I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 42

**I Left Before He Learned My Worth**

**Chapter 42**

**ARIA**

40

+5 Free Coins

“I can hardly believe how breathtaking Alpha Kael looks in his human form,” Beth exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “This morning, while I was on guard duty, I caught a fleeting glimpse of him being escorted to his quarters. He’s like something straight out of a fairy tale, I swear!”

“Ivory must be over the moon,” Lucia chimed in, her voice warm with admiration. “After all those years of searching, all the effort she put in, she finally succeeded. That must feel absolutely incredible for her.”

“Do you think—” Emma’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, though not low enough to escape my ears. “Do you think she wishes it was her bonding with him tonight instead of Luna Aria?”

“Emma!” Sarah interjected sharply, her tone filled with disapproval. “That’s completely inappropriate speculation.”

“I’m just voicing what everyone is thinking,” Emma retorted, her cheeks flushing. “They’ve been close since they were kids. She’s done so much for him, and let’s be honest, she’s stunning and talented and—”

“And Kael sees her as a sister,” Claire interrupted, her voice steady and firm. “He’s made that clear multiple times. There’s never been anything romantic between them, and there won’t be.”

“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t wish there was,” Beth countered, her brow furrowing in thought. “I’ve noticed the way she looks at him sometimes. It’s like—like there’s something deeper there, at least on her end.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter what Ivory wants,” Sarah stated with finality, her expression resolute. “Alpha Kael has chosen Luna Aria. They’re bonding tonight, and that’s all there is to it.”

“I’m just relieved we’re finally getting a Luna,” Lucia said, seemingly eager to shift the conversation. “The pack has needed proper leadership for far too long. Whether it’s Aria, Ivory, or anyone else, we need someone strong in that position.”

“Aria’s nice,” Emma offered, her voice softening. “She was so sweet when she helped with the children last week. And let’s not forget, she saved Alpha Kael’s life.”

“Once,” Beth reminded her, a smirk playing on her lips. “Ivory’s been saving him for three years.”

“The jewelry,” Sarah said, producing a velvet case that held the Luna pieces. “These will complete the look.”

She carefully helped me adorn myself with the moonstones—the circlet settling gracefully on my forehead, the earrings dangling just past my jaw, the choker with its large pendant resting delicately at my throat, and the bracelets clasping snugly around my wrists. With each piece that clicked into place, I felt a rush of sensation—a stronger, more insistent acknowledgment from the pack lands, as if the very territory recognized what I was about to become.

“There,” Sarah said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

The others nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting genuine pride in their work. Despite their earlier gossip, despite the doubts I had sensed in their voices, they had poured their hearts into ensuring I looked the part.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely, my heart swelling with gratitude. “All of you. I know this isn’t—I know there’s been talk about whether I should be the one standing in the ceremonial clearing tonight. But I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to be a good Luna. To serve this pack well. To make you proud.”

Sarah’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “You already make us proud, Luna Aria. The way you’ve dedicated yourself to learning our customs, the way you interact with our children, the courage you displayed during the nightwalker attack—those things matter. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

The other girls murmured their agreement, and warmth blossomed in my chest. Perhaps not everyone was against me. Maybe there were more wolves in my corner than I had realized.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our moment. Nina entered, already dressed in formal attire for the ceremony, and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me.