****************
Chapter 151
~Kai’s POV~
When I finally pulled away, I rested my forehead against Valerie’s and just breathed.
"You ca," she whispered.
"Of course I did," I murmured. "I will always. I apologize for coming late. I..."
"It’s okay. I just... I’m tired, yes, and I wanted to be alone."
"So I should leave?" I asked and she shook her head.
"Honestly, I wasn’t chasing my mates away, but I just... I don’t think I want you guys to see this way, and besides, those fishes just barged in, leaving unprepared."
"Oh..." I paused, then stepped back a little. "I am sorry for barging in."
Valerie parted her lips to speak but suddenly remained speechless. "No, I am not blaming you. I guess you ca after the storm had settled. I’m okay."
"So you don’t want leaving now?"
I watched as Valerie shook her head before answering, "No."
"Okay then." I let my lips lift a bit on the side. My voice dipped lower as my gaze focused on her hands rather than her face. "That’s what terrifies ."
She looked up at . "What does?"
"This thing between us. The matebond. It’s strong and loud. But it’s not just that, Valerie. It’s you. You’re in my thoughts constantly. I see you when I close my eyes. I feel you... even when you’re not around."
Her lips parted, but I wasn’t done.
"And tonight—it was deafening. Sohow, your pain and scream... I felt it in my chest like a blade. I couldn’t stay away."
She stared at , stunned into silence.
I swallowed. "And it kills that I don’t even know what caused it."
Valerie reached out, hesitated, then took my hand in hers.
"I don’t know what’s happening either," she whispered. "But sothing inside is breaking. Sothing is burning. And I’m scared that no one will be left when it finally cos undone."
I squeezed her fingers gently. "I will."
She looked at fully, like she wanted to believe that. I could see the doubt in her eyes and the pain etched across her face. Whatever it was, she felt it yesterday and today... It was definitely not easy for her, and it was painful.
I didn’t say anything more because I’d an it again tomorrow. And the day after that. No matter what broke.
No matter what burned. I would still be here.
"Thank you, Kai."
"Don’t thank . Just..."
I paused, staring into he lovely blue eyes like they were sucking in.
"Just give a chance to love you, Valerie."
As much as I had said those words in my head, I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud because I would be a fool if I said I didn’t sll Dristan over her.
He was doing so much to stake his claim over our mate, and the rest of us were letting him.
I sumd up the courage. Whether or not she loved Dristan and wanted to be with him, we should also let her know how we feel.
"You should tell her how you feel about her, Kai. You love her. You love Valerie Nightshade. You love our mate, you stupid human," Kaiser scolded .
I smiled to myself. Kaiser had a mouth on him when he beca grumpy.
"What are you laughing at, you dimwit?"
At once, my expression changed and I glared daggers at him in my mind. "Watch it or I won’t ever let you shift. Behave."
"Umm Valerie..."
Suddenly, a ssage ca into her phone pulling her attention away. She read her text and then after so seconds she looked up and dropepd her phone.
"Yes?"
"Umm, nothing."
"Chicken."
I ignored Kaiser, but then Valerie stood up and smiled at . "Umm... I need to take my bath and visit the clinic. They’d want to check you know."
I nodded. "Yeah. Can I wait for you outside and accompany you?"
Valerie smiled, but she shook her head. "You shouldn’t skip any more classes because of , and so should the others. I’ll be fine, Kai."
Standing up, I smiled at her dismissive tactics. "Okay, you be safe."
Valerie’s smile was all I needed. I moved closer, wrapping one hand around her waist and then the other up the side of her neck to cup her cheeks.
I was sure my eyes were filled with desire and love, but I did not care. I had held back for long. And with her standing here, all I could think of was her lips—those soft, sweet lips pressed against mine.
"I love you."
I muttered those words, and before she could process what was happening, my eyes fluttered closed and my lips pressed against hers.
Her lips were soft.
Warr than I rembered, and far more yielding than I expected. She didn’t push away—she responded. Slowly, uncertainly... but she answered.
Valerie’s hands hovered between us at first, then rose to my chest. Her fingers curled lightly into the fabric of my shirt, as if grounding herself, as if torn between pulling closer or holding at bay. But she didn’t stop .
And that was all the permission I needed.
I deepened the kiss.
My mouth moved gently at first, but the longer she stayed with , the harder it beca to stay gentle.
My hand moved from her waist to her back, pressing her just a little closer.
My other hand cradled the side of her face like she was glass, I didn’t want to shatter—but couldn’t stop touching.
She made a soft sound against my lips—a mix between surprise and surrender—and I swear it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard.
Kissing her didn’t just make my chest ache.
It made my entire world tilt.
She tasted like mint and heat, like sothing I wasn’t supposed to have but had waited years for anyway. My heart thudded in my chest so loudly, I feared she’d hear it.
Or maybe I wanted her to. Perhaps I wanted her to know what she did to . She could ruin with a glance, and rebuild with a kiss.
She pulled back first, just a breath away, and I paused, forehead still resting against hers, both of us panting. We were unsure of what had just happened, but we didn’t regret it.
Not even a little.
"I shouldn’t have done that," I whispered, even though my hands still held her.
Valerie’s eyes opened slowly, heavy-lidded and uncertain. "But you did."
"I did," I echoed, brushing my thumb along her jaw.
"And I kissed you back," she added, voice softer now and more vulnerable.
I nodded once, lips twitching upward. "You did."
We paused for a brief mont and then Valerie stepped back, just slightly, enough to let the distance settle again.
I took the hint. I let my arms drop gently, giving her space. "Thank you," I said quietly.
"For what?"
"For not pretending that didn’t an anything."
Reviews
All reviews (0)