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Kian's POV.

I purred with happiness. I never thought that Ava would give me a chance. Also, I thought she would be scared if she found out I was a werewolf. There was so much I wanted to explain to her. Our companion bond, the mark, everything. But right now I just wanted to enjoy this moment.

I was not a powerful and feared wolf around Ava. I was a little puppy in love and there was nothing wrong with that. I was just happy.

The only thought that still didn't completely reassure me was Riley. That bastard. If he could get his hands on it, he'd wish he'd never met Ava. How dare he accuse her of such things. Just because he didn't take rebuffs? Wait and see, Riley.

As it slowly got fresher, I interrupted this wonderful moment and stood on my paws. Ava just looked at me and I nudged her with my nose. After that I went to the tree where Ava didn't see me and transformed back. In my opinion, it was too early for her to realize this. Even if it only lasted two seconds, it wasn't a pretty sight to see the bones snapping and the whole body twisting.

I grabbed my clothes and pulled them on. After that, I emerged again to find Ava waiting for me and shyly said, "Hi."

I smiled and replied with a "Hi."

"You're human again. So you can transform whenever you want, whenever you want, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the full moon?"

I smiled and took her hand.

"No, I can always transform. Shall we go home? It's getting dark and I don't want you to catch a cold!" I said worried.

She nodded and together we made our way to the car. I helped her get in and buckled her up. I kissed her briefly and she blushed.

"Bunkhead!" she whispered as I closed the door.

When I got into the car myself, I slowly drove away. Ava seemed to have a lot of questions on her mind, but I'd explain them all to her once we got home.

...

"So your whole family is made up of wolves?" she asks, shocked.

"Yes, including all the others you met on the way here. This is the pack house. My brother Noah is the alpha and leader of this pack."

"Packhouse? Wait, Riley's a werewolf too?" she asked.

I tensed up at his name. That just that name was enough to make me jealous confirmed that I really was hopelessly in love.

"Yes, but please don't mention his name again."

"Sorry!" she said guiltily.

I took her hand and kissed it. "It's okay."

"So, Noah's the leader?" she changed the subject.

"Yes. Rose, his wife is also a wolf. She is the pack's Luna and Noah's mate."

"Mate? You used to call me that too."

I exhaled before explaining.

"A werewolf has a mate in his life, his soul mate. You recognize her as soon as you come of age. When you find her, it's like love at first sight. You keep thinking about her, you would die for her and you can not without her. Meeting her is such a blessing. I thought I would never find her. Until I met you. You are my mate, soulmate and companion."

I thought maybe she was happy about that. However, she frowned and seemed suddenly angry.

"So that's why. You left me back then and said you were afraid for me. But why did you come back to me on your birthday? Because you recognized me then? Maybe you would never have come back to me. This bond made it so worried, I'm right."

Inwardly, I slapped my forehead. Of course it looked that way now, but what was the best way to make her understand that it wasn't?

"Angel, I know it looks like it. But I wanted to reject my mate as soon as I met her. Because I just fell in love with you. That's when I realized that you - the girl I loved so much - was my mate I was the happiest person in the world. You were always meant for me. Please...believe me!"

She took a deep breath and then nodded.

"I believe you. I don't know why. But I do."

I pulled her onto my lap and buried my face on her neck.

"I love you!" I breathed softly.

"Kian, I'm so sorry. I just don't know what I can do to comfort you in any way."

I put my arms around her and tearfully said, "You're with me. That alone gives me strength."

She hugged me tighter and we stood like that in the rain for a while.

"Let's go!" I said after a moment.

She nodded and took my hand. She was my rock and I couldn't live another minute without her. The thought broke my heart. That's how my brother felt. Will this ever get better?

"Where is he?" I asked Ava.

"He ran back into the woods. Aurora is taking care of the little one. I was worried about you and wanted to get you."

I smiled painfully. The little one hasn't been named yet. Noah hadn't even put his arms around him until now. It hurt to watch this.

Noah's POV

I fell to the ground whimpering. I could not anymore. The pain, the loss...it was all too much. How I wish I could turn back time. But this was the reality. I had lost the love of my life.

Noah, please take care of him.

This voice. That was Rose's voice. I got up in tears and walked back to the house. There I transformed myself and just put on a pair of pants. With trembling hands I opened the door to the children's room.

Kian smiled at me when he saw me. How many times had he persuaded me to see the little one? He didn't even have a name.

I hesitantly approached the two and Kian handed me my son. As I held him, every load fell from my shoulders. He was beautiful and looked just like his mother. With my son in my hands, I fell to my knees and cried. I cried the pain out of my soul and Kian bent down to me. He touched my shoulder and a strange feeling suddenly came over me. I looked at him. His crystal white eyes really sparkled. What just happened here?

Suddenly I saw pictures. visions. A possible future. Kian himself was so startled that he backed away.

"What... what was that?" he stammered.

"I don't know, but..."

I couldn't find the right words. I couldn't believe it and was afraid to get my hopes up.

"It must mean something!" Kian interjected.

"But how do we find her?" I asked worried.

"I don't know, but I promise we'll find her."

I remembered the vision.

A witch. A ritual. Rose holding our child in her arms and smiling at me. A possible future.

"Can you stop staring at me?" Ava asked me, cheeks flushed.

I took her hand that was on the table and looked deep into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but you look stunning today. I still can't believe you're finally mine." I took one look at her neck and had to smile. I tagged her yesterday and now everyone could see that she's officially mine.

Ava's cheeks were already like a tomato and she said, "Stop it, Kian. What if someone hears us?"

"Here we are undisturbed and alone."

"The view is nice." She thoughtfully looked out the window of the restaurant that my friend owned. That's why he had it closed for today.

"The view is really nice!" I said, all the while looking at my beautiful girlfriend. We had been dating for four months, spending every day side by side. She now worked at my company so I could always I could keep an eye on it. I was afraid something would happen to her. But after Rose's death, no one could blame me. I realized that the best thing to do is to say what's on your mind. One day it can to be late.

Now or never.

I inhaled loudly and sighed loudly. I've never been so nervous in my life as I am today. I slowly got up and pulled Ava to her feet. She smiled shyly at me and I put my lips on hers. Timidly she returned the kiss.

"Let's...go...!" she said between kisses.

I pulled away from her and nodded. "I can't keep my hands off you. I just never want to lose you. You belong to me, Ava. I love you."

She kissed me lightly on the mouth and looked at me silently. She hadn't said the words yet, but I knew she needed time. After all, I broke her heart back then.

I took her hand in mine and knelt down. She looked at me with wide eyes. She probably knew exactly what was coming.

"Ava, my love. I don't even know where to start." I cleared my throat, ignoring the nervousness.

"You mean the world to me. I'm the happiest person because you chose me. I still can't believe my luck. I know that I am the biggest idiot of all time and that I have caused so much pain to the most wonderful woman. I will never be able to forgive myself for that. Still, you gave me a second chance. To me. Even though you deserve so much more. I want to lay the world at your feet. I want to marry you, start a family with you. So I want to ask you...do you want to be my wife?"

Ava looked at me with tears in her eyes and nodded, "Yes!"

Overjoyed, I slipped the ring over her finger and finally got up to take her in my arms. I was just happy and I wish that she would become my wife as soon as possible.

"Let's go home. I smirk at her. She slapped me on the shoulder and said, "You really are an idiot."

...

Noah smiled at us as I held up Ava's hand.

"She said yes? Congratulations."

He put my little nephew in his crib and came towards us. Noah wrapped his arms around us and broke away after a few seconds.

"Can we talk?" he suddenly asked.

We followed him to the study and sat across from him. He smiled, but that smile didn't reach his eyes. The only reason he was up and about was his son Tewe. He gave him the strength he needed.

"I'll get straight to the point, Kian. I want you to be the Alpha."

"What?" I asked in shock. This couldn't be serious.

"I know from personal experience that you will make an excellent Alpha. The pack needs a Luna. Now that you've finally tagged her, she can become your Luna."

I shook my head.

"No, you are our alpha. You alone can lead this pack. Also, we are looking for the witch. We will find her, do you hear? I will not take the post of alpha. No!"

"Maybe it was just a short dream. I've never met a witch. Maybe my imagination was playing tricks on me."

"No! We saw the same thing. I won't rest until I find her."

Noah seemed to have lost all hope. He no longer had faith.

"We will find her!" said my companion this time and I smiled at her.

"I really hope so!" Noah murmured softly.