CHAPTER 499: BEGINNING OF HER LOVE STORY

Katelyn brought Sage into the beach house as the last light of the sunset bled from the sky. Night had definitively fallen. The first thing she did was call Naomi, confirming that Sage was safe.

"Yes, we will return tomorrow morning," Katelyn replied into the phone, standing near the window and looking out at the dark expanse of the ocean. She ended the call and lowered her hand, turning her attention to Sage, who sat hunched on the couch.

"I doubted what my father revealed," Sage confessed. "So, I called the hospital where my mother was reported last. Dad didn’t lie a single word to me. My mother was pregnant with another man’s child. And that child is Vance. How could she do it?" He rubbed his hands together vigorously, a clear sign of his deep restlessness. "I always believed I was hurting my father because of her memory. But I just don’t understand why Mom chose to stay so close, yet remained hidden from everyone’s eyes. She concealed herself perfectly."

"Maybe she didn’t want to be completely away from her son’s sight," Katelyn murmured gently, offering a possible, softer explanation.

"No. I searched further," Sage refuted, shaking his head. "Mom and her husband weren’t even in the pack territory for over thirteen years. They only returned after that, bringing Vance with them. Mom’s husband left the pack with the flimsy excuse that his far relative needed them because their daughter was desperately sick. Because they were mere vegetable sellers, no one ever even bothered to question their sudden departure."

Katelyn sat down next to him, offering a steady, silent presence. "Vance mentioned that your mother was a healer, too."

"That was something entirely new for me as well," Sage admitted. "Dad confirmed it. She had an inbuilt strength as a healer while still carrying her wolf, but she wasn’t an expert practitioner."

"And what about your mother’s side of the family?" Katelyn pressed softly. "Did they never try to check on you?"

Sage slowly shook his head. "My mom was an only child to her parents. Both of my grandparents passed away about three years after her marriage to my father."

"Oh," Katelyn’s voice turned low with genuine empathy. "I’m sorry, Sage."

"All in all, I still couldn’t find the simple answer why she chose to abandon me," Sage said, letting out a short, heavy chuckle that held no humor.

Katelyn placed her hand firmly over his. "Maybe you were never meant to know the whole truth. Your mother’s absence undoubtedly left very deep scars inside you, Sage.

But those scars shouldn’t paralyze you long-term. You should feel blessed that your father never abandoned you. I don’t know how he treated you, but at least he remained present. You can’t deny the fact that you would have suffered far more if you had been left entirely alone."

Sage simply nodded, absorbing the truth of her words. He grabbed her hands, turning his body toward her. "You won’t leave me, right? All I truly have is you, my mate. Even though they are my blood family, I feel empty inside now. I want you in my life, Kate. To guide me, to hold me, and to love me." He leaned closer to her, resting his head heavily on her shoulder.

"Did you forget that I’ve accepted you, Sage Nightshade?" Katelyn asserted, her voice strong and unwavering. "I said in front of everyone that I will be the Luna of this pack."

Sage immediately recalled that moment and leaned back, gazing into her eyes with renewed concern. "And what if I still refuse to be the pack’s Alpha? Will you leave me then? Of course, I’ll keep working as the company’s director."

"You think I’m after a position?" Katelyn challenged, arching one eyebrow, a look of mild offense crossing her face.

"No, I’m just asking honestly," he corrected quickly. "I know you possess more power than me in nearly every way. You can bring change in whatever manner you desire."

"As long as you keep me happy, I desire nothing else," Katelyn said, her statement grounded in simple truth. "I have money, power, everything you could possibly name, except for a true companion."

"I will try my best, Kate," Sage vowed earnestly. "Good and bad phases are simply a part of life. However, I will ensure you never lose that joy from your life. And I am sincerely sorry for hurting you in the past."

"Umm... I won’t forgive you," Katelyn replied, a mischievous look in her eyes and amusement lacing her voice.

"What? Why?" Sage asked, confusion clouding his features.

"You have to cook dinner with me if you want to be forgiven," Katelyn stated, the condition simple and unexpected. "Because of you, I haven’t eaten properly since this morning either."

"I’m so sorry," Sage said immediately, rising from the couch. "Give me a moment. I’ll just wash my face and hands, then we can cook together. But we need—"

"I brought groceries with me on my way," Katelyn interrupted, already moving toward the door. "I’ll go get the bag from the car." She stood up as well, but before she could take a step, Sage gently caught her hand, stopping her.

"It’s night. We are all alone on this beach," he said with a protective instinct.

Katelyn smiled and walked out with him. They reached the car, and Sage took the grocery bag, holding the ingredients for their meal. He shut the car door firmly.

"Oh my god! The coast is illuminating!" Katelyn exclaimed in astonishment. The shoreline seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, as though thousands of pearls had risen to the surface, creating a magical illusion. Sage stopped beside her, tilting his head slightly as she held his hand, captivated by the spectacle.

"It feels completely surreal," she murmured, meeting his gaze, which was now reflecting the light of the glowing water.

"Yes. It truly does," he agreed, his voice rough. His eyes dropped from the illuminated coastline to her lips, and she sensed the deep, familiar desire they held.

Unlike the tension and hesitation of past encounters, she showed no reluctance this time. Katelyn closed the small distance and pressed her lips onto his. This was the true beginning of her love story, and she was fiercely determined not to miss a single part of it.

Their lips parted briefly, their eyes locking once more in a silent, profound affirmation, before their mouths met again, unleashing the passion and longing they had both been holding back all this time.