Jax's breath caught when she wrapped her arms around him. That one simple touch undid something inside him. Everything in him burned for her—ache, desire, need—and she didn't even realize it.
He didn't hesitate.
His lips met hers in a slow kiss—soft, searching. But the moment she melted into him, it deepened. Heat flared. The kiss grew hungrier, more urgent, like every restrained thought and buried feeling finally broke loose.
She tasted like warmth and lightning. And for a moment, there was nothing else in the world. Just her.
They kissed holding each other for a few minutes. Jax felt more relief wash over him. She was his sanctuary.
He reluctantly pulled away and kissed her forehead, thumb caressing her back.
"I haven't had a chance to tell you yet," he said, voice low but calm. "But I need to talk to you about something else."
Her striking green eyes searched his face. Her heart beat faster. Was this that rumor Elle mentioned?
Jax looked at her, his arms around her, holding her close. The air had shifted.
"After we got out of the woods," he continued, voice softer now, "the Council summoned us for an emergency meeting. Fin, Cael, and myself."
He let out a dry huff. "They were furious. Because sending armed warriors into another pack's land — that's an act of war. But instead of focusing on that, they started pushing back about you."
Nova's brows furrowed in concern and she swallowed.
"They tried to say you weren't one of us. That we should… hand you over. To avoid escalation."
Her heart began to race.
Jax saw it — felt it — and immediately shook his head. "No. Nova. That wasn't ever on the table. Not for a second. Fin was ready to go to war over you. So was I."
Her eyes widened.
He swallowed, running a hand through his hair.
"They are old fashioned and forget that noble houses mean nothing in real life. They asked what claim we had to protect you. Said you weren't bonded. Not formally ranked. Not part of the pack. Stupid stuff that all of us knew was wrong."
He spat the words like poison.
"I want to tell you this so you know the full truth. They've said way worse about all of us at one point, so it's not just you."
Nova inhaled sharply.
"And I — I said I wanted to take you as my mate. You would be tied to me. They fought me on this so I had to make it clear this wasn't me playing the hero or doing some political move."
He took a deep breath. "It felt like the only way to make those old bastards realize that you weren't expendable. That you belonged. That you were ours to protect. You are mine."
He dropped his gaze for a second.
"But I didn't just say it for them. The truth is. I've been falling in love with you Nova. I want you as my mate and I wanted to talk to you about it…. before any of that ever happened."
Nova blinked slowly, lips parting.
"I don't want you to feel pressure. Or like you owe me anything because I said that. I know you've been through hell. And I know I'm not…" He trailed off, exhaling through his nose. "I don't want to be another voice pulling at you."
His voice lowered, rough around the edges.
"I just want you safe. Happy. Choosing what you want. I hope it's with me."
Nova sat in silence. The words wrapped around her like a blanket. Heavy and warm. She could feel it — not just in the air, but in her bones.
The way Jax looked at her. The steadiness of his arms. The way he always found her. Even when she was lost. Even when she didn't know she needed finding.
Her lips brushed against his shoulder. The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beating of Jax's heart under her cheek.
Nova rested against him, curled in his lap, arms gently wrapped around his waist.
His body was warm. Steady. A silent anchor in the storm she never seemed to escape.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there before responding to him. But eventually, she moved her head away from him to look at him and swallowed.
"Jax," she whispered, voice so soft it barely made it past her lips. "I care for you, too. And I feel it… like electricity when we touch." She blushed.
His eyes darkened just slightly. But he stayed quiet, waiting.
"But I don't know how to be the mate of a Gamma," she continued. "I don't want to drag you down."
"Nova—"
"If you haven't yet heard what people say about me," she cut in, gently. "There's rumors about my mother, me being cursed, and that I'm cruel to the Princess. And anyone who's too close to me…" Her voice dipped. "They tend to get dragged into it."
He exhaled sharply through his nose, a frustrated sound.
She kept going.
"But if I were to ever be a mate to anyone… if I could ever picture myself being that for someone — it would be you. You'd be the only person I'd ever want that with."
Jax's eyes burned as he looked at her.
"Nova," he said, low, "the people saying that? They don't know you. They never bothered to."
She opened her mouth to argue, but he went on.
"They say crap about me too. About Finric. About Cael. They call the Alpha cruel behind his back, even after everything he's done to protect us." His brow furrowed. "People talk, Nova. That doesn't make it true. And if anyone's being dragged down, it's because they chose to listen to noise instead of using their own damn eyes."
She was quiet again, her eyes lowered with an expression of concern.
He gently tilted her chin to look at him, "I don't care what anyone says Nova. I know who you are and you're exactly what I want. Beautiful inside and out."
Her face flushed red. She was shocked by the sincerity of his words.
Before she could say anything or overthink something. Jax kissed her, taking her by surprise and she laughed.
"I love that sound," He said, smiling.
She took a steading breath. And pulled away, asking the question she didn't want to. But she knew she had to.
"Jax… what if you meet your fated mate? Can you promise me…" Her throat caught. "That if it happens — if your heart ever bleeds for someone else — that you'll cut things off with me? Right away?"
His jaw tightened.
But there was no hesitation in his answer.
"I already had a fated mate," he said quietly. "She passed away over five years ago."
Nova's eyes widened, lips parting in surprise. "I'm so sorry to hear that. That's terrible."
"If I ever meet a second-chance mate, I'll tell you. Immediately. I promise."
There was a silence. Heavy. Fragile.
Then he added, slower now, choosing every word:
"But, Nova… when I smell you, when I touch you — I feel sparks. Real ones. They're not imagined. I've felt the mate bond before." He shook his head slightly. "and what I feel with you… It's stronger. Deeper. Raw. My wolf keeps saying your mine. You're my mate."
He cupped her cheek gently.
"I don't know what this is between us. But I know it's not… ordinary. You're not marked, and yet—" His thumb brushed along her temple. "I can feel your emotions sometimes. Your fear. Your sadness. Even your joy."
Nova blinked, stunned.
"I don't know how or why, but I've started to feel you. Even when you're not near."
He leaned his forehead against hers.
"That only happens with fated mates. Chosen mates have to mark to have that. And with you, it's deeper than even my first mate."
Her breath trembled between them.
They stayed like that for a moment. Skin to skin. Hearts pressed close. Wolves stirring underneath.
Two souls caught between fate… and something even more ancient.
"I would love to be your mate, if it means I can be with you." Nova whispered. Jax's lips found hers and they kissed softly this time.
Jax scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
"Let's get you a quick nap." He lay behind her pulling her close into his chest.
He pushed her boots off with his foot and she didn't protest. Their legs intertwined. She slept peacefully. Breathing in his scent. Jax stared at her, he couldn't stop. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen inside and out, and she just agreed to be his mate. He kissed the top of her head lovingly. Did the moon goddess just bless him with something this precious? All he knew is he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. He would cherish her everyday until his last.
"I love you Nova." He whispered, knowing she was asleep and couldn't hear. He snuggled his face into the crook of her neck.