POV: SAINT
Evelyn's funeral took place yesterday, and it was filled with sadness. Her colleagues, friends, and family gathered to say their final farewells. I found out that some pack members initially doubted Sam's involvement and instead blamed Evelyn. However, yesterday they expressed their goodbyes tinged with guilt.
Tonight, Sam is scheduled for execution. I haven't visited him in the dungeon, and I have no plans to do so. The only thing I'm eager to see is his lifeless body. The votes are still being tallied, but the last time I checked, burning alive while being stoned was leading.
I had just woken up from a nap when I headed downstairs. The house was very quiet except for some noise coming from the kitchen. "You're awake," Jackson said as soon as he spotted me. I nodded slightly and leaned against the kitchen counter while he washed some dishes. "Are you hungry?" he asked. When I shook my head, he smiled back at me. "Why don't you go relax in the living room? I'll finish here and come join you."
"Okay," I replied before heading into the living room. I've noticed something different over these past few weeks—the way he looks at me, talks to me, and smiles at me makes me feel like my affection and feelings were being reciprocated.
I decided to turn on the TV, even though I planned to ignore whatever was on. A few minutes later, Jackson walked in and sat next to me. His scent filled the air, and I inhaled it deeply, realizing how much I had missed it. He gently tapped his shoulder, signaling for me to rest my head on it, which I did. He took my hand and enveloped it with his large one.
"Are you okay?" he asked, breaking the quiet.
"Yeah. I just don't want to think about everything that's happened recently," I replied. For once, I wanted to focus on something else—something away from fear, theories, always being cautious, and magic. I longed to relax while being near him. When he hummed softly, I continued, "Can you share something about yourself? Like your childhood? I'm curious about what you were like back then."
He hummed again before replying, "There's not much to tell about my childhood. I didn't have many friends; just my small circle of friends, and wasn't really an outdoorsy type. My parents weren't strict; they were pretty laid-back. Samantha and I did give them a reason to worry sometimes—we got into trouble quite a bit because of her." He traced circles on my hands as he spoke.
"After our parents died, things changed completely. I didn't have time to grieve because of my responsibilities as pack alpha, and Samantha couldn't come back right away. So I had to face it all alone."
"Why couldn't she come back?"
"She has a fear of flying. My parents died in a plane crash while coming back, so she couldn't bring herself to get on one. It was tough for her; it took nearly a year before she could fly again," he explained. I had heard of people being afraid of planes, but I didn't realize it was such a real issue.
"It's just been the two of us. We've been each other's support system. Even when Anto passed away or when she had problems with her partner, we've always been there for one another."
From what he described, Samantha is a really supportive sister to him. Maybe that alpha who told me Samantha sent him during my heat got it wrong. She wouldn't try to sabotage her brother's mate, would she? I need to talk to that alpha again. "I'm really glad you both have each other," I finally said.
With my head resting on his shoulder, he gently cupped my face with his free hand and lifted it so my black eyes met his grey ones. "I have you too," he said, and those words took my breath away. Me too? Does that mean...
"Just now... you said—" His lips found mine in a slow and tender kiss that sent warmth through my body before he pulled back. "I know what I said, and I meant every word. I'm sorry it took me this long to be the mate you deserve. I've wanted to express how much you mean to me but didn't find the right moment with everything going on."
"Jackson..." My heart raced so fast it felt like it might burst. I never imagined this day would arrive, where Jackson would confess his feelings for me and accept me just as I am.
"You're the kind of partner that wolves wish for from the moon goddess. You're strong—mentally, physically, and emotionally. You're genuinely kind and understanding; I'm not sure if 'handsome' is the right word because you're very very pretty." With his hands still cradling my face, he planted a gentle kiss on my lips. "I love how you make me feel. Being next to you brings me joy, and when you're not close by, I get anxious and worried. If I hadn't experienced what we have together, I would regret it forever. I never want to lose you, Saint. It would break me."
I was completely at a loss for words. Jackson's confession stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within me. I was so overwhelmed with happiness that my vision started to blur. Without thinking, I leaped into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck in a tight embrace. "Jackson..." Soft sobs escaped as I held on to him.
He returned my hug, wrapping his arms securely around my waist and back. He buried his face in my neck, inhaling deeply with a contented sigh. "I love your scent; you smell so fucking good." He began kissing my neck, sending delightful shivers down my spine. His hands slipped under my shirt and traced over my back before he pulled away slightly. Our lips met again immediately as he drew me closer to him. My grip tightened around his neck as we kissed passionately and intimately. After a moment, he left my lips to explore my neck with soft kisses and gentle sucking that made me bite my lip to stifle a moan.
"Oh my goddess!" We both stopped in our tracks when we heard Chris's voice. Turning around, we saw him with his hand over Tom's eyes, a teasing grin on his face as he looked at us. I hurriedly climbed out of Jackson's lap, who was trying to hold onto my waist to keep me from falling.
"Is that Uncle Saint?" Tom asked excitedly before darting from Chris to me and jumping into my arms. I caught him and lifted him up. "I haven't seen you in days! Where did you go? Daddy said you traveled, but I think he's lying," he babbled.
"I'm right here, and I didn't lie," Jackson replied as he stood up and approached Chris. He really had lied, but Tom didn't need to know that I had been kidnapped and nearly killed.
"Yeah, I traveled, but I'm back now," I said. I could hear Chris whispering to Jackson. "What?! How is this my fault? I told you I was bringing Tom along; in fact, you asked me to! So how is it my fault that you got interrupted?!"
"Just be quiet. It is your fault," Jackson said. I laughed and turned to Tom, who asked, "Did you know Blake traveled too? I haven't seen him for a while. Do you think he's still mad at me?" He looked both curious and sad, which made my heart ache for both of them.
"No, he's not mad. Blake got hurt while he was away, so he's in the hospital. But don't worry; he'll be fine," I assured him.
"I didn't realize he got hurt. He must think I'm a terrible friend. Can we go see him now?" His pleading expression made it hard to say no. "Alright, let's go," I said.
"As long as Sam is still okay, I'll send some guards with you two. In fact, I'll come along too since there's no work to do right now," Jackson added. The three of us set off to visit Blake.