Chapter 24: Directly from your heart

"I’ll remove the IV strip now," Dr. Vance said.

Caroline flinched slightly as the large needle was pulled from the back of her hand. Andrew stepped forward and took her hand in his. Almost instantly, his soothing alpha warmth washed over her skin, his magic taking over to heal the wound in seconds.

Dr. Vance smoothed a adhesive bandage over her skin, bowed deeply to the prince, and exited the room.

"Feel better?" Andrew asked, his voice softening.

"Yes. The sharp pain in my stomach is completely gone, too," Caroline answered.

"Good."

"I’d like to walk around," Caroline said, glancing toward the window. "It’s already evening, and I’m tired of lying in bed since this afternoon."

"I want you resting. Your body is still far too weak," Andrew replied sternly. A slight smirk broke through his solemn expression. "Though a walk is fine, provided I carry you in my arms. That would clearly be the safest option."

"In your arms? No!" Caroline protested, shaking her head.

"Well, it’s a bit too late to object, wife," Andrew murmured. Without giving her a chance to pull away, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back, effortlessly scooping her off the bed. Instinct took over, and her arms wrapped tightly around his neck for balance.

"Put me down. I am perfectly capable of walking," Caroline insisted, her cheeks warming.

"Isn’t it much more romantic this way?" Andrew whispered, leaning down until the tip of his nose brushed against hers. "Most women would be dying to end up in their husband’s arms."

Caroline lowered her gaze, feeling shy. Her heart once again started thumping against her chest.

As the prince carried Caroline down the grand staircase, the house staff cast warm, subtle smiles toward them before bowing their heads in respect.

"Once you have fully recovered, we will go on proper dates," Andrew said, his voice low near her ear as they stepped out into the vast estate garden. "There is still so much we need to learn about each other."

Caroline gave a faint nod and glanced around the grounds. The area where the stage had stood earlier was already cleared, restored to its pristine state. "I want to walk on my own feet now."

"You aren’t wearing shoes," Andrew replied, holding her securely.

"They say walking barefoot on fresh grass is good for you," she offered, looking directly into his eyes.

"In the morning light, perhaps," Andrew countered smoothly.

Without breaking eye contact, he mind-linked to the head butler, requesting a pair of comfortable slippers for Caroline immediately.

Moments later, the butler hurried out and placed a pair of soft slippers directly onto the grass.

Andrew carefully lowered her, letting her balance on top of his own leather shoes first while keeping a firm, protective grip around her waist. Caroline flushed, acutely aware of the steady heat radiating from his chest as he helped guide her feet down into the slippers.

"Thank you," Caroline whispered.

Andrew took her hand gently and led her forward, giving the butler a silent nod of dismissal.

"Did you build this estate? Or did you inherit it from your grandmother?" Caroline asked, looking around.

"The land was hers, yes. I planned the design," Andrew replied softly.

"You planned?" She arched her eyebrows, looking at him for a brief moment.

"I did architecture and interior designing," Andrew answered.

"Wow!" Caroline was surprised to learn that. The explained why the interior of the house was so good, including the architecture.

"We have extensive apple orchards here. It’s off-season right now, but when harvest arrives, we’ll go pick them together."

"I like apples," Caroline murmured.

"Do you?"

"Hmm."

She paused, squinting toward the distant horizon where a pale silhouette rose against the twilight. "Is that a snowy peak?"

"Yes, that’s Redwood Hills," Andrew said, following her gaze. "Behind it lies a lake filled with deep red water."

"I’ve heard the legend of Red Water Lake," Caroline said immediately, slowing her pace as she walked alongside him. "They say a she-wolf offered a drop of her heart’s blood to the lake long ago to save her mate from an avalanche," Caroline said softly. "And he emerged completely healed."

"Yes," Andrew replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he rolled his eyes playfully. "Those were my great-great-great-grandparents. I had to listen to that bedtime story constantly as a child. My grandmother was convinced that when my mate finally entered my life, everything would shift overnight. That I’d feel this overwhelming warmth, constant happiness, and butterflies in my stomach."

Andrew stopped dead in his tracks, turning sharply on his heel to face her directly.

"So, do you feel like that?" Caroline asked.

"Yes. A warm, fluttery feeling right here," Andrew answered, bringing his hand up to tap his chest. His gaze softened, darkening with intensity. "Your fragrance is like apples dipped in sweet honey. That is the scent you radiate—the exact scent that drew me into the forest that night, right alongside the faint sound of your voice."

Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. She stood frozen, unable to blink as she stared directly into his eyes.

"I asked you before—how did you reach me so quickly? The forest is miles from here," she stated.

"I teleported," Andrew answered simply. "The call was instantaneous. It was coming directly from your heart."

"You can teleport?" Caroline gaped at him, shock washing over her face.

"Yes," Andrew replied, a faint, proud smile touching his lips. "The Kensingtons are direct descendants of the Moon Goddess. We are bestowed with powers far beyond ordinary wolves."

"What more powers do you have?" Caroline asked.

"Do you want to know?" he asked in amusement.

"Hmm."

A cool breeze blew between them, making some of her hair dance with it. In that moment, Andrew found her so mesmerizing that he couldn’t help but close the gap between them. His hand automatically found the crane of her neck, tilting it up.

"A kiss, perhaps," Andrew replied, his pupils changing color to the pink ones.