Page 171 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

The bond between us pulsed with each heartbeat, even stronger now, its own living thing.

Kit’s eyes dropped to my neck before his tongue darted out to sooth the spot. He nuzzled into it gently, and the tender ache where he’d claimed me pulsed.

He twisted us so I lay on top of him, quickly bringing my mouth to his. When our lips met, the kiss tasted of freedom and forever, of something wild that had been caged too long and finally broken free. His mouth moved against mine with fierce tenderness, like he was trying to crawl inside my skin and make a home there.

What he didn’t know was that he already had.

I’d spent my whole life feeling like a glitch in the system. Too awkward, too anxious, never quite fitting into the spaces others moved through so easily. But wrapped in Kit’s arms, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Complete.

I pulled back from him, breathless and giddy. “This isn’t a glitch.”

Kit’s lips curved into a brilliant, brilliant smile. “Definitely not a glitch.”

40

Epilogue

Kit

Four months later, and I was finally sitting at the Chŭng family dinner table, wondering why I’d been so bloody terrified. The banchan spread before me tasted like heaven—kimchi that made my eyes water in the best way, bulgogi that melted on my tongue, and at least six other dishes I couldn’t name but wanted to marry.

I’d actually forgotten my mission of charming Felix’s parents until his mother spoke.

“So, Kit,” Yuna said, her voice carrying that particular tone mothers use when interrogating their children’s partners. “Min-jun said you met through an app?”

Internally, I cringed. I hadn’t the first clue how dating apps worked. No matter how many times Rory had secretly installed them on my phone, I’d refused to open them.

“That’s right,” I said, hoping I sounded casual. “I um… superliked him.”

Lily burst into laughter, nearly choking on her rice. “That’s seriously uncool, Kit. You know that, right?”

I winked at her. She grinned back—we’d hung out enough times now that she knew exactly how out of my depth I was with technology.

Felix rolled his eyes at his sister. “You’re uncool.”

“And remind me what you do for a living?” Yuna continued, pleasant enough. She definitely already knew—Felix had told her multiple times.

“I’m ex-military, working in private security now.” The rehearsed line rolled off my tongue. “Though it’s top-secret stuff.”

“Very important stuff?” Lily asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Felix’s father, Simon, snorted into his soup.

“Very important stuff,” I confirmed solemnly.

Yuna nodded approvingly. “That’s good to hear. Perhaps you’ll help inspire Min-jun.”

Beside me, Felix’s gaze dropped miserably to his food. The bond between us pulsed with his sudden shame, hitting me like a punch to the gut.

I hooked my leg around his under the table.

“What do you mean?” I asked, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

She blustered slightly, then launched into a speech about Felix’s brilliance, his masters degree success, how proud she was of his achievements, how she knew he was better than most people twice his age.

I nodded along enthusiastically, agreeing wholeheartedly about how amazing Felix was. Every word was true.

Then Yuna delivered the blow. “I just wish he was now utilising those skills properly in the workplace. Doing some good with them.”