#Chapter 169: Bonding

Aria I stepped into the candlelit ceremonial hall, my fingers trembling around the bouquet. The hall had been transformed. Hundreds of candles lined the path in front of me, their golden light flickering against the stone walls. White flowers—moonflowers and lilies—cascaded from every corner, their scent filling the air. All eyes turned to me. And there, at the end of the aisle, stood Darren. My breath caught in my throat. He wore his traditional Alpha ceremonial robes, deep blue with silver embroidery that caught the candlelight. His eyes found mine across the distance between us, and everything else—my nerves, my fears, even the weight of all we’d been through—melted away. Taking a deep breath, Lucas and I began our walk down the aisle. On either side, members of Moonglow Pack as well as the refugees stood alongside the visiting Alphas and Lunas and their warriors. I spotted Melissa with Brandon standing near the center of the room. Beside them stood Lil