Chapter 23

In stark contrast to Aria's unexpected calm, Lucas was visibly nervous beside her.

He had never truly believed this day would come. After her "death," he had sunk so deeply into despair that he'd contemplated holding a mating ceremony with her ashes present-a plan his horrified parents had intervened to prevent.

Now his impossible dream had materialized. The mate who had loved him so devotedly, whom he

had come to love in return despite his best efforts not to, would finally become his Luna.

He silently promised himself that he would spend every remaining day making amends, ensuring she never regretted giving him this second chance.

As the officiant guided them through the ceremony, they reached the moment for personal vows.

Though traditionally Aria would speak first, she wordlessly passed the microphone to Lucas.

Despite having delivered countless high-stakes presentations throughout his life, Lucas found

himself uncharacteristically anxious. Though he had prepared an extensive speech, when the

moment arrived, only one sentence remained in his mind.

"Aria," he said, his voice carrying across the hushed room, "I will love you until my final breath."

The simple declaration brought unexpected tears to Aria's eyes. She began crying silently, prompting Lucas to quickly produce a handkerchief, concern etched on his features as he noticed something

deeper than joy in her expression.

Indeed, what Aria felt most acutely was profound sorrow.

some alternate reality-one where those three years of calculated cruelty

become Lucas's mate today, sharing the

had once discussed.

reality remained: those events had occurred,

woke gasping from nightmares where

deep breath and accepted the microphone from

special surprise I'd like to give you right now," she said, her voice steady despite her

heart.

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Chapter 23

expression brightened with

he was seconds

the USB drive from Aria's

screen behind

video footage-meticulously compiled evidence of Lucas's three-year campaign

warfare. The deliberate endangerment of her life. The real Alpha Lucas Thornwood-ruthless, vindictive, indifferent to werewolf suffering-revealed himself to the whole Southern

to unfold in slow

from confusion to shock to horrified

from bewilderment to frantic documentation of

Lucas's transformation-from initial confusion to dawning horror to desperate rage as he lunged toward the screen, grabbing a floral arrangement to

it off!" he shouted, lunging toward

into controlled chaos, security

through the main entrance, approaching the altar with

secured his wrists, Lucas finally regained his

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