Chapter 5

NOVA’S POV The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains. I stirred. My body was still tangled with his. My heart swelled at the sight of him—Alpha Grey, the man I never imagined I’d be able to call mine, lying peacefully beside me. His face looked almost ethereal in the morning light. he looked perfect. My wolf purred with satisfaction. My wolf was content in a way I had never known before. This was my mate. My Alpha. I reached out, running my fingers lightly along his jaw, tracing the fine lines of his face. The stories about him says he was a ruthless leader, a man whose heart was forged from steel. But this man before me, sleeping so soundly, was warm. Real. Mine. “You’re staring,” he murmured with his eyes still closed. I jerked my hand back. I felt heat rushing to my cheeks. “I am not.” A lazy smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. “Liar.” I rolled my eyes, pushing lightly at his chest. “You were supposed to be asleep.” His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer “How could I sleep when I have a mate who watches me like I’m some kind of masterpiece?” I laughed softly. “Well, you are a masterpiece.” His eyes finally opened “You’re ridiculous.” “And you love it.” A low growl rumbled from his chest, vibrating against me. “I do.” His lips found mine. The kiss started soft, slow, but quickly ignited into something deeper. Passionate. It was filled with desire. I could feel my core heat up just from the kiss.. His hand slid into my hair, tilting my head, taking everything I had to give. When we finally pulled away, my breathing was heavy and my body was trembling in his arms. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes. “Good morning,” I whispered. “Morning, little wolf.” He pressed another kiss to my forehead. He held me like he never wanted to let go. I sighed, snuggling into his chest. My fingers traced absent patterns over his skin. “You know, I heard you were supposed to be cold. Heartless. But you’re nothing like they say.” His body tensed for a fraction of a second before he exhaled deeply. “That’s what being an Alpha demands. I am most times. I can’t deny that. The world expects me to be ruthless.” I tilted my head up to look at him. “And what do you expect of yourself?” He studied me for a long moment before answering “To protect what’s mine.” My heart clenched at his words, at the way he looked at me. There was no doubt in my mind—I was his. And he was mine. I swallowed, suddenly nervous. “So… what happens next? With us, I mean.” The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Too soon. Too much. I was about to tell him to forget I asked, to brush it off with a joke, but he didn’t give me the chance. He cupped my face “A mating ceremony.” I blinked. “What?” He smirked at my shock. “You heard me.” My heart pounded. “Are you—are you serious?” His expression softened “I have never been more serious in my life.” I couldn’t help but laugh and before I knew it, I got up and started bouncing on the bed, unable to contain my excitement. Grey chuckled, shaking his head at me. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but there was nothing but affection in his voice. I flopped back onto the bed, breathless with happiness. “I’m just—Goddess, I don’t even know what to say.” “Say yes.” I turned to face him “Yes. A million times yes.” His hands found my waist, pulling me on top of him. “Good,” he murmured against my lips before kissing me again, slow and deep, as if sealing a promise. When we finally broke apart, he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face. “I’ll get you in touch with a wedding planner. And the royal designer.” I beamed at him, feeling lighter than I had in years. “You’re really serious about this.” He smirked. “You’re mine, Nova. I don’t do things halfway.” I kissed him again, pouring all of my love, my joy into the press of our lips. And in that moment, I knew—I had found my forever. - Later that afternoon, I was all smiles as Grey and I approached the waiting car. I had to leave for a while, but Grey was making it impossible for me to do so without a fight. He pulled me into his arms. I let out a breathy laugh as his lips found my temple, lingering for a moment before trailing down to my cheek. “Grey,” I chuckled, placing my hands against his chest. “You’re acting like I was leaving forever.” “You might as well be,” he muttered. I rolled my eyes playfully. “Oh, please. I need to see my brother.” His arms tightened around me. “Do you have to?” I smiled. “Big bad Alpha Grey Blackwood, afraid to be without me?” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not afraid of anything.” “Mm-hmm.” I smirked. “You’re being clingy.” His brows furrowed in mock offense. “Clingy?” I nodded. “Absolutely. It’s kinda cute.” Grey scoffed. “You’re testing me.” “Maybe.” I grinned. “But it’s nice to know that you’ll miss me.” “I don’t miss people,” he argued, but his hands betrayed him. He gripped my waist as if he was trying to memorize every inch of me before I left. I tilted my head. “No?” He sighed, and then, to my utter delight, he admitted, “I’ll miss you, Nova.” My heart did a little somersault in my chest, and I couldn’t resist pulling him down into a quick but deep kiss. His lips moved against mine with a passion that stole my breath. His fingers tangled in my hair. When we finally parted, I rested my forehead against his, whispering, “I’ll be back before you know it.” A throat cleared behind us, and I jumped slightly before turning to see a tall, well-built man standing a few feet away. His expression was neutral. Grey sighed and gestured toward him. “Nova, this is Liam, my Beta.” I straightened and bowed my head in respect. “It’s nice to meet you.” Liam nodded in return. “Likewise. I’ve heard a lot about you.” “Oh?” I glanced at Grey, arching a brow. “Already? All good things, I hope.” Liam chuckled. “Let’s just say you’ve managed to do what no one else could.” I glanced at Grey, who shifted uncomfortably, muttering, “Alright, that’s enough.” I laughed, squeezing Grey’s hand one last time before slipping into the car. As the driver pulled away, I rolled down the window and waved. Grey stood there with his arms crossed, watching me like he was resisting the urge to run after the car. My heart clenched at the sight, but I felt excited—I couldn’t wait to tell Finn and Mira everything. The drive felt both too long and too short at the same time. I watched the trees blur past. My mind replayed every moment with Grey, from the moment we found out we were mates to the dinner to the way he held me like I was the most precious thing in the world. Soon, the car pulled up in front of my home, and I quickly thanked the driver before stepping out. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by Finn and Mira sitting in the living room. Finn’s arms were crossed and his expression was filled with worry, while Mira’s face lit up at the sight of me. “Where have you been?” Finn demanded. “We’ve been calling you, Nova! You wouldn’t pick up your phone!” Oops. I winced. In all the chaos and, well, my time with Grey, I had completely forgotten about my phone. “I know, I know,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender. “I got caught up in… things.” Mira narrowed her eyes. “Things?” I took a deep breath, unable to keep it in any longer. My lips stretched into the widest smile as I finally said the words. “I’m getting married to the Alpha.” For a split second, there was silence. Then— Finn and Mira shrieked, “What did you just say?”