I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 21

**Chapter 21**

**ARIA**

*”Damon’s here,”* I thought, my heart racing. *”He’s at the northern border. He wants to speak with our leadership.”*

A low growl reverberated through the mindlink, fierce enough to send a shiver down my spine.

*”He has no business here,”* Kael’s voice crackled with anger. *”Tell Nina to send him away.”*

*”But Kael,”* I interjected, my voice trembling slightly. *”We should at least hear him out. If we refuse to meet with him, it could lead to diplomatic issues between our packs.”*

*”I don’t care about diplomatic issues. He hurt you, Aria. He has no right to waltz onto my territory and demand your attention now.”*

There was a fierce protectiveness in his tone that should have unsettled me, yet it sparked a warmth deep within my chest. Kael was prepared to confront Damon, to stand against him for my sake. This was the man who had once rejected me, and yet here was Kael, ready to start a territorial dispute to shield me from that pain.

But I couldn’t let him do that. I couldn’t allow my personal turmoil to create problems for Shadowmere.

“I’ll meet with him,” I declared to Nina, lifting my chin defiantly. “As Luna—or at least future Luna. I need to hear what he has to say.”

Nina scrutinized my expression, concern etched on her face. “Are you certain? You don’t have to face him, Aria. We can handle this diplomatically without putting you through that.”

“I’m sure,” I replied, injecting more confidence into my voice than I truly felt. “I need to confront him one last time, to make it clear that I’ve moved on. That I’m not coming back.”

*”I’m coming with you,”* Kael insisted through the mindlink, his determination unwavering.

*”You’ll terrify him,”* I countered, trying to inject some humor into the tense moment. *”You’re a massive cursed wolf who nearly died protecting me. He’ll think you’re going to rip his throat out.”*

*”Maybe I will.”*

*”Kael.”*

*”Fine. But I’m staying close. If he says one thing to hurt you, one word to upset you, I’m intervening. Understood?”*

Despite the tension, a small smile almost broke through my resolve. *”Understood.”*

Nina drove us toward the northern border in her truck, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. I stared out the window, watching the familiar forests of Shadowmere blur past, my mind racing with thoughts as I braced myself for the impending confrontation with Damon.

What could he possibly want? Why now, so close to the ceremony? Had he caught wind of the bonding? Was he here to try and derail it?

The thought ignited a fierce indignation within my wolf. He had rejected me, chosen Sera, made it abundantly clear that I wasn’t enough for him. He didn’t get to change his mind now just because I had found a place where I belonged.

As we reached the border, my gaze immediately fell upon them—three wolves standing just outside Shadowmere’s boundary markers, closely monitored by a patrol of six of our guards. Among them, I recognized Marcus and Jake, Damon’s most trusted warriors.

“Aria, please.” Damon’s voice cracked, desperation flooding his tone. “Just give me five minutes. Let me explain about the pendant, about everything. I know I messed up, but—”

“The pendant?” My wolf stirred with unexpected curiosity. “My mother’s pendant?”

Damon reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet pouch. “I can explain. I know it’s damaged, I know I should have returned it years ago, but I’m trying to make it right. Please, just let me—”

*”Do you want to hear him out?”* Kael asked through the mindlink, his concern palpable. *”Or should I send him away?”*

I looked at Damon, at the desperation etched across his features and the way he clutched that pouch like it held something invaluable. Part of me wanted to refuse, to turn my back on him just as he had turned his back on me so many times.

Yet another part of me—the part that had loved him for years and clung to hope far longer than I should have—craved closure. I needed to hear what he had to say so I could finally, truly let go.

“Five minutes,” I declared firmly. “But I’m not crossing the border, and you’re not entering pack lands without proper permission. We talk here, with witnesses. And then you leave.”

Relief washed over Damon’s face. “Thank you. Aria, thank you. I just need you to understand—”

“Four minutes and thirty seconds,” I interrupted, crossing my arms defiantly. “Start talking, Alpha Cross.”

As Damon began to speak, his words tumbling out in a desperate rush, trying to convince me of his remorse and that I was making a mistake, I stood my ground beside my future mate, ready to hear the apology that had come three years too late.