9. Between him and I

I needed time to think, and I needed someone to talk to. I excused myself from Gerald’s office and made my way to Mira’s room. I knocked softly on the door, knowing she was likely asleep since it was so late in the middle of the night, but I couldn't stay alone with my thoughts.

I placed another knock on the door, more persistent this time, until she finally opened the door. She looked completely exhausted, but she still offered me a small smile when she saw it was me.

“You’re finally awake,” she whispered, stepping back and opening the door wider to let me in.

I walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, my hands twisting in my lap. Mira sat down beside me, waiting for me to speak.

"Gerald wants me to mate with him," I said, my voice low and shaky. "He says it’s the only way to save him, to bind the curse before the blood moon peaks."

Mira didn't look shocked. She just reached out and placed a hand over mine. "And what do you want, Manora?"

"I don't know," I whispered, looking toward the door. "All my life, someone has wanted something from me. My father wanted my blood. My sister wanted my silence.Now the fate of the king who doesn’t even know who he is depends on me “

"Kaven isn't your father," Mira said softly.

“I’m not really the type to speak anything good about the talon pack. But -“ she started

"When we were in the woods, even when the beast was taking over, he didn't try to hurt you. He tried to push you away to keep you safe. No one else has ever done that for you."

I stayed silent for a long time, thinking about Kaven, the way his voice had sounded when he called me

pure.

I stood up, my mind finally clear.

"I can't let him stay in that cellar," I said. "But I’m sacred of what will happen if I do this “

“It’s okay to be scared,” Mira said, standing up with me. “If you weren't, I’d think you didn't understand what was at stake.”

Silence settled between us as she walked toward me. She took my hands in hers.

“You’re finally awake,” she said softly. “You don’t have to make a decision right now. Take this time to think about it. In the morning Kaven will be human again, so you can talk to him about it.”

I looked down at our joined hands. The idea of waiting felt like both a relief and a torment.

“Can he even hear me when he’s like that?” I asked. “Does he even know I’m there?”

“He knows,” Mira replied. “He might not have the words, but he knows your scent. He knows you’re the reason he’s still alive.”

She squeezed my fingers before letting go. “Get some sleep, Manora.

I nodded, though I knew sleep wouldn't come easily.

“Wait,” I said before I left her room. “Why did you stay behind? You didn't go with the others. I’ve cost you enough; you didn’t have to stay.”

I questioned her, but she just shook her head.

“No, you didn’t,” Mira said, her voice steady. “Gilda told me everything, and I know if she were here right now, she would have stayed with you. You’re special, Manora. I believe you are so much more for the misplaced and outcast wolves.”

Her words made my heart sink, and my eyes filled with tears I could no longer hold back.

“Shh, shh… you don’t have to cry,” she whispered, cupping my cheeks and gently wiping the tears away with her thumbs.

I shook my head, my voice breaking. “It’s just that… no one has ever said anything nice to me before.” I started to sob uncontrollably, the feeling of a lifetime of cruelty finally crashing down on me. “Not even my own sister. I have always been seen as worthless.”

I sobbed even harder, the pain of being discarded by my own blood making my chest ache. Mira didn't pull away; instead, she engulfed me in a heartfelt hug, holding me tightly as if she could piece me back together.

She stayed for a while. Eventually, she guided me back to my room, making sure I was settled under the covers.

I lay there, my eyes fixed on the ceiling, restless. No matter how much I tried to clear my head, all I could think about was Kaven. The muffled sounds of his growls vibrated through the walls.

I wondered if he was still fighting the same battle I was, just in a different way.

I didn't know how much time passed as I listened to him, but eventually, the exhaustion of everything that had happened was too much to fight. My thoughts finally went quiet, and sleep took over.

The next morning, I made my way downstairs and found Kaven looking through the window. He looked different than he had in the cellar or at stone walls.

He was human again, wearing clothes that clearly belonged to Gerald.

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs, unsure if I should even approach him.

I know he has already sensed my presence not sure how much he remembered me.

My chest tighten from nerves immediately he turned and looked directly at me.

"You're awake," he said.

I froze. He wasn't looking toward the sound of my voice. His eyes were locked onto mine, clear and focused.

"You can see me," I whispered, my heart jumping.

He gave a small, tired nod. "It isn't perfect, but I can see you.”

I walked closer, stopping a few feet away from him.

“Thats great to see.” I whispered my voice shaky. I had my head down "I didn't think it would work.”

My heart thudded loudly in my chest. I didn’t realize I was this much sacred of him until now. His presence makes me feel small.

"Neither did I," he admitted, walking closer to me. I stepped back involuntarily looking up at him.

He watched me for a long moment, and for the first time, I felt like he was truly seeing the person standing in front of him.

He has such beautifully gorgeous eyes that could draw anyone in.

They were intense, framed by the dark circles of a man who hadn't slept, yet they were fixed on me with an unsettling clarity.

"You're shaking," he noted.

I didn't realize it until he pointed it out. I gripped the fabric of my shirt, trying to steady myself. "It's just been a long night."

He stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back. I never broke eye contact until my back hit the wall and I had nowhere left to go. He moved into my space, his presence completely surrounding me, and I inhaled sharply as the distance between us disappeared.

He leaned in, his hand cupping my cheek. I closed my eyes, unable to handle the intensity of being that close to him. The touch was steady, unlike the violence of the night before.

"What are you doing to me? Who are you?" he whispered, his breath warm against my ear as he lingered there, taking in the scent of my skin.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart racing so fast I thought it might burst.

"You’re more beautiful than I imagined," he murmured. "Your face, your eyes, your scent... and your blood."

He tilted my head back, forcing me to open my eyes and look at him. His gaze was searching, almost desperate, as if he were trying to solve a puzzle he couldn't quite understand.

"How do you do it?" he asked, his voice low and strained. "How is it that I can feel your heart beating against mine when we aren't even touched? Why does my wolf go quiet the second you walk into the room?"

I swallowed hard, my voice caught in my throat. I wanted to tell him I didn't have the answers, that I was just as confused and terrified as he was.

But as he stared at me, I realized he wasn't just asking for an explanation. He was looking for a reason to trust the feeling pulling us together.

"I don't know," I finally managed to whisper. "I just didn't want you to be alone."

His face came closer, his breath fanning across my skin as his thumb grazed my bottom lip. The contact made me gasp,he watched the movement of my mouth, a low hum escaping his lips.

"Mmm," he murmured, his focus intense.

I could feel the heat radiating off him, making my head spin. I tried to remember how to breathe, but having him this close made it nearly impossible to think straight.

“I spoke to Gerald,” he said, his voice dropping low.

The mention of the druid brought the reality of the situation crashing back. I looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of what he thought about the choice we were facing. He didn't pull away, but his expression shifted into something more serious.

"He told me what needs to happen," Kaven continued, his thumb still resting near my mouth.

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "And what did you say?"

He didn't answer right away. He just looked at me, his gaze trailing over my face as if he were memorizing every detail he had missed while he was blind.

"I told him that I wouldn't force you," he said softly. "But I also told him that since the moment I tasted your blood, I haven't been able to think about anything else."