Alpha Kaelan’s heart raced as he burst through the door, his breath catching in his throat at the sight before him.
Mira was kneeling on the bed, her body half-naked, her shoulders trembling as silent tears poured down her face. Seeing her so broken tore at his soul, and without a second thought, he rushed to her side.
“Mira,” Kaelan whispered urgently as he cupped her tear-streaked face in his hands, lifting her eyes to meet his. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”
Mira gasped as his strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. The walls she’d built around herself shattered in Kaelan’s embrace, and she let herself lean into the comfort he provided.
After what felt like hours, Mira finally pulled back, her eyes red but clearer, her breathing more even. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking at Kaelan with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.
Kaelan didn’t release her, his hands still resting on her shoulders as he gently met her gaze.
“Mira, tell me,” he said, his voice steady but laced with concern. “Who has hurt you?.”
Mira swallowed hard, her throat tight. She couldn’t bring herself to answer him, the words stuck in her chest. Her father, Liana, Gareth. Even now, after all that had happened, she couldn’t bring herself to throw them under the bus. They were still her family, after all.
She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, and it made her heart flutter in ways she didn’t understand. His protectiveness, his strength, his willingness to do whatever it took to make her safe—it was overwhelming, yet comforting. But it also made her feel guilty. She wasn’t sure if she deserved it. Not after everything.
But then, in that moment, her mind flashed back to the nightmare with Gareth. The brutal slap, the humiliation—how easily he’d torn her apart. And how Liana had stood there, watching, doing nothing. She thought of her life since her mother’s death—how lonely and painful it had been. The constant whispers behind her back, the cold stares.
She had nothing left but her pride. And she couldn’t even hold onto that.
Kaelan watched her struggle, the silence thick between them, until he spoke again. “Mira, I know this is hard, but I need to know—will you accept me as your mate? I want to protect you, to give you a life you deserve. But I can’t do that if you won’t let me.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded louder, and her chest tightened with confusion. She didn’t know if she was ready for this. She didn’t know if she was ready to accept the weight of being the Alpha’s mate. But with every passing second, the pressure inside her grew stronger, and she realized something.
Rejecting Kaelan would be foolish. It would make her life a living hell, and she couldn’t bear it anymore. She’d been a weak wolf all her life, struggling to survive after her mother’s death. She didn’t want to be a burden anymore. Perhaps, just perhaps, the Moon Goddess had sent Kaelan to her as a gift—her way out of the misery.
Instead of responding, she stood up, her legs shaking beneath her, but she didn’t falter. Kaelan’s eyes followed her every movement, his expression unreadable as he waited for her decision.
Mira quickly changed into a simple but elegant dress, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the fabric.
Kaelan didn’t say anything as he watched her, but something in his eyes softened. He knew, somehow, that she had made her decision.
Without a word, Mira turned toward the door, walking with a new sense of purpose. Kaelan followed her, his gaze intense but full of pride as he called to his guards.
“Go get her father and her sister,” he ordered, his voice calm but authoritative. “We need them in the hall.”
Mira didn’t say a word as she walked toward the ceremonial hall, her heart racing. She knew what she was about to do, but it felt so surreal. Her mind kept trying to tell her that this was too much, that she was making a mistake. But deep down, she knew it was the right choice.
As they entered the hall, the doors opening with a heavy creak, Mira’s eyes met Kaelan’s, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she saw a flash of warmth in his gaze. He gave her a smile, brief but full of meaning, before squeezing her hand gently. The gesture was small, but it made her heart flutter in her chest.
Mira swallowed hard and turned to face the gathered people, including her father and Liana, who had been summoned by the guards. With Kaelan at her side, her mind was made up.
“I… I accept,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but loud enough for everyone to hear. “I accept you as my mate, Alpha Kaelan.”
Her words echoed through the hall, and the room fell into stunned silence.
Kaelan’s smile widened, and in that moment, Mira felt the power and the change, she wasn’t just a shadow or an afterthought. She was his chosen one—she was the Alpha’s true mate.