Miller
Two weeks later
"We made sure to check twice to make sure, and yes... it is completely confirmed. He is a Janis Enigma, and there are absolutely no underlying anomalies or latent defects that could pose a threat to his health."
Dr. Joe set the digital medical tablet down on the glass table with a quiet click. The specialist’s face was filled with absolute professional awe and relief.
We were sitting in Director Gerald’s private office, the morning sun filtering through the large glass windows and casting a beautiful warm, golden glow over the room.
For the last two weeks, Leo had undergone a grueling series of tests. I had watched him endure endless blood draws, physical examinations, and deep hormonal scans in the private medical wing.
Every single day, he had handled it with his usual quiet, focused dignity, but I had made sure to stay right by his side, holding his hand whenever I could because I knew how heavily the uncertainty had been weighing on him.
To finally hear the official diagnosis felt like the first real breath of fresh air we had taken in a fortnight.
When Dr. Joe announced the news, my hand was resting on the armrest, and almost instantly, I felt Leo’s fingers slide into mine. He gripped my hand with a quiet, desperate tightness. I looked over at him and saw a rare, genuine softness in his eyes.
The constant, subtle tension that had filled his gaze when the tests first started was now completely replaced with absolute assurance.
He was happy.
The relief on his face was so beautiful it made my chest ache with a sudden, overwhelming wave of affection.
I squeezed his hand back, letting him know I was right there, before my mind drifted to how much had happened over the past few weeks.
Just yesterday, the official announcement of the Enigma ban was broadcasted globally. The decade-long Enigma ban was officially lifted. It turned out that a high-ranking official who had been caught faking his identity as an Alpha held immense authority among the council members.
To avoid a massive scandal and cover up the trail of his true identity, the council had rushed the announcement to quiet the public.
Of course, it wasn’t complete freedom yet. The news made it clear that while Enigmas were no longer outlawed, they would still be kept under incredibly strict surveillance, constantly monitored in case they displayed any violent tendencies.
But honestly, the politics of the mainland felt a million miles away from us.
Over the last two weeks, my relationship with Leo had transformed into something deeper than I ever thought possible.
We had spent every single night talking, healing, and learning to understand what a Janis Enigma was all about.
Our intimacy had changed, too. Whenever we made love, the room would fill with the sweet, calming scent of night jasmine, but Leo didn’t worry about his pheromones anymore. We didn’t overthink it; we just let ourselves feel, enjoying the quiet warmth of being close.
The fear of his dominance hurting me had completely vanished, replaced by a quiet, protective devotion.
We had truly found our peace.
"This is monumental," Gerald said from across his mahogany desk, breaking my train of thought. He looked at the medical charts, and a soft, proud smile appeared on his lips. "It means your system is entirely clean, Leo. You don’t have to live in fear of the chemical degradation that claimed your father. Your body is doing exactly what it was designed to do—balancing itself."
"The hormonal ratios are remarkably stable," Leo noted, his voice steady but carrying a distinct trace of excitement. He was practically beaming with happiness, his eyes brighter than I had seen them in a long time. "The presence of the secondary genetic markers means my baseline cortisol and adrenaline levels will naturally regulate." he paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the digital chart in his hand before he continued, "I won’t suffer from the acute cognitive or emotional spikes that usually plague dominant Enigmas."
Gerald let out a warm chuckle. "I am incredibly glad and happy for both of you. Seeing how your lives have turned out, and how much you’ve grown together over these past months... it makes everything we’ve built on this island worth it."
I looked at the older man, feeling a deep wave of gratitude wash over me. He was indeed right.
After arriving here, I had learned so much about myself, about trust, and about what it meant to truly stand by someone. I was so incredibly glad that Leo and I had decided to take this trip.
"We really want to thank you, Director," I said, my voice filled with sincere appreciation. "Honestly, this island has taught us so much about ourselves, and about what we actually mean to each other. We wouldn’t be standing here like this if it weren’t for your guidance."
"You don’t need to thank me," Gerald waved his hand dismissively, though his eyes were warm with pride. "You did the hard work. But... since we are celebrating this successful transition, and since the world is changing out there, I actually have something planned for the two of you."
Leo tilted his head, his brows furrowing in confusion just like mine. "A plan? What kind of plan?"
Gerald leaned back in his leather chair, his smile widening. "A small, private island wedding. It is a long-standing tradition for the couple who demonstrates the deepest emotional growth during their stay at the retreat. This year, you and Miller showed a connection stronger and more resilient than anyone else. Consider it our farewell gift, and our hope that you two will stay together forever." He leaned forward, grinning from ear to ear. "And besides, you wouldn’t have to worry about a single detail. We have everything entirely under control. It will be a quiet, beautiful ceremony that both of you will actually enjoy."
Beside me, Leo let out a sharp, audible gasp.
Hearing that sound, my heart did a sudden, violent flip in my chest.
A cold wave of panic hit me, and I instantly turned to look at him. I knew him better than anyone, and I vividly remembered how he used to feel about the entire concept of marriage.
To him, marriage was nothing but a social construct—an outdated, legal contract that carried far too much emotional baggage, especially given how his own parents’ marriage had ended in absolute tragedy and violence.
I was terrified that Gerald had pushed him too far, too fast, and that Leo would pull back into his defensive shell to protect himself.
But before I could even open my mouth to smooth things over or give him an out, Leo turned his head to look at me. He didn’t look angry, and he didn’t look panicked. Instead, he reached out with his other hand, taking my palm and cradling it securely between both of his.
"I used to be so afraid of marriage," Leo said, his voice incredibly soft, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made the rest of the room completely fade away. "I looked at my parents, and I saw a contract that bound people to their worst, most destructive impulses. I thought it was a trap... until my mother met Gabriella. She is incredible, and seeing them together made me believe that love can actually work. And also... as long as it is you, Miller... I would marry you. I want to marry you."
My breath hitched, and I gasped, my eyes widening in absolute shock at what he had just said.
As long as it is you...
The words echoed in my mind, sending a warm, electric shiver straight to my heart.
Suddenly, a memory flashed vivid and clear in my chest. I remembered a quiet evening during one of our intense therapy sessions weeks ago. We had been talking about our deepest, most deep-seated fears, and Leo had looked at me with that exact same honesty, admitting that he couldn’t picture a future where he belonged to anyone. But now, he was standing on the edge of that very future, completely willing to jump into the unknown with me.
I heaved a deep, ragged sigh, the weight of my love for him bubbling up in my throat. My vision blurred slightly as happy tears threatened to spill over.
"Leo..." I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. I shook my head, a bright, helpless smile breaking across my face. "You can’t just say things like that so casually. If we are going to do this... I am going to do it right."
Without another second of hesitation, I stood up from the sofa. I took a step forward, letting go of his hand for just a brief, agonizing moment as I slowly dropped down onto one knee on the polished wooden floor of Gerald’s office.
Leo’s eyes widened, his lips parting in surprise as he looked down at me from the sofa.
I reached up, taking his trembling hand back into mine, cradling it gently against my chest. "I don’t have a ring on me right this second, and I know we are in the middle of a medical consultation, but I don’t care. Leo Ackerman, you are my partner, my mate, and the absolute love of my life. I want to stand by you through every single change, every test, and every single day of our lives. Will you marry me?"
Leo’s jaw trembled slightly, and then a beautiful, tearful smile broke across his face. He didn’t hesitate for a single second. He nodded his head rapidly.
"Yes," Leo whispered, his voice cracking with pure, unfiltered joy. "Yes, Miller. I will marry you."
I let out a breathless, ecstatic laugh, instantly rising from my knee.
The moment I was on my feet, Leo threw himself forward, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck. I caught him easily, my arms locking around his waist as I pulled his body flush against mine.
We held onto each other, laughing quietly as we buried our faces in each other’s shoulders, the relief and happiness completely overwhelming us.
In the background, Gerald, Dr. Joe, and the few security guards stationed in the room broke out into warm, appreciative applause, clapping their hands for us.
But we barely noticed them.
When we finally pulled back just enough to look at one another, I leaned in, cupping his face, and pressed my lips to his in a sweet, lingering kiss. "I love you, Leo Ackerman."
Leo smiled against my lips, his eyes shining. "I love you, Miller Reid."
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