Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 41

ARIA

"Enough," I admitted. "The pack thinks Ivory should be Luna."

"Some of the pack," Nina corrected firmly. "The older, more traditional members who've known Ivory for years and are predisposed to favor familiarity over change. But Aria, you need to understand—there are just as many wolves who support you. Who see what you've done for Kael and appreciate your dedication."

I wanted to believe her. But the whispers I'd overheard painted a different picture.

"They're not wrong though," I said quietly. "Ivory has done more for Kael than I ever could. She broke his curse, Nina. She gave him back his humanity. That's—that's not something I can compete with."

"You're not in competition with her," Nina said, though her voice lacked its usual conviction. "You're his chosen mate. The woman he asked to bond with. That matters more than healing achievements or years of friendship."

"Does it?" I moved away from the window, suddenly too restless to stand still. "I heard Elder Marcus. He said Kael might reconsider now that he's free from the curse. And maybe he should. Maybe without the desperation of needing a mate to break the curse, he'd realize Ivory is the better choice."

"Stop," Nina said sharply. "Stop spiraling. Kael chose you. He's not reconsidering. And even if some pack members are gossiping—that's what wolves do. They talk, they speculate, they create drama where there isn't any. It doesn't change what's happening tonight."

I sank into the chair by my desk, suddenly exhausted despite it being barely past dawn. "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 been here a week."

"And in that week, you've saved his life, learned our customs, won over our children, and started building diplomatic relationships with neighboring packs through those letters." Nina sat down across from me, her expression intense. "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 said honestly. "Someone who agreed to a political alliance when Sera refused. A backup plan who happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"Then they're not looking closely enough," Nina said 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 courage and dedication and genuine care for an Alpha who needed you."

I wanted to believe her. Wanted to have her confidence and certainty. But doubt had sunk its claws deep, and Ivory's return had only made it worse.

"What if the transformation isn't permanent?" I asked. "What if Kael shifts back to wolf form before the ceremony? What if—"

"Then we adjust," Nina interrupted. "Then you bond with him in whatever form he's in and figure out the rest later. But Aria, you need to stop looking for reasons this won't work. Stop assuming you're not worthy. You are. Kael knows it. I know it. Most of the pack knows it. The ones who don't will come around once they see you in action as Luna."

She made it sound so simple. So straightforward. But nothing about this felt simple anymore.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the coming ceremony pressing down on both of us. Then Nina sighed and stood.

"I need to coordinate with Ivory about security for tonight. Make sure we're prepared if Alpha Cross tries to disrupt the ceremony. Will you be alright here?"

The mention of Ivory coordinating things—of course she was—made that uncomfortable twist return to my chest. But I nodded. "I'll be fine. I should probably try to rest. It's going to be a long day."

Nina hesitated, like she wanted to say something more. Then she just squeezed my shoulder and left.

Alone again, I tried to follow her advice. Tried to rest, to quiet my spinning thoughts, to prepare mentally for what was coming. But sleep wouldn't come. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael standing naked with Ivory's arms around him. Heard the pack members whispering about who deserved to be Luna. Felt that sharp pain in my chest that had preceded his transformation—a reminder that I wasn't included, wasn't trusted, wasn't necessary.

By midday, when the first of my attendants arrived to begin preparing me for the ceremony, I'd given up on rest entirely.

There were five of them—young women from the pack who'd been chosen to help me dress, do my hair and makeup, make sure I looked every inch the Luna I was supposed to become. I recognized a few from around the pack house, though I didn't know their names.

"Luna Aria," the oldest one greeted me, a woman maybe in her late twenties with kind eyes. "I'm Sarah. These are Emma, Claire, Lucia, and Beth. We're here to make sure you look absolutely perfect for tonight."

"Thank you," I said, trying to summon enthusiasm I didn't feel. "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 exciting thing that's happened in years!"

"Well, second most exciting," Claire corrected with a grin. "Alpha Kael getting his human form back probably tops the list. But this is a close second!"

They bustled around my quarters, setting up supplies and discussing their plan of attack. I let them chatter, finding their enthusiasm oddly comforting even as my own anxiety continued to build.

"We'll start with a bath," Sarah decided. "Something to help you relax and prepare your skin. Then hair, makeup, and finally the gown. The ceremony doesn't start until sunset, so we have plenty of time to make sure everything is perfect."

The bath was indeed relaxing—they'd added herbs that filled the room with a soothing lavender scent, and the hot water eased some of the tension from my muscles. But as I soaked, I could hear them talking in the next room, their voices carrying through the partially open door.