CHAPTER 45: 45. TALK BEFORE THE WEDDING

THE NEXT MORNING

MICHAEL

The castle had never felt louder. Every corridor echoed with laughter, the sound of hurried footsteps, the clatter of silver trays and flower baskets. Someone somewhere was singing an old union hymn off key, and it somehow made my stomach twist tighter. I’d managed to escape to the balcony garden the only quiet place left in the entire fortress. The morning air smelled of rain and moon lilies. I leaned against the stone railing, staring at the valley below. Tomorrow, I would be standing before the Goddess, the entire pack, and half the divine court. Tomorrow, I would become Luna. So why did I suddenly feel like a fraud?

"Thinking about running?"I heard a voice.

I nearly jumped. Lady Aeryn stepped out from behind one of the columns, elegant as ever, her silver cloak catching the light.

"I no, ma’am. Just... thinking."I said.

She smiled faintly.

"That’s how it starts. I thought about running the night before my own wedding too."Aeryn said.

That startled a laugh out of me.

"You? You don’t seem like the running type."I asked.

"Oh, I wasn’t. But I was young, terrified, and convinced I’d ruin Kael’s life."She said. She came to stand beside me, resting her hands lightly on the railing. "You remind me of that girl sometimes."

I stared out at the horizon.

"Everyone seems so sure this is destiny. The Goddess, Selene, even Zavier’s father. And I-" I swallowed. "I’m scared I’ll disappoint them. That I’ll disappoint him."

Lady Aeryn studied me quietly.

"Do you love my son?"She asked.

The question hit like a flare.

"Yes."I said. Too fast, too certain. I looked down, cheeks burning. "I didn’t mean to, it just happened."

Her eyes softened.

"Good. Because that’s what the Goddess looks for, not perfection, not lineage. Just truth."She said.

I frowned.

"But what if truth isn’t enough? I wasn’t born for this. I don’t even know half the customs they keep mentioning-"I said.

She reached over, setting a gentle hand on mine.

"Neither did I. When I became Luna, I tripped in front of the entire council. Twice."She said.

I blinked.

"Twice?"I asked.

She laughed, low and warm.

"Yes. And Kael nearly started a war defending my honor because someone snickered. You learn, you adapt, and you love harder than they expect you to."Aeryn said.

Something eased in my chest.

"Zavier says I make him softer. But maybe he just hides how soft he already is."She said.Lady

Aeryn’s smile deepened.

"He hides it because his father taught him to lead first and feel second. You... you remind him that both can coexist. That’s why he chose you."She said.

I hesitated.

"Do you really approve of me?"I said.

"Michael."She said. Her voice turned gentle but firm. "When Kael first told me our son had chosen an omega, I worried, for you, not him. This world isn’t kind to those who challenge it. But then I saw the way you look at each other. And the way you argue. Gods above, you two argue like equals."

I laughed softly.

"He started it."I muttered.

"Of course he did." She chuckled. "He’s his father’s son."

Silence settled between us, comfortable, steady. The wind lifted the edge of her cloak. After a moment, she spoke again, voice quieter.

"You know, Kael never thought anyone would be good enough for Zavier. Not until he saw how the forge responded to you. He didn’t just see an omega. He saw a soul that could meet his son’s strength with its own."She said.

My throat tightened.

"That means more than you know."I said.

"I do know." She smiled faintly. "Now stop worrying about being perfect. The Goddess chose you. The rest is just practice."

I managed a shaky laugh.

"You sound like Rose."She said.

"She’s smart, then."I said.

We stood there a while longer, watching the clouds drift across the mountains. Finally, she turned to leave, then stopped and looked back.

"Michael?"She asked.

"Yes?"I asked.

"When you walk down that aisle tomorrow, remember every Luna feels unworthy until the bond is sealed. Then the fear vanishes. All that’s left is the truth you already carry."I said.

She touched my cheek gently.

"And that truth is love."She said.

When she was gone, I stayed on the balcony, the morning light spilling over the valley. For the first time since the chaos began, my heartbeat felt steady. Maybe destiny hadn’t made a mistake after all. I didn’t think the castle could get louder than yesterday, but apparently wedding mornings were their own kind of storm. The corridors buzzed with magic, laughter, and far too many voices shouting ’Where are the rings?!’ or ’Don’t let the alpha see the groom before the final blessing!’ Someone even started playing the ceremonial drums early, which set off every wolf in the northern wing into a chorus of howls. I sat in front of the vanity, trying not to move while Rose waged a war against my hair.

"Stop fidgeting." She said, wrestling another braid into place. "You keep moving and I’ll have to start over."

"I thought this was supposed to be relaxing."I sighed.

"It’s not. It’s holy." She said flatly, weaving silver thread into the braid with quick, precise fingers.

"The Goddess said your hair should shimmer like moonlight. I’m trying not to anger a divine being before breakfast."

Across the room, Charlie was sprawled dramatically on my bed, a towel around his shoulders and a cup of tea in hand.

"Please, Rose." He said, voice sugary. "You always anger a divine being before breakfast."

She threw a comb at him. He caught it mid air, grinning.

"See?" He said. "Perfect aim. You could’ve been a warrior."

"I am a warrior." She muttered. "Just with prettier tools."

I tried not to laugh, moving risked her wrath.

"Charlie." I said through my teeth. "Shouldn’t you be helping Zavier or something?"

"Oh, I did!" He said, perking up. "He’s downstairs with his parents. Lady Aeryn is crying, Kael looks like he’s trying not to, and Zavier’s pretending he’s not nervous by intimidating the flower bearers. Adorable."

I froze.

"He’s with his parents?"I said.

"Relax." Charlie said, waving a hand. "They just wanted a private talk before the ceremony. His father’s polishing the family crest like it’s his child, and his mother keeps saying, ’He’s definitely your son, look how he’s pacing.’"

Rose snorted softly.

"She’s not wrong."She said.

I sighed, looking at my reflection. The outfit hung beside me, cream silk with gold embroidery, the same one the Goddess had blessed herself. It looked more like art than clothing. Rose pinned the last braid, stepped back, and smiled.

"Done. You look like you actually belong to the Goddess’s favorite line."She said.

"Does that mean I’m glowing or about to faint?" I asked.

"Yes." Charlie said immediately.

Rose smacked him with a towel.

"Alright, stand up." She ordered. "Time to get dressed."

I stood while two attendants carefully lifted the robes over me, adjusting every fold with reverent hands. When the final clasp clicked into place, I caught sight of myself in the mirror, and for a second, I didn’t recognize the man staring back. The silk shimmered softly in the light, gold threads tracing ancient sigils along the sleeves. My bond mark, faintly visible at my collarbone, pulsed once calm, sure, alive. Charlie let out a long, dramatic sigh.

"If I weren’t already in love with myself, I’d marry you."Charlie said.

"Not your type." I muttered.

"Everyone’s my type." He said, winking.

The door creaked open before I could reply. Zavier stood there. For a second, everyone stopped moving. He was in deep navy robes with silver accents, his hair tied back loosely, a small ceremonial crest pinned near his heart. The sight of him, strong, calm, a storm wrapped in silk stole every word I had. Rose cleared her throat pointedly.

"You’re not supposed to see each other until-"She started.

"Let him." Lady Aeryn’s voice interrupted gently as she stepped in behind her son, smiling. "It’s good luck for them to see each other’s eyes before the vows."

Kael followed, proud and imposing but smiling faintly the kind of smile that made the air feel solid and safe.

"Well." He said, his deep voice carrying warmth now. "If there was any doubt, the Goddess outdid herself."

I flushed.

"Thank you, sir."I said.

Zavier walked toward me slowly, his usual composure slipping into something softer.

"You look..." He hesitated, searching for the word. "Like light. I don’t have another word for it."

Charlie sniffled loudly.

"I’m not crying. There’s just... divine dust in my eyes."Charlie sniffed.

"You’re ridiculous." Rose muttered, but even she smiled.

Lady Aeryn placed a hand on Zavier’s shoulder, then on mine.

"The Goddess chose well. You two balance each other perfectly."Aeryn said.

Kael grunted approvingly.

"Agreed. Now, let’s not keep destiny waiting. Guests are gathering already."Kael said.

Charlie gasped.

"They’re early?! I told them half past the second bell!"He said.

"They’re wolves." Rose said dryly. "They can smell excitement."

Zavier offered his hand to me, steady, grounding, the same as always. I took it.

"Ready?" He murmured.

I smiled faintly.

"No. But with you? Always."I said.

Lady Aeryn’s eyes gleamed with pride.

"That’s all that matters."Aeryn said.

As the attendants bustled to gather the final pieces the circlet, the ring box, the crest, I felt a strange calm settle over me. All the noise, the panic, the divine chaos... it faded. All that remained was him. Zavier squeezed my hand once, and the warmth of it settled straight into my chest. Outside, the bells began to ring. The ceremony was about to begin.