The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55: 055: Say My Name

~ ROSELLE ~

Watching Ronan stand up for me in front of the Council, watching him defy tradition, authority, and his own mother for me... it was everything I could have asked for and more. Worse, it was terrifying.

I stood there, fighting back as many tears as I could, my throat tight and burning. Every word he spoke in my defense echoed through me like a vow carved into my soul. He has proven to me time and time again the lengths he would go for me. He didn’t just defend me; he chose me in front of the entire Council and his own mother. Even when they threw my muteness and my missing wolf in his face, he refused to bend.

He defended my worth when I couldn’t defend it myself. He stood there in that grand hall and told them that I matter, that my existence has value, that my voice, or lack thereof, doesn’t define my ability to lead. He did that for me.

When we finally arrive at the pack house, Ronan guides me inside with his arm wrapped casually around my waist. The moment the door closes behind us, he turns to me with a crooked smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Well," he said, shrugging off his ceremonial cloak, "that went better than expected. No one actually challenged me to a fight. I call that a win."

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips despite everything. He was trying so hard to lighten the mood, and I loved him for it.

"I’m sorry," he continues, tossing his jacket onto the back of a chair and pulling me toward the couch. "I know that wasn’t easy. I know it was brutal, and I’m sorry you had to endure that. But we got through it."

He continued undressing, unbuttoning his charcoal shirt as he spoke. "I mean, I was half-expecting Elder Matthias to faint when I told them I’d proceed without their approval. The man’s face went three shades of purple." He chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "Next time I’ll bring popcorn so we can watch them squirm in real time."

I let out a soft huff of laughter, the sound barely audible but real. Ronan’s eyes softened instantly.

He pulls me down beside him, and I curl into his side, my head resting on his chest where I can hear his heartbeat thrumming heavily.

"You know what we need?" he asks, with an obvious smile in his voice. "We need to plan a wedding. Because regardless of what the Council thinks, we’re doing this, Roselle. We’re bonding, and we’re making it official."

I look up at him, my heart beginning to race.

"So, here’s the question," he continues, his fingers trailing lazily up and down my arm. "How do you want your engagement to be? Do you want something quiet and intimate? Just us and a few close friends? Or do you want to go big? Do you want me to be uncomfortable in a tuxedo while we dance in some ridiculous ballroom?"

He pauses, his expression growing more thoughtful.

"Or... do you want something completely different? Do you want to travel? I could take you anywhere in the world, Rose. Paris, Tokyo, New Zealand, the Maldives. Wherever you want. We could have a wedding ceremony on a beach at sunset, just the sound of waves and our vows. Or we could go completely out of my comfort zone and do something wild and spontaneous. What do you want, Rosie?"

His question is met with my silence, my head racking for an answer... I didn’t quite have much of a dream of an extravagant wedding or something of that sort... I just... something flashes across my head, and I realize; I can answer him now.

My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, and my throat feels tight. But I’ve been practicing this moment in my head since this morning, since Dr. Morrison helped me.

I take a deep breath, inhaling and then exhaling, allowing Dr. Morris’ words to sink into me... Think of the moments together, think of the good things, think of everything positive.

"Ronan." I breathe out, happy I didn’t fumble that. I didn’t...

He stills completely. His hand stops moving. His breathing seems to pause. When I look up at his face, his grey eyes are locked on mine with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.

"Did you just..." he starts, his voice barely a whisper. "You... you called my name."

I nod, tears already forming in my eyes as I realize what I’ve just done. I knew I was going to do it, but I was scared I was going to fuck it up. But I didn’t.

"Say it again," he murmurs, his hand coming up to cup my face. "Please, Roselle. I need to hear it again."

I take another breath, gathering the courage that’s been building inside me for weeks.

"Ronan," I say again, and this time the word comes slightly easier, slightly stronger. My voice is broken and raw, but it’s mine. It’s his name, and I’m giving it to him.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify