23

Kiara woke up with slight aches all over her body, but she was beyond grateful that the worst was over. At that point last night, when she kissed him, she thought there was no going back, but fortunately there was.

Her cheeks turned very warm, and she pressed her palms against it as the memories of the kiss came flooding back. Devon looked hard, his chiseled jaw line, the piercing look in his eyes,his muscles that were always so prominent no matter what he was wearing. He was the definition of hot and tough, but his lips were the sweetest softest thing she has ever nibbled on. Her stomach did a flip as she remembered just how much she enjoyed it.

“Get it together, Kiara.” She slapped her cheeks a number of times to get herself in check, but the smile on her face refused to budge, and she held Kali responsible for it. She was the one that jumped Devon’s bones yesterday, and she was the person refusing to stop thinking about it.

“It’s not just me,” the soft familiar voice of Kali whispered, and Kiara breathed out a laugh. Hearing Kali’s voice and having her do the things she did were such a relief. She felt like she had lost everything that made her Kiara when Kali suddenly disappeared. She still doesn’t know why she or how she left, neither does she know how she got back either, but she was back and that was all that mattered.

“I’m glad to have you back, Kali.” Silence followed her confession, and a line formed on her forehead from how hard she was frowning. “Kali?” She whispered, breaking out in cold sweat.

“I don’t know how glad you should be, Kiara. Me coming back isn’t the blessing that you think it is.”

It is known that the wolves usually know things that are alien to their human forms, because they have lived longer. Ones’ wolf, most times once belonged to an ancestor and was then passed down the line to the current bearer of it. That is why a werewolf was nothing but a stronger and faster human without their wolves, and that is also why hearing Kali say that sent chills down Kiara’s spine.

She already felt like she was fighting against something superior with all that has happened to her, but the statement seemed to solidify that fear.

“Kali, you are not going to leave again, are you?”

“No,” the answer came after a while, “I am not leaving you again.”

“That’s all I need then.”

Whatever it is that wants to happen to her can go right ahead and happen, as long as it doesn’t take Kali away and it doesn’t make it impossible for her to get her lick-back at Kristen she’ll be fine.

“I’m going to meet with Devon, I’m ready to present my deal to him.” 

The faith his eyes held yesterday helped her makeup her mind to finally have the long awaited conversation with him. Quickly, she freshened up and threw on a gown - each time she picked a cloth from the closet, she was always astonished on how he managed to get her a full closet and all the clothes fit. He had even gotten her under-wears and all of them seem to fit as well. Once satisfied with her look, she did a rehearsal of the speech she was going to give him, then she strode out of the room comfortably and confidently.

“Going somewhere?”

Kiara’s lips curved into a small smile when she saw Amira. “Hey. I’m looking for Devon, do you have any idea where he is?”

Amira smiled knowingly and nodded. “He sent me to get you actually.”

“That’s good.” She cleaned her palms on her dress before she gestured forward, “we should get going then.”

“After you,” Kiara rolled her eyes then intertwined their arms, causing Amira’s eyes to widen and she tried to break away from the hold but Kiara held her firmly. “You know that I was sent to be your help, right?” She asked, eyes wandering around in case someone should walk up and see them.

Kiara’s eyes narrowed and she frowned. “You are not just a help to me, Amira, you are closer to a friend than a help. Thank you for staying with me last night.”

“You don’t have to thank me for it, it is my job.” A forced smile graced her face, and she shifted her weight from one foot to another.

Sensing her discomfort, Kiara let go of her hand and quickly put some distance between them. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” she shot her a smile, “please lead the way.”

Amira opened her mouth to explain herself and why she couldn’t take up the friend title, but nothing came out, so she just rubbed her lips together and silently lead them to the office, where Devon was waiting for them.

“He is inside.”

Nodding, Kiara knocked and let herself in without waiting for Devon’s approval. She was too busy nursing the wound of a rejected friendship to care about his approval. Her eyes wandered around the dark office, it had only one big light that illuminated the desk area, every other place was dimly lit, probably to make seeing the screens a bit easier.  The whole of the pack was reflecting on the screens mounted on the walls, and it creeped Kiara out. Just how much could he see from that tiny seat of his?

“Your office is unique.” She took a seat, meeting his eyes, and Devon looked around as though it was his first time of seeing his office then he shrugged.

“I have to mark sure I can run everything from here.”

She shrugged her lips. “You called for me. Is everything okay?”

He slapped his hands together and intertwined his fingers as he relaxed against his chair, his gaze firmly fixed on her. “Yes, I have something to discuss with you.”

“Great, so do I.”

He cocked his head to the side, “really?”

“Yes, and I’m guessing I should go first.”

A brief moment of silence passed before he nodded. It was best to let her speak anyways. “Go ahead.”

She flashed a smile and breathed out softly through her nostrils. “Devon,” his brows shot up, “I am willing to seal the mating bond.”

He instantly sat up straighter, eyes narrowed, “what did you just say?”

“You heard me.” She retorted, but he still kept the confused look on his face and she sighed, “I said that I am willing to seal the mating bond, but first, we have to strike a deal.”