<Chapter 195: The Final Preparations
Chapter 195: The Final Preparations
Chapter 195: The Final Preparations
(Aria’s POV)
After several days of rest at our Moon Valley territory, my strength had returned completely. The terrifying ordeal on Crystal Island felt like a distant nightmare now, thanks to Dominic’s protective presence and the familiar comfort of our home.
“Mrs. Blackwood, if you could just turn slightly to the left,” the marking ceremony dress designer murmured, her skilled hands making delicate adjustments to the flowing white gown.
I shifted carefully, my pregnant belly making the fitting process more challenging than usual. The designer, a middle–aged woman with graying hair and gentle eyes, had been working on this dress for weeks.
“Perfect,” she said, stepping back to admire her work. “The ceremonial silk falls beautifully, and the moonstone embroidery will catch the light during the ceremony.”
Dominic watched from his chair nearby, his silver–gray eyes filled with satisfaction. “It’s beautiful,” he said simply, his cedar scent wrapping around me with warm approval.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling suddenly emotional. In just a few days, I would officially become Luna of the Shadow Pack. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.
The designer packed up her supplies efficiently. “Everything is ready except for the ceremonial headpiece. Have you made your selection yet?”
I sighed, my pregnant wolf stirring with mild frustration. “That’s… proving more difficult than expected.”
After the designer left, I stared at the dozens of jewelry boxes scattered across our dining table. Mrs. Caroline Lewis had been flying across Europe and America for days, determined to find the perfect ceremonial headpiece for my marking ceremony.
“This is overwhelming,” I muttered, opening another velvet box to reveal an intricate moonstone tiara. “How
am I supposed to choose from all of these?”
Each piece was more stunning than the last. Crystal circlets embedded with sapphires, silver tiaras adorned with diamonds, golden headpieces featuring rare moonstones from the Northern European territories.
Dominic approached with his characteristic Alpha humor. “You know what you need?”
“What?” I asked, feeling defeated by the sheer number of choices.
“This one,” he said decisively, pointing to a elegant white gold circlet with three perfectly cut diamonds. “Simple, classic, and it matches your engagement ring.”
I looked at the piece he’d selected. It was beautiful without being ostentatious, exactly the kind of thing! would have chosen myself if I hadn’t been paralyzed by options.
“You’re right,” I said with relief. “It’s perfect.”
I immediately took a photo and sent it to Mrs. Caroline Lewis with a message: “Found the one! Please stop shopping!”
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Chapter 195: The Emal Preparations
Her response came within minutes: “Are you certain, darling? I found some lovely pieces in Milan that might
“I’m certain,” I typed back firmly. “This is the one.”
Dominic chuckled, his powerful presence radiating amusement. “Your mother is more nervous about this ceremony than you are.”
“She just wants everything to be perfect,” I said, though I felt like I was drowning in accessories. “I think she’s
trying to make up for all the years we lost.”
With only three days until the marking ceremony, I suddenly felt a strange anxiety settling in my chest. My wolf whimpered softly, responding to my emotional state.
“Is this normal?” I asked, sinking into the couch. “To feel nervous about a marking ceremony?”
Olivia looked up from her magazine, her dark eyes filled with understanding. “Of course it’s normal. You’re about to make a lifelong commitment.”
“But I’ve been through this before,” I said, thinking of my failed bond with Alexander. “This should be easier.”
“This is completely different,” Olivia replied firmly. “With Alexander, you were fulfilling expectations. With
Dominic, you’re choosing love.”
Her words comforted me, but my pregnant wolf still felt unsettled. The weight of becoming Luna of the
Shadow Pack seemed enormous compared to my previous role with the Storm Pack.
“It’s just pre–ceremony jitters,” Olivia continued with her usual confidence, despite never having been through a marking ceremony herself. “Every bride feels this way.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the afternoon sun streaming through our windows. Then my
mobile phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through our peaceful conversation.
I glanced at the caller ID and felt my smile fade immediately. Elizabeth Reed’s name flashed on the screen, causing my wolf to bristle with unease.
“Don’t answer that,” Olivia said quickly, her protective instincts flaring. “You don’t need drama right now.”
But the phone kept ringing persistently. After the fourth call, I knew I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“Hello, Mrs. Reed,” I said carefully, accepting the call.
“Aria!” Elizabeth’s voice was desperate and strained, immediately putting me on edge. “Thank the moon
goddess you answered. I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“It’s Alexander,” she said, her words tumbling out in a rush of maternal desperation. “He’s been transferred to
Northern Territory Correctional Facility, and he… he’s asking for you.”
My pregnant wolf whimpered with distress. “Mrs. Reed, I don’t think-”
“Please, Aria,” she interrupted, her voice breaking. “He’s given up on life. He won’t eat, won’t speak The prison doctor says he’s in a dangerous state of despair.”
nyone.
I could hear her tears through the phone, her wolf’s anguish palpable even through the connection. “I don’t understand what you want me to do.”
Chapter 195: The Ental Preparations
“Visit him,” she pleaded frantically. “Just once. You’re the only one who can save him from himself.
“Mrs. Reed-“.
“I know what he did was unforgivable,” she rushed on, her voice hysterical. “But he loves you, Aria. He’s always loved you. And during that terrible incident on the island, he protected you. He gave information to help Dominic save you.”
The reminder of Alexander’s unexpected assistance made my chest tighten with guilt. Had he truly helped us, or was Elizabeth exaggerating to manipulate me?
“I’ll do anything,” Elizabeth continued desperately. “Anything you ask. Just please, see him once. He’s dying in there, and I can’t bear to lose my son.”
Olivia was shaking her head vigorously, her expression filled with alarm. But something in Elizabeth’s voice, the raw maternal anguish, made me hesitate.
“I… I need to think about it,” I said finally, my voice uncertain.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth breathed. “Thank you for even considering it. You have such a kind heart, Aria. That’s why Alexander never stopped loving you.”
After I hung up, Olivia stared at me with concern. “You’re not seriously considering this, are you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling emotionally drained. “She sounded so desperate.”
“Alexander kidn*pped you,” Olivia reminded me firmly. “He put you and your baby in danger. Why should you
care about his mental state?”
I pressed my hands to my belly, feeling the pup move restlessly inside me. “I keep thinking about what would
have happened if he hadn’t given Dominic that information about Viktor’s island.”
“That doesn’t erase everything else he did.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “But maybe… maybe seeing him one last time would give me closure. Help me put the past behind me completely.”
That afternoon, I found Dominic in his study, reviewing pack documents with his usual focused intensity.
When I told him about Elizabeth’s call, he set down his papers and gave me his full attention.
“Do you want to go?” he asked simply, his powerful Alpha presence radiating supportive understanding.
His lack of jealousy or anger surprised me. “Aren’t you worried about me seeing him?”
“Should I be?” he asked, his silver–gray eyes meeting mine steadily.
“No,” I said immediately. “Of course not.”
“Then I trust your judgment,” he replied. “If you need to see him for closure, I support that decision.”
I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. “Actually, I think I do need to see him. To put this chapter of my life behind me completely.”
“Then we’ll go,” Dominic said, standing up. “I’ll accompany you.”
“You don’t have to-”
“Yes, I do,” he interrupted gently. “Not because I don’t trust you, but because I want to be there for you. This won’t be easy.”
Chapter 195. The Final Preparations
The next morning, Dominic drove me to Northern Territory Correctional Facility in his lunury ay the imposing concrete walls and guard towers created an oppressive atmosphere that made my prevare whimper with unease.
“Are you ready for this?” Dominic asked as we parked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, though my hands were trembling slightly.
The visiting room was sterile and cold, with metal tables and uncomfortable chairs. When Alexander was
brought in, I barely recognized him.
Gone was the confident Alpha who had once commanded the Storm Pack. The man sitting across from me looked years older, his amber eyes hollow and his wolf’s scent barely detectable through the institutional smell of the facility.
“Aria,” he said, his voice hoarse with disuse. “I wasn’t sure you would come.”
I studied his face, seeing genuine surprise there. “Your mother was very persuasive.”
He glanced at Dominic, who sat protectively beside me, then looked back at me with desperate intensity know you probably hate me.”
“I don’t hate you, Alexander,” I said carefully. “But I don’t understand why you wanted to see me.” “Because…” he started, then stopped, struggling with his words. “You are very happy now.”
It wasn’t a question, just a quiet observation. I could hear both pain and a strange acceptance in his voice
“Yes,” I said simply. “I am.”
He nodded slowly, as if confirming something to himself. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper, sliding it across the metal table.
“What is this?” I asked, not touching it.
“A Swiss bank account,” he said quietly. “I opened it in your name months ago. Consider it a marking ceremony gift.”
I stared at the paper. “Alexander, I can’t accept-”
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