Chapter 19
234words
Kael insisted on walking me back to my dorm.
"Elara." He said my name softly.
"Yes?"
"I..." Kael took a deep breath. "I need to..."
"Me too." I cut him off, closing my eyes. "About the Claim. I think..."
"Don't." Kael suddenly pulled me against his chest.
"What?"
"I know what you're about to say." Kael buried his face in my neck. "You want to end the Claim, don't you?"
I remained silent.
"I won't let you." Kael's voice was muffled against my skin. "Elara, you agreed to a permanent Claim."
"But your mother..."
"I don't care what she thinks." Kael lifted his head. His wolf eyes were intensely serious, almost frightening. "I just need to ask you one thing."
"Do you have feelings for me?"
I froze.
"Not because of the Claim. Not out of obligation or guilt." Kael's gaze bore into mine. "Just honestly—do you have feelings for me, for who I am?"
I looked into his eyes.
Those golden wolf eyes, filled with vulnerable hope.
"I like you," I heard myself say. "More than I've ever liked anyone."
Kael went completely still for a heartbeat. Then his face broke into a radiant grin.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. His entire face lit up with joy.
He lifted me off my feet and spun me around:
"That's all I needed to hear."
"Nothing else matters."
