Then I''m Right


    Ava''s POV


    The private dining room glowed with soft candlelight, the kind that turns ordinary moments into memories. I froze in the doorway, taking in the scene-crystal sses catching light like tiny stars, white roses scattered across dark wood, and ke, powerful and confident, waiting for me with that half-smile that still did funny things to my pulse.


    "You cooked?" I nced from the elegant table setting to ke, then down at my training clothes. Great timing, as usual. Nothing says "fancy dinner" like sweatpants and a worn t-shirt.


    ke just shrugged, looking pleased with himself. "Tyler helped with setup. I handled the food."


    "The Alpha King cooks." I couldn''t help theugh that bubbled up. "What, do you wear a ''Kiss the Cook apron too?"


    Hisugh rumbled through the room, deep and warm. "Don''t push your luck."


    My eyes caught on a small ck box at the corner of the table, the Silverpeak wolf emblem gleaming on its surface. "What''s that?"


    ke''s expression shifted to something more intent, a look I was learning meant I was about to be surprised. "Open it.


    Insidey twin daggers that made me gasp. The handles were iid with


    emeralds that matched my eyes, the des catching candlelight with an almost supernatural gleam.


    "Moon-forged titanium," ke said, his voice dropping to that tone that sent shivers down my spine. "Ceremonial andbat-ready."


    I ran my fingertip along one de, feeling its perfect bnce. Weapons like these would cost half a year''s earnings back home. "ke.....”


    "Get used to it, little one." His voice was gentle but left zero room for debate. "As my Luna, this is just the beginning."


    That bossy tone should have pissed me off. Somehow, when paired with the way his eyes softened watching me admire his gift, it just made something warm unfurl in my chest instead.


    The food appeared next, steak cooked exactly how I liked it-medium rare with a perfect sear. My stomach growled loud enough for ke to hear, and his smile turned smug.


    "Figured you needed actual food after pushing those ridiculous diplomat portions around your te all night."


    "You noticed that?” I asked, already cutting/into the steak.


    "I notice everything about you." His eyes never left my face. "The way you scrunch your nose when you''re thinking. How you steal the crispy edges off Lucas''s pancakes. That little sigh you make when you''re pretending not to be impressed.


    My face heated. "Keeping tabs on me?


    "Keeping you." The simple certainty in his voice made my heart stumble.


    I''d just taken my first heavenly bite when little footsteps thundered down the hall. Lucas skidded into the room, hair sticking up like he''d been electrocuted, eyes wide at the candlelit scene.


    Chapter 184: Then I''m Right


    "Whoa. Fancy dinner!"


    "Lucas," ke sighed, but I caught the tiny smile he couldn''t quite suppress. "Bedtime was an hour ago.


    Lucas''s whole body practically vibrated with excitement. ''But Dad! Everyone at school was talking about Ava being my new mom! Tommy Peterson said his dad''s just a boring Beta, but my mom''s gonna be Luna!TM


    ke shot me a questioning look over Lucas''s head. I nodded, and he gestured toward the empty chair. Grab a te"


    Lucas was halfway to the kitchen when he froze, expression suddenly serious. He turned back, fidgeting with his pajama sleeve.


    "Actually, I wanted to ask Ava something."


    ke nodded, and Lucas took a deep breath, his usual boundless energy reced with something more vulnerable.


    "Tommy said I shouldn''t call you mom yet. He says you''re not my real mom."


    My heart squeezed. ke tensed beside me, but I touched his arm lightly, letting him know I''d handle this.


    "Tommy''s right about one thing," I said gently. "I didn''t give birth to you. But family isn''t just about that.


    Lucas''s eyes never left mine. "What is it about then?"


    "It''s about who chooses to stick around. Who protects you, loves you, shows up for you every day." I leaned forward, meeting him at eye level. "It''s about who you feel safe with, who makes your house feel like home."


    Lucas went quiet, mulling this over with surprising intensity for a seven-year-old. Then his face brightened with a rity that caught me off guard.


    “Then I''m right,” he dered, confidence flooding back. "You''re totally my mom. You teach me cool stuff and make Dad happy and throw knives better than anyone."


    ke let out a surprisedugh beside me. Lucas grabbed a te from the kitchen and mbered onto the chair between us, already reaching for the bread rolls.


    "Tommy just doesn''t get it," he continued, mouth half-full. "I''ll exin it to him tomorrow."


    The unexpected wisdom from this kid never failed to knock me sideways. As Lucasunched into stories about school, I caught ke watching us both with a look that made my throat tight.


    After two more sses of water, one borate bedtime story, and a surprisingly intense debate about whether werewolves could beat dragons in a fight (Lucas''s position: "Only if we work together and have a really good n"), ke finally got him settled for the night.


    We ended up on the balcony overlooking Silverpeak territory, ke''s arms wrapped around me from behind. The night air carried the scent of pine and distant rain.


    "Luna ceremony," ke murmured against my hair. "We should start nning."


    I leaned back against his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart. "Is there a handbook? ''So You''re Marrying the Alpha King: Now What?""


    Chapter 184: Then I''m Right


    His chuckle vibrated through me. “Full moon ceremony next month. Vows, pack blessing, the whole tradition.


    "Terrifying." I wasn''t entirely joking.


    His arms tightened. "Perfect." He turned me to face him, fingers tilting my chin up.


    "My Luna."


    Even now, those two words sent a thrill through me. "Llove you," I said, the confession still feeling new on my tongue.


    His kiss was answer enough.


    Morning arrived with controlled chaos. Northern Lights delegates swept through the halls, loading carriages with ceremonial gifts while servants rushed around withst-minute arrangements.


    I stood before my mirror, hardly recognizing myself in the midnight blue dress ke had selected. The emerald stones along the neckline matched my eyes, drawing attention to the golden mark on my neck-visible proof of our bond.


    My fingers wouldn''t stop fidgeting with the fabric. After years in practical clothes, this dress felt like ying pretend. The woman in the mirror looked like someone else entirely-poised, elegant, someone who might actually belong at an Alpha King''s side.


    Yet beneath that polished exterior, I was still just me-still figuring out how to bnce the warrior I''d always been with this new role I never expected. Could I really be what everyone needed from a Luna?


    “Beautiful.” ke''s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He stood in the doorway, every inch the Alpha King in his formal attire. "Ready?"


    "As I''ll ever be." My voice came out steadier than I felt.


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