A/N: Well, I can't believe it, but we've reached the final chapter of this story (it only took 4 years :D)!

I want to thank all of you for sticking around, reading, commenting - you are awesome!

This is not the end of me playing around with the wolf saga, though - stay tuned for another story, OC and a wolf (I'm sure you'll guess which one :D)!

XO XO XO

Kim had fallen asleep at some point. When she woke up, Jared was already awake, his eyes slowly focusing on her face. A soft smile tugged at his lips. "Hey, beautiful."

"Hey there," she whispered, relief washing over her. "You scared me half to death," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't you ever do that again."

Jared's chuckle was weak but genuine. "I'll try my best. How long have you been here?"

"All night," Kim replied, her fingers gently brushing his cheek. "I wasn't going to leave you."

"What are you still doing here? Your mom's gonna lose it, you know," he said, his voice hoarse but carrying a hint of the humor she loved so much.

"Yes; I'll probably be grounded for the rest of my life. What do you think I'm doing here?" she replied. "I'm here because I care about you, you idiot."

He winced as he tried to move, his body still weak. "Well, it's not exactly my best look, but I'll take it."

Kim chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "You look perfect to me."

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the weight of the past few weeks hanging between them. Kim's thoughts swirled, memories of their arguments mingling with her relief at seeing him awake. She took a deep breath, deciding it was time to address the elephant in the room.

"Jared," she began, her voice soft but firm. "I've been doing a lot of thinking while you were out. I was really angry with you, and I think I had a right to be. You weren't honest with me."

Jared's smile faded, replaced by a look of regret. "I know. I know. I'm so sorry, Kim. I never meant to hurt you. I just... I didn't know how to explain everything. It's all so complicated. And I was scared that I would lose you. I was trying to find the perfect timing, the perfect opportunity… I don't even know. I'm sorry."

Kim nodded, her heart aching. "I understand that now. But if we're going to make this work, there can't be any more lies. No more secrets. We have to be honest with each other, no matter how difficult it is."

Jared squeezed her hand, his grip weak but full of determination. "You're right. No more lies. I promise."

Kim felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and it gave her hope. "Good. Because I've also realized something else. I'm not angry anymore. I forgive you, Jared. And I accept the imprint. I want to be with you."

A look of pure joy spread across Jared's face. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes," Kim said, her voice unwavering. "I mean it."

Jared pulled her closer, their foreheads touching. "Thank you, Kim. I don't deserve you, but I'm going to spend every day trying to be worthy of you."

"You bet you are," she chuckled before leaning in and pressing her lips to his.

The kiss was sweet and tender, a promise of better days to come. Kim felt her heart swell with love and relief. They stayed like that for a few moments, savoring the connection between them.

Suddenly, a loud groan broke the silence. Paul, who had been sleeping in the corner, was now very much awake and looking thoroughly disgusted.

"Ugh, you two are nauseating," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "Can you not do that while I'm trying to sleep? Or, like, whenever I'm in the five mile radius from you?"

Jared pulled back, laughing. "Sorry, Paul. Didn't mean to interrupt your beauty sleep."

Paul rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just keep it down, will ya?"

Jared smirked. "You just wait, Paul. One day you're going to meet your own imprint, and then you'll see just how strong the bond is."

Paul scoffed. "Not gonna happen. I'm perfectly fine without all that."

Jared raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin on his face. "We'll see. You'll think she's gooorgeous, you'll want to kiiiss her, you'll want to huuu-"

"Give it a rest, you moron!" Paul exclaimed, throwing a pillow at Jared. "I bet you whatever you want it won't happen."

"You're on," Jared chuckled, barely catching the pillow. "But don't come crying to me when you start writing love poems."

Kim couldn't help but laugh at their banter. It was a moment of lightness after so much darkness, and it felt good to see Jared and Paul joking around again.

Paul shook his head, still grumbling. "You're both crazy. I'm going home. Try to keep your hands to yourselves."

Kim and Jared shared a knowing look, smiling like idiots. As Paul got up and left the room, Jared leaned in and whispered, "I love you, Kim."

"I love you too, Jared," she replied, her heart full.

She knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. And for now, that was enough.