Chapter 63

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15:23 Chapter 63: Ayla I was folding a stack of clothes on the bed next to my suitcase when there was a knock on the door. I looked up as it opened slowly. Kingston came in and came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

After our argument, he had given me a little space. Sort of. He was still always close by, but he hadn’t been constantly by my side. It was a small relief. And he had been really sweet. He apologized for his reaction and agreed it was over the line. We had even gone out the night before for a date night, which was really nice. Not just being with Kingston but getting out and socializing.

We went out to dinner, then he took me to an art opening, then a jazz bar. We had some drinks and met some people. Overall, it was a wonderful night.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered in my ear.

I smiled. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Are you leaving soon?”

“I “Once I’m done packing,” I replied, continuing to organize my things in the suitcase.

Kingston started to help. He went to the bathroom and packed up my toiletries for me. When we were all done, and I zipped up my luggage, Kingston sat on the bed.

“Ayla,” he said, reaching out and pulling me to stand before him, “I know I’ve been a bit... overbearing lately. I guess I got a little carried away.’

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15:24 Chapter 63: Ayla 288 iVouchers I sighed, running a hand through his hair. “A little. I still don’t understand what you’re so worried about.”

He shook his head. “I guess what happened at the Gathering made me a little paranoid. But you’re right. You don’t need me to protect you.”

“Well, I didn’t say I didn’t need you to protect me all the time,” I teased. “I’m okay with you protecting me from as***le Alphas and creepy stalkers and painful nights. You can protect me from those things anytime.”

He chuckled, pulling me in for a kiss. His hands gripped my waist, squeezing me before breaking our kiss.

“I can handle that,” he said.

“Good.” I smiled. “Now, I should get on the road. It’s a long drive.”

“Before you go, I want to talk to you about something,” he said, brushing my hair behind my ear. “You know how much I care about you, Ayla.”

“I do,” I assured him. “I care about you, too, Kingston.”

“I mean, I’m crazy about you,” he laughed. “I want you to know that I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Kingston, I know,” I insisted. “I know.”

“Good, because when you get back, I want to make us official. I want you to become my Luna, Ayla,” he said. “Dasha has come back to you. She’s been responsive to Lennix. I think she’s close to accepting us.”

“Kingston...”

“I know she’s not completely back, and we won’t mark each other until 26.80%

15:24 she is,” Kingston rushed. “But I believe it will happen, and when it does, there won’t be anything holding us back anymore.”

He reached into his pocket, but I didn’t see for what.

“I know this isn’t really our tradition, but I wanted to show you how serious I am about this.”

He raised his hand, and that’s when I saw the diamond ring. I took a step back. He’s right. This wasn’t our tradition. Humans didn’t have fated mates. At least not between each other. Because they had no other way of showing they had a partner, I understood why they used rings. But wolves didn’t need them. When we marked each other, it wasn’t just the mark that told others we were taken. Our scents mingled. We became part of each other in a way everyone could sense, and they knew exactly who our mate was.

For Kingston to propose this, he was essentially saying we were all but marked.

“Kingston... This... I...”

“You don’t have to say anything yet,” he rushed, grabbing my hand. “It doesn’t have to be an engagement. Not yet. Just think of it as a promise. As something to remind you of what is waiting for you here. At home.”

He slipped the ring on my hand. I didn’t know what to say. This was the last thing I had expected.

“Ayla, I want to start our lives together,” Kingston said.

“This is a big step, Kingston,” I finally choked out. “I mean, we don’t even know what the pack thinks about me... about our relationship. They know I’m not your fated mate.”

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15:24 Chapter 63: Ayla 288 Vouchers “No, we’ve never said anything about that either way,” Kingston said. “You know I believe we are fated to be together. There’s no way we couldn’t be. And the pack loves you. They think you’re as amazing as I do. They would be ecstatic to have you as their Luna.”

“How...”

“I hear much more than my people think I do,” he chuckled. “You know this is right, Ayla.” He cupped my cheek. “I love you. I want to be with you the rest of my life.”

I wrapped my arms around him. We held each other for a few breaths while I gathered my thoughts. Kingston was a good man and he was good to me. I wanted to be with him. He deserved to be happy. I wanted to make him happy.

“I love you, too,” I whispered.

R541 15:24 Chapter 64: Ayla