I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 19

**TITLE: I Left Before He Learned My Worth**

**Chapter 19**

**ARIA**

**20 Free Coms**

As the dawn broke on the second day leading up to the blood moon ceremony, I stirred awake to find Nina perched at the foot of my bed, her arms crossed and an impish smile dancing across her lips.

“Luna training, day seven!” she declared with infectious enthusiasm. “Today, we’re breaking the mold.”

A groan escaped my lips as I instinctively pulled the blankets tighter around me, seeking refuge from the world outside. My leg throbbed with a dull ache from the nightwalker attack just two days prior. Although the wounds were mending remarkably well, the memory of the encounter lingered like a shadow. The healers had assured me that my bond with Kael was accelerating my recovery, that our connection was nurturing my wolf and hastening the healing process.

Kael was on the mend himself, though he had stubbornly insisted on returning to his den yesterday despite Eliza’s protests. Our communication had evolved through the mindlink, his mental voice becoming increasingly robust and lucid with each passing day. The moonbeam plants had worked wonders, not only healing his physical injuries but also pushing back the curse’s grip enough for him to think and speak like the man he was, rather than merely reacting like a beast.

This was progress. Genuine, tangible progress.

Yet, with every step forward, the situation grew more intricate. When he spoke to me through the mindlink, I could hear the man beneath the curse—intelligent, fiercely protective, and surprisingly humorous. It was impossible to ignore the feelings blossoming within me, feelings that were becoming more undeniable by the day.

“What kind of different?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion as I peeked out from beneath the blankets.

“Dress fitting!” Nina’s grin widened, her excitement palpable. “For the ceremony. We need to ensure your Luna gown is absolutely perfect.”

A wave of anxiety washed over me. The ceremony. In just two days, I would stand before the entire Shadowmere pack and bond with Kael beneath the blood moon. I would become Luna in truth, not merely in name.

The thought sent my stomach into a somersault. It felt surreal, almost nightmarish. Yet, beneath the layers of fear and uncertainty, there was a flicker of something that felt almost dangerously close to excitement.

“I thought the gown was already made,” I said, finally sitting up and pushing my hair out of my face, trying to shake off the lingering remnants of sleep.

“The base gown is ready,” Nina corrected, her tone matter-of-fact. “But it needs to be tailored specifically for you, and we have to add the traditional Luna symbols. Plus, let’s not forget the moonstone circlet and ceremonial jewelry. You’ll see. Now, come on! The seamstresses are waiting for us.”

An hour later, I found myself in a private fitting room within the pack’s administrative building, staring at my reflection in a full-length mirror. The woman looking back at me was almost unrecognizable.

The gown was nothing short of breathtaking. Crafted from silvery-blue silk that shimmered like moonlight dancing upon water, it clung to my curves before cascading into a full skirt that pooled elegantly around my feet. The neckline was modest yet sophisticated, while the long, fitted sleeves ended in delicate points over my hands. Intricate embroidery adorned the bodice—wolves darting through dense forests, moons in various phases, and ancient symbols that felt powerful yet unfamiliar.

“The symbols represent the Luna’s connection to the Moon Goddess,” one of the seamstresses explained, noticing my fascination. “This one here symbolizes wisdom, this one strength, and this one compassion. A Luna must embody all these qualities to effectively lead her pack.”

I traced my fingers over the embroidery, feeling the raised threads beneath my touch, a tactile connection to something greater. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured, awestruck.

“You’re beautiful in it,” Nina chimed in from her seat, her approval evident. “Kael is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

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