I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 27

**Chapter 27**

**ARIA**

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I inhaled deeply, searching for the right words to convey the complexities of adult emotions to these innocent young minds without overwhelming them. “Do you remember our conversations about making choices?” I inquired gently, observing their eager nods. I had been guiding them through the foundational principles of pack ethics as part of my Luna training—simple yet profound lessons on kindness, responsibility, and the weight of our decisions. “Sometimes, grown-ups make choices that seem right in the moment, but they can end up hurting others. The man who visited today—his name is Alpha Damon—he made some choices that caused me pain. It wasn’t intentional, but he failed to consider how those choices might affect me.”

Lily, with her unwavering conviction, piped up, “That’s mean! You’re supposed to think about how other people feel. That’s what you taught us!” Her innocent outrage was heartwarming and strikingly perceptive.

“You’re absolutely right, Lily. It is mean,” I acknowledged, feeling a swell of pride for her understanding. “But here’s the twist: Alpha Damon now realizes that his choices hurt me, and he wants to make amends. The unfortunate truth is, though, that sometimes it’s too late to fix certain things. Do you get what I mean?”

Thomas, ever the thoughtful one, nodded slowly, contemplating my words. “Like when I broke Sophie’s favorite doll and said I was sorry, but the doll was still broken? And she told me that sorry wasn’t enough?” His expression was one of profound understanding, as if he had just unlocked a difficult lesson.

“Exactly! Just like that,” I replied, impressed by his insight. “Sometimes, saying sorry doesn’t mend what’s been shattered. We have to accept that we can’t always return to how things were before.”

“Is that why you were crying?” Sophie asked softly, her small hand enveloping mine with a gentle squeeze. “Because you’re sad that things are broken?”

I hadn’t fully grasped how perceptive these children could be, how they could cut through the complexities of emotions with such clarity. “Yes,” I confessed, feeling the weight of my sadness. “I am sad about the things that are broken. But at the same time, I’m also happy about the new things that are beginning to take shape. Does that make sense? Feeling both sad and happy at once?”

Marcus, another boy in the group, chimed in quietly, “Like when my grandpa died. I was sad he was gone, but I was happy remembering all the fun times we had together. Mama said it’s okay to feel both things.”

“Your mama is very wise,” I replied, my heart aching for this little boy who had already faced such profound loss. “That’s exactly it. I’m grieving what I’ve lost, but I’m also grateful for what I’m gaining here in Shadowmere. With all of you, and Alpha Kael, and everyone who has welcomed me so warmly.”

“We like having you as our Luna,” Lily declared, snuggling deeper into my lap, her small body radiating warmth and trust. “You tell the best stories, and you don’t get mad when we ask a million questions. You even helped heal Alpha Kael when he was sick. You’re going to stay, right? You won’t leave with the bad man?”

Her unwavering belief in my presence here struck a chord within me, solidifying my resolve. I couldn’t go back to Damon—not just because it would be wrong, but because these children relied on me. Shadowmere had offered me something I had never experienced in Blackwood—a sense of belonging, a place where I mattered, where my existence made a difference, where people believed in me even as I navigated my own uncertainties.

“I’m staying,” I declared, feeling the conviction of my words resonate deep within my bones. “I made a promise to this pack, and I intend to keep it. In two days, I will bond with Alpha Kael and officially become your Luna. Nothing can change that.”

“Good,” Thomas replied with a satisfied nod. “Because Alpha Kael is way better than some mean Alpha from another pack. He saved you from the nightwalkers, right? He’s basically a hero.”

“He is indeed a hero,” I affirmed, my heart swelling with gratitude for Kael. “He fought off five nightwalkers all by himself to keep me safe. That’s what a good Alpha does—he protects his pack, even when it’s dangerous.”

“And you’re going to protect us too, right?” Sophie asked, her big eyes shining with hope. “That’s what Lunas do?”

“Exactly,” I confirmed, feeling a sense of purpose wash over me. “My role is to care for this pack, ensuring everyone is safe, happy, and has what they need. Just like Alpha Kael, but in my own unique ways.”

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