24

A few days had passed since the storm that was the Karassu family dinner. Hyejin now resided in Kairan and Serin's apartment, and the change was almost immediate. The air in their home felt lighter, warmer, as if her presence mended cracks no one had dared to address before.

Junghyun and Inseo, initially cautious around her, had grown attached in ways they hadn't anticipated. Junghyun's quiet respect for her was evident in the way he sought her out for advice on his music, while Inseo's boundless energy found an outlet in making her laugh with his antics. For the siblings, she felt like the mother they had yearned for—a stark contrast to Lyana, whose selfishness had left wounds they were still healing from.

Tonight, the apartment was alive with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses. Taejung, ever the embodiment of sass, was reclined in one of the chairs, swirling his drink with a dramatic flourish. "Honestly, I don't know how you all function without me here to keep things interesting" he quipped, casting a pointed glance at Junghyun, who raised a brow but didn't respond.

Ii Hyeok, perched on the armrest of the sofa, grinned. "Maybe because you don't function at all, Taejung. Isn't that why you're still here instead of on a runway?"

Taejung gasped, feigning offense. "Excuse me? I've graced more covers than you've—"

"Enough" Junghyun interrupted, his tone flat but tinged with amusement.

Inseo, sprawled on the carpet with a bag of chips, cackled. "He's just jealous, Hyeok. Don't take it personally."

Serin leaned back into Kairan's chest, her lips curling into a smile. The scene unfolding before her was chaos, but it was her kind of chaos—a family, hers and his, brought together by bonds stronger than blood.

Hyejin entered the room with a tray of desserts, her face lighting up at the sight of everyone. "I see you're all still arguing" she said with mock exasperation, placing the tray on the table.

Taejung reached for a piece of cake, only to have his hand slapped by Hyejin. "Not until everyone has one" she scolded gently, earning a chorus of laughter.

Kairan, who had been watching silently, leaned down to whisper in Serin's ear, "This feels... good."

She turned her head slightly, her warm brown eyes meeting his. "It does" she whispered back, her voice soft and filled with emotion.

But just as the laughter reached its peak, Taejung froze mid-banter, his expression shifting. "Wait, hold up" he said, sitting up. "I just remembered something."

Everyone turned their attention to him, the room falling quiet.

"There's this, uh, gala" he said, scratching the back of his neck. " well... people are already calling Serin your wife."

"What?" Serin blinked, her voice rising an octave.

Ii Hyeok nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "It's true. Some of the employees started it after that press leak about you two."

Inseo's eyes widened with glee. "Oh, this is rich. You're practically married in everyone's eyes already!"

Kairan frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. "That's ridiculous. Who started that rumor?"

Hyejin cleared her throat, a knowing smile on her face. "It doesn't matter who started it. What matters is what you want to do about it."

The room fell silent again, all eyes shifting between Kairan and Serin.

Serin sighed, leaning her head back against Kairan. "Well, I guess there's only one way to stop people from assuming things."

Kairan's lips quirked into a rare smile, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

She tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We'll get married.... On our terms, Kairan. Not because anyone expects it, but because we want to."

The room erupted into a mixture of cheers and groans, Taejung dramatically declaring, "Finally!" while Inseo yelled, "About time!"

But amidst the chaos, Kairan and Serin stayed in their own little bubble, their gazes locked. For them, this wasn't about silencing rumors or proving a point—it was about solidifying a bond that had already been unshakable from the start.

Kairan took her hand in his, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "On our terms" he promised.

_

_

_

The idea had settled in Kairan's mind long before the rumors started swirling. Serin wasn't just his mate; she was the calm to his storm, the one who saw every jagged piece of him and held them together with unwavering love. He didn't want their wedding to feel rushed or obligatory. It had to be perfect—something that would show Serin exactly how much she meant to him.

It took weeks of planning, stealthy maneuvers, and enlisting the help of his family. Tonight, everything was in place.

Kairan led Serin into the sprawling garden of their apartment building. The night was still, the air carrying the faint, sweet aroma of her lavender scent mixed with the grounding warmth of his cedar. Twinkling fairy lights strung across the trees cast a soft glow, reflecting off the small pond at the center. The gentle murmur of water complemented the sound of crickets chirping in the distance.

"Kairan" Serin said, her voice tinged with suspicion and curiosity. "What's going on?"

He turned to face her, his striking blue eyes catching the light. "Do you trust me?"

She tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Always."

He led her to a clearing in the garden, where a table draped in white linen stood. On it was a single glass dome encasing a lavender flower. Around it were candles and an array of tiny cedarwood carvings, each shaped into wolves.

Serin gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Kairan…"

"I wanted to show you" he began, his deep voice steady yet laced with emotion, "how you've become my anchor. Lavender.....your scent isn't just soothing to me. It's my reminder of peace, of love, of everything I never thought I deserved."

He stepped closer, cupping her face gently. "And cedar.....my scent is strength. You make me stronger, Serin, in ways I didn't even think possible. You're my equal, my light in the darkest places."

Serin blinked back tears, her heart hammering in her chest. "Kairan…"

He dropped to one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. When he opened it, a delicate ring rested inside. It was a simple band with an intricate design of intertwining wolves etched into it, the eyes of one sparkling with a lavender stone, the other with a cedar-green gem.

"Serin" he said, his voice soft but unwavering, "you've seen me at my worst and loved me anyway. You've been my sanctuary, my partner, my mate. Will you marry me, not because of rumors or expectations, but because we're stronger together than we could ever be apart?"

Tears spilled down Serin's cheeks as she nodded, her voice breaking. "Yes, Kairan. A thousand times, yes."

He slid the ring onto her finger, rising to pull her into his arms. The faint trace of cedar and lavender swirled together in the air, a testament to their bond. The lights around them seemed to glow brighter as if the universe itself celebrated their union.

From the balcony above, Hyejin and the siblings cheered, having secretly watched the whole thing. Taejung's voice cut through the air, as sassy as ever. "Finally! I was getting tired of all the pining."