Chapter 49

Aina Finally, the day I had dreamed of was drawing close, the day Osborne and I would bind ourselves completely. This morning, the designer brought my wedding gown, and Luna could barely contain her excitement. She told me it reminded her of when she first wore her own, calling it one of the most beautiful moments of her life. When I stepped into the gown, the world seemed to still. The fabric flowed against my skin, hugging every curve, making me look like a princess out of a fairy tale. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips. If Osborne were here to see me, I knew he’d lose his composure. “Well, Aina, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Luna said, wiping her eyes with a napkin. I turned to her quickly, unable to hide my eagerness. “What about the invitations? Has it been sent to my family yet?” “Of course,” she said with a proud nod. “The first batch has already gone out.” The joy on her face only deepened. “The day will soon come when my Osborne is no longer just a boy, but a man.” The pride in her voice warmed the room, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing, caught up in her happiness as much as my own. After making sure everything was perfect, and I stepped out of the gown while the maids arranged it in a box, Luna excused herself, her footsteps light despite the burden of responsibilities she carried. She had worked tirelessly to see that the day would be flawless. The maids bowed and I thanked them as they all left me alone. Even I felt drained. We had spent hours debating over decorations for the hall, the meals to serve, the seating arrangements, and all the tiny details that would please the guests. I didn’t have many people on my side, but for the Cliffs, rulers of the pack, the list was long and endless. That was why Luna had taken so much of the burden upon herself, determined that everything would go without a single problem. I collapsed onto a chair, shutting my eyes for just a moment, when suddenly a familiar voice echoed inside me. ‘Aina, something doesn’t feel right.’ My eyes flew open, spine snapping straight. “Why? Don’t you like Osborne?” I asked quickly, half afraid of the answer. Aurora, my wolf, went silent for a long while before her voice came again, soft but steady. ‘I do like him… but I can’t shake this bad feeling.’ Her words sent a chill through me. I knew Aurora better than I knew myself, and she never warned me without reason. “Alright. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you,” I whispered back, trying to calm the unease tightening in my chest. She quieted, but the tension lingered in my heart. Aurora was… special. But unlike other wolves, who are slender she mirrored me almost too closely. The only time I had ever transformed into her had been out of embarrassment. She was chubby, just like me, and we both feared others would laugh if they saw us. We used to joke about it between ourselves, pretending not to care, but deep down it stung. Still, Aurora was strong. She might not look like the wolves others admired, sleek and fierce, but she carried a quiet power within her. And I knew no matter what lay ahead—if darkness came knocking, she and I would fight it together. But first I needed to see Osborne, I missed him completely. So I hurried toward the one place I knew I’d find him—his office. But before I could even reach the door, it swung open, and there he was. The moment his eyes met mine, he broke into a smile, and I couldn’t help mirroring it. “It seems you were eager to see me,” I teased. “Well, says the one who came looking for me,” he shot back, and we both burst out laughing. He closed the door behind him and pulled me into his arms. “Let’s go somewhere else,” he suggested. I wondered why he didn’t want me in his office, but I didn’t question it. Wherever he went, I would follow. We walked side by side, his hand resting warmly on my waist, trading one joke after another until our laughter filled the hallways. At that moment, I thought to myself—I never want this life to end. I cherished it more than anything. If the moon goddess would grant me just one prayer, it would be for Osborne and me to live this way forever, in peace and happiness. Because Osborne wasn’t just my fated mate. He was my happiness. The man I loved—bond or no bond. And nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever tear us apart. We ended up in the garden, settling onto the bench. Just sitting there made heat rush to my cheeks, as memories of the “crimes” we had once committed on that poor bench flickered through my mind. “How did the meeting with the designer go?” Osborne asked. “It went well,” I said, grinning. “Your mother couldn’t stop gushing about the gown.” He laughed. “If you know my mother, you’d know fashion is her greatest weakness.” I joined in his laughter—it was true. Luna Olivia was what you’d call a true fashionista. Then, leaning close, Osborne pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “I feel like I can’t wait to see you in that gown,” he murmured, tracing more kisses across my skin. “And what will you do when you finally see me in it?” I asked, my lips curving into a smile. He paused, tilting my chin so I faced him fully. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he whispered, “Do you really want to know?” I nodded, holding his gaze. “Goddess help me,” he said with a crooked grin, “if I don’t tear it off you right there at the altar.” I laughed out loud, swatting him lightly. He wouldn’t dare, not when he was the jealous type already. I leaned in and pressed my lips against his, a kiss that was lasting, daring, and filled with everything I couldn’t put into words. His arms tightened around me, drawing me closer until I felt his heartbeat against mine. When we finally broke apart, his breath brushed my ear as he whispered the words that never failed to unravel me—words I know I'll hear for the rest of my life. "I love you, Aina… and I pray nothing ever comes between us." My throat tightened as I nodded, unable to hide the soft tremor in my chest. "And I love you too, Osborne," I whispered back, my voice low but sure. "Now and always. No matter what."