Wouldn't you all love it if school didn't exist for me omg. ANOTHER UPDATE BOOM. Six chapters left! Off to write the next one. Enjoy! Last few chapters are dedicated to readers!

Chapter Thirty One

The feeling of being in his arms was just a comforting as I remembered, sweepings away all my worries. I hugged him tightly, missing the familiarity and warmth he provided me. I hadn't realized until now just how lonely I had been.

"Südame, I've missed you. It is easy to forget who I am when I do not have my süda around to remind me," he whispered, his lips resting on my hair. I smiled, taking his scent which I had gone so long without.

"I missed my lumeleopard just as much, kullake. How have you been, Kai?" I asked him, pulling away enough that I could see him.

He looked the same, but there was a noticeable difference in his expression. Where he had once worn constant worry, fear, and anger, there was now a more gentle, softer feel to him. It was as if being away from me had cleared away his stress, bringing light and youth to his face. He looked happier than ever.

"I've been well. As well as I could be without you," he said with a smile, the sight infectious and bringing one to my own face. I leaned closer, running my nose along his, watching as his smile only grew. "Ah, how I've missed you," he whispered, again, pressing his lips against my nose.

He looked closer at me before frowning briefly. "What are you wearing?" he asked, disapproval in his tone. I chose to ignore him, quickly changing the subject. I was not interested in arguing with him over something trivial.

"Have you made many friends? I've heard all about how charming you are from those residing in Prince Gordon's land," I teased, watching as he wrinkled his nose, causing me to laugh.

He sighed, his face turning thoughtful as he answered. "The enforcers here as just as stiff as the ones there, although they appear more accepting of me. I've made one friend," he said, staring off in thought.

I tilted my head, curious. "Oh? Where are they?" I asked, scanning the room as if his friend would magically appear. When I turned back towards Kai there was now a frown on his face and he let me go. My own smile disappeared, afraid I had done something wrong.

"She's most likely chasing after the Prince as she always does. He's not worth her time," he muttered, his eyes narrowed into slits designed for Calyx, I assumed.

I smiled again at the thought of him. "He's quite charismatic. How is living with him?" I asked, watching as his eyes flickered to me before he growled lightly. I stiffened, unsure of how to react. Something was off between Kai and me now. I couldn't understand his reactions.

"Stay the hell away from him. He's a flirt who uses woman until he becomes bored of them. That's exactly what he is doing with her, yet she doesn't realize it," he started, looking at me. "She's as dense as you are towards Cayne's ways, he added, and I frowned, growing upset.

"Kai, I do not understand why you are so-" I started, feeling the beginnings of yet another argument. Before I could continue, I was interrupted by an excited voice.

"Whiskers, I know you're around here. Calyx told me-" I watched as a girl rounded the corner, blushing when her eyes landed on Kai and I. I blinked, looking between the two of them.

"Whiskers?" I asked, hiding a smile at the nickname. Kai glared at me, a growl building within his throat, causing me to laugh. The girl joined in, deciding it was safe to join our conversation as she walked closer.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Vex. You must be the Ivy that Kai talked about so much," she greeted, offering her hand. I smiled, taking it and shaking it.

"Yes, that would be me. It's a pleasure to meet you Vex. What a beautiful name you were given," I said, causing her to roll her eyes.

"It's terrible I know. My parents are the type that thinks it's cute to give twins matching names. So I'm Vex and he's Lex. An odd pair aren't we?" She asked, and I smiled agreeing.

"How did you and Whiskers meet?" I asked, looking over at Kai who wrinkled his nose at the nickname. Despite this, I could spot the playfulness within his expression when she said it.

She beamed at the question. "He heard me crying alone in some room. I thought he was a guard who was going to tell me to quit making so much noise but he came in and stayed by. Didn't even ask what was wrong." She smiled before adding, "He just seemed to sense that I needed someone."

I found myself smiling too at this. "That sounds very much like you, Kai. Always there to rescue those in need," I said softly, watching as he smiled briefly at the compliment.

We talked for a bit more, however, I found myself watching the two of them more and realizing why I could not understand Kai. It was not because he and I had grown distant, but because he had found someone else to share his life with.

She had been told much about our village, Kai looking at her with pride when she told me of stories that she found interesting or comical. Vex also shared stories of her time with Kai, which felt more like inside jokes. Neither were able to finish their stories, lost in their own world. They would begin before the other jumped to another part, both understanding each other while I remained lost.

I had been confused, but what I felt was not anger or jealousy. I had been surprised, but I did not feel as I had felt when I watch the girls fawn over Kai in the ballroom. Now, I felt happy. I was happy that Kai was not worried and that he had found someone to talk to. I was happy that he was okay.

"Sorry to interrupt this reunion but I wanted to borrow the gorgeous little leopard for a moment."

We all glanced towards the entrance, finding a smiling Calyx standing there. I smiled, but it faltered when I saw hurt flash through Vex's eyes. Kai was quick to react as he'd been watching for her reaction. His jaw clenched before he sent a piercing look towards Calyx.

I walked towards him, deciding it was for the best. The other two had mixed emotions towards him and I did not see it going well if Calyx ended up joining us.

"I see you met your competition. Don't worry. Whenever you decide that you deserve better than him I'll be right here waiting," he teased, reaching up and running a hand along my arm briefly. He pulled away when we both heard a growl from nearby.

I smiled, shaking my head. "You are going to hurt many girls if you continue on as you are," I said, watching as he grinned, not fazed.

"Really? That's funny because I've been told that I'll be the one hurt. I'm willing to take that sacrifice if it means that I get to spend time alone with you," he said, winking and causing me to blush at his bold words.

I could hear Kai speaking angrily from the other room, asking Vex, "What the hell did he just say?" I suppose she was quick to calm him, as he did not speak again nor did I hear him storming over.

"I do not think you called me over to flirt, did you?" I asked, causing him to laugh.

"Unfortunately, I didn't but who says I can't enjoy talking to you? We don't all have to be as rigid as my brothers. I came to tell you Cayne is on his way to pick you up. It's not too late to tell him you'd much rather spend the night here with me," he said, waggling his eyebrows. This time I laughed, shaking my head again.

"Thank you, Prince Gordon. However, I think I will be returning back with my päästja. I had a pleasure visiting and receiving the opportunity to meet you," I said, sincerity ringing in my voice. He thanked me for visiting before he left, still wearing a smile on his face.

I looked towards Vex and Kai just in time to see the two of them in a heated discussion. Kai's face was twisted in annoyance while Vex's seemed to hold longing. However, once I joined, they both quieted, Vex smiling.

"It was nice to meet you, Ivy but I have to go now. Hopefully, I'll see you again," she said, seeming distracted. I told her goodbye before she rushed off, determined to make it somewhere.

"Are you okay, Kai?" I asked, looking at him with concern. He looked upset, still glancing where Vex had last been. He blinked, just realizing that I was still standing next to him.

"She went to chase after the Prince. She deserves better than a man who takes nothing seriously," he said as if he was talking more to himself than to me.

"Sometimes we desire something that is difficult to achieve," I said gently, pausing before bowing my head and speaking again. "I have something to confess, Kai." My voice was now quiet, preparing myself for the worst.

"Ivy?" He had gone from worrying about Vex to worrying about me, my stance and tone catching his attention completely. "Are you okay?"

"Kai, I kissed Prince Gordon." The sentence came out softer than I had expected, barely audible. I received silence in return and I waited. When I still heard nothing, I looked up, unsure if he had heard me.

Kai's face was expressionless, his eyes as hard as stone. "You kissed him?" he repeated, saying the words slowly and calmly. I did not respond, not sure of how to do so without feeding the brewing storm.

"Do you have feelings for him?" he asked, studying my face. He must've found what he was searching for, because before I was able to produce a sufficient response, he looked away, clenching his jaw. I could see his hand doing the same, his body coiling itself.

"Kullake-" I whispered and his eyes flashed back to me before he snapped.

"Don't you dare call me that," he spat, a growl building in his throat. I stepped back instinctively, bowing my head once again.

"Don't call me that. Don't ever come here again. I have no desire to see you again. Not now, not when this is all over," he said, his voice without humor. I looked up, my eyes widening.

"Kai, I'm sorry! I-" I tried, but he growled once again, quieting me.

"I refuse to claim a woman who's lusting after another man. You're no longer a part of my leap and I will no longer claim you as my chosen mate. I no longer want you in my life." I watched with blurry eyes, tears staining my skin as he walked off, listening to his footsteps until even that sound disappeared. Then, I was alone.

I had disgraced my leap yet again and disgraced my leader. I had lost everything that labeled me as a leopard, as a member of the leap within a few seconds for a single moment. I was no longer going to return home with Kai nor would I ever carry his cubs. Now, I was a leopardess without a mate and a leap. I was at the lowest possible step in the eyes of my leap.

I was not sure when, but somehow I had found myself on the floor, hugging my knees against my chest while still crying. I waited for Kai to come back, to tell me that all was still right with us and within the world, but that was all I did. Wait and wait and wait.

I felt someone's hand lightly touch my shoulder, causing me to look up. Through my tears, I could see Prince Gordon standing there, concern in his eyes. Calyx was standing nearby, for once not wearing a smile.

"Ivy, are you okay?" Prince Gordon asked softly, holding out his hand for me. I found myself brushing it away, standing up on my own.

"Take me home, please," I whispered, my words distorted by the sobs still trying to escape from me.

"My dear," he started but I cut him off.

"Just take me home, Cayne!" I snapped, walking off and leaving both princes behind.

Lumeleopard - (Snowleopard)

Süda - (heart)

Südame - (my heart)

Kullake - (sweetheart)

Päästja - (savior)