I could feel my chest tightening, my heart breaking for him. I took a step closer, my hand resting on his arm. “Holden…”
“I didn’t shift back,” he said, his voice cracking. “I didn’t even think to. If I had, maybe I could’ve warned him. Maybe I could’ve…” He shook his head, his eyes glistening. “He ran off a cliff. He didn’t see it. And I… I watched it happen. I buried him, Mylo. And then I promised myself I’d never break the rules again. That I’d never let anyone get that close again.”
My chest ached, and I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around him, holding him tight. He stiffened for a second, then relaxed, his arms wrapping around me in return, holding me like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.
“I was so afraid, Mylo,” he whispered against my hair. “I was afraid that if I told you, you’d freak out. That you’d run, and I… I can’t lose you. I can’t do that again.”
I pulled back just enough to look up at him, my hand resting on his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m not James, Holden. And I’m not going to run.”
As I said the words, I realized I meant them.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with something that looked like hope—like maybe, just maybe, he could believe me. He let out a shaky breath, his forehead resting against mine.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “For everything. For keeping this from you, for making you feel like you couldn’t trust me. I’ll never keep anything from you again. I swear it.”
I nodded, my fingers brushing against his jaw. “Okay,” I said softly. “But you’re going to have to help me understand all of this. Because right now, it’s a lot. And I… I don’t know how to feel about it yet.”
Holden nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “I will. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll help you understand. Just… don’t give up on me. On us.”
I smiled, leaning up to press a soft kiss to his lips. “I won’t,” I whispered. “I promise.”
Holden’s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, and for the first time in days, I felt like maybe—just maybe—things were going to be okay. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy. But it was real. And for now, that was enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
HOLDEN
I stood there,my breath caught in my chest, staring at Mylo. He was right in front of me but, I felt like I was miles away from him. The uncertainty in his eyes made my throat tighten. He looked at me like he was still deciding if he could trust me—if I deserved him. And maybe he was right. Maybe I didn’t. But hell, I was going to try anyway.
“Mylo, I—” The words caught in my throat, and I swallowed, trying to clear away the tightness. I felt like a bear stuck in a trap—big, strong, and entirely helpless. This wasn’t a battle I could win with strength. Not when the stakes were my heart. Not when I was standing here, vulnerable in a way I’d never let myself be.
If you were stronger from the time maybe you wouldn’t be here.
“Look,” I said, my voice breaking just a little. “I know you have every reason to walk away—every reason to say no. But, Mylo please, I need you to stay. I’m begging you. I will get it right this time if you let me. I’ll do my best to give you everything you’ve ever wanted. Be everything you need. You just have to accept me—all of me.”
I was begging but I didn’t care.
Mylo’s eyes softened, and I could see him wavering. That familiar strength I’d admired from the start was still there—the kind that had nothing to do with muscle or power. It came from being knocked down a hundred times and standing back up anyway. I admired that strength more than I could ever say. And right now, I needed it—because without him, I had nothing.
“I don’t know,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I have so many questions. I mean... accepting your bite, what does that even mean? What happens after that?”
I took a step closer, feeling the tension between us. The air felt oppressive, like we were on the edge of something big. Maybe we were. I reached out, taking his hand in mine. His fingers trembled slightly, and I squeezed them gently, hoping he could feel just how much he meant to me.
“It means you’ll be mine,” I said, my voice low. “It means you’ll be part of my world—that I’ll protect you with everything I have. You’ll be connected to me in a way that’s deeper than anything else in this world. And I promise, Mylo, I’ll never keep anything from you again. No more secrets.”
His eyes searched mine, still filled with questions. I couldn’t blame him. This was big—bigger than anything he’d ever had to decide before. And I had to give him the truth—all of it.
“There’s more than just bears. Wolves like Noah, mountain lions, foxes... and even more than that. Vampires, warlocks—it’s all real. I know how it sounds—like some kind of fairytale gone wrong—but it’s my life. It can be our life, if you’ll have me.”
His eyes went wide, and I could hear his heart pounding in the quiet room. I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. This world must’ve seemed insane to him, but he was still here. Still listening. Still considering it.
“And mates?” he asked, his voice cracking just a bit. “What does that mean?”
My chest tightened, and I stepped even closer until there was barely any space between us. I let my forehead rest against his, closing my eyes for a moment, breathing him in—the scent that had driven me crazy from the moment I first caught it.
“It means you’re my everything,” I whispered. “You’re the only person in this world for me. The only one I’ll ever want, ever need. Your the goddess’ perfect gift to me—the only person that has been perfectly made for me. And for me, that’s you, Mylo. It’s always been you. You’re strong, you’re kind, you’re caring... and you’re perfect for me. You’re the person I want by my side, the one I want to help me run the pack when the time comes.”
He held my gaze, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Why me?” he whispered. “I don’t even know where I came from. I don’t know who I am… I don’t have... I don’t have anything to offer,” He whispered.
