Chapter 78

Chapter 78
Calix's POV.

I was trapped in the abyss, wandering the desolate land when suddenly a bright light appeared above in the sky-the same bright light that had swallowed my mate up moments ago.

It's true, the spiritual controls the physical.

Happiness shimmered inside me upon beholding the light, especially as I glanced down at my wounds and noticed them healing at an insanely fast pace.

"Calix." I heard it, my mate's soft, sweet voice beckoning me.

The bright white light swallowed me whole, and my soul swirled back into my body. I jerked and relaxed under the touch of a familiar palm on my forehead. Her scent wrapped around me-that Intoxicating scent of lavender and myrrh.

My lashes fluttered open, and the world blurred to focus.

"Calix!" Leia gasped in the background.

"Calix! You're awake!" she cried.

My gaze landed on my mate, just as she staggered, I caught her wrist and held her in place: A faint smile spread on my lips, a feeling of completeness washing over me. "Hello, bella."

"Hello, Calix."

"You saved me," I murmured.

She tried to shake her head, but her body betrayed her, sagging forward. Instinct took over. I reached up, wrapping an arm around her waist, and guided her down until she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

Her body trembled slightly, her face beaded with sweat, drained from whatever she had done to bring me back. "I had to," she whispered. "I couldn't let you go."

My chest tightened at her words. She'd gone through hurdles to bring me back. Our gazes remained locked until Han cleared his throat.

"This is... unbelievable!" he gasped. "Princess Emily, you're the special wolf! How did you do that?"

My mate swallowed hard. "I" she hesitated, her brows furrowing. "I don't know. Rehya guided me, and I just knew what to do. It felt natural."

My brows creased. "Who's Rehya?" I asked.

"Rehya is my wolf," Emily replied. "I just completed my first shift a few hours ago."

Gasps filled the room from others while I continued to stare at her with much admiration.

"You've completed your first shift?" Leia asked, rushing to my mate's side.

"Congratulations!"

"I always knew you were special," Randolph chimed in.

Han clapped, a deep grin outlining his usually serious face. "Then this calls for a celebration. We'll have a feast tonight."

Leia beamed, nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes! A dinner to celebrate Emily's healing, her first shift, and Calix's recovery."

Randolph chuckled. "I'm all for it. We haven't had a reason to celebrate in a while."

Emily remained irrevocably quiet. Without a doubt, there was a lot going on in her mind. "Could you please give us a moment?" Tinterrupted whatever celebration that was already going on in the room.

A sudden silence fell in the room; the trio's gaze flickering between my mate and me.

Of course," Han replied, and turned to the others. "Come on. Let's give them some privacy," he beckoned.

I waited until they were gone. My beta shut the door after them, and I took back my gaze on my mate.

"I'm sorry," she said, rising to her feet and stepping away from the bed. For the first time, I noticed the blood stains on her gown-evidence of the tortures the witch had put her through. "I didn't mean to lie to you," she added.

My brows creased in confusion. Slowly, I sat up on the bed, my hands instinctively going to the bandage on my belly. The wounds were healed perfectly, with no traces of them ever being there. "What are you talking about?" I asked.

"The letter I wrote to Randolph. I-I was so foolish. I should have told you how I felt rather than faking the illness. That was despicable of me. I'm sorry."

Bella?"

There were tears in her eyes this time. "Do you think you can forgive me?"

sighed, tenderly searching her gaze. "I long forgave you even before venturing up that mountain to confront the evil witch," I said, stepping away from the bed. "However, what I don't know is if you've forgiven me."

Her forehead furrowed. "Forgiven you?"

she repeated. "You-you did nothing wrong, Calix. Instead, you laid down your life and saved me."

"I hit you, bella," I muttered. "In your lowest moment, I did the most deplorable thing, letting my anger consume me and I did that one thing I vowed never to do."

Tears pooled in my eyes, but I fought them back and sighed. "Do you think you can forgive me?"

Slowly, she walked back to me and hugged me. "Yes, I forgive you, Calix," she whispered.

For the first time in a long time, a sense of relief washed over me. I wrapped my aims around her and hugged her too.

Time drifted as we remained in each other's arms. "Did you say you've completed your first shift?" I asked.

"Yes." She straightened and stepped back. "My wolf has immaculate white fur and a pair of beautiful blue eyes."

"Rehya..." I whispered. "I can't wait to meet her."

Emily chuckled, a sound so pleasing to my ears. She quirked her eyebrows. "And I can't wait to meet Gabriel, your lycanthrope," she replied, and we stood, staring amorously at each other.

Gabriel won't stop purring in my head.

A tantalizing smell hit my nose. When I looked at my mate, her slightly dilated pupils revealed she caught it too. "Is that-?" her voice trailed, excitement shimmering in her eyes.

"Bacon," I replied. "And fresh bread. Looks like Han wasn't joking about that feast."

Emily pressed a hand to her stomach, a sheepish grin tugging at her lips. "I just realized how hungry I am."

"Of course you are. You've shifted for the first time, healed a dying man, and barely had any rest." 1 reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Come on. Let's freshen up and go eat."

To my surprise, she stepped away from me and steered for the door. "Alright. See you later."

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To my room," she replied, facing me with a smug smile on her face. "Lest you forget, you sent me packing from this room to the room next floor. Have you forgotten? So, I suggest that's where I'm to freshen up and spend the night."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Bella! You can't be serious."

She arched a brow, crossing her arms lover her chest as she stood by the door.

"Oh, I'm very serious."

Guilt clenched at my chest. The memory of that evening-the harsh words I spat in anger, the moment I told her that the servants were moving her stuff to a guest room, and they did move her stuff to the room. The memory burned in my mind like a fresh wound.

How could I have been so stupid and cruel? Blinded by my anger.

I was already moving before I fully registered it, striding to her at the door.

"That was the second-worst mistake I've ever made. The first was hitting you." I crossed over to her and gently took her hands in both of mine, kissing it. "And I'll spend forever making up for them."

Emily sighed, her expression softening, but she didn't speak.

"This room is yours, ours, Emily, and it always will be. You belong here with me. There's no more sending you away. Not now, not ever."

Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, I thought she'd argue, tease me, maybe even push me away. Instead, she exhaled shakily, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Letting go of her hands, I cupped her face, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

A small, trembling smile formed on her lips. "Then I suppose I can stay."

Relief crashed over me again, and without another thought, I swept her into (2) my arms, holding her against my chest. "Shall we?" I asked.

A charming grin lit up her expression as she nodded.

Without another word, I carried her to the washroom.