Chapter 149

Kane POV

Two months of proper courtship had changed everything between Aurora and me. The frantic, terror-fueled push and pull that once defined us was finally gone. What grew in its place felt solid. Real. Like something we'd actually chosen instead of stumbled into during a crisis.

I courted Aurora by paying attention to who she really was. Not the Luna everyone expected her to be. Not the political figure people whispered about. Just Aurora—the woman who got excited about governance theories and stayed up late sketching out territorial improvement plans.

"Found this at a market yesterday," I said one afternoon, handing her a leather-bound book I'd tracked down from three different traders. "Thought you might like reading about those border negotiations from the 1800s."

Her whole face changed when she opened it. "Kane, this is amazing!" She flipped through pages like she'd discovered treasure. "Look at these case studies on alliance building. Some of these techniques could completely revolutionize how we handle regional cooperation."

Watching her light up over diplomatic strategy? Better than any jewelry I could've bought. This was Aurora in her element—sharp, passionate, totally absorbed in ideas that could actually help people.

Next week I brought her a stack of books on pack governance. Historical texts, modern policy analyses, even a few controversial essays on leadership reform. Each one picked specifically because I knew it would spark that brilliant mind of hers.

I planned picnics throughout my territory, but not just for romance. I genuinely wanted her thoughts on development projects and policy changes.

"What's your take on expanding education programs?" I asked during one sunny afternoon by the lake. "Adding more diplomatic training for young adults?"

"Absolutely brilliant," Aurora said, eyes lighting up again. "Young people need negotiation skills and cultural awareness if we want to prevent the wars that keep tearing territories apart."

Our conversations flowed between policy and personal stuff. Natural transitions that revealed how compatible we really were. Aurora challenged my assumptions constantly. Made me think harder about decisions. Made me a better leader just by being herself.

I kept romantic gestures simple but meaningful. Wildflowers from morning runs. Handwritten notes about specific things I noticed.

Aurora—watching you negotiate that supply agreement yesterday reminded me why I fell for your mind as much as your heart. The way you find solutions that help everyone? Extraordinary. - Kane

That note with her morning coffee made her smile like sunshine breaking through clouds. Those small moments of understanding mattered more than grand displays ever could.

When the Alpha King announced a massive victory celebration to honor everyone who'd helped defeat Giana's conspiracy, Aurora and I attended as an officially recognized couple. Delegates from every allied territory filled the royal stronghold, wearing their fanciest ceremonial outfits. The place practically vibrated with energy.

"Tonight we honor the heroes who saved our world from destruction," the Alpha King's voice boomed across the crowded hall. "Their sacrifices, their victories—we owe them our lives."

They honored Aurora for strategic leadership. Aurora's knack for connecting dots others missed and bringing unlikely allies together? Her insights shattered the conspiracy completely. When they called Aurora's name, the thunderous applause told the whole story—she'd been the one to expose everything.

"Luna Aurora," the Alpha King declared as she walked toward the fancy podium, "you saw connections we all missed. You connected territories that'd been at each other's throats for decades. While we were ready to throw in the towel, you refused to quit. Now that's genuine leadership."

Aurora's words felt natural and heartfelt. "We won because folks chose cooperation over isolation. Because they picked hard truths over easy lies. We won because we remembered that our strength comes from unity, not division."

I received honors for military contributions and what the Alpha King diplomatically called "personal transformation under pressure." When I approached the podium, I found Aurora in the crowd. Her proud smile gave me courage to speak honestly about my journey.

"Fear ran my life six months ago," I admitted to the crowd. "Losing everything, failing, loving someone so much it'd ruin me—those thoughts paralyzed me. But surviving this hell taught me something important—facing your worst fears with the right person doesn't make you weak. You become unbeatable."

But the highlight of the whole evening? Watching Raymond get recognized for stepping up when it mattered most. He approached Aurora and me afterward with genuine warmth. No leftover bitterness.

"Honestly, congratulations," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "You two show that love and leadership can actually work together."

"That means a lot," Aurora said warmly. "I hope you find that same combination for yourself soon."

Raymond beamed like he'd just opened the best present ever. "Funny you mention that. I've been talking to this brilliant pack doctor from the neighboring territory—she's revolutionizing healthcare by blending traditional healing with modern medicine."

The comfortable dynamic between the three of us would've been impossible months earlier. But healing and growth had transformed all of us. We could actually be friends based on who we were turning into, not the mess we used to be.

All night long, pack leaders kept coming up to us with this look of genuine respect and approval.

"You two give us hope," Alpha Morrison from the Eastern Territories told us during the reception. "During that crisis, you two were unstoppable together. Made each other better instead of weaker—that's partnership done right."

"Love that survives hell? That's worth its weight in gold."

As we danced together during the victory ball, Aurora in my arms with the entire werewolf leadership community watching approvingly, I felt like the luckiest man alive. The ballroom was absolutely stunning. Candles everywhere created this warm, honey-colored glow while the royal orchestra played music that made your heart melt.

"Are you happy?" I murmured while we swayed to the melody, her fingers intertwined with mine.

That smile of hers stopped my heart completely. "Happier than I ever thought I could be. You've become everything I hoped for, Kane. Honestly, you've exceeded every dream I had."

"There's something I've gotta ask," I said, my pulse hammering so hard I worried it might burst right through my ribs. Months of planning came down to this exact second.

"What's that?"

Rather than answer with words, I stopped dancing and dropped to one knee in the middle of the ballroom.

The entire celebration fell silent. Hundreds of werewolf leaders turned to watch what was clearly about to be a very public proposal. The orchestra stopped mid-note. Conversation ceased entirely. Every pair of eyes in the room fixed on us.

"Aurora," my voice stayed level despite the dead silence surrounding us, "you're everything to me—my heart, my closest friend, living proof I can conquer my demons. Marry me? Will you rule beside me as my equal in everything?"

Aurora's joyful "Yes!" unleashed a storm of celebration from the crowd. I slipped the ring onto her finger—elegant band with a stone matching her eyes perfectly—and the cheering almost shook the building apart.

When the Alpha King raised his goblet, silence fell over the room once more. "To Aurora and Kane—living proof that the best partnerships come from choosing each other, trusting completely, and respecting what makes each other strong. May your union bring prosperity to both your territories and inspiration to us all."

When we started dancing again—now as an engaged couple—Aurora whispered against my ear, "I love you, Kane Stone. Every part of you. Your courage, your battles, how you keep pushing yourself to grow."

"Love you right back," I murmured, drawing her against me as the celebration continued around us. "Thanks for believing in who I could become and giving me the chance to prove it."

We'd proven that love could conquer fear. That growth was possible even after the deepest wounds. Apparently, picking each other again and again trumps any enchantment.

Whatever the future held—and there'd definitely be rough patches along with the smooth—we'd face it together as true equals in everything that counted.