Kevin’s POV
Returning to the hotel, I carefully placed Ella on the bed, and Liam instinctively closed the door to the room.
I watched Ella sleeping peacefully, her steady breathing calming my inner turmoil. A week of longing had kept me from getting too close to her, but now I found myself gently tucking strands of her hair behind her ear, my gaze drifting to the furrow of her brow, and I smiled.
“Ella, your brow is becoming more and more like your mother’s. You’ve inherited her beauty.”
With just the two of us in the room, her scent intoxicated me. I leaned in to smell her neck, a blend of pear and faint lemon, causing my heart to race.
Kevin, this past week we’ve missed her so much. Our mate not only inherited her mother’s beauty but also her mother’s courage and wit.
Eric whispered softly, as if afraid to wake Ella.
“Yes,” I replied, sinking into memories. “I was wrong before. Ella is definitely not a worthless Omega. She’s brave. She saved Hunter Zachary’s son by giving him her blood, and she nearly got consumed by the illusion grass to save Blue River Pack’s Beta. She didn’t realize it, but like her mother, she’s a kind and loving she-wolf.”
Yes, she’s a formidable female warrior. She absolutely deserves to be our wife, the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack.
my wolf agreed.
I nodded, filled with pride. Then, I noticed a reflection of light on Ella’s neck. Curiously, I moved her hair aside to reveal a moonstone necklace.
My expression froze instantly.
What is this?
Eric asked.
My fingers grasped the necklace, its diamonds sparkling, indicating the giver’s nobility. Moreover, in the werewolf world, a moon-shaped object symbolized purity and loyalty, a courting token from a male wolf. But now it was worn by our mate, signaling a challenge. My jealousy ignited instantly.
Oh, dear gods, Kevin, could it be that some male wolf took advantage of our absence and courted her?”
Eric sounded alarmed.
My blue eyes turned icy. I immediately thought of Alpha Oscar’s son, Luke. “It’s likely that foolish blue-haired guy. I’ve warned him to stay away from our mate. He’s so ignorant. I won’t give his father any face this time.”
I clenched the necklace tightly, almost tearing it off.
Wait, Kevin, you can’t do that. If Ella wears this necklace, it means that guy is important to her. If you destroy it without her consent, she’ll be angry when she wakes up.
Eric stopped me.
I grew even angrier, gritting my teeth. “Important person? Are you saying Ella has fallen for another male wolf?!
No, no, I misspoke. I’m sorry. What I meant was, don’t jump to conclusions. Maybe things aren’t as serious as they seem.
Eric explained.
“Do you expect me to just pretend I don’t see this annoying necklace around her neck?” I snapped.
Unfortunately, yes, Kevin. Calm down. You always tell me to be patient, but now you’re breaking that rule.
Eric was also frantic but forced himself to remain calm.
Let’s think about it. Remember the scene when we rescued Ella at the Blue River Pack Luna’s estate? She resisted Luke. It’s possible he used some means to leave this necklace on her without her knowing its significance.
Eric continued to comfort me.
I bit my lip, feeling a slight easing in my heart.
Relax, Kevin. We’ve marked Ella as ours. Just a mere necklace doesn’t mean anything. Anyway, we can’t act out of line now. We need to wait until she wakes up and ask her. We have to respect her thoughts, right?
“Well, Eric, you’re right,” I accepted.
Ella’s POV
“No, Mom, don’t leave me!”
I jolted awake, sitting up to find myself in a strange room. The last scene before I passed out flooded my mind-the sight of my mother leaving, leaving me in a cold sweat.
Anxiously, I glanced around. The door opened, and tears welled up in my eyes as he walked in.
It was Kevin.
How could he be here?
“Ella, are you okay?” Kevin sat beside me, gently asking.
His proximity made me uneasy. Our quarrel a week ago left me feeling awkward facing him. I wiped away tears, wanting to leave.
“Why am I here? Where are my colleagues?” I asked coldly, remembering encountering the illusion grass with Dr. Helena and Beta Aaron in The Darkwood.
“Don’t worry, they’re all safe. Yesterday, you were almost ensnared by the illusion grass, and Liam and I happened to arrive and brought you back.”
“Ensnared?” I remembered my mother, feeling a pang of loss as I realized it was all an illusion.
“Yes, Ella, it was very dangerous at the time, but you were brave. You saved everyone.” He encouraged me, patting my head, which caught me off guard.
“Ella, I’m proud of you. Your mother would be proud too. Like her, you’re a dependable female warrior.”
Kevin’s words unexpectedly touched my heart, and tears welled up. It was ironic; I had once craved his approval so desperately, yet when I gave up, I received it.
“Ella, you’ve done great. I’m sorry for my ignorance in the past. I hope you can forgive me,” Kevin said earnestly.
I didn’t say anything, avoiding his intense gaze.
After all the hurt that had happened, I couldn’t easily forgive him, but I also had to face reality-I was marked by Kevin, he was my mate, and I couldn’t be with any other male wolf.
“Can I leave now?” I asked.
“Sorry, Ella, you’re still weak right now. At least stay until after lunch,” he replied.
During lunch, neither Kevin nor I brought up the past incidents. Liam observed our interactions cautiously, and I didn’t mention anything either. After lunch, I regained some strength.
“Kevin, Liam, thank you for saving me yesterday, but I need to return to the camp and meet up with my colleagues. My disappearance would worry them,” I bid farewell to Kevin and Liam.
Kevin fell silent for a moment but then agreed, “Ella, if you ever need any assistance in the future, you can always tell me.”
I didn’t respond.
As I left, Kevin kept staring at my neck, but I didn’t ask anything, and he didn’t say anything either.
Then, unconsciously, I touched my neck. Could it be that he cared about the necklace Henry gave me?