I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 40

**I Left Before He Learned My Worth**
**Chapter 40**

**ARIA**

The murmurs began to swirl around me even before I reached the sanctuary of my quarters.

I had hoped that at this early hour, the corridors would be deserted, allowing me a moment of solitude to process the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. Yet, the news of Kael’s astonishing transformation had spread through the pack like wildfire, and I found myself navigating through clusters of wolves, their animated voices echoing off the stone walls.

As I approached one such group, three older women from the kitchens caught my eye. They were huddled together, their heads bent low as they exchanged words with an urgency that piqued my curiosity.

“I can hardly believe it, but Ivory actually did it,” one of them exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe. “For three long years, we’ve waited for Alpha Kael to reclaim his humanity, and she managed to find the cure in just a few months.”

“She has always had a remarkable talent for herbs,” another chimed in, nodding vigorously. “Do you remember how she saved little Thomas from that dreadful poisoning? No one else had a clue, but Ivory identified the toxin and whipped up the antidote in mere minutes.”

“And now,” the third woman added, her tone reverent, “she’s given us our Alpha back—truly back, not just lucid but genuinely human. That’s not something we should forget when—”

Her voice trailed off abruptly as her gaze fell upon me. The three women immediately averted their eyes, guilt etched across their faces. But I had heard enough to grasp the unspoken conclusion of that sentence.

*That’s not something we should forget when deciding who deserves to be Luna.*

I continued on my way, my expression carefully crafted to remain neutral, even as a storm brewed within my stomach. They were right, I reminded myself. Ivory had achieved something extraordinary. She deserved every ounce of recognition, appreciation, and gratitude from the entire pack.

Yet the way they had framed it—the insinuation that her triumph somehow diminished my own claim to the Luna position—cut deeper than I cared to admit.

As I turned the corner toward the residential wing, I stumbled upon another group—this time younger wolves, likely fresh from training, their workout gear clinging to their bodies, glistening with sweat. Their excitement was palpable, voices overlapping in a chorus of exhilaration.

“I should have seen him, standing on two legs like it was nothing—”

“Ivory’s a goddess, I swear! Did you see how she caught him when he fell?”

“Do you think he’ll stay human? Or will it just wear off?”

“If anyone can make it stick, it’s Ivory. She’s been studying curse-breaking for years—”

“—they should mate her instead. I know there’s a ceremony tonight, but after what Ivory just did—”

“She has recognition,” Nina replied firmly. “She will be celebrated as the healer who broke the Alpha’s curse. She will be honored, respected, valued. But that does not mean she gets to be Luna. That position was claimed by Aria through her own actions and Kael’s choice. End of discussion.”

I could hear the sound of footsteps, indicating that Elder Marcus was leaving. I swiftly ducked into my quarters before he could round the corner and catch me eavesdropping.

Once inside, I leaned against the closed door, attempting to steady my racing heart. The conversation had been supportive—Nina defending me, making it clear that the ceremony would proceed as planned. I should have felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Instead, I felt as though I was standing on ever-thinning ice, each passing moment revealing new cracks in the foundation I had thought was solid.

I moved to the window, gazing out over the pack lands as the sun ascended higher into the sky. Somewhere out there, preparations were underway for tonight’s ceremony. The blood moon would rise at sunset, casting a magical glow over the bonding ritual. Guards would be stationed at every entrance, poised for Damon’s inevitable arrival. The ceremonial clearing would be adorned, food meticulously prepared, and guests from neighboring packs would gather to witness Shadowmere’s new Luna.

And I—I would don that exquisite gown, wear those enchanted moonstones, and stand before a sea of wolves, binding myself eternally to an Alpha I was still getting to know.

An Alpha who was currently unconscious in his den, recovering from a transformation orchestrated by another woman. A woman whom the pack clearly revered. A woman some believed should be the one standing in my place tonight.

A sudden knock on my door startled me, and I quickly composed myself before calling out, “Come in.”

Nina entered, her expression a blend of exasperation and concern. “How much did you hear?”