Aelara's POV
His face was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.
For a moment, everything was blurred—light, shadows, the faint outline of a room I didn't recognize. But then it sharpened.
Him.
His name slipped from my lips before I even realized I was speaking.
"Kael…"
The smile that spread across his face made it seem like I'd said something wonderful instead of barely whispering at all.
"Hey you," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my cheek. "How are you feeling?"
"A little… sore."
That was an understatement.
Pain pulsed through my body in slow, heavy waves, especially across my back. Even breathing felt different—tight, careful, like my body was afraid to move too much.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
"You're going to be for a while," he said gently.
He hesitated then, like he was choosing his next words carefully.
"There's something I wanted to talk to you about," he added, his voice softer now. "But I didn't want you to feel pressured.
My heartbeat sped up instantly.
My mind jumped to the worst possible conclusion.
Was this about the food?
I shouldn't have taken it. I knew I shouldn't have.
"I'm sorry," I blurted out quickly. "I shouldn't have eaten it. I won't do it again—"
His expression shifted immediately to confusion.
"Aelara, no," he said, almost startled. "You can eat whenever you want. Why would I be angry about that?"
I blinked.
Because… they always were.
His hand moved to cover mine, and the moment his skin touched mine, warmth spread through my fingers.
Not just warmth.
Sparks.
Tiny, electric tingles that danced under my skin, spreading slowly up my arm.
I froze.
"I wanted to ask," he continued carefully, his voice steady, "if you would consider coming to my pack."
My breath caught.
He was asking.
Not ordering.
Not demanding.
Asking.
"Your… pack?" My voice trembled despite myself.
"Yes," he said softly. "I want you there."
My thoughts tumbled over each other in a rush of confusion and disbelief.
Why?
What did I have to offer?
What did he even see in me?
I must have looked completely lost, because he let out a quiet chuckle.
"I can see your mind racing," he said. "Let me explain."
He turned my hand gently in his, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles. His hands were large—warm, steady—making mine feel small and fragile in comparison.
"Aelara… do you feel anything when I touch you?"
I swallowed.
"Yes," I admitted quietly. "It's like… sparks. Tingling."
I braced myself for him to laugh.
Or pull away.
Or look at me like I'd said something ridiculous.
But he didn't.
Instead, his eyes softened.
"I feel it too," he said.
Something in my chest tightened.
"Now tell me," he continued, "do I smell different to you? Like something that stands out?"
I blinked.
That question threw me off completely.
I didn't have senses like other wolves.
I didn't even have a wolf.
But… I tried.
Slowly, I closed my eyes and breathed in.
At first, there was nothing.
Just the faint scent of herbs and clean linen.
Then—
Something else.
Faint.
Subtle.
But there.
"Sage," I whispered, opening my eyes.
His smile widened, relief flashing clearly across his face.
"I'm glad you can smell it."
My confusion only deepened.
"Why are you asking me this?"
His expression shifted again, growing more serious.
"I know about your former mate," he said gently. "The rejection… it wasn't exactly hidden."
Shame hit me instantly.
Hot.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
Of course he knew.
Everyone knew.
I tried to pull my hand back, but he didn't let go.
Instead, his grip tightened slightly—not restraining, just… steadying.
"Hey," he said softly. "Look at me."
I didn't want to.
But I did.
And when I met his eyes—
There was no disgust.
No pity.
No judgment.
Just… understanding.
"You don't have to be afraid of that anymore," he said. "What happened to you doesn't define what you deserve."
My chest tightened painfully.
Because no one had ever said that before.
Before I could stop him, he lifted his hand and gently cupped my cheek.
His touch was warm.
Careful.
Like I might break.
Then—
he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
My breath caught.
Not from fear.
From something else entirely.
Something unfamiliar.
"Please," I whispered.
"Please what?" he asked gently.
"Don't let them send me back," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
That was the real fear.
Not my former mate.
Not the rejection.
But going back.
Back to that place.
Back to them.
The ache in my chest flared again—but before it could grow, Kael guided my hand to his chest.
His heartbeat pulsed steadily beneath my palm.
Strong.
Grounding.
And just like that—
the pain faded.
Like he pulled it away from me.
"Aelara," he said firmly, "you don't have to go back. Not to them. Not ever."
My breath shook.
"You're safe with me."
I stared at him, confusion and disbelief tangling together inside me.
"Why?" I whispered.
His thumb brushed gently across my cheek.
"Because, Aelara… you're my mate."
The world stopped.
"My second chance mate," he continued softly. "And I don't walk away from what's mine."
My breath left me in a rush.
Mate?
No.
That wasn't possible.
"I'm not…" I shook my head weakly. "You don't want me. I don't even have a wolf. I'm nothing. Your Alpha and Luna would never accept someone like me."
Pain crossed his face at my words.
Real pain.
"You are stronger than you know," he said quietly. "You survived things most wouldn't."
His grip on my hand tightened slightly.
"I don't need you to tell me everything yet. But you are not nothing."
Something in his voice made my chest ache again—but differently this time.
Not empty.
Not broken.
Just… full.
"And as for my Alpha and Luna…" he added, a faint smile touching his lips, "they'll welcome you with open arms."
I frowned slightly.
"How do you know?"
His smile grew, just a little.
"Because they're my parents."
My breath caught.
"Aelara… my name is Kael."
"As in Prince Kael."
Everything inside me went still.
The Lycan Prince.
There was no way this was real.
No way someone like him could choose someone like me.