Chapter 409 A Love Confessed


    +8 Pearls


    Laughter filled the room as sses clinked, silver cut through the cake, and everyone dug into the feast without holding back.


    But in the middle of it all, Tessa saw something no one else did-Avery quietly slipping out the door.


    She leaned over to Landon with a soft whisper, then followed after him.


    A momentter, Ysabel came up beside Landon and leaned in.


    “Uncle Landon, she went after Avery. Aren''t you going to do anything?"


    He shook his head.


    "No. She''s allowed to have her own space. Her friends. I trust her."


    Every feral instinct in him wed at that decision. He wanted to chase her. Keep her close. Keep every other man away from what was his.


    But he knew better.


    I love her, yeah. She''s my mate. But that doesn''t mean I get to cage her. Tessie was born to run. She''s not a girl to be locked down-she''s a wolf built for the wind and wild.


    He wouldn''t be the fence.


    He''d be the wind beside her. Moving with her. Free, loyal, untethered-but always hers.


    Tessa found Avery on the second-floor terrace. He was alone while ying the piano.


    He was ying her favorite song.


    She didn''t interrupt-just stood a few steps away, listening. Letting the music settle around them.


    Avery looked so different like this


    like the bold, cocky version of him


    onstage. Right now, he was just soft light and quiet keys. The silver chain around his wrist shimmered as he moved. It was the wolf bone bracelet she''d given him for his sixteenth birthday.


    When thest note faded, Tessa stepped forward and sat beside him.


    "y something with me?" she asked. Her voice was low, shy. She didn''t y much-but enough.


    "Always," he said without hesitation.


    She smiled. "Chopin?"


    0


    He didn''t answer with words. Just nodded and set his fingers on the keys.


    Together, they yed-effortless, wordless, in sync.


    Avery''s eyes drifted to her face again and again. She was radiant. Happy. Strong.


    And not his.


    TUUD


    NO


    Chapter 409 A Love Confessed


    She found someone. Someone powerful. Someone written in fate. Why does it still hurt like this?


    He thought he''d locked those feelings away a long time ago.


    Clearly, not well enough.


    is 10 Pearts


    The final chord faded. Tessa''s hands stilled. And then, without even turning to


    look, she asked-so gently it nearly broke him.


    "Avery... is there something you want to tell me?"


    They knew each other too well. Of course, she''d seen through him.


    Avery was quiet for a moment before finally turning to her, eyes clear and voice steady.


    "Tessa... you''ve felt it, haven''t you?"


    The way I look at you. The way I never stopped caring.


    Tessa''s fingers gripped the edge of the bench-subtle, but a clear sign she was nervous. She always did that when something hit too close to the heart.


    "I was going to tell you tonight," Avery continued. "That I like you. Not as a friend-


    as a man who''s wanted you for a long time. I was ready to say I''d stay by your side forever. But now... it''s clear I''m toote."


    He took a breath and smiled-soft, but real.


    "Congrats, Tessie. You found your Destined mate. I really hope you two stay happy. Always."


    He didn''t dance around it. He didn''t pretend. Justid it bare, honest, and whole. And with the words out in the open, he felt lighter.


    His blessing was real.


    Even if she''d never be his, he meant it when he said he wanted her to be happy. "We''re still gonna be friends, right?" he asked, holding out a fist.


    Tessa searched his face, making sure that smile wasn''t just for show. Once she saw it was genuine, she smiled too and tapped her fist against his.


    "Always. We''re friends for life. And you''ll find your girl, Avery. The one who''s meant just for you."


    "I''ll hold you to that."


    They shared onest look-one filled with understanding, no regrets-and thest of the heart them finally slipped away.


    between


    "I wanna y something for you."


    Tessa sat at the piano, alone now. Her hands rested on the keys for just a breath-


    then she started to y


    This time, it wasn''t just any song. It was his favorite.


    Every note was her way of saying goodbye-with love, not regret.


    Thu, 3 Jun


    Chapter 409 A Love Confessed


    75%


    +8 Pearis


    As the song neared its end, a soft sound from the hallway stirred Avery to his feet.


    "I should get going. But let''s write something together soon."


    "We''ll have plenty of chances," Tessa said with a knowing smile. "My


    entertainmentbel''sunching soon."


    And just beneath the notes still hanging in the air-she caught it.


    That scent. Pinewood. Strong and familiar. Landon''s here.


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