Chapter 77

Shirley

A silent breath brushes through my lips, making my shoulders fall an inch as I swallow Keith’s declaration.

I just want you.

Four simple words and yet it feels like my world has been shaken. Deep down, maybe I already knew, but it’s different hearing him say it aloud.

“Want me…” is the only thing I can murmur once my lips choose to move. And in turn, Keith silently nods, waiting for me to say more.

But I’m not sure what to say - just like I haven’t known what to think for the last week. Maybe even since the day I met Keith...I’ve never known what to think.

Keith is my mate, and when I look back at everything that has happened…I’m still so drawn in. But that doesn’t mean I’m not afraid. And because I only want the truth to be spoken between Keith and me, I tell him.

“I’m afraid,” I say aloud, quietly.

Again, Keith nods.

“I know,” he says.

He knows - because he always knows. But why else would I have run away if I wasn’t afraid? The only thing is…he may not know what exactly I fear.

“My parents…are not like yours,” I say, allowing the truth to spill. It hurts to say the words, but I know they need to be shared. “They’re mates, but…they don’t love each other anymore. It’s hard to believe they ever did. I don’t want to be like them.”

As I admit my past to Keith, he remains quiet, simply listening as I speak.

“I’ve always been afraid of mating binds because of them,” I continue. “I never wanted one because of them. But it’s more than that.”

I pause for a moment, taking a breath.

“I’ve seen what mating bonds do to people - not just my parents,” I say. “I’ve seen too many people - especially women - lose themselves because they’re mated. They lose their independence, they submit to the man. I don’t want to lose who I am.”

For some reason, my voice tries to break as I say the last words. I do my best to hold onto myself, trying to shake off my emotions. However, my throat stays tight.

“I can’t deny that I want to be with you, Keith,” I say, shaking my head. “I…but at the end of the day, I don’t want to lose what I love and what I’m passionate about so I can be the perfect mate. Become a lesser version of myself to fit someone else’s life. I don’t want someone to control me. I don’t want to lose…this.” I gesture around me then, referring to the school - what I’m working toward.

It’s then that Keith finally looks away from me, his lips tight together as he gazes down the hall. But then his eyes lower to the floor and he nods.

“I see,” he says softly. His tone makes my own chest pull, hating the divide I'm putting between us. I almost go to apologize, but then Keith begins to talk.

“Shirley..” he starts, his head turning back to me before he lifts his eyes. “I understand.”

I swallow at those words, feeling pinned in place.

“You never spoke about your parents,” he states. “I may not have known the specifics, but I could still tell there was something wrong.”

I breathe at his words, not knowing whether a weight has been lifted or added to my chest.

“But you have to understand that not all mating bonds end in ruin. As you mentioned, my parents are a perfect example of that,” he says. “I’ve been fortunate to only see their healthy relationship, so I don’t know what you’ve been through…but it doesn’t have to end in resentment and hate.”

“But what if it does?” I ask, quiet again. But Keith shakes his head, pure seriousness on his features.

“I wouldn’t let it,” he states, like he’s never been more sure about anything.

“But…but,” I try again. “What if I resent you for -“

“For what? Controlling you?” Keith cuts me off. And when I meet his words with silence, confirming his suspicions, he sighs.

“Shirley…you’re already ten steps ahead,” he says. “I have no intention of doing that to you.” His stare then turns more gentle and his throat bobbles with a swallow.

“I caught feelings for too long before the mating bond snapped into place because of your independence and strength,” Keith states. “You were always so stubborn, a smartass, and reluctant to accept my help.”

“I’ve always been the one to take care of myself,” I comment.

Keith nods. “I know.”

We both take a moment to stare at one another, and I can tell his eyes that…he does know.

“But when you did accept my help, I knew it was a privilege,” Keith says then. “Like the night you called me to come over…I knew that it took a lot of pride to ask.”

It did…it had.

“And we figured it out together,” he says. “Everything has been together even before we were mated. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I won’t deny that I’ve wanted to find my mate for…years. But not because I wanted someone to submit to me and add to my status as Alpha. I wanted someone who would challenge me.”

He pauses, looking as though he wants to take a step forward - but he doesn’t. Instead, his tone is kind yet direct as his next words reach me

“I wanted someone who I could treat as my equal,” he states.

Another quiet breath released through my lips, like the air has been sucked at my lungs.

Keith doesn’t want to change me, to take away what matters most to me. He likes my stubbornness, wants me to push back. He wants me…to be his equal.

And maybe that’s why we’re mates. It’s as if the universe took its time building, choosing the perfect person for me, and Keith’s certainty sinks into my own bones now - making me believe he’s right.

Slowly, my lips press together and I stare at him, watching him as he waits for me. He’s hanging on, anticipating my words. But I don’t say anything - not yet.

Instead, I keep my eyes on his, and my feet begin to move. Gradually, I close the distance between us, walk right to him until I’m only standing a foot away. Then I stop.

Keith’s eyes are flicking all over my face, trying to read me. But maybe now I’m unreadable too. So I decide to save him from the questions flying around his mind.

“Well then,” I brush out, my hand then reaching to touch the side of his face. “Then I accept.”

I accept the mating bond.

Keith’s chest caves in as he exhales a slow breath, his eyes widening a little. But when he realizes I’m serious, his hands are on my waist.

And his lips come to mine.

His kiss makes me whimper, especially as he deepens it - kissing me like I’m the reason for the air in his lungs. Our lips continue to meet a few more times, but finally, I place a hand on his chest, causing us to break apart.

As his gaze meets mine again, I can’t help but flash a smile.

“You better find me a damn good school to finish my MBA at Lock Heart,” I tell him playfully. “Seeing as I’ll have to come back and prepare for the mating ceremony.”

Soaking in my words, I watch as a smile begins to fall on Keith’s lips.

“Is that what you really want?” he asks me, his eyes searching mine again.

“Yes,” I say without a second of hesitation. “And it better be the best mating ceremony this world has ever seen.”

Finally, Keith brushes out a laugh, making my smile grow. He then leans in to kiss me again, but not before whispering a few words against my lips.

“Consider it done.”