Kyra's heart ached at his words. She squeezed his hand gently, turning to face him. "Ocean, I…"
Before she could finish, he shifted closer, his face inches away from hers. "I don't want to pressure you," he whispered, his breath warm against her cheek. "I just want you to know that no matter what, I'll always be here. Whether you love me the same or not, I'm yours."
The sincerity in his words made her chest tighten. The weight of everything—the new mates, the overwhelming emotions—had been pressing down on her for whole day. But here, in the quiet with Oceanus, things felt different. Easier. The way he looked at her, as if she was the only thing that mattered in the world, made her heart flutter.
She gazed into his deep turquoise eyes, finding a emotions she hadn't seen before. Her fingers grazed his cheek, and he leaned into her touch, his eyes closing for a brief moment.