Chapter 28

Anthony’s heart pounded with a clarity he could no longer ignore. The charade of their pretend marriage—a masquerade that had once seemed a convenient shelter—now felt hollow in the face of the feelings blooming within him. He wanted more than pretense, more than whispers and shadows. He wanted Kathy, truly and wholly, to be his mate in every sense.

Yet a tremor of doubt lingered. He feared that the depths of his longing might frighten her, that his sudden honesty might send her fleeing from the fragile thing they had built together. Still, the desire to mark a new beginning, to ask her to be his mate in the eyes of the world and in the quiet corners of their hearts, eclipsed his hesitation.

Gathering his courage, Anthony gently turned Kathy to face him. Wordlessly, he dropped to one knee, the gesture simple yet profound. He looked up into her eyes, his own gaze steady, vulnerable, full of hope and reverence.

The realization of the moment washed over Kathy, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Emotion caught in her throat—a mix of surprise, joy, and the dawning understanding that this was no longer an act. It was the beginning of something real.

“For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Anthony’s voice trembled, earnest and raw, as he broke the silence. “Kathy, I know we haven’t known each other long, and I’d hate to see any other man take you away from me. I know this was supposed to be a fake marriage, but I want it to be real. Will you be my wife, my mate, and my everything?”

"I accept your proposal of marriage. So, the ring you gave me at the hotel wasn't fake, and you're serious about wanting me to be your wife?"

"Do you recall saying your father wanted to marry you to someone you didn't know? I only wanted to assist you initially, but it appears I've fallen for you. I couldn't pretend any longer.”

For a heartbeat, Kathy was utterly lost—speechless, with no words rising to the surface, her lips parted in silent astonishment. Color bloomed along her cheeks, a deep, unmistakable blush. Unable to meet his gaze, she angled her face away, the world spinning with the intensity of the moment.

But Anthony, steady and sure, reached out and brushed his fingertip gently beneath her chin, coaxing her to look at him. Their eyes met—his filled with warmth and devotion, hers shimmering with wonder and hope. The simple touch anchored her in the present, dissolving the last remnants of pretense between them.

A tremulous smile curled at the corner of Kathy’s mouth as she let herself be seen, truly seen, by the man kneeling before her. The hush between them grew thick with promise, every unspoken word understood in the glowing space where their hands found each other. Anthony's eyes sparkled, and he leaned in close, causing her to blush intensely, then he put his hand on her waist and drew her near.

“Max, long time no see; it's been a while since we last met,”

"I'm sorry, my sweet mermaid, that I couldn't spend time with you, as my human side wouldn't allow it."

"When my wrist heals, and the cast is removed, I want to ride on your back,"

"I'd like that, and I'm eager to see your mermaid form once more."

"Agreed,"

Max brought her into the room, shut the door, and led her to the bathroom for a hot bath after they had sweated from packing. Max, fill the tub with water, but Kathy has been careful to keep her cast dry to prevent an infection. As they were taking their clothes off, either Anthony or Max entered the water, extending a hand to help Kathy in. The water's warmth was inviting as she placed her hand upon his chest.

“This Max or Anthony?” asked Kathy

“Max, Anthony is going to hold back a little bit longer. Um…where is your mermaid tail?”

“My true form can only be seen when I'm in cool or cold water. Noah is making me uncomfortable; he's behaving as though he wants to get closer to me, even when you're not around.”

“My brother is always like that, even in his teen years, he didn’t know how to keep it in his pants. But our parents are so blind to it — even the pack females shy away from him because of it.”

Kathy let out a knowing sigh, dipping her head so her hair curtained her blush. “It’s just… I wish he’d respect boundaries, you know?”

Max’s expression softened as he brushed his thumb gently over her uninjured hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll make sure he understands keeping his distance.”

A quiet understanding passed between them, the water swirling softly around their bodies as Max offered a reassuring smile, anchoring her with his steady presence.

Kathy’s gaze lingered on Max’s face, and she caught the sudden shimmer in his eyes—a luminous green overtaking the familiar hue. Her breath held as the current beneath the surface seemed to shift, and she knew, in that quiet way of intuition, that Anthony had surfaced within him.

He met her searching look with a gentle, earnest smile, his voice now carrying a different undertone. “It’s me now,” Anthony murmured, his hand finding her cheek—the lightest brush, yet electric. At his touch, warmth blossomed inside her, a wave cresting through the quiet intimacy of the room.

Without another word, Anthony leaned in, pressing his lips to hers with an intensity that stole her breath. The world narrowed to the taste of him, the sensation of his arms gathering her closer, the delicious shiver as his lips trailed from her mouth to the delicate line of her neck and shoulder. Kathy’s arms wound naturally around his neck, drawing him into her, a sweet moan escaping her as he explored the sensitive skin there. The water’s warmth mingled with the fire they kindled together, making her feel weightless and wholly alive.

In that moment, every thought of Asher faded into the periphery. He had never made her feel this way—never kindled the spark that made her pulse race or filled the hollow places in her heart. With Anthony, she was no longer a shadow drifting through her own life; she was present, vivid, cherished.