Deryl's POV
When Kristen announced she had something important to say, my chest tightened with anticipation. My mate rarely speaks publicly, especially not to the entire pack gathered around us. Whatever she needed to share had to be significant.
The moment her gaze found mine across the room, breathing became impossible. Terror gripped me that I might misinterpret her words or miss some crucial detail in what she was about to reveal.
Then she spoke the words I had been desperately hoping to hear for over a year. She accepted me. She wanted our bond.
The disbelief hit me like a physical blow. How could she even question whether I still desired her after all this time?
Perhaps kissing her so passionately in front of everyone wasn't the most appropriate response, but thankfully she seemed oblivious to the pack's enthusiastic cheering surrounding us.
