Chapter 55

Chapter 55
POV: Kat

“Jared!” I called, taking my third bite of the cheese croissant he had prepared for breakfast. He looked calm, completely absorbed in the newspaper he was reading.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong with me.” He finally looked up, an eyebrow arched in surprise.

We’d spent the entire night wrapped in each other’s arms, stealing a few short, restorative hours of sleep. He couldn’t stop touching me, seducing me, teasing me... loving me. And I was just as hooked. Everything about him intoxicated me.

“Everything’s fine,” he said, glancing at my coffee cup—black, strong, like me. Smiling, he poured me another shot. I needed it. He hadn’t let me sleep much the last few nights.

We were living together now in our cozy cabin deep in the forest. Somehow, impossibly, it felt like home. A perfect home, with the man I loved. The man I wanted to build a future with. The man who could one day be the father of my children.

“Then why do you ask?” he added, his voice gentler now.

“Because everything that concerns you affects me,” I replied, sighing. I added two spoonfuls of sugar, stirred, and took a sip from the freshly poured coffee.

“Of course.” Jared smiled, handing me another croissant. I was starving—his fault, obviously—but at least he had the decency to hide how amused he was.

“As everything that concerns you affects me...” he added, eyes twinkling, “...for better or for worse.”

“Well, if you know what it’s like,” I said, locking my gaze with his, “then tell me. What are these episodes that bring you down sometimes?”

His smile vanished.

He took a deep breath, placed the paper down on the table, and reached for his coffee. No sugar. He downed it in a single gulp, his hand trembling slightly.

“There were no problems... or were there?” he asked, his voice hesitant, almost unsure. “Did something strange happen? Something I don’t know about?”

“Why?” My curiosity shifted instantly into concern. “Don’t you remember?”

“Kat. Tell me!” His whole body tensed. His eyes—suddenly lupine—flared with dread. Still, his tone was firm, dominant. “Did something happen?”

“No... nothing serious.” I bit my lip, scanning every line of his face. “But you had a high fever. The second time this week. Cold sweats. Don’t you remember any of it?”

“No!” The answer came out as a low growl. He cursed himself silently, not for being irritated with me—but with himself.

“Fine,” I muttered, chewing the croissant a little more aggressively than necessary. I stood and walked to the sink to rinse my cup. “I’m not going to pressure you.”

I turned on the tap, not looking back.

“But when you trust me completely, I’ll be right here—ready to listen, ready to help in any way I can.”

“Kat, I trust you!” Jared ran his fingers through his long hair and pushed back his chair. “Completely. Totally. With my life.”

“Really?” I spun around, facing him seriously. “You have episodes where your body shuts down, your mind disappears, your human side vanishes... and you think that’s not something you should share with me?”

He froze. I’d hit a nerve.

“That’s what trust looks like,” I added softly.

“I’m scared, Kat...” His voice cracked, his shoulders slumping. He looked down at the floor like he couldn’t bear to meet my eyes. “I’m scared of what happens in those moments... of what I might have done. Of losing you.”

“Afraid of what, Jared?” I moved closer, gently placing my hands on his face and lifting his eyes to mine. “I’m here. A companion is an added strength, a complement, a safe harbor. Just as you are for me. We’re stronger together—body and soul.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him slowly, deeply.

“I love you. And whatever it is... we’ll face it together.”

“Kat...” His voice was a whisper now, his hands sliding into my hair with reverence. He kissed me again and again, then breathed in deeply, steeling himself.

“I don’t remember what happens during the seizures. I just... wake up somewhere else. Sometimes soaked.”

I stared at him, my heart twisting. That disappearance... the full moon... that morning when Andrea thought he’d vanished.

“When I found you... were you in crisis then?”

He pulled away, walking to the window above the sink, his back to me. I could feel the weight of what he was about to say.

“But you weren’t soaked,” I murmured. “You were just... naked.”

“You’re wrong.” His hands gripped the edge of the sink so hard his knuckles turned white. “I was soaked. I’d just bathed in the river... to clean off.”

He bowed his head. When he spoke again, his voice was barely audible.

“I’m afraid I was responsible for someone’s death...”

“No!” I interrupted, shaking my head, my whole body trembling. “I don’t believe that!”

“I don’t remember anything, Kat,” he said softly, turning back toward me. “But that was the night he turned up dead and...”

“No!” I shouted again, eyes blazing. “It wasn’t you!”

I stepped forward, cupping his face in both hands. My inner she-wolf surged to the surface—fierce, protective, unwavering.

“You couldn’t have done that. It’s not in your nature. I’ve loved you for so long, Jared. I’ve watched you from afar for years. You’ve always been a strong Alpha, yes—but never cruel. You’ve always tried to resolve conflict with lessons, not blood.”

“Kat...” Jared pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “Do you really believe that?”

“Yes.” I held his gaze, my voice steady. “I trust my she-wolf. I trust my instincts.”

I kissed him again, tugging him closer by the nape of his neck.

“You repress yourself so much, you control everything so tightly... I bet your wolf just wants to run wild. To feel free. To hunt. That’s all.”

“My female...” he whispered. “How did I not see you before?”

He sighed in frustration, then spoke from the depths of his soul.

“I’m sorry it took me this long to realize how much I need you.”

He pulled back again, his eyes full of love—and fear.

“But... what if I’m wrong? What if I am dangerous? What then?”

“Then I’ll follow you,” I whispered, brushing my nose against his. “Next time you have a crisis... I’ll follow. We’ll find out together what’s happening.”

His expression shifted. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if he was afraid—or relieved.

“You’re sure about that?” he asked, never breaking eye contact.

Jared lifted me suddenly, his strong arms gripping me under my thighs as he carried me toward the bedroom. His lips brushed mine.

“We’ll deal with this,” he said, smiling. “Together.”

Then he paused, his tone suddenly serious.

“Promise me something.”

I blinked up at him.

“If I ever put you in danger—or anyone else, wolf or human—promise me you’ll do the right thing.”

“What...?” My eyes widened. I could feel the intensity of his mental link now, the truth behind what he was asking.

“No.” I shook my head, unable to speak. Not that.

“Kat. Promise me.”

He laid me down on the bed, hovering above me, his hands gently brushing the hair from my face. His gaze burned into mine, memorizing me.

“I...” My voice caught. His eyes—pleading now—unlocked something in me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I nodded slowly, whispering the words he needed to hear.

“I promise.”