I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 20

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**I Left Before He Learned My Worth**
**Chapter 20**

**ARIA**

*”I don’t know,” he confessed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “Eliza believes it could be possible. The curse was cast because I refused to bond with the right mate—my true mate. If you are that mate, if our connection is what the Moon Goddess intended, then perhaps completing it might be enough to shatter the curse entirely.”*

A lump formed in my throat, and I inhaled sharply. *”And if it doesn’t work?”*

*”Then I’ll still have you,” he replied with a calmness that belied the gravity of our situation. “And that will be enough for me. I would choose to spend the rest of my days in this form with you as my Luna rather than be human without you.”*

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, willing them back. I didn’t want the seamstresses to see the turmoil swirling within me.

*”That’s quite romantic for someone who’s currently a giant wolf,” I attempted to lighten the mood, a nervous laugh escaping my lips.

*”I have my moments,”* he said, and I could almost hear the playful grin in his mental voice. *”Now stop worrying and let them finish your fitting. I want to see this dress that Nina can’t stop bragging about.”*

*”You’re not supposed to see it until the ceremony. It’s considered bad luck,”* I warned him, a teasing lilt in my tone.

*”I’m already cursed,”* he countered, a hint of mischief in his voice. *”How much worse can my luck get?”*

He had a point, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his logic.

The fitting dragged on for what felt like an eternity, an hour stretching into what seemed like days. By the time the seamstresses finally expressed their satisfaction, my legs ached from standing, and my patience was wearing thin. But when I caught sight of my reflection once more, the gown transforming my image from that of a rejected omega into something almost regal, a surge of pride welled within me.

This was who I was becoming. I was no longer merely Damon’s convenient assistant or Sera’s shadow; I was Aria—Luna of Shadowmere. A leader in my own right, stepping into a role that felt both daunting and exhilarating.

“Now for the jewelry,” Nina announced, her voice bright with excitement as she produced a velvet case. “These are the traditional Luna pieces. They’ve been cherished in Shadowmere for generations, passed down from Luna to Luna.”

With a flourish, she opened the case, revealing a stunning collection of silver jewelry that sparkled under the light. Each piece featured moonstones that glowed with an inner luminescence. A delicate circlet designed to rest on my forehead, elegant earrings that dangled just past my jawline, a choker-style necklace adorned with a large moonstone pendant, and matching bracelets that whispered tales of the past.

“They’re breathtaking,” I breathed, reaching out with tentative fingers to caress the circlet, feeling the cool metal against my skin.

“They’re also magical,” Nina said, her tone shifting to one of seriousness. “The moonstones are intrinsically connected to the pack’s territory. When you wear them during the ceremony, you will feel every wolf in Shadowmere, sense the boundaries of our lands, and understand the ebb and flow of pack energy. It’s how Lunas maintain their awareness of the pack’s needs.”

As I gazed at the jewelry, a new understanding washed over me. This was not mere adornment; it was a tool, a weighty responsibility that came with the title of Luna.

“What if I’m not ready?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if I put these on and find I can’t handle it? What if I fail the pack?”

Nina set the case down gently and took both my hands in hers, her grip firm and reassuring. “Aria, listen closely. In the week you’ve been here, you’ve transformed from a stranger to someone this pack already respects and trusts. You risked your life to gather healing herbs. You saved our Alpha from death. You’ve trained tirelessly to learn our customs and protocols. You’ve shown more dedication and courage than some wolves who were born into this pack.”