Chapter 57: Can I Kiss You?
Irina’s POV
Claim
I’m beat. I truly need some rest, but I keep tossing and turning in this bed for some reason.
I know Aiden is not in his room. I can feel the distance and wonder why he hasn’t returned.
“Well, considering his feelings were outed before everyone, and you didn’t make a single
comment…”
I grabbed the pillow and pressed it against my face. “I didn’t know what I was supposed to say.
“Uh… even a thank you would have been better than staying quiet,” She mumbled under her breath.
“I froze! There were so many people there and Aiden…”
A soft knock startled me. I wasn’t expecting anyone; we were all supposed to get some rest for tomorrow’s great event.
The trial.
Who could it be?
“You can take a deep breath and figure that out without opening the door, ya know?” Theia reminded me.
I was still getting used to how heightened my senses had become. If I set my mind to it, I could tell where everyone was inside the house, but it was so overwhelming that I decided to go with what I already knew.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I said in a less-than-sincere tone before I did precisely what Theia said.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting my senses become sharper.
“Aiden?” I called before I could stop myself. I could never mistake his scent; it was clear he was the one behind the door. He was the only one in the freaking hallway; the rest were already in their rooms.
Wait… why is Debbie with Rylan?
I shook my head; it was not the time to start wondering about that.
1/5
Claim
<Chapter 57: Can I Kiss You?
I opened it, and just like I had predicted, he was there -silhouetted in the hallway light, shoulders tense, with dark hair mussed like he’d run a hand through it a dozen times.
“Irina,” he said.
It was just my name, but it sounded like he wasn’t sure what he was doing here, but at the same time, he couldn’t let me go.
My heart thudded, unruly. I tried to keep my emotions at bay. I still wasn’t sure if I could trust Aiden; I was still scared that he might change his mind and tell me I was not worthy of being his mate.
I was terrified of being tossed aside, even with all this power inside me.
Or perhaps, now that he knew what I was capable of, he considered me worthy.
“Irina, stop it,” Theia sighed. “I know you are scared, but Aiden apologized before this whole s**t show started.”
“I know… but, how much is he? How much is his wolf? Will ever know?” I asked her.
She might not have an answer, but those were my genuine fears.
“Even if you ask him, would you believe him?” She asked back.
Theia was right, my mind was so filled with doubts that even if I heard what I wanted to hear, I wouldn’t believe him.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Tomorrow, a war might break out; we still don’t know what will happen, so for the time being…
“You’re late,” I said, partially teasing him. The best way to combat fear was humor.
He gave a humorless half-smile. “You’re only late in forgiving me.”
I blinked. “And in accepting me as an Enigma,” I added, more sharply than I intended. “You don’t get a pass just because I glow now.”
He inhaled, a long, steadying breath. “I know you may not believe me, but I would want you even if you were only an omega.”
1 scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
“It’s the truth, and I’m sure deep down, you know it too.”
Damn, he was good.
2/5
< Chapter 57: Can I Kiss You?
Claim
He stepped closer. “I heard you were training,” he said, softer. “That omega, Derek’s friend, told me you took some time to understand your new power.”
I nodded. “I can’t do everything Kratos told me I would be able to do, but at least now I can change my aura at will, and sometimes I can m – nature do what I want.”
“Like tossing me to the side if I ever misbehave?” He asked, taking another step.
He was slowly but surely cutting the distance.
I folded my arms over my chest. “Damn right. If you piss me off, I can fight you now.”
“Irina…” He stopped, hands opening as if to show he had nothing to hide. “I’m sorry. For not protecting you. For believing Lancer. For calling you weak. I should have been better. I’m trying to be.”
“This is the third time you are apologizing,” I pointed out.
“And it won’t be the last, even if you forgive me,” He said quietly. “Because I don’t just want forgiveness, Irina. I want to make it right. Every single day.”
The way he said it-steady, low, and sincere-made my chest tighten. There was no arrogance in his tone this time, no trace of the Alpha who always needed to be right.
The silence stretched between us, thick with everything left unsaid. I could hear his heartbeat, quick and uneven. Theia didn’t say anything this time-she didn’t need to. My heart already knew the answer I’d been trying to deny.
I sighed and looked down at my hands. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”
He chuckled softly. “Nobody has told me, but I know.”
When I finally looked up again, his eyes-those stormy grey eyes-were full of hope and fear all at once. And something inside me finally cracked. I’d been holding onto anger like a shield, thinking it would protect me from getting hurt again. But the truth was, it only kept me from healing.
“I forgive you,” I whispered. The words trembled out of me before I could take them back. Not because you deserve it… But because I can’t keep hating you anymore. It’s exhausting.”
Aiden’s breath hitched, and his shoulders sagged in quiet relief. “That’s more than I could ever ask for.”
“Don’t make me regret it,” I added, lifting a brow.
“I won’t,” he promised instantly. And the thing was… I believed him this time.
3/5
<Chapter 57: Can I Kiss You?
Claim
He took a hesitant step forward. “Can I-” His voice faltered, softer now. “Can I kiss you?”
My heart stopped for a beat.
An Alpha asking?
“I’m sure if we tell anyone this happened, they wouldn’t believe us,” Theia whispered, her voice barely audible.
She couldn’t believe it either.
“I… I guess you were right about Aiden, he really has changed.”
“Told ya!” She chirped. “Now what are you waiting for? He looks like a puppy who just got kicked!”
I swallowed hard, feeling that familiar flutter low in my stomach. “You can,” I murmured, barely above a whisper.
His hand came up slowly, fingers brushing against my jaw as if giving me one last chance to pull away. I didn’t. The warmth of his skin against mine made the world tilt for a second, and then his lips found mine.
This was our first kiss, the first one we both agreed to. He didn’t grab my hand forcefully; he took my opinion into consideration.
Yeah, the bar was low, but with Alphas… they don’t have much self-control.
His warm lips moved against mine, tentative at first-as if he was afraid I might disappear if he pushed too hard. The kiss wasn’t wild or demanding. It was careful, reverent… a silent apology for everything he’d done wrong.
My hands found his chest. His heart was racing-faster than mine, if that was even possible. His warmth seeped through my palms, grounding me in a way I didn’t realize I needed.
When he deepened the kiss, it was still gentle, guided by restraint. His thumb brushed my cheekbone, and I felt the tension in my body start to melt, like all the walls I’d built were crumbling one by one.
Theía sighed dramatically in my head. “Finally. I was about to shove your faces together myself.”
I ignored her-mostly because she wasn’t wrong.
When Aiden finally pulled back, he didn’t move far. His forehead rested against mine, and his breath fanned over my lips. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
4/5
I couldn’t help the tiny smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth “You.”
I was treading in dangerous territory, but I wanted to do this. “You want to spend the night
here?
LUCK DRAW >
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Fake Heiress True Luna (Irina)