Chapter 18

I thought the person I chose was Alpha Damien, but looking back now, the one who always caught me when I fell apart, who silently protected me in my lowest moments, was always Alpha King Kaelen.

He never said the three words "I love you," but he would stay up all night when I felt unwell, and when my emotions collapsed, he would use the gentlest way to make me no longer afraid.

I thought about it all night long. When dawn broke, I finally made my decision.

In the living room, my parents were looking through my childhood photo albums. Hearing my footsteps, Former Luna Maeve looked up: "Why are you up so early?"

I sniffled and stood before them, my voice serious and calm:

"Dad, Mom, I want to start over."

Former Luna Maeve paused for a moment, then nodded: "Good. Whatever you want to do, we'll support you."

I lowered my head, my fingertips gently twisting the hem of my clothes: "I... I want to help my brother plan a Mating Ceremony."

Both of them were clearly stunned.

"Alpha King Kaelen?" Former Alpha Ronan frowned.

"Isn't he your brother?" Former Luna Maeve asked hesitantly.

"He used to be." I gathered courage to look at them. "But we're not blood-related, and our relationship... changed long ago."

My parents looked at me in silence.

"I know you both actually wanted me to accept him as my fated mate." My voice was slightly hoarse. "I want to give us both a fresh start."

Former Alpha Ronan stared at me, his eyes sharp as knives, as if trying to read my motives from my face.

After a long while, Former Luna Maeve spoke softly: "Are you sure this isn't impulsive? Do you really... feel the mate bond with him?"

I nodded, serious and clear: "He's been with me all these years, never leaving. Even when I pushed him away, he never gave up on me. He understands me better than I understand myself, and he never rushes me or forces me. He just waits patiently for me to come back."

"Before, I thought that was family love, a brother's care... But later I realized his feelings for me were never just sibling affection."

I paused, my eyes stinging: "I want to give him a chance, and give myself a chance too."

Former Alpha Ronan looked at me for a long time, finally saying in a deep voice:

"Alright. Then Dad will entrust you to Alpha King Kaelen."

I was stunned, my eyes immediately welling up.

Former Alpha Ronan continued solemnly: "Your mom loves you most, and I trust him most. Alpha King Kaelen isn't someone who knows how to sweet-talk she-wolves, but he does more than he says. He can cherish you and protect you for life."

"I support your Mating Ceremony. However you want to do it, wherever you want to hold it, whoever you want to invite or not invite - Mom and Dad will listen to you."

I nodded through my tears: "I want it simple, by the sea. He once said he wanted to complete our Mating Bond by the ocean, without any fancy arrangements, but like when we were children - standing barefoot in the seawater, listening to the wind, watching the sunset."

Former Luna Maeve nodded: "We can do that. We'll prepare everything properly so you won't have any more regrets."

Just then, light footsteps came from the kitchen.

Alpha King Kaelen walked in carrying a bowl of moonlight herb tea. Seeing my red-rimmed eyes, he paused: "Why are you crying again?"

"I wasn't crying." I turned my head away, my voice softening. "It's just the wind."

He set down the tea and crouched down, wrapping my fingers in his palms like he always did to warm my hands. He asked gently: "Did Former Alpha Ronan and Former Luna Maeve scold you?"

I shook my head, staring into his eyes, trying to keep my voice from trembling: "I... told them about us having our Mating Ceremony."

His movements stopped.

"Don't you want to?" I bit my lip, trying to appear casual.

He looked at me for a long while, then said quietly: "I'm afraid you're only agreeing because you're moved by my actions."

"No." I said seriously. "I want to be your mate."

His eyes shook with emotion. After a long time, he said hoarsely: "Okay."

No one knew how long he had been waiting for this chance.