Chapter 19

An hour later, Maya came to get me as promised. She led me to her room in another cabin, where several dresses were laid out on the bed.

"These are the options Kieran had prepared for you," she explained, showing me each one.

They were all beautiful—silks and satins in deep blues and silvers, the colors of Kieran's pack. One had intricate silver embroidery along the neckline in the shape of a crescent moon. Another featured delicate beadwork that sparkled in the light.

I was too overwhelmed to think clearly about the choice. "Which one do you think?" I asked Maya.

"Try this one," she suggested, holding up a midnight blue gown with silver accents. "The color will make your eyes pop."

I slipped it on, and Maya gasped. "Oh, Lena. You look stunning."

The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves before flowing out elegantly. The neckline was modest but flattering, and the silver embroidery at the waist captured the light when I moved.

"How did he know my size?" I wondered aloud.

Maya shrugged. "Alpha powers? Or maybe he just has good taste."

She helped me with my hair, arranging it in loose waves down my back. As she worked, we discussed the dinner.

"Everyone will be watching you," she warned. "The Luna of the Silver Moon Pack is an important position. Some will be curious, others jealous."

"Great, no pressure," I muttered.

"Just hold your head high and stay close to Kieran," she advised. "He'll handle the rest."

The door opened, and Kieran walked in carrying a small velvet box. He stopped when he saw me, his eyes widening slightly.

"You left without telling me where you were going," he said, his voice controlled but with an edge of frustration.

I frowned. "I told you I was going with Maya to try on dresses. Did you expect me to ask permission?"

"I expect to know where my mate is," he replied. "Is that so unreasonable?"

"Yes, when you're being possessive," I shot back. "I'm not a possession, Kieran. I'm a person. Your equal." I gestured to the dress. "So, what do you think about this?"

His jaw clenched. Without a word, he placed the velvet box on the dresser and walked out, the door closing firmly behind him.

Maya winced. "That went well."

I sighed, running my hands over the soft fabric of the dress. "Why is he like this? One minute he's sweet, the next he's controlling."

"Alpha males aren't known for their communication skills," Maya said, opening the box Kieran had left. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a moonstone pendant. "Oh, Lena. Look at this."

The necklace was beautiful—simple but elegant. Despite my frustration, I let Maya fasten it around my neck. The cool stone settled just above my collarbone, catching the light with every breath.

By the time we were ready to leave, there was still no sign of Kieran. Maya and Damon walked with me to the dining hall, a large building in the center of the pack territory. My stomach was in knots. What if Kieran was still angry? What if his pack rejected me?

The dining hall was already packed when we arrived. Tables were arranged in a large U-shape, with Kieran's place at the center. Damon led us to seats near that position, but Kieran wasn't there yet.

"Don't worry," Damon whispered, noticing my anxiety. "He'll be here."

The room hushed as several Alphas entered. Kieran was among them, dressed in formal attire—dark pants and a deep blue shirt that matched my dress. His eyes found mine immediately across the room.

The dinner began with a toast to the successful hunt. Then, one by one, each Alpha stood to announce their new mates. I watched as young women were called forward, their faces a mixture of pride and nervousness as they joined their mates.

My heart hammered in my chest as Kieran's turn approached. What if he changed his mind? What if he publicly rejected me? The thought made me sick.

Finally, Kieran stood. The room fell completely silent.

"Today," he began, his deep voice carrying easily through the hall, "the Moon Goddess has blessed me with a true mate."

His eyes found mine, and to my surprise, they were filled with unmistakable warmth.

"Lena," he continued, extending his hand toward me. "Will you accept your place as my mate and as Luna of the Silver Moon Pack?"

On shaky legs, I stood and walked to him. The entire room watched as I placed my hand in his.

"I accept," I said, my voice stronger than I expected.

A cheer erupted around us. Kieran raised our joined hands, and the cheering grew louder. I saw genuine smiles on the faces of pack members, heard their enthusiastic applause.

"They love you already," Kieran whispered in my ear.

For the rest of the dinner, I sat beside Kieran at the head table. He kept his hand on mine or his arm around my chair, always maintaining some form of contact. The tension between us from earlier seemed to have vanished.

After dessert, while music played and people mingled, Kieran leaned close. "Come with me," he said softly.

Without waiting for my response, he stood and guided me out of the hall. We walked in silence back to his cabin, his hand warm around mine.

Inside, he led me to the bedroom—his bedroom, not the one I'd slept in last night. He closed the door behind us and turned to face me. The moonlight streaming through the window cast silver shadows across his features.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low and intense. "When I saw you in that dress..."

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. "Thank you for the necklace. It's lovely."

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the moonstone at my throat. "It was my mother's. She would have wanted you to have it."

The gesture touched me deeply. "Kieran, about earlier—"

"I'm not good at this," he interrupted, his hands moving to cup my face. "Being with someone. Caring for someone. I've spent years focusing only on the pack, never on myself."

His thumbs traced gentle circles on my cheeks. "But when I'm with you, I want to be selfish. I want to keep you all to myself."

My heart raced as he leaned closer, his forehead touching mine. Something sweet and electric hung in the air between us, a tension that had been building since the moment we'd met.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered, his lips just inches from mine. "Tell me, and I will."

But I didn't want him to stop. Despite everything—the confusion, the frustration, the rollercoaster of emotions—I wanted this. I wanted him