Chapter 425: The Call

KADEN’S POV

I was still trying to catch my breath when my wolf suddenly growled inside my head.

Mark her.

My body stiffened.

What?

You heard me, Kaden. Mark her. She’s right here in our arms. What are you waiting for?

I clenched my jaw and looked down at Rebecca. Her eyes were closed, and her head rested against my chest as she struggled to catch her breath. Her cheeks were still flushed, and despite the air conditioner running at full power, her body remained unusually warm.

I’m not marking her, I replied firmly.

My wolf growled angrily.

Why the hell not? She’s ours! We’ve finally gotten her back, and you’re going to let her leave without claiming her?

Rebecca isn’t ours anymore. Our mate bond was broken, remember?

Then make her ours again!

I shut my eyes in frustration.

Have you forgotten that she’s engaged to Melvin? Or that I’m engaged to Rola? Rebecca doesn’t even know how she feels about me yet. I’m not going to mark her simply because you want me to.

You love her!

I know that!

Then stop being a fool and claim your woman!

I ignored him, although I could still feel him fighting for control. My gaze unconsciously drifted toward Rebecca’s neck, where my mark should have been. Goddess, how badly I wanted to put it there. But I wasn’t going to make that decision for her.

"Kaden?"

Rebecca’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked down and found her staring at me.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

She frowned. "Then why do you look so angry?"

I sighed. "My wolf is being difficult."

"What does he want?"

I hesitated, my gaze briefly dropping to her neck.

"Something he’s not getting tonight."

Rebecca followed my gaze, and her expression changed slightly.

"Does he want to mark me?"

I stared at her for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

She went quiet, and I gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Don’t worry. I’m not going to let him do anything. You’ve already been through enough tonight."

She gave a small laugh, and I couldn’t help smiling. For a few moments, neither of us spoke. I continued holding her while my wolf complained inside my head.

Then I looked down at her again.

"Do you want to take a shower?" I asked quietly.

Rebecca shook her head against my chest.

"No," she murmured. "I want to keep our scent on me."

Something warm settled in my chest. I smiled and tightened my arms around her.

"Alright."

Rebecca suddenly raised her head.

"Are you going to regret what happened between us when the full moon is over?"

I frowned immediately. "Why would you ask me that?"

She shrugged, avoiding my gaze.

"Because everything is complicated. You have Rola, and I have Melvin. And now we’ve..." She hesitated. "I just don’t want tomorrow to come and have you start avoiding me."

I gently lifted her chin, making her look at me.

"Rebecca, listen to me. I’m not going to regret tonight."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I told you how I feel about you before any of this happened. Did you think I was lying?"

She shook her head.

"Then why would I suddenly regret being with the woman I’m falling in love with?"

Her cheeks turned pink.

"Kaden..."

"I’m serious, Rebecca. My feelings for you aren’t going to disappear when the sun rises, and I’m not going to pretend tonight never happened."

She stared at me for several seconds.

"But what about Rola and Melvin?"

I sighed. "That’s something we’ll have to figure out. I’m not going to pretend our situation is simple."

I paused before continuing.

"But I’m also not going to pressure you into making a decision tonight. You told me you haven’t figured out your feelings yet, and I understand that."

Rebecca nodded slowly.

"Thank you."

I kissed her forehead.

"Now stop worrying about tomorrow and get some rest."

She smiled faintly before settling against my chest again. I pulled the blanket over her shoulders and wrapped my arms around her. Her breathing gradually became steadier, although I could still feel the lingering effects of the full moon running through both our bodies.

Don’t let her go, my wolf suddenly whispered.

I frowned.

What now?

Just hold her.

For once, he wasn’t growling or demanding that I mark her. His voice sounded strangely protective.

I looked down at Rebecca. She had closed her eyes again, one hand resting against my chest.

I wasn’t planning to let her go, I replied.

My wolf finally became quiet. I tightened my arms around her and rested my chin against her hair.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring or how we were going to deal with Rola and Melvin. But one thing was certain.

I had fallen in love with Rebecca again, and this time, I wasn’t going to deny it.

I woke up to the feeling of someone moving against my chest.

For a moment, I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the woman lying beside me. Her familiar scent filled my nostrils, and when I finally opened my eyes, I found Rebecca curled up against me, her chocolate-brown hair scattered across my chest.

I glanced toward the window. The morning sun was already shining through the curtains, which meant the full moon had passed for the day. However, another full moon would rise tonight. The full-moon period lasted three nights, and we had only gotten through the first.

I sighed and looked down at Rebecca. She was still asleep, one arm wrapped around my waist. I gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her.

Goddess, she was beautiful.

Then I caught another scent.

It was faint at first, mixed with the scent of our bodies and the lingering heat from last night. But the longer I breathed her in, the clearer it became. Even in her sleep, her body was still responding to the effects of the full moon. The soft, sweet scent of her arousal lingered in the air, stirring the desire I had been trying to suppress.

My body reacted immediately, and I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain still. Every instinct in me wanted to pull her closer and lose myself in her warmth again. My wolf stirred restlessly, urging me to give in to the desire that had been building inside me since I woke up.

Not now, I told him firmly.

I held myself back, breathing slowly through my mouth so her scent wouldn’t overwhelm my senses. She needed rest. Last night had been intense enough, and I wasn’t going to disturb her sleep simply because my wolf couldn’t control himself.

I kept my hand on her back and simply watched her sleep, fighting the growing desire to have her in my arms again.

Our mate, my wolf murmured.

Former mate, I corrected him.

Keep telling yourself that.

I ignored him and looked down at Rebecca again. Last night had changed something between us, although I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant for our future. I had finally admitted that I was falling in love with her again, and she had admitted that her feelings for me were no longer purely physical.

That was enough for now. I wasn’t going to rush her into making promises she wasn’t ready to keep.

Rebecca stirred against me before slowly opening her eyes. She blinked several times, looking confused for a moment before lifting her head.

"Kaden?"

"Good morning, sweetheart."

She stared at me, then glanced around the bedroom. I watched as recognition slowly dawned on her face, followed by a faint blush.

"Oh..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

She immediately lowered her gaze. "Nothing."

"Rebecca."

"What?"

"Why are you suddenly avoiding my eyes?"

"I’m not avoiding your eyes."

I chuckled. "Then look at me."

She reluctantly raised her head, and I smiled.

"Good morning," I repeated.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"Good morning."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better." She stretched slightly before settling against the pillow. "Much better, actually."

"Any pain? Dizziness?"

She shook her head. "No. I’m fine."

"Good."

I gently touched her cheek.

"Do you remember everything that happened last night?"

Rebecca’s cheeks turned even redder.

"Kaden!"

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Why would you ask me that?"

"Because I want to know whether you’re feeling alright about what happened between us."

Her expression softened.

"Of course I remember."

"And?"

She hesitated before looking directly at me.

"I don’t regret it, if that’s what you’re asking."

I felt something loosen inside my chest.

"Good. Because neither do I."

Rebecca smiled faintly, but the smile gradually disappeared as she looked away. I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Rebecca."

"Hmm?"

"Don’t start worrying about everything this morning."

She sighed.

"It’s difficult not to, Kaden. You have Rola, and I have Melvin. We can’t pretend those things don’t exist."

"I’m not pretending they don’t exist. But we don’t have to solve everything the moment we wake up."

She nodded slowly. "You’re right."

I pulled her closer and kissed her forehead.

"Besides, I meant everything I told you last night. I’m not going to suddenly start avoiding you just because the full moon has passed for the day."

Rebecca looked up at me.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

She smiled and rested her head against my chest again. For a few minutes, we remained like that, enjoying the silence. My wolf was unusually calm, although he continued urging me to keep Rebecca close.

Then a phone suddenly began ringing.

Rebecca lifted her head.

"That’s mine."

"Where is it?"

She glanced toward the floor, where her gown had been left the previous night.

"In my gown pocket."

I reached over, picked up the gown, and searched the pocket until I found her phone. The screen was still ringing when I handed it to her.

Rebecca glanced at the caller’s name, and her expression changed.

"Melvin."

I looked at her but said nothing.

She hesitated for a moment before answering the call. Perhaps because she was still lying against me, she switched on the speaker so she wouldn’t have to hold the phone against her ear.

"Hello, Melvin."

"Rebecca! Good morning."

"Good morning."

"How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine. Why?"

"Well, I was going to ask how you managed to get through the full moon last night."

Rebecca stiffened slightly beside me, and I noticed her fingers tightening around the phone.

"Oh... that."

"Yes. Did you manage to get the suppressant?"

She glanced at me before answering.

"Um... everything was okay. I’m fine now."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Melvin. I’m perfectly fine. You don’t have to worry."

"Alright. That’s good to hear."

Rebecca relaxed slightly, although I could tell she was still nervous. I remained quiet, allowing her to handle the conversation.

"How about you?" she asked. "How was your night?"

"It was alright. Nothing particularly interesting."

"Oh. Okay."

Another brief silence followed before Melvin spoke again.

"Rebecca, there’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you."

She frowned.

"What is it?"

"It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now. I wanted to bring it up earlier, but I wasn’t sure how you would react."

Rebecca straightened slightly.

"Melvin, you’re making me nervous. What happened?"

"Nothing bad. At least, I don’t think it’s bad."

"Then tell me."

Melvin sighed.

"Rebecca..."

He suddenly stopped speaking. There was a faint sound of movement on the other end, followed by a muffled voice that neither of us could understand.

"Melvin?" Rebecca called.

"Hold on a second, Rebecca."

We waited. A few moments later, he returned.

"Rebecca, I’m sorry. Something just came up."

"What? But you haven’t told me what you wanted to say."

"I know. I’m sorry. Can I call you back?"

She frowned.

"Melvin, is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything’s fine. I just need to take care of something first. I promise I’ll explain everything when I call you back, okay?"

Rebecca hesitated.

"Alright."

"Talk to you soon."

The call ended, and Rebecca lowered the phone, staring at the screen.

I watched her for a moment before speaking.

"What was that about?"

She shook her head.

"I have no idea."

"Has he been acting strangely lately?"

Rebecca thought about it.

"Not really. But that was strange. He sounded like he wanted to tell me something important."

"Then I’m sure he’ll explain when he calls back."

She nodded, although her expression remained thoughtful. I gently took the phone from her hand and placed it on the bedside table.

"Kaden?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think he knows that we had sex last night?"

I looked at her.

"I don’t know, Rebecca. But there’s no point jumping to conclusions when you haven’t heard what he has to say."

She sighed.

"You’re right."

I pulled her back into my arms, and she rested her head against my chest.

But even as I held her, I couldn’t stop thinking about Melvin’s strange phone call. He had sounded perfectly calm when asking how Rebecca survived the full moon, almost as though he hadn’t been particularly concerned about where she spent the night.

And then there was whatever he had been about to tell her.

I couldn’t help wondering whether it had something to do with Rola. After all, I still hadn’t forgotten the fact that my fiancée carried Melvin’s dragon mate mark.

Something was going on between those two, and I had a feeling we were finally getting close to finding out what it was.