NOVPUB
Chapter 244: A Gift From The Past
"Hey now, I was just messing with you." Farkas chuckled amusingly, causing Rhett to shake his head with a smile.
"Anyway, I’m visiting her today and I wanted to seek your advice on any gifts I could get her. You know, something that’ll let her know that I..." Rhett paused, looking for the right word to describe his feelings for Isleen.
He cared about her very much. He would do anything and he meant ANYTHING to ensure her safety. But most of all, he also wanted what was best for her.
What could all that mean?
Suddenly, Farkas’s voice pierced through his thoughts. "Earth to Rhett?" He snapped his fingers in front of his face, arching both his brows with what seemed like concern. "You spaced out there. Are you okay?"
He blinked awkwardly. Was he unsure of his feelings for Isleen? That couldn’t be it. She was the only person other than his son that made him feel truly vulnerable.
"I’m fine, Farkas." He sighed with a wry smile. "I was going to say a gift that’ll let her love know that I... Care about her."
That should be the right term. Yes, it definitely was the right term to use for his mate.
Farkas eyed him curiously before speaking. "Well, I don’t know, that depends on what she likes." He shrugged, making Rhett nod his head, disappointment creeping onto his face. But eventually, the military advisor said something else. "However, you could get her something that’ll let her know that you’re willing to spend eternity with her. Like... An engagement ring or something."
An engagement ring? Nah, that was too cheesy. He couldn’t pressure Isleen with marriage... Yet.
He was about to dismiss Farkas’s words when he suddenly had an epiphany. That was it!
"I think I know what to get her." Rhett nodded his head with a radiant smile. "Haha, thank you, Farkas. You should consider being a relationship counselor."
He got up, adjusting his collar as he made way for the door.
"Leaving so soon?" Farkas feigned a disappointed tone.
Rhett simply turned to face him before replying. "Yes, I have to go get the gift. It’s in my office." He made sure to be as cryptic as possible. 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"In your office? Don’t tell me you plan to give her a decorative flower vase or a pen." Farkas questioned with a genuinely confused tone.
However, Rhett ignored his remark and shut the door behind him before rushing to his office. He hastily replied to the greetings of a few soldiers in the precinct with a nod as he opened the door with a click.
It didn’t take him long to bring out what he was searching for from a drawer under his desk.
It was a locket and within it was a golden necklace from a long time ago. The necklace had a silver pendant, shaped like a crescent moon that glimmered under the light of his office.
A wave of nostalgia hit him as he caressed the pendant softly. He’d gifted this necklace 25 years ago to his then-mate, Kylo’s mother.
She’d been an old woman and he was barely eighteen years old, but the mate bond had made him cherish her and care for her.
He remembered how he’d gone far and wide to get this necklace with a little help from his father, who’d been the Gamma before him. It had been the first and last gift he’d given his mate before she died.
"Kaida..." He whispered her name with a wry smile. "You were too kind but yet so stubborn. Sometimes I wish you were still here to see how far our son has come."
He was alone in the office but was comforted by the sound of his own voice.
Eventually, he got up and placed the necklace back into the locket. This would be his gift to Isleen. Something to show how much he loved her.
Wait... Love?
He paused, trying to understand his feelings. Love... That felt like the right thing to say about his feelings for Isleen.
Yes, he understood now. He was in love with her!
The mate bond helped, but it wasn’t just because of it. It had taken him a while to warm up to her, but he’d been drawn to her kind heart.
It made her painfully naive and ignorant sometimes, but she’d also risked her life to help others who needed it because of it. She’d taken in "Liam" because of it and even went ahead to adopt him.
She’d risked her life to save innocent children during the last attack, even though she was faced with death.
Her kindness inspired him a little and made him see her as more than just a partner. There were more things he loved about her, but that one stood out more than any of them.
"I’ll tell her." He concluded with a nod as he stepped outside. He headed straight for his car, hopping in and driving off a little too excitedly.
Eventually, he got to the house and knocked, even though Isleen had told him repeatedly not to do that since it was his house.
When she opened the door and he saw her smile, his heart leaped. His wolf growled excitedly within him and he couldn’t help stuttering when he got inside and spoke to her.
He showed her the necklace and helped her try it on. She liked it and he ended up teasing her about how it looked beautiful on her.
But eventually, he blurted out the words that he’d been keeping inside for so long.
"I–I love you, Isleen." He uttered, his voice coming as almost a whisper.
He saw the shock that appeared on her face and couldn’t help wondering if he’d made a mistake.
She looked distressed and that made him feel nervous. By the moon, why was he nervous?
He rushed to add when she remained unresponsive. "Are you okay? Don’t you love me too? I mean... It’s okay if you–"
However, she leaned in and her lips met with his in a passionate kiss. He was taken by surprise at first but soon gave in.
She loved him too! She confessed it and said she thought it’d been obvious.
As the kissing became heated and he carried her upstairs for a steamy round of pleasure, he remembered the moon goddess’ words.
He could only pray mentally that their love waxed stronger.
