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Chapter 66

When I woke up the next morning I was slightly alarmed to find the other side of the bed empty. I sat up quickly and looked around feeling a sudden head rush. I moaned, rubbing my temples and then saw a note on the bedside table. He had left early but would be back about nine. I looked at the clock, it was about eight. I pushed the hair out of my face and squinted out the window. It was early February but there was no snow on the ground, the Sunday morning sun streamed in through the drapes.

I slung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling extremely sluggish. My jaw throbbed, "This sucks," I muttered only half awake. I collected my clothes thrown in fits of passion across the floor in my arms and dropped them in the hamper; then found some comfy sweats and a t-shirt to throw on. I showered quickly, dressed and made my way to the kitchen.

I dug around the kitchen looking for pans to make breakfast. I searched the fridge and found the ingredients needed for making omelets and decided to be fancy this morning. It was time to celebrate right? Had I dreamt about the proposal? I cleared my head, it all seemed like a dream but it was definitely reality.

My limbs felt immensely stiff and my eyes hurt. I fought through the annoying pain, dismissing it just as de-growing pains. I wished the legends would have talked a little more about this part of the story. I'd like to know how long it would take me to be normal again.

I grabbed a knife to cut up the slab of ham I found in the fridge. I moved the blade swiftly, cutting it into tiny pieces. I looked up at a noise at the door for a second and the knife slipped. "Ow." I muttered and stuck my finger in my mouth. "That's annoying."

I wiped my finger on a towel, knowing it would be gone in a matter of seconds, and moved to the door to investigate the sound. Kaase stumbled through the door with a goofy grin on his face.

"What's wrong with you?" I snorted and leaned up against the wall.

He rushed forward and picked me up by the waist; spinning me around in a circle. I let out a laugh. "I have a surprise for you." He beamed.

"Well what is it?" I giggled.

He opened his mouth to say something then froze, he set me down and looked at his arm where my hand clenched it. I gasped and pulled my hand away, my hand was covered in blood and the red liquid was seeping through his jacket.

"Leah, what happened?!" he nearly yelled, highly alarmed. He grabbed my wrist and held my hand up to where he could see it clearly.

"I just cut myself," I shook my head, "it should have healed by now."

But it hadn't, blood was still seeping through the slit on my finger. I sucked in a shaky breath. Kaase pulled me into the kitchen and ran water over my finger, cleaning it. Neither of us said anything. I trembled all over, it was all fitting together. My eyes hurt because they were now unfocused, I felt sluggish and stiff because I was used to stronger muscles, as I thought about it more everything seemed less. The air smelled clean, not full of different scents like before, I couldn't even smell Kaase from where I was standing. Kaase's hand on my wrist felt cold from the winter air . . . I felt temperature.

"Kaase . . ." Was all I could say before I felt tears swell my throat, it was over.

"Oh Leah," He wrapped his arms around me and for the first time I felt the warmth of his body. I leaned in and let my tears of joy and relief flow.

I felt something I hadn't expected though, I felt somewhat alone. My whole life had changed in just a month. I didn't have a pack any more. Kaase's arms wrapped tighter around me and he lay his head on top of mine, reminding me I wasn't alone. The love I felt for Kaase didn't leave when the rest of my life left. He would always be here for me.

I pulled back, dabbing at my eyes, "I should find a band-aid." I muttered.

Kaase chuckled, "I'll get you one."

I felt a tug at my heart as his arms released me and he walked behind the wall and out of sight. I stumbled to a chair holding my finger. The blood had stopped for now. A tremor rolled through me, I felt cold and unprotected.

Kaase returned quickly, band-aid in hand. His large hands pulled the wrapper off and wrapped the bandage around my finger. I stared at my fingers, they looked slimmer. I looked at my arms and they were smaller, not as bulky. "I'm a woman again," I let out a tear filled laugh.

"You've always been a woman, Leah." He pushed my hair back and kissed my cheek.

"What was the surprise you had for me?" I wiped my eyes and smiled at him.

He frowned, it seemed he had forgotten all about that at the sight of my blood. "Oh!" he laughed, then reached in his pocket. He hid something in his big hand, "Last night was kinda spontaneous, that wasn't how I planned it."

I laughed, "I didn't mind, it seemed perfect to me."

He smirked, "You're so sweet." He took one of my hands and shifted so he kneeling on one knee.

"Oh no," I sighed, "Are you serious!?"

He laughed, "Yes I am," he opened his hand. Inside was a small velvet box, upon opening it I saw a diamond ring that looked huge even to my weak human eyes.

"Kaase." I gasped.

"I wanted to do this the right way." He replied hesitantly. "Will you marry me?"

I beamed, "Of course."

He let out a small laugh and slid the ring on my finger, despite my loss of bulk the ring was a perfect fit. Kaase was grinning from ear to ear.

"I love you." I said.

"And I love you."