The air in the car seemed to vanish the instant Cassy whispered those three life-altering words: "I love you, Derick." We were mates, chosen and fated partners meant to share an innate love, yet hearing it spoken aloud felt like the final, perfect piece slotting into place. Her arms tightened around me, the seatbelt stretching taut across her chest. *She loved me.* The thought echoed, a wave of pure joy, quickly followed by a jolt of anxiety, a sudden worry coursing through our bond. Cassy began to pull away. Shit. Caught completely off guard, I'd gone silent. As she distanced herself, a strained expression crossed her face. *Dude, what are you doing?* Matt's voice blared in my mind. I shot him a killer glare, and he promptly ducked out of the car.
The silence that had stretched between us was a chasm, a terrifying void where Cassy's vulnerability hung heavy in the air. Matt's hasty retreat was a blur, but his vanishing act was exactly what I needed. I wouldn't let fear or my own stunned disbelief break this moment. My hands found her waist, pulling her back against me, not with aggression, but with a desperate reassurance. Her breath hitched, a soft sound against my chest, and then my mouth was on hers. The kiss was everything the last few seconds hadn't been – a surge of pure, unadulterated feeling, a promise etched in the pressure of our lips. It was a declaration, a retraction of any doubt, a testament to the truth that vibrated between us.
When we finally broke apart, her eyes, wide met mine, and a tentative smile bloomed on her face. "I'm so sorry, Cassy," I murmured, my voice rough with emotion. "I... I was just overwhelmed. Happier than I ever thought possible. You have no idea."
I traced the curve of her cheek with my thumb, feeling the faint tremor that ran through her. "From the moment I saw you," I continued, my voice gaining strength, "walking down that hall at the ceremony, it was like the world shifted on its axis. You were luminous, Cassy. And I just knew. I knew nothing would ever keep you from me. The thought of being your mate, your chosen, your everything... it was a revelation. And then you said you loved me, so honestly, and it felt like the universe finally exhaled." A soft blush crept up her neck, and I saw the answering spark of relief in her emerald eyes. She felt it too, this profound connection, this undeniable pull that had brought us to this very moment.
A flicker of worry had crossed her face, and she confessed, "You had me a little worried for a second." I smiled, my thumb brushing against her cheekbone as I lifted her chin. Her gaze met mine, and I felt a surge of warmth. "I love you too, Cassy," I said, my voice husky, before closing the small distance between us, our lips meeting in a fervent kiss. Drawing her into my arms again, we finally pulled back, a shared breath in the quiet air. "Now, let's go," I announced, gently guiding her out of the car.
The lingering warmth of our kiss seemed to infuse the very air as we stepped out of the car and into the brightly lit expanse of an electronics store. The hum of countless devices was a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of our recent exchange, but it didn't diminish the radiant glow that had settled between us. Cassy's hand was still nestled in mine, her fingers tracing patterns on my skin as we walked, and the sheer joy of that simple connection was almost overwhelming. "So," she murmured, her voice a little shy, her emerald eyes scanning the rows of gleaming screens, "what is it you needed here, Derick?"
My grin widened. "I wanted to get you something, Cassy," I told her, squeezing her hand. "Something you deserve. A new phone. Everything was… left behind when we left the pack, and you need to have a way to connect with the Royal Pack." I steered her towards a display of the latest models. "What kind do you like? Is there anything you've had your eye on?"
Her shy smile faltered, a flicker of shame crossing her face. Her gaze dropped to her feet. "I… I was never really allowed to have a phone," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper. My heart ached at the thought of her being denied such a basic connection, but before I could properly reassure her, Matt's cheerful voice cut through the quiet.
"Hey, Cassy, don't you worry about that! I'd absolutely love to help you choose," he chimed in, his usual playful glint in his hazel eyes. He slid up to us, his presence a welcome distraction from Cassy's discomfort. He seemed to instinctively understand how to lighten the mood, and for that, I was grateful. I knew Cassy was afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, and Matt's easygoing nature was exactly what she needed right now.
Together, we began browsing, Matt pointing out features with an enthusiasm that was infectious, and Cassy slowly starting to engage, her initial hesitation giving way to curiosity. I watched her, a wave of protectiveness washing over me. This was just the beginning of her reclaiming her life, of experiencing the simple joys and freedoms she'd been denied for so long. Seeing her discover the possibilities, the ease with which Matt helped her navigate the options, filled me with a profound sense of hope. We eventually settled on a phone that wasn't overloaded with features, understanding she was still getting the hang of it. Afterward, we returned to the hotel, where we added my number and Matt's. Since she hadn't yet undergone the pack ritual, she lacked the pack connection. Even then, the pack mind link only functioned within a specific proximity, which is precisely why a phone proved so crucial for her.
"We also have a pack community app," Matt continued, his excitement practically radiating from him in the hotel. Cassy turned to him, a peculiar expression dawning on her face before it settled into a furrowed brow. "A community app?" she questioned, her voice tinged with bewilderment. I squeezed her hand, a gesture meant to offer comfort, but I found myself gripping it as if it were my own lifeline. Each fumbling question about her new phone was a sharp stab, reminding me of the cruel isolation she had been forced to bear.
The torrent of new information was clearly getting to Cassy. Realizing she was overwhelmed, I shushed Matt. "That's enough for now," I stated, infusing my voice with a firm tone. He scowled but let it drop. When Cassy looked at me, the relief in her eyes was palpable.
"Besides," I started, knowing the time was ticking, "it's almost 4 p.m., and our 6 p.m. dinner reservations mean we need to get ready to leave soon." Cassy perked up immediately, a noticeable shift in her demeanor.
"I'm just going to head over to Matt's room to get ready," I told her, "I won't be more than an hour." She offered a shy smile and a nod, but suddenly, an hour felt like an eternity to be apart from her. I sighed and turned back, the thought of leaving already heavy.
"Derick?" Cassy asked, her voice soft. I leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to her lips, a silent promise that I already wanted to stay right where I was. Matt had booked us the entire upper floor of the hotel suite, but even so, his room felt a whole floor away – impossibly far.
I pulled back and got up. "Call me," I said, locking eyes with her, "If anything happens."
"Within an hour?" Matt snickered, already by the door, ready to follow. I glared at him, then turned back to Cassy. She was biting her lip, a laugh just under the surface.
Finally, she raised her phone, a laugh escaping. "You too."
"Dear Moon Goddess, please help me," I whispered, offering a silent prayer before turning and pulling a snickering Matt out the door with me.