Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Three months have passed since the battle. The fortress has become my home, and I've never been happier.

I stand in front of the mirror in the room I now share with Dante, adjusting the silver crown on my head. Today is my official Luna ceremony, where I'll be recognized as the Alpha King's mate and the Queen of all packs.

"You look beautiful," Riley says from behind me. She's wearing a pretty blue dress, her red curls pinned up elegantly.

"I look terrified," I correct.

"That too." She grins. "But you'll be fine. The packs love you now."

It's true. After word spread about how I stopped the battle without killing anyone, about how I showed mercy to my father despite what he did, the packs' opinion of me shifted. Letters arrived from all over the country—blood moon children thanking me for proving they weren't monsters, packs apologizing for their fear, families asking for my help with various issues.

I became a symbol of hope instead of fear.

My father is in prison, serving a life sentence for murdering his mate. He confessed everything during his trial. Some wolves wanted him executed, but I argued for mercy. He's broken and bitter, but alive. That's more than he deserved, but I couldn't bring myself to order his death.

Luna came to live at the fortress a month ago. She found her mate here—a warrior named Cole. They're disgustingly happy together, and I love seeing my best friend so joyful.

Other blood moon children have come forward since my story spread. There are seven of them currently living in the fortress, learning to control their powers. I help train them, showing them that their abilities are gifts, not curses.

Dante has transformed completely. The angry, fearful Alpha King is gone. He smiles now. He laughs. He's affectionate in public, always touching me, always making sure I'm close. The bond between us is so strong that we can communicate without words, just feelings and impressions.

And every night, he tells me he loves me. Every morning, he proves it.

"Ready?" Riley asks, offering her arm.

"As I'll ever be."

We walk together through the fortress. Pack members line the halls, bowing respectfully as I pass. Children wave and smile. Everyone is dressed in their finest clothes for the ceremony.

Outside, thousands of wolves have gathered. Representatives from every pack in the country came to witness this moment. The courtyard has been transformed into a ceremony space, with flowers everywhere and a platform at the center.

Dante waits on the platform, wearing all black with a silver crown that matches mine. When he sees me, his face lights up with a smile so genuine that my heart melts.

Our eyes meet across the crowd, and the bond hums with love and contentment.

I walk down the aisle formed by the crowd. Luna is crying happy tears. Kade gives me a thumbs up. Elder Moira nods approvingly from her seat of honor.

When I reach the platform, Dante takes my hand and helps me up. We stand facing each other while Elder Moira begins the ceremony.

"We gather today to recognize the bond between our Alpha King, Dante Blackwood, and his chosen mate, Aria Stone," she announces. "A bond that was forged in fear but strengthened by trust. A bond that proves love conquers all obstacles."

The crowd cheers. I can't stop smiling.

Elder Moira continues with the traditional Luna ceremony—blessings, oaths, symbolic exchanges. But I barely hear the words. I'm lost in Dante's silver eyes, in the mate bond that wraps around us like a warm blanket.

"Do you, Dante Blackwood, Alpha King of all packs, accept Aria Stone as your Luna, your mate, your equal partner in all things?" Elder Moira asks.

"I do," Dante says firmly. "With everything I am."

"And do you, Aria Stone, accept Dante Blackwood as your Alpha, your mate, your equal partner in all things?"

"I do," I say, my voice clear and strong.

"Then by the power of the Moon Goddess and the authority given to me, I declare you mates and partners. You may seal the bond."

Dante pulls me into his arms and kisses me. The crowd erupts in cheers and howls. The bond flares so brightly that I swear everyone can see it, a ribbon of silver and violet connecting our souls.

When we break apart, Dante whispers, "My Luna. My love. My miracle."

Tears stream down my face. "My Alpha. My mate. My home."

We turn to face the crowd together, hand in hand. The cheering continues for minutes. I see wolves crying, smiling, celebrating this moment.

A blood moon child, accepted and loved. Leading beside the Alpha King. Proving that the prophecy was always meant to be about hope, not destruction.

The ceremony ends, and a massive feast begins. There's food, music, dancing. Wolves from different packs mingle and celebrate together. The fortress is alive with joy.

Dante and I dance together in the center of the courtyard. He's not a graceful dancer, but he tries for me. I step on his feet twice, and we both laugh.

"I have something for you," he says when the song ends.

"What?"

He leads me away from the crowd to a quiet corner of the fortress. We climb to the top of the highest tower, where the view overlooks the entire territory. The sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold.

"Look," Dante says, pointing to the horizon.

I look and gasp. In the distance, a temple is being built. It's not finished yet, but I can see the structure taking shape—stone pillars, carved walls, a domed roof.

"What is that?"

"A temple for blood moon children. A safe place where they can learn about their powers, train in peace, and be honored instead of feared." Dante wraps his arms around me from behind. "I'm building it in your honor. In memory of all the blood moon children who were killed before they had a chance to prove themselves."

I turn in his arms and hug him tightly. "That's the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me."

"You deserve wonderful things. You deserve everything." He kisses the top of my head. "I love you, Aria. More than I thought I could ever love anyone."

"I love you too." I look up at him. "Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for seeing past your fear."

"Thank you for being patient with me. For not giving up even when I was cruel." His expression turns serious. "I still have nightmares sometimes. About Maya, about losing you, about everything going wrong."

"I know. I feel them through the bond."

"But then I wake up and you're there. And I remember that the Moon Goddess gave me a second chance at happiness. She gave me you."

We stand together watching the sunset, wrapped in each other's arms. The bond between us is peaceful and content.

"I had another vision this morning," I say quietly.

"Good or bad?"

"Good. I saw us in the future. Older. With children running around the fortress. Happy."

Dante stills. "Children?"

"Two of them. A boy and a girl. The girl has silver eyes like you. The boy has violet eyes like me."

"That sounds perfect." He turns me to face him fully. "Is that what you want? A family with me?"

"More than anything."

"Then that's what we'll have." He cups my face in his hands. "I'll give you everything you want, Aria. A family. A home. Safety. Love. All of it."

"I already have everything I want," I say, placing my hand over his heart. "I have you."

He kisses me again, soft and sweet. The bond wraps around us, singing with happiness.

When we break apart, I notice something. My arms are glowing with the symbols, but they look different now. Instead of just violet, they shimmer with silver too—Dante's color mixed with mine.

"Look," I whisper, showing him.

He examines my arms in wonder. "What does it mean?"

"I think it means we're truly bonded now. Not just mates, but partners. Equal. Complete."

Elder Moira's voice echoes in my memory: The bond is the key to everything.

She was right. The bond with Dante didn't just control my powers. It completed me. It gave me purpose, love, and belonging.

We return to the feast together. The celebration continues late into the night. I dance with Kade, with Riley, with Luna. Dante dances with Elder Moira, which makes everyone laugh because she's so tiny and he's so huge.

Finally, when the moon is high and the guests are starting to leave, Dante and I slip away to our chambers.

The room is decorated with flowers and candles. Someone—probably Riley—prepared it for our first night as official mates.

Dante closes the door and locks it. We're finally alone.

"Nervous?" he asks, pulling me close.

"A little. Are you?"

"Terrified," he admits with a laugh. "I've faced armies without fear, but the thought of disappointing you scares me more than anything."

"You could never disappoint me."

"I could try."

"Don't." I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. "Just love me. That's all I need."

"That, I can do."

He kisses me deeply, and the bond flares with desire and love. The symbols on my arms glow brightly, celebrating this moment.

We make love slowly, tenderly, learning each other completely. The bond connects us on every level—physical, emotional, spiritual. It's overwhelming and perfect and everything I ever dreamed of.

Afterward, we lie tangled together in bed. Dante traces the symbols on my arms gently.

"I'm sorry I wasted so much time being afraid," he murmurs.

"You weren't ready. The timing had to be right."

"Still. I could have had this sooner. Could have had you sooner."

"We have forever now. That's what matters."

He pulls me closer, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Through the bond, I feel his contentment, his love, his peace.

"Aria?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for saving me."

"You saved me too."

"Then we saved each other." He kisses my forehead. "My miracle."

I smile against his chest. "My love."

We fall asleep like that, wrapped in each other and in the bond that connects us. Outside, the moon shines bright—not red anymore, just silver and beautiful.

The curse is broken. The prophecy is fulfilled. The blood moon children are free.

And I—Aria Stone, once the most hated wolf in my pack—am now the most loved Luna in the country.

All because I chose to hope instead of giving up. All because Dante chose to trust instead of destroy.

Our story started with fear and rejection. But it ends with love and acceptance.

And that, I think as I drift into peaceful sleep, is the greatest miracle of all.