ARIA 

Blood Moon night. After weeks of preparation, endless training sessions, and awkward pack politics, it was finally happening. I couldn’t believe lace kid actually pulled me away from the celebration, asking me to follow him with that mysterious half–smile of his. 

“You want me to take off my shoes? Seriously?‘ I stared at Jace. 

“Trust me,” he said, squeezing my hand. 

I rolled my eyes but removed my boots anyway. The forest floor felt cool against my bare feet as we walked in comfortable silence. Being with an Alpha wasn’t easy- especially one with royal bloodlines who constantly had the entire pack watching his every move. Not to mention his massive wolf Phantom lurking beneath the surface. 

When we finally reached the clearing, I stopped dead in my tracks. The lake reflected the blood–red moon perfectly, and Jace had set up lanterns around a bench covered with soft furs. 

“Jace, this place is beautiful,” I whispered, taking in the view of the lake. 

The water reflected the blood moon perfectly. At the shore, thick furs covered the ground, surrounded by ancient stone lanterns casting a warm glow. It looked magical, private, perfect. 

‘I wanted tonight to be about more than just the Blood Moon ceremony,” Jace said, guiding me toward the furs. “Something special, just for us.” 

“Thank you for doing this.” 

He smiled, that rare genuine smile few people ever got to see. “You deserve this and more, 

little hunter.” 

Jace removed his ceremonial cloak, revealing a simple dark shirt underneath. He reached into a hollow tree nearby and pulled out an ancient horn. When he played, the melody felt older than time, echoing across the water. Haunting yet beautiful. 

“Dance with me?” he asked, holding out his hand. 

We moved together under the moonlight, my body following his lead naturally, as if we’d been dancing together forever. 

1/3 

Chapter 56 

His eyes changed, glowing brighter than normal, something primal stirring beneath. I’d seen Phantom emerer before during figher, but did ha the This was for me. 

A voice whispered in my mind: Destined one. It wasn’t my own thought, but it felt right, 

“I have something to tell you,” Jace said, his voice gentle. “You’re my true mate.” 

True. 

I was shocked. Everything suddenly made sense the instant connection when we first met, the way my body responded to his presence, the constant poll toward him despite all logic. 

My breath caught as he leaned in, claiming my lips with his. The kiss was different from our others of destiny weaving around us, tying us together. 

When we finally broke apart, I stared at him. “You knew all along, didn’t you?” 

– 

more significant, binding. I could almost feel threads 

Jace nodded, keeping me close. “Since you first crossed into Moon Shadow territory. But I wanted you to discover it yourself, to feel the connection form naturally. Please don’t be angry.” 

“I’m not angry, Jace.” I pressed my palm against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “That day at the border, I felt this weird sense of safety. Now I know why.” 

“Even without the mate bond, these weeks with you…” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.” I was already falling for you. You’re the first person who made me want to believe in love again.” 

I smiled, thinking of how far we’d come. “I used to worry about being alone forever, the human among wolves. Turns out fate had other plans. 

We sat on the furs, facing the blood moon’s reflection on the water. His arm wrapped around me, protective but not possessive. 

“There’s a ritual,” Jace said softly. “To formalize the mate bond. If you’re ready.” 

I nodded, my heart racing. This was it 

– 

my choice, my future. 

Jace stood, pulling me to my feet. His expression turned solemn, almost reverent. 

2/3 

Chapter 56 

Something shifted in the air between us. A warm energy flowed from him to me, through me, around us. I gasped at the sensation, raketming but not unpleasant. 

‘Ria, you’re everything to me.” 

‘I love you too, my Alpha.” 

His kiss deepened, more urgent now. His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. When we finally separated, he guided me down onto the soft furs, every movement gentle despite the desire burning in his eyes. 

His hands moved slowly, carefully, each touch asking permission. When his fingers traced the edge of my gown, he paused, waiting. 

“I want this,” I whispered, answering his unasked question. 

His lips found mine again, more urgent this time. I felt the heat building between us, his body pressing against mine. Everything about him surrounded me – his touch, his warmth, the steady beat of his heart matching my racing one. 

He pulled back slightly, breathing hard. “We don’t have to rush,” he said, resting his forehead against mine. “We have our future together, little hunter. All the time in the world.” 

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him close again. “I know. But I want this. I want you, Jace. Now.” 

Jace’s hands moved slowly, carefully, each touch asking permission. When his fingers traced the edge of my grown, he paused, waiting. 

“God, I need this so bad,” I breathed. “I need you so bad.” 

His eyes darkened, that rare vulnerability breaking through his Alpha facade. “Are you sure?” 

I reached up, running my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. “I’ve never been so fucking sure about anything in my life.” 

His lips crashed into mine, hungry and wild. Our bodies pressed and melted together, the heat between us getting so damn intense with every touch, each shaky breath. He pushed against me hard, his weight pinning me down in the most fucking perfect way. 

‘God, you’re everything to me, Ria,” he groaned against my hot skin, biting and marking. “My mate, my fucking heart.” 

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