Chapter 150
Nothing could have quite prepared me for the Alpha King's victory ball. Crystal chandeliers scattered light like fallen stars, and silk banners danced in the gentle breeze. Every allied territory had sent their finest—everyone dressed to the nines. We were here to honor those who'd protected and defended our kingdom
"Moon Goddess, this is incredible," I whispered to Kane as we walked into the ballroom. His dress uniform looked amazing next to my deep blue gown.
Kane looked around at everyone gathered here. Pure satisfaction spread across his face. "You know what? Our people earned this celebration. We've been through hell and back."
All evening long, pack leaders kept approaching us. Their faces showed nothing but admiration and gratitude. What started as a simple victory party had turned into something bigger—somehow our relationship had become everyone's symbol of hope after those nightmare months.
"You two give the rest of us hope," Alpha Morrison told us during cocktails. "Seeing how you weathered all that chaos and came out even stronger? Man, that shows us what happens when people refuse to quit on each other."
Eventually the Alpha King walked up to his fancy podium. The Alpha King lifted his hand, and conversations died down. "We're not just here because we kicked some serious ass. We're celebrating what really won this thing—love and loyalty."
The orchestra started playing a waltz. Couples began floating onto the dance floor. But Kane? Kane couldn't look away from me. When he offered his hand, that crooked smile of his made my pulse skip like it always did. Something about this dance felt different.
"Aurora," he murmured as we swayed together. His voice had this edge that made me really look at him. "I've got something to tell you."
Before I could even ask what, Kane stepped backward. Then he dropped to one knee right there on the dance floor.
Silence slammed into the ballroom. Hundreds of werewolf leaders spun around—they knew exactly what they were about to witness. The orchestra stumbled to a stop mid-song. Every conversation died instantly. All eyes locked on us.
When Kane finally asked me to marry him, I could barely hear him over the excited beating of my heart. I could barely even breathe, when he pulled out a ring box with hands that didn't shake despite how huge this moment was.
The question hung between us for exactly one heartbeat. Then my joyful "Yes!" set off cheers so loud they nearly shook the chandeliers loose.
Kane slipped the ring onto my finger. It was beautiful—the stone sparkled like he'd somehow trapped starlight inside it. The cheers that followed nearly brought the roof down.
Everyone there saw our engagement as hope made real. After months of war, betrayal, and pure chaos, watching two people choose love over fear promised that better days were coming.
The Alpha King raised his glass. "To Aurora and Kane—living proof that the strongest partnerships grow from choice, trust, and genuine respect."
Wedding planning took months. It couldn't have been more different from my first marriage. Instead of political scheming and restrictive requirements, Kane and I carefully crafted every detail with love and purpose.
"Oh honey, this is just perfect," Mom gushed as we walked through the outdoor space. Her health had improved greatly over the last few months, and she was thrilled that she’d get to see me marry the man I love.
We'd picked a natural amphitheater nestled in the woods between our territories for our venue—so different from that hollow perfection of mine and Raymond’s wedding. The spot perfectly represented the bridge we were building between our peoples.
Our guest list told the whole story of transformation. Raymond would attend—genuinely happy for us and bringing his new girlfriend. Having the Alpha King officiate meant everything. His blessing would make our union official in every way that mattered.
The night before our wedding, Kane found me on the guest house balcony. I was staring up at stars that seemed unusually bright tonight.
"Getting cold feet?" Kane asked, settling beside me. These past months had taught us an easy intimacy—without walls, without pretense.
"Are you kidding?" I answered honestly. "I'm just thinking about how different this feels from last time."
Kane tugged me against his side. "Different how?"
"Last time felt like walking toward a prison cell. Tomorrow? I'm walking toward freedom. I get to be myself completely. I can love you without fear or reservation. We're building something real because we chose each other."
Our wedding day broke clear and warm. Even the weather seemed like a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. Getting ready with friends who'd witnessed my transformation from dutiful bride to woman in love felt like pure magic.
The music started, and I began walking down that flower-strewn aisle. Kane's expression? It made every painful moment worth it. He stared at me like I was some impossible dream coming true.
My first wedding had felt like checking off a requirement. Every step toward Kane felt like coming home.
The Alpha King chose meaningful words instead of empty ceremony. "We're here to witness two souls who picked each other through trials and victories, who've shown us that real love comes from choice, not convenience."
Time for vows. Kane went first, his voice rock-steady even though I could see tears threatening to spill.
"Aurora, I promise to choose courage over fear, partnership over control, and you over anything else that might want my attention. I promise to earn your love not just today, but every single day for the rest of our lives."
Then it was my turn. The words poured out from somewhere deep inside. "Kane, I choose you from love, not duty. From hope, not fear. I'll stand with you as your partner—pushing you when you're being stubborn, catching you when you stumble, and loving you always with all that I am."
The Alpha King pronounced us married. Kane's kiss held everything—passion, reverence, promises we'd earned the right to make.
The first night together as husband and wife felt both familiar and like a fresh start. It was us in every way—fierce but gentle, urgent but unhurried, filled with love that had survived every test.
After the wedding, we worked out a formal treaty between our territories and Blood Moon. The alliance served all our people well.
Kane and I built our new lives as true partners in both love and leadership. Both our territories flourished with us working together.
Months passed. We stood on our bedroom balcony watching the sunset paint the sky in impossible colors. The journey that brought us here still amazed me.
"Do you ever wonder what might've happened if things had gone differently?" Kane asked. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my hand as stars started appearing.
All those battles flashed through my mind. The heartbreak, the confusion, times when I thought we were done for good.
"Not once," I said without hesitation. "Every mistake, every battle, every moment of doubt brought us here."
Our story had proven that healing was possible. True love could conquer the deepest wounds when people chose bravery over fear. We'd built something beautiful from respect, shared values, and daily commitment.
"I love you, Aurora Stone," Kane said. His voice was full of wonder, as if our happiness still seemed too good to be true.
"I love you too, Kane Stone."
We'd rebuilt every broken piece into something more beautiful. We'd turned every doubt into certainty.
This was how love was supposed to feel—chosen, earned, strong enough to last forever.
We'd found our happily ever after. And we'd earned every moment of it.
