XXXIV | Perfect

"He's physically fine," Jaeger said, shining a light into Kaleb's eyes. Kaia watched intently, and Kaleb must have noticed because he smirked at her.

"Shut up," she mumbled, "I'm just worried."

He nodded, "I get it. If our roles reversed, I don't know what I would have done."

"Alpha," Jaeger said quietly, "I'd like to examine you again in twenty-four hours, but I won't get the scan results back for a while yet."

Kaleb nodded, "I understand. You can go."

Jaeger nodded and turned to leave. Kaia sat down on the bed beside Kaleb as she watched him go. "Thank you," Kaia called after him, remembering what he'd said all that time ago.

Jaeger turned quickly and nodded, "Thank you, Luna." Kaia could have sworn that Jaeger gave her a strange look, but she wasn't confident enough to ask the doctor about it.

Kaia smiled as the door shut. Kaleb reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear, drawing her attention. "You were worried once about whether or not they'd see you like a Luna, weren't you?"

Kaia nodded, blushing a little at the thought, "I was worried about a lot of things."

Kaleb smiled softly, but when he met her eyes it was clear that there was something wrong. There was a shine of vulnerability in them like he was a child who'd done something wrong and was about to confess. "Are you still worried?"

The question shouldn't have caught Kaia off guard, but it did. She sighed and crawled farther onto the bed, lying down next to Kaleb. She draped her arm over his chest, and he held her close. "I'm worried about you, I guess."

"Jaeger said I'm fine."

"Not that," Kaia said, "Though I was worried about that, too. But what I meant..."

Kaia could feel Kaleb's body stiffen a tiny bit. Kaia closed her eyes, knowing he wasn't going to like what she was going to say. But she had to say it. "I should have known, honestly. When we met, before you opened up to me, you used to hide behind anger."

Kaleb took a deep breath and listened. "I didn't think much of it. We've all got something broken in our hearts, I think. We all deal with it in our way. Maybe your anger was just your way of facing the world."

"But then you killed Grayson," Kaia continued.

Kaleb sat up and looked down at her, his eyes desperate, "I told you, Kaia. I had no choice. I had to-"

"I know," Kaia said, touching his lips to silence him. She smiled softly. "I know what you said, and I understand. The Pack is stronger for what you did."

Kaleb looked relieved, and it made Kaia's chest ache. She was about to speak her heart, and it would sting. "But then you murdered Jack, too."

Kaleb looked horrified, "Kaia, that wasn't me!"

Kaia sat up and touched his face, "I know. I'm sorry." Her voice cracked, and she took a second to steel herself. "I know that wasn't you. I remember the darkness I felt when..." Kaia took a deep breath, "But in the alley, you were going to kill him, too. That was you."

Kaia looked into his beautiful golden eyes, stroking the beginning of his stubble with her thumb. "You can deny it, Kaleb. But I can see your heart."

"That's unfair," Kaleb breathed. He looked like Kaia had just torn him in two.

"I know," Kaia said. It was all she seemed to be able to answer. I know. I know your heart. I know your secrets. I know the truth.

"Kaia, I was angry," Kaleb said quietly, covering her hand with his, "I was furious because he took so much from me and he was about to take you, too. I wasn't in control of myself."

Kaia nodded and lowered her hand, still holding Kaleb's tightly. He was clutching hers right back like he was worried that if he let go, she'd leave and never come back. That was impossible, of course. "Kaleb, there's a rage inside of you that's been there for years."

Kaleb lowered his gaze, leaning forward and letting his forehead rest on Kaia's shoulder. Kaia reached up and touched his soft hair. She closed her eyes. "Do you remember what I said to you when I was trying to save you?"

Kaleb sighed, "It's all blurry."

Kaia lowered her face and kissed Kaleb's neck softly, "I'm not afraid of you, Kaleb. Not any longer."

Kaleb raised his head immediately, his eyes peering into hers, begging for her words. "What?"

"That's what I said," Kaia said, her voice strong and clear, "And I'm not. That anger inside of you..." Kaia reached out and pressed her palm to Kaleb's chest. She could feel his heart beating quickly; for a moment, it brought her back to the Lunar Ceremony. "I'll fight it with you. I'm your Luna, and even if I grew up a human, there's some lycanthrope in me. I'm stronger than I look."

Kaleb was looking at her like she was speaking another language. His lips had parted, and he was completely frozen. Kaia tilted her head to the side, confused, and the gesture made Kaleb's heart ache with adoration. "Are you ok?"

Kaleb blinked. "How..." He looked down at his hand and then back up at Kaia, "How?"

Kaia tilted her head farther, "How? What?"

Kaleb smiled, "How could I be so lucky?"

Kaia sighed, "I think the universe owed both of us."

The door opened, and Ben hesitantly entered, "Kaleb?"

Kaia smiled and stood up, touching Kaleb's face, "I'll see you later. You two should talk." Kaia headed for the door.

"I love you, Kaia," Kaleb said as she walked away.

"You, too," Kaia called over her shoulder with a smile. "Hi, Rosy," she said as she left. Rosy was waiting around the corner.

"Hi, love," she said, "How are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly alright," Kaia replied, "Somehow."

Rosy smiled, "I think I know how."

Kaia smiled and glanced back at Kaleb and she smiled. "Me, too."

Kaia started to continue on her way, but Rosy grabbed her arm to stop her, "Honey, I have to talk to you." Rosy glanced at Ben and somehow silently told her husband to go on without her. The door shut behind him, but not before Ben gave Kaia a meaningful nod.

"What is it?" Kaia asked, concerned.

"Nothing bad, love," Rosy reassured her, the old woman's eyes twinkling, "I just wanted to thank you."

It was hard to see Rosy on the verge of crying and not follow suit. Kaia almost immediately burst into tears, but she stifled her emotion, "Rosy, you don't have to-"

"I do have to," Rosy said, her voice fierce, "Kaleb is my son, and I love him more than anything. You saved his life, even if it was in a rather peculiar way. In doing so, you might as well have saved me, too."

"Rosy," Kaia said softly, "I would do anything for Kaleb. You know that. And I would do anything for you, too, for the whole Pack."

Rosy wiped a tear away quickly, taking Kaia's hands in her own, "Well, let me say that I'm proud of you. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter."

Kaia's heart made itself known; her chest ached with the weight of her loss and her past, but also with hope and love for the life she'd found for herself. Kaia couldn't stop the tears this time, didn't want to. "Thank you, Rosy," she managed, "It means a lot. Thank you."

Rosy pulled her into a tight hug, the type of hug that reminds you not only that you're alive but that you're loved. "I'll go see Kaleb now if that's alright, but take care of yourself. Call your brother. And find Jaeda. That little girl is worried about you."

Kaia smiled, "I will, thank you."

As Kaia walked down the hall, surrounded by a maternal warmth she hadn't felt in years, she started to think of all the things she had to do. First, and perhaps most importantly, she had to face her family. The thought of telling Cole the truth scared her. She'd asked him to give her a couple of days. Those days were over now, and she knew she had to visit him. She didn't know how he would react.

And then there was her dad. She hadn't seen him since he'd shot Kaleb. He was even more of a wildcard, but she felt like she had to see them. So she would.

Connecting with her family had to come before she began the search for who she was.

☾

"Ok," Kaia said, tapping her chin. Her eyes lit up, "Color."

Jaeda shook her head, "Green."

"Damn, I thought I got you," Kaia said, pouting and sinking back into the couch. Jaeda was sitting across from her, smiling triumphantly.

"You should give up. I know everything about Kaleb," Jaeda said, her voice confident. She tilted her head back, her lovely brown eyes narrowing, "You'll never win."

"There has to be something," Kaia said. "Why do you know more about Kaleb than I do?" There was a hint of vulnerability in Kaia's voice that she hadn't meant to show.

Jaeda sat up straight, touching Kaia's arm, "Oh, no. I'm sorry. It was all a joke. I know absolutely nothing about our Alpha."

Kaia stared at her. Jaeda's eyes told Kaia that she was telling the truth. But she was nervously twirling one of her curls around her finger. "You know something, don't lie."

Jaeda nodded her head, "I mean, he's my Alpha, so I know some. But he's your Alpha, too. I've just been around longer, I think."

Kaia laughed, "You're probably right." Kaia shifted so that her legs rested on top of Jaeda's. "But I think his favorite color would be red."

"His favorite food is cookies," Jaeda said, "Homemade."

Kaia smiled and nodded, "When do you think his birthday is?"

Jaeda's eyes sparkled. She opened her mouth to answer, but the voice that came out was startlingly masculine and sexy.

And Kaleb's. "October twenty-fifth."

He was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. He had an amused smile on his face. Kaia blushed slightly. "Uh...we were just-"

"Is it October twenty-fifth? That's close to Halloween," Jaeda blurted.

Kaleb chuckled and strode over to the couch where Kaia and Jaeda were lounging. He rested against it and looked down at them, "What sort of game is this?"

"Well," Kaia said, "There's a lot of blanks." Kaia bit her lip and looked up at him, hoping he wouldn't be upset. "About you, I mean. I wanted to fill some of them in."

"You could just ask me," Kaleb said, rounding the couch and sitting beside Kaia. He rested his arm around her, and she instantly leaned into him.

"I didn't know where you were," Kaia said, closing her eyes and inhaling his scent. He must have just taken a shower because he smelled faintly of soap.

"Hey, I think I'm going to go. Elias is going to kill me if I'm late again," Jaeda said, standing up and letting Kaia's legs fall from her lap, "He already thinks I'm a screw-up."

"You don't have to go," Kaia said. She had a feeling that Jaeda was leaving because she thought she was intruding.

"No, it's ok," Jaeda said, "I'm looking forward to today, actually. Elias said he was going to try to help my aim. I suck with guns. You know, so that I don't shoot anybody I'm not meant to again." With that, she gave a little wave, "Wish me luck?"

Kaia smiled, "Good luck, not that you need it."

"Hey, Jaeda!" Kaleb called as she reached the door, "He doesn't think you're a screw-up. He speaks highly of you to me." Kaia watched as Jaeda's face lit up before she nodded and shut the door.

Kaia smiled and looked up at Kaleb, "Does he?"

Kaleb nodded, "Between you and me, I'm pretty sure Elias has a thing for her."

Kaia gasped comically, "Oh my. Scandalous."

Kaleb nodded, "I know."

Kaia laughed and rested her head against Kaleb's shoulder. There was a beat of silence before Kaleb spoke up. "So what do you want to ask me?"

Kaia raised her head, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, why not? We're already mated, Kaia. I fully intend on spending the rest of my life with you, so we have plenty of time to get to know each other...but why wait? Ask away."

Kaia smiled and sat up, twisting her body so she could look directly at him, "What's your favorite color?"

Kaleb raised a brow and frowned, "You could ask me anything right now, and that's what you want to know?"

"It's the first one that came to my mind," Kaia said, shrugging.

Kaleb smiled slightly and sighed, "Well, sorry to disappoint, but I don't have a favorite color."

Kaia frowned, "Aw. Well, mine's purple. How about a favorite season?"

"Winter," Kaleb answered.

"Spring," Kaia said, "Why do you like Winter? I hate the cold."

"Yeah, but it's beautiful. I like snow," Kaleb said, "Besides, now that we're together, you won't have to deal with the cold any longer."

Kaia beamed, "I guess you have a point."

Kaleb smiled, "What's your favorite movie?"

"The Princess Bride," Kaia said immediately, "Best movie ever."

Kaleb shook his head, "I haven't-"

Kaia immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, "If you're about to say what I think you are, I will never forgive you. We are watching it tonight." She could feel Kaleb smiling underneath her hand. She slowly lowered it.

Kaia sighed, "Ok. Let's get to the real questions."

"Those weren't real questions?"

"Nope," Kaia said, then took a deep breath and met Kaleb's eyes, "What was the first thing you thought when you saw me?"

Kaleb face betrayed nothing. His eyes were steady and seemed to pierce directly into her heart, a little bit of their sunlight warming her up. Kaia's pulse sped up for some reason. She shouldn't be shy around him, but for some reason she was. "I envied you."

Kaia's heart skidded to a stop before sputtering back to life. "What?"

"I envied you," Kaleb repeated like it would make more sense the second time around. It didn't.

"Why?" Kaia asked, trying to puzzle this one out. She could find out what Kaleb thought if she used her gift, but she didn't want to do that. She wanted him to tell her because it just seemed more precious that way. Kaleb's voice made everything better.

"The first time I saw you," Kaleb said, touching a lock of Kaia's hair, "You were drinking coffee in a shop, reading a book. You were curled up in a corner table, and you had on this giant coat that looked way too huge for your body."

Kaia frowned, "That's embarrassing. You saw me in my marshmallow coat."

Kaleb smiled, "I remember it clearly because I took a mental picture of it. You looked content. You were smiling about something in your book, and it seemed like the world could never touch you. I envied you for that."

Kaia cleared her throat. She could feel that she was blushing, but she honestly didn't mind. She let Kaleb see her, didn't try to hide it. "Well, the first time I saw you I thought you were a crazy weirdo who was trying to feel me up."

Kaleb frowned, "Seriously?"

Kaia laughed and touched his face, scooting onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her instantly like he'd been doing it for years. "No. The first time I saw you I was stuck wondering why I wanted to kiss you so badly even though I'd just met you. My sexy savior."

Kaleb laughed. Kaia frowned, "Sounds slightly less dramatic, doesn't it?"

Kaleb shook his head, "I'll take it."

Kaia sighed and looked at him, really looked. He was just as he was the first time she'd seen him, even if so much had changed inside of him. His eyes were the only visible indication that his heart had transformed; they were softer, like clear morning sunlight instead of the blazing noon.

Kaia's head unconsciously tilted to the side as she studied him. He groaned and shut his eyes. "Kaia don't do that." Kaia blinked, waking up from her trance.

"Don't do what?" she asked.

"You don't know, do you?" Kaleb asked, sitting up straighter. His body pressed against hers and her heart jumped again.

"No," Kaia said, smiling as Kaleb brought his face close to hers. Their noses touched.

"You have this habit of tilting your head to the side when you're thinking hard about something," Kaleb said. His eyes skipped to her lips and then scanned her face. "It makes me..."

Kaleb's eyes were alive all of a sudden. Kaia watched the tip of his tongue barely wet his lips. She felt a lump form in her throat, and a fire ignite in her chest. There was something else, too. Lust, with just a drop of fear to make her heart beat faster.

Kaleb had a habit, too. Sometimes when he looked at her, his eyes would see all of her. They would jump around her face, pausing sometimes only to continue exploring her. It was like he was seeing her for the first time all over again, and she loved it.

"Makes you what?" Kaia asked, the corner of her lips lifting as she tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck. She touched Kaleb's mark softly and felt a rush of sparks.

It was an invitation, but Kaleb was hesitant still. He was perfect and never wanted to hurt her or scare her. But Kaia wasn't scared. Even if he troubled her, it would be bittersweet. Kaia loved him. She didn't think that could change.

Kaleb's answer was to sweep her up, pinning her against him, and carry her away. Kaia squeaked happily and leaned down to kiss him, tilting his head up with her fingertips. For now, everything was perfect; she had things to worry about in the morning, but for once, they could wait.

Kaleb sat down on the bed and stared up at her. He said nothing as she stood up, only held her hand tightly. Kaia smiled softly as she reached up and undid the buttons on her shirt one by one. Kaleb's lips parted as he watched her, his hand tightening around hers.

His eyes scanned her body once the fabric fell away. He reached out and touched the birthmark right beneath her breast. Kaleb slowly looked back up and met her eyes, "You're so beautiful that it hurts me."

Kaia smiled and pulled him closer, standing between his legs and kissing him again. She reached down and curled her fingers around the hem of Kaleb's shirt, lifting it away. She slid her hand along his muscles, tracing the lines on his stomach. Kaleb let out a tiny sound of pleasure, and Kaia smiled.

She was glad that she could talk to him without using words. Talking would only get in the way now. The moment was like a suspended breath, so fragile and so full of anticipation.

Kaleb pulled her down onto the bed with him. Kaia's heart was beating a mile a minute, and she was probably bright red, but somehow it seemed ok. It felt more than ok. It felt a little perfect.

Kaleb paused, a look of concern in his eyes. Even between heavy breaths, his voice was heaven. "I don't want to hurt you."

Kaia sighed and touched his face, kissing him again, "Kaleb, I want this." But he still looked nervous. So Kaia shed what fabric she'd had left and met his eyes, watching his face turn slightly red. Her voice was a whisper nearly lost beneath the sound of pounding hearts, "I want you."

And even the mighty Kaleb with a heart of thunderstorms couldn't resist that. Kaia stood in the storm and reached towards the sky, let the lightning crack through the air and strike her heart.

When you're brave enough to give someone you love everything, your heart and your body...

That's living.

*blushes quietly*

Hope you guys liked this update.

So yup! Leave me a comment and a shiny star, and I'll love you forever. Thanks (as always) for reading.