I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 124

**Chapter 124**

**ARIA**

Three days had passed since I had narrowly escaped a fate that could have ended my life, and at last, I felt a semblance of steadiness returning to my spirit. It was time to venture beyond the confines of my chambers, where I had retreated for far too long, engaging only in necessary, fleeting excursions. The gifts that had once arrived in abundance had ceased, and the pack members who had once hovered around me with apologies had turned their attention elsewhere. I had spent countless hours in introspective solitude, enough to at least feign that I was processing the tumult of emotions in a healthy manner.

Nina had summoned me for a meeting—something about reviewing security protocols and discussing my role in the pack’s safety moving forward. The topic felt peculiar, especially in light of recent events, but I had no choice but to comply. Perhaps this meeting with the security chief could serve as a stepping stone for me to contribute something of significance to the pack.

As I made my way to Nina’s office in the late afternoon, the administrative wing was surprisingly tranquil. The corridors, once filled with a palpable hostility, now felt different—less menacing, perhaps, but not entirely welcoming either. Pack members who passed by acknowledged me with respectful nods, yet there remained a careful distance, a hesitance in their demeanor as they navigated their interactions with a Luna they had been prepared to witness perish just days earlier.

Upon reaching Nina’s office, I found her door ajar, her voice drifting out as she conversed with someone in low, measured tones. I rapped softly on the doorframe, announcing my presence.

“Luna Aria,” Nina greeted, her gaze lifting from her desk. “Please, come in. We were just wrapping up.”

The “we” turned out to be Marcus, her second-in-command. He offered me a respectful nod as he gathered his papers, making his exit and closing the door behind him with a soft click.

“Please, take a seat,” Nina gestured toward the chair opposite her desk. “There are several matters I wish to discuss with you. First and foremost, your daily check-ins are no longer necessary. You have been completely cleared of suspicion, and continuing to monitor you would be wholly inappropriate.”

“Thank you,” I replied, though the relief that should have flooded through me was dulled by the weight of everything else that lingered in my mind.

“Secondly,” Nina continued, her expression turning serious, “I must extend my sincerest apologies. Not only for doubting you—though I genuinely regret that—but also for the manner in which the entire investigation unfolded. The procedures we adhered to, or rather failed to adhere to, were woefully inadequate. As the security chief, that burden of responsibility lies squarely on my shoulders.”

“You were simply following the evidence,” I replied cautiously, my words carefully chosen. “Or what we thought was evidence.”

“Evidence that should have been scrutinized with far greater care before allowing things to escalate as they did,” Nina corrected me gently. “Luna Aria, I should have demanded more concrete proof before permitting you to be treated as a suspect. I should have pushed back harder against the rush to judgment. I should have done more to protect you.”

Her apology was unexpected and felt more sincere than most I had received in recent days. It was clear that Nina was not merely performing a duty; she seemed genuinely troubled by the course of events.

“What about Ivory’s investigation?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued. “Were you aware of it?”

“No,” Nina replied firmly. “Healer Ivory conducted that investigation entirely on her own, with only Margo’s assistance. In hindsight, that was probably for the best. The fewer individuals who were aware of the trap, the more authentic everyone’s reactions would be.”

“Including mine,” I murmured softly.

Her observation struck a nerve, as it was painfully accurate. I had been viewing Ivory as a competitor, constantly measuring myself against her and always coming up short.

“Secondly,” Nina continued, “find your own way to serve. Ivory contributes through healing and research. You’re not a healer, so don’t attempt to replicate her approach. Discover what you excel at, what skills you possess that the pack needs, and nurture those talents. Make yourself valuable in your own right.”

“I don’t even know what I’m good at,” I admitted quietly, a hint of vulnerability creeping into my voice.

“Then we’ll figure it out together,” Nina replied with encouragement. “Thirdly, be consistent. Show up every day. Do the work even when it feels mundane or thankless. Prove through sustained action that your commitment lies with this pack, not just with your title as Luna.”

“How long will that take?” I asked, a hint of desperation in my tone. “Before people actually trust me?”

“Months,” Nina answered honestly. “Maybe even years. Trust isn’t something that’s built quickly, especially when you’re starting from a place of deficit. But Luna Aria, you’re young. You have time. And if you truly commit to the work—if you serve consistently and repeatedly demonstrate your integrity—eventually, people will begin to believe in you.”

A part of me wanted to argue that it was unfair, that I shouldn’t have to toil so much harder than others, that simply being Luna should carry weight. But I swallowed those protests because deep down, I knew Nina was right. Rank did not automatically confer credibility. I had to earn it just like everyone else.

“I’ll try,” I finally said, resolve strengthening in my voice. “I will do the work.”