Chapter 460
Katelyn returned to the silence of her room. The anger from the earlier confrontation with Gabriel slowly dissipating. She didn’t harbor any illusions about her brother being a particularly caring figure, but the brutal honesty of his criticism that she was prone to making poor decisions was a truth she couldn’t simply ignore.
She reached for her phone on the nightstand, the screen illuminating to show recent messages from Sage. She opened their chat and sent a quick update detailing the latest tensions and maneuvers within the palace.
A new message popped up instantly: “What do you think I should wear tomorrow p>
“Anything that suits you,” she replied curtly, then hesitated. Chewing her bottom lip, she changed her mind, tapping the video call icon. It connected in less than a second.
Sage’s face filled the screen, a hopeful smile greeting her from the hotel room.
“Show me the suits you have for tomorrow,” Katelyn instructed.
“Ah, I’m in the hotel,” Sage reminded her, a faint sheepishness in his voice. “I didn’t bring anything formal. I planned to go out later to shop for a tailored suit. The good shops here stay open quite late,” he affirmed.
“How about a navy blue one?” Katelyn suggested, picturing the shade against his dark hair.
“Wonderful. I actually had something very similar in mind,” Sage stated, his smile widening. “Thanks for the input p>
Katelyn offered a soft hum. After a brief silence, a different worry surfaced. “Does Eleanor still bother you p>
“No,” Sage replied, the quick certainty in his voice reassuring her.
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Katelyn said, moving to end the call.
“Hey, wait. Talk to me for a little longer,” Sage whispered, leaning back against the chair, his gaze intensely focused on her. “I can’t figure out how you manage to control your wolf, Kate. Doesn’t it get restless, being kept away from mine? My wolf is practically shouting about you in the back of my head constantly. The urge to call you my mate is so intense, but I know you’d be furious if I asserted the bond openly p>
’I am not allowing myself to get close to you, that’s why,’ she thought. ’But the truth is, I’ve grown dependent on your presence. When you’re not around, I feel a void. Your gentle pheromones slowly enter my system, saturating me with the scent of you. Yet, the fear of rejection, of having this bond lead to another mistake, is overwhelming p>
“Why did you suddenly go quiet?” Sage inquired, pulling her back from her contemplation.
“Nothing. Just thinking about something,” she answered quickly.
“I wish I could teleport there and be with you,” Sage asserted, a genuine yearning in his eyes. “You know, after you confronted my stepmother, a lot has changed. My father isn’t even pestering me. It’s been a few days, and he hasn’t called me at all. I’m honestly quite happy about the reprieve p>
“I can keep doing it for you if Katelyn began, the unspoken condition hanging in the air. She abruptly paused, hesitant to voice the commitment her heart was nudging her toward.
Sage immediately picked up the thread. “If we officially become a couple. I’ll be happy seeing you protecting me p>
Katelyn’s expression turned serious, pushing past the playful flirtation to seek an honest answer. “Why do you like me? I’m indecisive, incapable of finding solutions, and even arrogant sometimes. I have hurt your feelings far more times than any other woman would have ever done to you. Forget this bond for a moment, and answer me honestly, Sage. What do you like in me p>
A deep, earnest look came into Sage’s eyes. “Everything,” he replied simply.
“I like the way you are sometimes too smart and decisive, while other times you are surprisingly naïve. You can be blunt and challenging in one moment, and incredibly soft the next. I like every piece of you that makes up that complex person, Katelyn. This is all I’m saying after keeping my mate bond with you aside p>
He held her gaze with sincerity.
“What about you?” Sage pressed gently. “Have you started liking anything about me? Be truthful. It’s not like I’m going to tell anyone about it p>
A faint softening entered Katelyn’s eyes. “You make me see what others can’t,” she replied simply.
Sage’s expression immediately softened, though a slight confusion clouded his features.
Katelyn elaborated, leaning closer to the phone. “You make me question a lot of things. And you make real efforts to make me happy. I don’t think anyone has ever tried to put that kind of consistent effort on me p>
She sighed softly, a moment of deep honesty breaking through her usual reserve. “During my college days, I heard guys whisper about me, calling me ’too high’ or ’above myself’ just because I’m a princess. Yet, none would actually dare to approach me. Yes, I braced my heart and protected myself from the Alphas, but the truth is, none ever even asked me out. I don’t know why p>
Her gaze met his. “You are the first man who is actually putting a persistent effort into impressing me. I like it. I like being pampered. You won’t hesitate to be truthful to me, and I like it because it makes me self-reflect p>
A warm smile graced Sage’s lips, radiating genuine pleasure. “I didn’t expect you to share all those details. Kate, you’re special in your own way. Always keep that in mind. You must be wanting to have dinner now, so you can hang up p>
“I don’t know why I can’t use teleportation,” Katelyn suddenly lamented, a hint of frustration in her voice. “If I had that ability, I wouldn’t be on this call; I would have come to you and hug you tightly p>
“What? Just a hug?” Sage remarked, his tone immediately turning teasing. “You should say you would’ve kissed me p>
Katelyn’s heart skipped a beat in that moment, and her fingers curled up.
“Good night, Kate. See you tomorrow,” Sage said and finally the video call ended.
She lowered the phone to bed and pressed her both hands onto her chest. A smile formed on her lips as she finally felt a heavy burden had been left off her shoulders.