Chapter 264 - 0264

Lorelei POV

An even more genuine smile spread across Selene’s face as she finished speaking.

It was obvious how deeply Aldric loved her and how much that love meant to her.

I couldn’t help smiling too, imagining Kaelen doing the exact same thing if we were mated.

Unfortunately, just like me, he had been mated to someone else before.

I usually tried not to think about his former mate whenever she crossed my mind, but sitting there in the garden, listening to Selene’s story, I couldn’t help wondering where she was now. Was she somewhere out there, happily living her life? What if she suddenly came back?

The thought made me uncomfortable, and I quickly tried to push it away.

Kaelen loved me now, and just as I hated Jaxen, I wanted to believe he felt the same way about her. Besides, their bond was already broken.

She was no longer his mate, and whatever they had shared in the past was over.

At least, those were the reassuring words I kept telling myself whenever the thought threatened to bother me.

I turned my attention back to Selene, who was now telling us about some of the crazy things Aldric had done just to make her his Luna. Apparently, he hadn’t taken it lightly when he found out about her abusive ex, either, as he had ruthlessly tortured him before killing him off.

It reminded me that even playful, easygoing men transform into different beings when the ones they love get hurt.

Before long, Selene had to leave, but Emily stayed with me until evening, keeping me company and making sure I didn’t spend the entire day alone.

I honestly enjoyed having her around. It felt really good.

Unfortunately, she eventually had to leave too. According to Paul, Kaelen didn’t want anyone staying overnight just yet, so Emily couldn’t spend the night with me.

Once I was alone, I found myself missing her company more than I expected.

Instead of going back to my own room that night, I slipped into Kaelen’s chambers. I knew I could have stayed in my room, but honestly, I preferred being in his.

There was something comforting about being surrounded by his scent, especially when my mind wouldn’t settle down.

It made me feel closer to him, even when he wasn’t there, and I always slept better knowing I was in his bed.

By the time Kaelen finally returned late that night, I was already curled up beneath his blankets.

He looked briefly surprised to find me there, but the moment I saw him, I got out of bed and hurried into his arms.

I wrapped mine around his waist, holding him tightly as the familiar warmth of his body settled some of the restlessness I’d been feeling all evening.

"Thank you," I murmured against him, smiling as I hugged him a little tighter. "I had so much fun today."

"I’m happy to hear that," Kaelen murmured gently, stroking my hair.

But as his fingers ran through it, I felt his hands tremble slightly, and my brows immediately knit together. I lifted my head from his chest to look at him, wondering if something was bothering him that he hadn’t told me about.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly.

He gave me a reassuring look. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

I stared into his striking amber eyes for a few seconds, trying to figure out if he was hiding something from me.

When I couldn’t find anything unusual in his expression, I softened my tone, pulled him to sit on the bed, and moved even closer to him as I reached up to brush my fingers along his jaw, gently tracing his lower lip.

"I’ve been drowning us both in my own emotions these past few days," I whispered. "Things must be hard for you too."

Kaelen’s lips curled into a warm, breathtaking smile. "There is nothing I can’t handle. As long as it makes you happy, I could even lift mountains for you."

That immediately forced a chuckle from my lips. "Well, I hope it doesn’t come to that."

His smile stretched even wider as he continued looking at me like he was admiring a beautiful piece of art. Then, out of nowhere, he murmured, "Let’s go on a date."

The suggestion caught me completely off guard. I shifted in his lap, settling more comfortably in his arms so I could look at him properly.

"That’s new."

"Exactly," he said, his eyes moving over my face with deep affection. "Since the very first day we were intimate, I haven’t really taken you out properly. It’s always been Darius accompanying you. I just can’t let your happy times be filled with only memories of Darius."

I couldn’t help laughing. "Are you jealous of that too?"

Kaelen pouted slightly, leaning forward to kiss the back of my hand before gently nuzzling his face against mine.

"Don’t make me say that out loud."

I giggled, enjoying the way he was acting, but his expression gradually turned more serious as he continued.

"But aside from that, you’ve been indoors constantly since your return. A change of scenery will help you. It will help both of us."

"Is Darius coming with us?" I asked, the thought slipping out before I could stop it as I remembered how distant Darius had been lately.

The moment the words left my mouth, Kaelen’s relaxed expression changed, his brows drawing together as a sharp frown settled over his face.

"It’s a date," he said flatly, his jaw tightening.

"Ah, right..." I mumbled awkwardly. I started shifting my hand, intending to loosen his hold a little, but Kaelen immediately caught my wrist, stopping me.

"Why did you suddenly ask that?" His voice dropped, and his amber eyes narrowed as he studied my face. "Did he say something to you?"

I quickly shook my head, meeting his intense gaze. "No, nothing like that. If anything, it just feels like we’ve grown distant."

Hearing that, Kaelen seemed to relax, the tension in his shoulders easing as he pulled me closer against his broad chest.

"That seems like a good thing to me," he murmured, sliding his fingers between mine and intertwining our hands.

"That’s because you are a very jealous prick," I teased, resting my head against his shoulder.

A low chuckle rumbled through his chest. "And you should be one, too. Not that you have anything to worry about with me, but I would find it really fucking hot if you showed a possessive side once in a while."

I rolled my eyes at his arrogance, but I couldn’t help the warmth spreading through my chest.

The way he talked about wanting me to be possessive of him was ridiculous, especially when he was already the jealous one between us.

"I’ll try my best," I whispered, smiling against his shoulder.

Kaelen squeezed my hand, his tone becoming a little gentler as he brought up Darius again.

"About Darius... don’t worry too much about him. He’s not being distant from you. Like me, he’s just overworked right now."

I smiled, letting his reassurance ease some of the worry I’d been carrying. Then I nuzzled closer into the crook of his neck, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath of his intoxicating scent.