"If I rember correctly," Viola muttered in her head, "you swore you wouldn’t wear this. Sothing about it being too ’damsel in distress.’"
Erald rolled her eyes as she twisted one last curl into place. "It’s not like I had many options. Nessa packed it when I wasn’t looking."
"And thank the Moon she did," Viola added smugly. "Because right now? You look like every brooding Alpha’s dream co true."
Erald stood in front of the mirror, her hands resting on the wooden vanity. She wore a dark green dress that hugged her body, looking almost black in the dim light.
A slit ran up the leg to just above her thigh, and the neckline dipped just enough to be elegant... and dangerous. Her makeup was simple but striking: dark eyeliner and soft colour on her lips. Her hair was casually pinned up, with a few loose curls framing her face.
"You look like so... so...," Viola whispered. "I don’t know, but I love it."
Erald rolled her eyes but smirked anyway.
She stared at herself for a long mont. "I still can’t believe I’m doing this," she whispered.
"He’s trying," Viola said softly now. "Let him."
A soft knock echoed at the door, and Erald turned toward it just as the clock struck eight.
She opened it slowly.
Lucien stood on the other side, wearing a black tux and a crisp white shirt. his collar slightly loose. His hair was swept back in that relaxed style that still made her feel a flutter in her throat.
He blinked once, then twice, before the corners of his mouth lifted in genuine surprise and admiration.
"...Wow."
"Wow??" Erald raised a brow. "That’s all you got?"
"You’re..." He exhaled slowly. "You’re breathtaking."
Erald tried to suppress the small smile forming. "Now, that’s better. You clean up nice yourself."
He offered his arm. "Shall we?"
She took it.
—
As they walked out of the estate, the only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Erald glanced at him and asked, "So, are you going to tell where we’re headed?"
"Nope," Lucien said, eyes twinkling. "You’ll see."
They walked across the main road toward the town square, and that’s when she noticed it.
Lights were everywhere... soft, golden lanterns hanging from the trees and rooftops; beautiful white flowers lined the pathway.
In the centre of it all, a small round table sat under a blooming archway, with candles flickering beside shiny silver cutlery and sparkling crystal glasses.
Erald stared. "Lucien... you outdid yourself."
He chuckled, pulling out her seat for her like a true gentleman. "That was the goal."
She sat, still stunned, as he took his seat opposite her.
"This is..." she trailed off, taking in the gentle glow of the lights, the music playing faintly from sowhere nearby, and the fact that for the first ti since she arrived, it didn’t feel like she was preparing for battle.
It just felt... normal. Soft.
No sooner had they sat, plates of beautifully arranged dishes were brought out by silent kitchen staff: roasted lamb with herb butter and warm bread. It slled divine.
"Wine?" he asked, pouring gently.
"Sure," she said, still staring at the lights in awe.
As they began to eat, Lucien cleared his throat. "I need to say sothing."
She looked up.
"I know I’ve said this before, but I want you to know that I an it. I’m sorry."
"For everything," he continued. "For dragging you into this ss, for not protecting you when it mattered most. You didn’t deserve any of it."
Erald studied him for a long mont, then gave a small nod. "Thank you for saying it."
"And thank you for staying."
Erald nodded as she took a sip of her wine.
He gave her a grateful look. "Why?"
"I wish I knew," she admitted, then gave him a small smile. "But I’m glad I did. You’re not as terrible as the rumours say."
Lucien laughed. "I’ll take that as a complint."
He relaxed after that, the tension in his shoulders easing.
They kept eating, laughter becoming easier, the tension easing away with each sip of wine and each stolen glance.
"So..." Lucien asked, leaning in slightly, "How would you rate your stay?"
"Be honest," he added.
Erald snorted. "Worst vacation of my life."
Lucien choked on his drink.
"Assassination attempts. Rogue battles. Treason. Fire. Chains. Romance." She ticked each off with her fingers. "An absolute disaster."
Lucien smiled, shaking his head. "Next ti, I’ll show you the good parts."
Erald raised a brow. "You’re confident there’ll be a next ti?"
He leaned in slightly. "I’m hopeful."
They continued eating, the conversation flowing more easily than it had in days. They talked about old stories, about the ti he tried to sneak onto a rogue mission that ended with him being chased by a goose.
She told him about a ti when she once baked and nearly set the kitchen on fire.
And then, as the plates were cleared and dessert was placed down, a dark chocolate tart with rose sugar, slow music began to drift through the air.
Lucien stood, offering his hand. "Dance with ?"
Erald hesitated again, but only for show. She slipped her hand into his.
He pulled her gently into him, one hand resting at her waist, the other guiding hers to his shoulder. She curled her arm around his neck, leaning into the warmth of his body.
The music rose gently, and they started to sway back and forth.
Erald closed her eyes, letting herself fall into the rhythm. His scent, his presence, the safety of the mont... it wrapped around her like a blanket.
No words were needed, just warmth, music, and the feeling of being close to him.
Erald rested her head on his chest as Lucien’s hand gently traced the curve of her back, then moved down to the small of her waist.
As the music slowed down, she leaned her head back. Their eyes t, and in that mont, she stood on her toes and kissed him.
Lucien didn’t hesitate.
His hands tightened on her waist as he pulled her closer. Her fingers laced into his hair, and he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.
It was soft, then hot; slow, then urgent.
Her lips parted for him, and he claid her mouth like he’d been waiting forever. Her heart thundered as their bodies moulded together, heat rising.
Viola practically purred in her mind. "Finally. You two were making feral."
Lucien’s wolf, Shade, growled contentedly. "Took long enough."
They didn’t stop.
For long monts, there was nothing but the kiss, the scrape of teeth, the soft gasp as his hand slipped beneath her hair, and the slide of her fingers down his chest.
When they finally pulled away, they were breathless and laughing, foreheads resting together.
Then a soft murmur rose around them.
Erald blinked.
People had begun to gather in the square, so clapping, while others watched with knowing smiles.
She stiffened, stepping back slightly. "Lucien...?"
Lucien turned, still holding her hand. "I chose this spot for a reason."
She blinked at him.
"Before Erald, I never would have stood in this square like this... not in the open with them. I didn’t believe I belonged here with the people. I thought the hostility was permanent."
He looked at her.
"But she brought peace with her. She reminded of what this pack could be. Because of her," he said, pointing to Erald, "this pack survived. Because of her, I stood back up. Because of her, we saw the truth."
Then, turning to the crowd, he said, "Today, we mark the beginning of a new future."
His voice was clear as he declared. "From this day forward, this day will be celebrated every year... as the Day of Eralds, a day to honour the one who brought us back from the brink."
The crowd broke into stunned silence.
Then applause.
Then a single voice started: "Luna Erald."
Then another.
And another.
"Luna Erald! Luna Erald!"
The crowd broke into applause, into cheers, into celebration.
Erald stood stunned, eyes wide.
Lucien smiled down at her. "You’re not my Luna officially... but you will always be my Luna."
She was stunned, speechless, and for the first ti in a long ti... happy.
The celebration carried on into the night. Music, food, dancing. Children ran past with strears, couples twirled under lanterns, and guards toasted with mugs of ale.
By the ti the moon was high, Erald could barely feel her feet. Lucien walked her back to her room, the noise of the celebration fading behind them.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Tired, ut okay."
He stopped at her door.
"I an it," he said softly. "You’ll always have a place here."
Erald smiled faintly. "Thank you."
He leaned forward, kissing her temple. "Goodnight, my Luna."
She slipped inside with a soft laugh.
—
Morning ca fast.
The sun barely broke through the windows when her escort from Western Shadow Fang arrived. A black car waited at the front gates.
Lucien stood beside it, along with several guards and even so pack mbers who had gathered to bid her farewell. So handed her small tokens, a flower, a ribbon, a carved trinket.
Erald took one final look at the estate... at him, then nodded.
Lucien’s eyes found hers imdiately. "Safe journey."
She nodded. "Thanks, Lucien."
"You’ll co back?"
"Eventually," she said, offering a small smile.
She turned to the others and gave a short wave. "Thank you all. For everything."
As the car pulled away, Erald watched the estate fade into the horizon. Her thoughts were a blur, running through all that had happened from her arrival to this mont.
She didn’t know what awaited her at ho after being gone so long.
But she knew she wasn’t the sa woman returning.
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