Chapter 86
86
~Elara’s POV
I met his eyes, and for a moment, the world felt small and quiet, like it was holding its breath for us. “I will try my best,” I said. “I want to be a good Luna. A good mate p>
He smiled then, warm and proud. “You already are,” he said. “And when the time comes, you will be an even greater one p>
Alpha Darlon lifted his hand slowly and placed it on my cheek. His touch was gentle, careful, like I was something precious that could break if he was not soft enough. His thumb traced the side of my face, following the line of my cheekbone, then my jaw, as if he wanted to memorize every part of me.
“You are more beautiful up close,” he said quietly. “More than I imagined p>
My heart beat faster. I felt shy, warm, and seen all at once. I lowered my eyes for a moment, then looked back at him. “You flatter me,” I said, though my voice was soft with happiness.
“I only speak the truth,” he replied. His hand moved to my other cheek, holding my face gently between his palms. “Soon, you will be my wife. My Luna. And everything will change p>
I smiled, feeling a rush of excitement and nerves. “I am ready,” I said. And in that moment, I truly believed it.
Then a sound broke the closeness.
“Ahem p>
We both turned.
Ronan stood a few steps away, his hands clasped behind his back. He cleared his throat again and bowed deeply. “Alpha Darlon,” he said respectfully. “Congratulations to you. And to you, too, Princess Elara p>
Alpha Darlon nodded at him, calm and polite. “Thank you p>
Before I could say anything, Lira stepped forward as well. She bowed, her movements graceful, perfect. “We wish you a happy married life,” she said, smiling sweetly. “May the moon bless your union p>
“Thank you, Lira,” I said warmly. I meant it. I really did.
But inside the shield, my present self felt something twist. Something felt off. The smiles were too smooth. The words were too perfect. My chest tightened, though my past self felt nothing but joy.
Alpha Darlon looked between them, then back at me. “Who are they?” he asked gently.
I brightened at once. “They are my friends,” I said proudly. “Lira and Ronan. They have been with me for years p>
He nodded slowly, studying them with calm eyes. “I see.” Then he turned back to me and smiled. “I will excuse you. Spend time with your friends. We will speak again later p>
“That is kind of you,” I said.
Ronan and Lira bowed again. “Thank you, Alpha,” they said together.
Alpha Darlon gave my hand a final squeeze before letting go. “I will see you later, my wife,” he said softly.
I watched him leave, my heart fluttering as he walked away.
The moment he was gone, Ronan let out a slow breath. “So,” he said, forcing a small smile. “Are you happy p>
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I am very happy p>
Lira tilted her head. “You are sure?” she asked. “Marriage is a big thing p>
“I know,” I replied. “But he is my true mate. And he already brought me gifts p>
Both their eyes sharpened at once.
“Gifts?” Ronan repeated.
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “Come. Let us see them together p>
My past self did not notice how Lira’s smile stiffened. She did not hear the edge in Ronan’s breath. She only took their hands and pulled them with her, laughing softly as we walked back into the palace.
Several large boxes had already been placed inside my room. They were wrapped in fine cloth and tied with thick ribbons. My excitement bubbled over.
“This one,” I said, pointing to the biggest box. “Let us open this first p>
We knelt together and untied the ribbon. When the lid was lifted, light seemed to spill out.
Gold.
Necklaces. Bracelets. Rings. Earrings. All gold. Thick, heavy, shining gold, crafted with care and beauty. Some were carved with moon symbols. Others with wolves and ancient signs.
I gasped. “Oh p>
Lira’s eyes widened. “That is… that is a lot p>
Ronan leaned closer, picked up a bracelet, and turned it in his hand. He frowned slightly. “Are you sure this is real gold?” he asked. “It looks too much p>
I laughed. “Of course it is real,” I said. “Why would he give me fake gold p>
Ronan shrugged. “Just saying. Sometimes people like to impress p>
Lira forced a laugh. “I am jealous,” she said lightly. “Very jealous p>
Inside the shield, my present self scoffed. I could hear it now. The envy. The bitterness. The cracks in their voices. But my past self only smiled wider.
“Check it,” I told Ronan, handing him another piece. “Feel the weight p>
He held it, nodded slowly. “It is heavy,” he admitted.
“Because it is real,” I said happily, my voice light, full of wonder. I lifted one of the gold pieces again, turning it in my hands. It was heavy, solid, and cold against my skin. We opened another box.
Then another.
Each one felt like a small surprise waiting to breathe. Soft fabrics folded neatly, colors deep and rich. Shoes made of fine leather, stitched carefully by skilled hands. Bottles of rare scents, the kind that lingered even after the lid was closed. Jewels that caught the light and threw it back in sharp, beautiful flashes.
“I cannot believe this,” I whispered, almost afraid to touch anything again. “He really thought of everything p>
I watched Lira stood close, her eyes moving quickly over the gifts. Her lips curved into a smile, but it did not reach her eyes. Her fingers curled slowly at her side, then relaxed. Then curled again.
“He really wants you,” she said.
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation, my chest warm, full. “And I cannot wait to be his wife p>
I said it easily. Freely. Like it was the most natural truth in the world.
Ronan stood a little apart, his arms crossed loosely. He picked up one of the gold bracelets, weighed it in his hand, then laughed softly. “Are you sure this is real?” he asked. “It looks too perfect. Maybe it is fake p>
I laughed too, shaking my head. “No, it is real. You can feel it. See how heavy it is?” I held it out to him, eager, trusting. “Check it properly p>
He took it, his fingers brushing mine for a second longer than needed. “Hmm,” he said, his voice unreadable. “If you say so p>
Lira forced a small laugh. “I am jealous,” she said. “Truly. Any woman would be p>
I smiled at her, not seeing the tightness in her jaw, not hearing the sharp edge beneath her words. “You will find yours too,” I said gently. “I know you will p>
Inside the shield, my present self felt something shift.
Cold slid slowly down my spine.
Because now I could see it. Not all of it. But enough.
The way Lira’s eyes lingered too long on the jewels. The way Ronan’s smile faded too quickly. The way their words sounded right, but felt wrong.
This must be where it began.
The smiles that hid knives.
The kindness that came with quiet envy.
The love that twisted, slowly, patiently, into hate.
And as I watched my past self laugh between them, lifting gold, touching silk, dreaming out loud about a future filled with light, my chest tightened painfully.
She was happy. She was truly happy. She trusted them.
She believed them, and that was the worst part. Because she had no idea what those smiles would become. She had no idea how much joy like this costs.