
"I know that too." I watched Richard tense slightly. He was guaging my reaction.
I folded my arms across my chest, attempting to project a composure that belied the chaotic flutter in my chest. "I haven’t decided if I’m mad or not."
"I’m hoping for ’not.’" A hopeful glint entered his eyes.
"Hmm."
He smiled again, softer this ti, edged with an uncertain vulnerability. He reached past and nudged the door a little wider. "Can I co in?"
I rolled my eyes, a small, involuntary smile tugging at my lips even as I nodded and stepped aside, allowing him entry into my newly claid space.
The living room was bathed in the warmth of the late afternoon sun, golden streaks painting the simple décor.
Richard’s gaze swept over the space—the stack of books on the coffee table, the slightly neglected plants on the windowsill.
He didn’t sit, didn’t break the silence.
Instead, he stood by the edge of the couch, turning to face , his expression earnest.
"My wolf didn’t want to leave," he confessed, sincerely. "Not even for a few days. And I couldn’t understand why until I started driving back here."
"And?" I prompted, intrigued by his unusual vulnerability.
"And I realized the kingdom doesn’t feel like ho anymore." His eyes t mine, steady and unwavering. "Not unless you’re in it."
His words struck a chord deep within , a sharp, sweet resonance. I swallowed, trying to contain the sudden rush of emotion. "You’re not just saying that because of the bond?"
"No," Richard dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. "I’ve felt this for a while, Ella. I just... didn’t know how to articulate it without risking everything. And I wanted to give you the space and ti you deserved."
A heavy silence settled between us, filled with unspoken feelings and a fragile hope.
Then, I closed the distance between us, taking his hand in mine and gently tugging him down to sit beside on the couch.
"I don’t know what this is yet, Richard," I admitted, my fingers lacing with his. "I don’t know what it’s supposed to be or what I am building towards now. You’re my mate, yes but..."
His grip tightened on my hand, his gaze holding mine with unwavering intensity. "I’m here, Ella. You don’t have to doubt. Just trust ."
My gaze flickered downwards, my lashes casting shadows on my cheeks. "Trust?" The word felt heavy with history.
Unbidden, my thoughts drifted to Kent Wayne—my unfortunate friend-with-benefit guy—Zara’s pointed warnings echoing in my mind.
Richard’s lips curved into a slow, understanding smile. "My wolf never wanted to leave. And when I did, it felt like leaving half of myself behind."
That made blink, a surprised warmth spreading through .
His thumb traced a gentle line across my knuckles, and I whispered, a small smile finally breaking through my reserve, "You’re really not good at subtle."
"No. Never been my thing." A matching smile touched his lips.
"Okay," I conceded, as optimism blood in my chest. "I’m willing to find out."
Richard’s thumb continued its soothing rhythm against mine. "Then that’s enough for now."
We sat there, two wolves finally finding a mont of calm. And for the first ti in a long ti, neither of us felt the need to run.
"But..." I began suddenly, and I felt Richard’s hand tense in mine. "Relax," I chuckled softly. "No need to be so on edge." He exhaled slowly, the visible relaxation in his shoulders making my own lips curve upwards.
"Okay."
"What aren’t you telling ?"
"What do you an?" A flicker of confusion crossed his features.
I shook my head, my gaze steady on his. "Don’t do that. Sothing is going on. You have to tell , Richard, please. I want a relationship built on trust, with no lies. Can you do that for ?"
He nodded before answering. "Surely. I promise.’
"Okay. I’ll take your word for it. Then please tell . What’s bugging you?"
Richard hesitated for a little while until finally he inhaled and exhaled, then locked eyes with .
"Ella, my love. I know we have only known each other for a couple of weeks, but it doesn’t change how I have felt for you since I laid eyes on you and now. Will..." He paused.
I smiled reassuringly at him. "Go on."
"Will you travel back to the Lycan Kingdom with ?"
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