Chapter 6 - The Swan Emerged

The car sped through the hilly terrain, swiftly carrying us along.

The air was distinctly fresher compared to the busy New York as we traveled through expansive stretches of untouched forest. A gentle breeze blew, yet the temperature remained exceedingly high, more than I could tolerate. When we got off the plane earlier, I instantly felt the sun's intense heat on my skin and beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

Even though my jumpsuit was made from thin fabric, my shoulders were bare and exposed to the sun. I was not prepared for this, so I didn't pack a hat. Gosh, if only I'd taken the time to research more about this country online! Clyde shared some facts with me but didn’t provide much detail.

Luckily, the car's air conditioning was blasting at full power, making our journey to the new home quite tolerable. Occasionally, we passed by pastures where small cattle roamed contentedly in search of food. In some places, farmers were diligently tilling their fields with tractors. No, this was not what I was used to, but to be honest, I found everything incredibly intriguing. I'm  looking forward to make new friends here soon, exploring the area while Clyde got settled into his role at headquarters. 

"Feeling tired, honey? We'll be there in about fifteen minutes." Clyde gently squeezed my hand to reassure me. Noticing my discomfort under the blazing sun, he swiftly assisted me through check-in. Fortunately, by the time we got into the car, it was already nicely cooled.

"Thank goodness. It's even hotter than I expected and unfortunately, I forgot my hat at home," I sighed while gazing out the window with interest. "That'll be the first thing I have to buy, or I won't survive here."

"I really love this country," I replied happily. "It's genuine and untouched by trends, full of nature and sand. The wind rustling through the trees feels so comforting like it promised to be there for us forever."

 "I just wish to make friends here soon. Then I'll be able to explore more while you're at work. And once you have things settled, we can both delve deeper into discovering what this place has to offer," I added with enthusiasm. 

"That sounds great, baby. And thank you for being willing to leave everything behind to follow me here. Not many women would trade New York for a country like this, it offers plenty of luxuries but doesn't quite match the high standards we're used to at home."

As he kissed my forehead, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Babe, you're my fiancé. Wherever you are is where I'm happiest. Did you really think we'd have a long-distance relationship? No way! You're mine and I'll never be far from you. You had the opportunity to let me go, but instead, you asked me to marry you. Now we're in this together for good."

"Hmmm, that's the most delightful curse a man could bestow upon himself. I would choose it over and over again, my love," he murmured softly as he drew me onto his lap. "But above all else, remember that this is mutual. This is forever, my Queen."

A knot formed in my stomach, call it a guilty conscience. What in the world could have got into my head to get involved with another man when I had such a great guy on the hook? That night with the Alpha was undeniably thrilling, but Clyde was everything to me, of that, there was no doubt.

"I adore you, Clyde. I want you to know that no matter what unfolds or whatever circumstances we face, my love for you will never fade. Nothing can separate me from you."

My words truly came from the heart. My struggle with my conscience had nothing to do with it.

"I know, I know, my heart. It wasn't just instincts that led me to you, it was destiny itself. I had already canceled the appointment to speech at the university that day but assumed they hadn't received my email and I still had to go, unprepared. And that's when I met you, the one I've been waiting for all my life." His voice grew emotional as he gently lifted my face.

Our kiss was gentle and leisurely, devoid of any sexual tension, yet deeply revealing. This was the bond between us, unbreakable and securely encircling us.

"I am yours, forever. Nothing can separate us. And we'll weather any storm I haven't already conquered."

 His words made me giggle. Clyde always had a knack for lightening the mood when things got intense. It still amazed me how such a successful, stoic businessman, so self-assured in every way, could fall for an ordinary girl like me.

Of course, I was no longer the girl he once knew. Mariam spared no expense in helping me adapt to Clyde's world, ensuring that I wouldn't feel out of place among my fiancé’s friends and their impeccably dressed and groomed women.

And the swan that came out of all those spas and makeovers was incredible. When Clyde saw me afterward, he couldn't believe his eyes. Naturally, he boasted about his keen eye for picking me out of the hundreds attending the prom.

And speaking of storms in our relationship.

We hadn't had any in the past two years. We understood our limits and knew when to compromise. Clyde and I were perfect together.

"You need to set the wedding date soon, baby. I'll leave that up to you and my mom. It's your special day, and I want it to be unforgettable for you. Let me know what you decide."

Overflowing with pure joy, I fell around his neck again, my hands playfully tousling his hair. Then, I kissed his neck and gently sucked on it for a moment before giving it a soft bite, just as he often did to me.

"Ahh baby, you know what that does to me. Just wait until we're home," he whispered huskily in my ear. To my surprise, I felt no desire at all. In the past, just thinking about being alone with Clyde would have ignited an intense longing within me. He knew exactly how to make my body respond, his skills at playing with my body were unmatched, and his tongue was incredible.

"I can hardly wait. It's been so long," I whispered anyway. Releasing him, I returned to my seat with a smile on my face. The love for my fiancé gleamed in my eyes, as powerful and lasting as ever...