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Chapter 7
After leaving Kael, I no longer had to waste time doing things I hated just to keep the peace.
I’d studied art in college, and now I picked up my sketchbook and brushes again.
That afternoon, I was sketching in the sunroom at home when Tiber suddenly showed up.
He brought me a pearl and diamond tiara. I recognized it instantly as an antique from the last century–I had seen it in books before.
The tiara featured a design of lovers‘ knots, one of my favorites. The pearls were perfectly round and luminous, arranged in a gradient pattern that blended seamlessly with the diamonds. It looked like tears of love strung across a crown.
When he gave it to me, I said I couldn’t accept such an extravagant gift without reason.
But he told me it was something he had set aside long ago for his mate–and now it had simply returned to its rightful owner.
The confusion I’d harbored for so long finally found an answer.
I told him that I had fallen in love with that tiara on my eighteenth birthday, but someone had bought it at an incredibly high price before I could.
So it had been him all along.
But how had he known, back then, that I would like it?
Tiber then told me that when he was sixteen, he had been attacked by a rogue while on Lunareth Isle. He had lost consciousness and nearly drowned, but I had appeared, fought off the rogue, and saved him.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was me–and he had never forgotten.
To him, I had looked like a goddess descending from the heavens. And as fate would have it, my art teacher at the time was none other than Tiber’s mother.
No wonder he knew my preferences so well.
“So, you decided to marry me just because I saved your life?” I asked.
“I didn’t even recognize you the first time we met again… I feel terrible.”
But Tiber simply shook his head. “Maybe… you believe in love at first sight?”
I couldn’t help but smile. That kind of thing always seemed more like it belonged in fairy tales.
“I didn’t believe in it either,” Tiber said, “but every time I saw you, I could feel the bond stirring. My heartbeat never lies.”
His gaze was intense and full of emotion, his eyes so gentle they felt like they could drown me.
And just like that, my heart started pounding uncontrollably.
He told me he had waited ten years for me. When he found out I had a mate, he thought about backing off.
But once he realized Kael still harbored feelings for someone else–his so–called white moonlight from years past–Tiber knew Kael would never give me true happiness.
So he chose to pursue me.
He pulled out a diamond ring and knelt on one knee. The ring fit my finger perfectly.
“I just want the chance to love you openly,” he said softly. “It’s okay if you don’t believe me yet. We have a lifetime ahead of us–I’ll prove it to you, little by little.”
Then, out of nowhere, my parents appeared, each holding a bouquet of roses, grinning from ear to ear.
“Say yes! Say yes!” they cheered.
Chapter 7
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I remembered the scene I’d witnessed at Luna Temple on my birthday–only this time, I was the one surrounded by flowers and applause.
This time, I wanted to be selfish, just once..
To fall in love again–this time with the Moon Goddess’s blessing.
I slipped my finger into the ring.
Tiber’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he slowly pushed the ring onto my hand, sealing our bond.
My mother walked over and placed the pearl tiara atop my head. My father was crying like a baby, wiping his tears with one hand while filming everything with the other.
And just like that, with my parents urging me on, I formed a mate bond with Tiber and officially became Luna of Velmoor Pack.
Chapter 7
