KAIA’S POV
My wolf's voice echoes in my mind, getting stronger with each repetition.
"Mate, mate, mate."
The bond I've felt with Ronan deepens suddenly, like a door opening in my soul. My wolf is restless, pacing inside me with excitement and certainty.
How did I not see it before?
Ronan looks up from where he's sitting on the floor, and our eyes meet. The moment our gazes lock, I feel it. The undeniable pull, the sense of completion, the absolute rightness of being near him.
He's my mate. My true mate.
Without thinking, I walk over to him and kneel in front of him on the floor. Tears start spilling from my eyes as I lean forward and kiss him.
The kiss is soft and desperate and full of everything I've been fighting against for weeks.
When we break apart, Ronan cups my face gently.
"Why are you crying?" he asks, his voice full of concern.
I shake my head, unable to find the words.
"Is it because of what my father said at dinner?" he presses. "Kaia, please don't let his words upset you. I meant what I said - I'll wait as long as you need."
I shake my head again, more tears falling.
"Then what?" he asks. "Talk to me."
But I can't speak. The realization is too overwhelming, too huge. Ronan doesn't believe my silence. He starts to get up, probably thinking I need space.
"I should give you some time alone," he says. "Let you process what happened at dinner."
I grab his arm before he can stand fully, holding him back.
"You're my mate," I whisper.
He stiffens completely, his entire body going still.
"You're my mate, Ronan," I repeat, crying harder now.
"What?!" he finally finds his voice, shock written across every feature.
I nod through my tears. "I just figured it out. My wolf... she's been trying to tell me for weeks, but I wasn't listening."
"Your wolf?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
"She's been restless every time you're near," I explain. "She's been trying to make me understand, but I was so focused on my anger, on my revenge, that I couldn't hear her."
"And now?"
"Now she won't stop saying it," I say with a shaky laugh. "Mate, mate, mate. Over and over."
Ronan's face slowly breaks into the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.
"You're sure?" he asks. "You're absolutely sure?"
"I'm sure," I say firmly. "You're my true mate, Ronan. The one the moon goddess chose for me."
He moves so fast I barely see it happening. One moment he's kneeling in front of me, the next he's grabbed me and kissed me with such passion it takes my breath away.
We're moving backward, his lips never leaving mine, until my back hits the bed and he's hovering above me.
"Say it again," he demands, his eyes dark with emotion.
"You're my mate," I repeat.
"Again," he breathes.
"My mate," I whisper. "My true mate."
He stares down at me, and I can see he's seeking approval, making sure I'm ready for whatever happens next.
But for the first time since this all began, I'm not fighting it. I'm not pulling away or making excuses or letting fear hold me back.
"I didn't want this," I admit, my voice breaking with emotion. "I fought against it so hard. I tried to deny what I was feeling."
"And now?" he asks gently.
"Now I know the truth," I say, reaching up to cup his face. "I didn't want this... but I need you."
The words cement something between us. I can feel the last of my emotional barriers crumbling, the walls I've built around my heart finally coming down.
This is it. The moment I stop fighting and start accepting.
The moment I choose love over revenge.
The moment I choose him.
Ronan claims my lips without hesitation, and this time I kiss him back with everything I have.