I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 41

**TITLE: I Left Before He Learned My Worth**
**Chapter 41**

**ARIA**

“Enough,” I finally conceded, my voice barely above a whisper. “The pack thinks Ivory should be Luna.”

“Some of the pack,” Nina interjected with a firm tone, her eyes locking onto mine as if to ground me. “It’s the older, more traditional members who’ve known Ivory for years. They’re inclined to favor what’s familiar over embracing change. But Aria, you need to understand—there are just as many wolves who stand behind you. They see your unwavering dedication to Kael, and they appreciate everything you’ve done.”

A flicker of hope ignited within me, but the doubts that had plagued my mind were relentless. The whispers I had overheard painted an entirely different narrative.

“They’re not entirely wrong,” I murmured, my voice tinged with resignation. “Ivory has done more for Kael than I ever could dream of. She broke his curse, Nina. She restored his humanity. That’s not something I can even begin to compete with.”

“Compete?” Nina’s voice softened, though it lacked the usual fire of conviction. “You’re not in competition with her. You are his chosen mate. The woman he explicitly asked to bond with. That holds more weight than any healing achievement or years of friendship.”

“Does it really?” I stepped away from the window, a sudden wave of restlessness washing over me. “I heard Elder Marcus say that now that Kael is free from the curse, he might reconsider. And maybe he should. Without the desperation of needing a mate to break the curse, perhaps he’d realize that Ivory is the better choice.”

“Stop.” Nina’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding. “Stop spiraling. Kael chose you. He’s not reconsidering. And even if some pack members are gossiping—that’s just what wolves do. They talk, they speculate, they create drama where there isn’t any. It doesn’t change what’s set to happen tonight.”

I sank heavily into the chair by my desk, feeling utterly drained despite the early hour. “I just feel like—like I’m fighting for a position that maybe I don’t deserve. Ivory has proven herself over years. I’ve only been here a week.”

“And in that week, you’ve saved his life, embraced our customs, won the hearts of our children, and begun establishing diplomatic ties with neighboring packs through those letters,” Nina replied, her expression fierce and unwavering. “You think those things don’t matter? You think the pack doesn’t see your effort and dedication?”

“I think they see someone who’s convenient,” I confessed, my voice heavy with honesty. “Someone who agreed to a political alliance when Sera refused. A backup plan who just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“Then they’re not looking closely enough,” Nina countered firmly. “But Aria, you can’t control what every pack member thinks or says. You can only control your own actions. And tonight, you’re going to stand in that ceremonial clearing and bond with Kael because you’ve earned that position. Not through years of service, but through sheer courage, dedication, and genuine care for an Alpha who needed you.”

I longed to embrace her confidence, to bask in her certainty, but the gnawing doubt had burrowed too deeply, and Ivory’s return had only exacerbated my fears.

“What if the transformation isn’t permanent?” I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety. “What if Kael shifts back to wolf form before the ceremony? What if—”

“Luna Aria,” the oldest among them greeted me, a woman perhaps in her late twenties with warm, kind eyes. “I’m Sarah. These are Emma, Claire, Lucia, and Beth. We’re here to ensure you look absolutely perfect for tonight.”

“Thank you,” I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm that felt so distant. “I appreciate you taking the time to help.”

“Are you kidding?” Emma, a bubbly girl who couldn’t be more than nineteen, practically bounced with excitement. “We get to prepare the Luna for her bonding ceremony! This is the most thrilling thing that’s happened in years!”

“Well, second most thrilling,” Claire chimed in with a playful grin. “Alpha Kael getting his human form back probably takes the top spot. But this is a close second!”

They flitted around my quarters, setting up supplies and discussing their strategy for the day. I let their chatter wash over me, finding their enthusiasm oddly comforting, even as my own anxiety continued to mount.

“We’ll start with a bath,” Sarah decided, her authority evident. “Something to help you relax and prepare your skin. Then hair, makeup, and finally the gown. The ceremony doesn’t begin until sunset, so we have plenty of time to ensure everything is perfect.”

The bath was, indeed, relaxing—they’d infused the water with herbs that filled the room with a soothing lavender scent, and the hot water melted away some of the tension from my muscles. Yet, as I soaked, I could hear their voices carrying through the partially open door, their excitement palpable as they discussed every detail of the ceremony.