24. Holden

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

HOLDEN

I stood there, my breath caught in my chest, staring at Mylo. He was right in front of me but, I felt like I was miles away from him. The uncertainty in his eyes made my throat tighten. He looked at me like he was still deciding if he could trust me—if I deserved him. And maybe he was right. Maybe I didn't. But hell, I was going to try anyway.

"Mylo, I—" The words caught in my throat, and I swallowed, trying to clear away the tightness. I felt like a bear stuck in a trap—big, strong, and entirely helpless. This wasn't a battle I could win with strength. Not when the stakes were my heart. Not when I was standing here, vulnerable in a way I'd never let myself be.

If you were stronger from the time maybe you wouldn't be here.

"Look," I said, my voice breaking just a little. "I know you have every reason to walk away—every reason to say no. But, Mylo please, I need you to stay. I'm begging you. I will get it right this time if you let me. I'll do my best to give you everything you've ever wanted. Be everything you need. You just have to accept me—all of me."

I was begging but I didn't care.

Mylo's eyes softened, and I could see him wavering. That familiar strength I'd admired from the start was still there—the kind that had nothing to do with muscle or power. It came from being knocked down a hundred times and standing back up anyway. I admired that strength more than I could ever say. And right now, I needed it—because without him, I had nothing.

"I don't know," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I have so many questions. I mean... accepting your bite, what does that even mean? What happens after that?"

I took a step closer, feeling the tension between us. The air felt oppressive, like we were on the edge of something big. Maybe we were. I reached out, taking his hand in mine. His fingers trembled slightly, and I squeezed them gently, hoping he could feel just how much he meant to me.

"It means you'll be mine," I said, my voice low. "It means you'll be part of my world—that I'll protect you with everything I have. You'll be connected to me in a way that's deeper than anything else in this world. And I promise, Mylo, I'll never keep anything from you again. No more secrets."

His eyes searched mine, still filled with questions. I couldn't blame him. This was big—bigger than anything he'd ever had to decide before. And I had to give him the truth—all of it.

"There's more than just bears. Wolves like Noah, mountain lions, foxes... and even more than that. Vampires, warlocks—it's all real. I know how it sounds—like some kind of fairytale gone wrong—but it's my life. It can be our life, if you'll have me."

His eyes went wide, and I could hear his heart pounding in the quiet room. I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. This world must've seemed insane to him, but he was still here. Still listening. Still considering it.

"And mates?" he asked, his voice cracking just a bit. "What does that mean?"

My chest tightened, and I stepped even closer until there was barely any space between us. I let my forehead rest against his, closing my eyes for a moment, breathing him in—the scent that had driven me crazy from the moment I first caught it.

"It means you're my everything," I whispered. "You're the only person in this world for me. The only one I'll ever want, ever need. Your the goddess' perfect gift to me—the only person that has been perfectly made for me. And for me, that's you, Mylo. It's always been you. You're strong, you're kind, you're caring... and you're perfect for me. You're the person I want by my side, the one I want to help me run the pack when the time comes."

He held my gaze, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Why me?" he whispered. "I don't even know where I came from. I don't know who I am… I don't have... I don't have anything to offer," He whispered.

"You have everything to offer," I said fiercely, not letting him look away. "You're everything I need, Mylo. And my family? They already love you. You have them now. You have us. You're not alone anymore."

A tear slipped down his cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb, my heart aching at the vulnerability in his eyes. He was strong, but he'd never had anyone tell him that. He'd never had anyone show him how much he was worth.

"Please," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Stay. Let me be the one to love you. Let me be the one to show you what it means to have a family—to have a place where you belong. I'll give you everything, Mylo. Just... don't walk away."

He stared at me, his eyes searching mine, and I held my breath, waiting for his answer. The seconds stretched, my heart pounding, my hands shaking as I held onto him. I'd never been this vulnerable—never put myself out there like this. But for him? For Mylo, I'd do anything.

Finally, he nodded, a shaky breath escaping his lips. "Okay," he whispered. "Okay, Holden. I'll stay... but I need to figure out—I need time to think, okay?"

Relief surged through me, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I pulled him into my arms, holding him close, my heart pounding against my ribs. He was staying. He was mine. And I'd spend the rest of my life proving to him that he'd made the right choice.

"Thank you," I whispered against his hair, my voice breaking. "Thank you, Mylo."

I knew it wasn't a yes to forever—not yet. It wasn't even a promise to accept the bite. But he hadn't run, and that was more than I could have asked for.

So if he needed time to process it all, I'd give it to him—even though both my bear and I wanted to hold on tight and never let go now that he knew everything.