Chapter 24 Tomorrow, it is.
KANE
I took a steadying breath before I knocked on Catherine’s door. After the overwhelming rage of his beast, the chaos of the castle, and discussion with Damon, I decided to go see her. When her voice called out for me to enter, I opened the door, feeling a strange calm wash over me.
Catherine glanced up from where she sat by the window, her expression softened by surprise.
“Kane?”
“I wanted to see how you were faring,” I began awkwardly, searching for the right words.
Her presence put me at ease and made me restless all at once.
“After everything yesterday, I didn’t want to leave you with the wrong impression.”
She straightened, giving me a curious look.
“I’m fine. I mean, I was wondering what happened, but yes, I’m good.”
A beat of silence fell between us, hinting at a tension I desperately wanted to dissipate.
Clearing my throat, I stepped closer, seating myself on the edge of the chair across from her.
“I shouldn’t have left the way I did yesterday. That was poor judgment on my part. There was something I had to attend to, but that doesn’t excuse how abrupt I was.”
She tilted her head, studying me.
“It’s alright. I understand that you have, responsibilities,” she replied, with disappointment and dissatisfaction but I knew exactly what she was hinting at.
“Still, it wasn’t right,” I insisted in a low and genuine tone. “You deserve better than being abandoned in a place you’re unfamiliar with.”
Her lips twitched slightly, a faint smile threatening to appear.
“I’ve survived worse.”
Oh, no! How could I miss what she did there? She was saying it all to probably make me feel guilty. Well...she tried.
“Yes, but you shouldn’t have to ‘survive’ being around me,” I said, half-joking but fully serious. “I know I’m not always the easiest person to deal with.”
She let out a light chuckle, finally relaxing in her chair.
“I think we both know that’s true. But I don’t think anyone would describe me as ‘easy’ either.”
That got a rare smile from me, and I leaned forward, surprised to find myself wanting to keep the conversation going.
“Perhaps we’re evenly matched, then,” I said. “I think we’ve shown that well enough.”
I met his gaze, warmth flashing in my eyes.
“I suppose so. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about spending the day with you.” She glanced down at her hands, almost shyly. “But I enjoyed it. Before you had to leave, I mean.”
I felt something tighten in my chest, and I leaned forward, my voice softer. “I didn’t mean for it to end the way it did. I’d like to make it up to you. Perhaps dinner tomorrow, or… if you’d rather, we could do something different. I want you to feel welcome here, not… a stranger in your own life.”
She looked at me, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
“Dinner… That sounds nice.”
“Good,” I said with a faint sense of relief settling in. “Then it’s settled. This time, no interruptions.”
“I’d hope not,” she replied, raising an eyebrow with a hint of playful challenge. “Or else I might think you’re avoiding me.”
The teasing note in her voice was unexpected, and I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped me.
“I can assure you, Catherine, that is not the case. Though, if I’m being honest, I sometimes worry you’re avoiding me.”
She blinked, clearly surprised. “Avoiding you?”
“Yes,” I said, holding her gaze. “You seem… guarded, whenever I’m around. But you're not like that with other people. At least, I could see how you were with Damon....that night, and even the cookies”
There was a pause before she replied, her tone contemplative.
“Well, you are the Lycan King. Not exactly the easiest person to approach. Besides, don't tell me you're jealous about Damon.”
I felt a strange pull in his chest feeling the need to reach across the gap between us.
“Of course not. Why would I be jealous of him? Well, here we are,” I murmured. “Talking… without any of the usual fire between us.”
She met my gaze, her eyes softening.
“I suppose that’s true. Perhaps we’ve finally managed to call a truce.”
“A temporary one, perhaps,” I replied, feeling a rare lightness in my chest. “I’m not certain either of us could survive a permanent truce.”
She let out a genuine laugh, and the sound wrapped around me, easing the tension around us. I found myself relaxing into the moment, savoring her presence.
“I’m beginning to think you might actually be likable under all that gruffness,” she said, half-teasing.
I leaned back, feigning offense. “Only ‘might’ be?”
She shrugged with a smirk. “I’m still deciding.”
I chuckled, feeling that calmness again, as though the world was a fraction lighter when she was near.
“Then I’ll have to work harder to sway your opinion.”
“Oh? And what would that entail?”
The playful challenge in her voice surprised me, and I took a moment to consider.
“Perhaps I’ll take you beyond these castle walls, show you something worth seeing.” I watched her reaction carefully. “If you’d be interested and maybe that would change your mind about me.”
She smiled, though there was a guarded glint in her eye.
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Then it’s a plan.” I cleared my throat. “I want you to feel at home here, Catherine. I know I haven’t made it easy.”
Her gaze softened, and for a moment, I felt that we were connected on a level beyond words.
“Thank you, Kane. This means more than you know.”
A beat of silence passed, and I felt myself drawn to her, almost forgetting where I was.
But suddenly, I shifted back with a clearing of my throat.
“Then, tomorrow it is.”
“Tomorrow,” she agreed, her voice barely more than a whisper.
A strange contentment filled me as I stood up, ready to leave.
“Good night, Catherine.”
“Good night, Kane,” she replied warmly.
And that was it! The very first hut hh free conversation I had with my mate.
My heart wouldn't stop beating fast at the thought of it.