Chapter 29

The aftermath of the party, with its revelations and confrontations, left the grand hall of Black Moon echoing with the remnants of whispered conversations and the soft patter of departing footsteps. I found herself standing by the expansive windows, gazing out at the moonlit landscape that stretched beyond the estate, my thoughts a tumultuous sea reflecting the turmoil within.

Lorenzo approached me, his presence a comforting constant in the whirl of emotions that enveloped me.

"You're quiet," he observed, his voice carrying a gentle concern that made me turn to face him, my heart aching with a mixture of gratitude and a fear that I couldn't quite name. It was like things were too good to be true, and in my heart I knew I had left things unsaid.

"I was just thinking about everything that happened tonight," I admitted, my gaze meeting his, searching for the reassurance I so desperately needed. "About what you did... dismissing your assistant, after all these years."

Lorenzo's expression hardened for a moment, the decision clearly weighing heavily on him, yet he seemed unmoved by his choice.

"It was necessary," he said firmly. "Her actions, her words, were not just against you but against the unity of our pack. I stand by my decision." I nodded, understanding the depth of his commitment, not just to me but to the ideals he upheld as Alpha. It made me admire him a bit more, and see him for more than just the playboy the public made him out to be.

"I know, and I'm grateful, Lorenzo. But it's not just that. It's everything. You standing up for me, the way the pack has welcomed me... It's more than I ever imagined, and yet," I stopped myself, struggling to articulate the fear that lingered at the edge of my thoughts.

“And yet?" Lorenzo prompted, his gaze never leaving mine. I could tell, in that moment, he was feeling the same fear; and knowing he felt it too gave me the courage to speak up.

"And yet, I can't help but wonder," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper, yes still echoing in the massive hall. “I can’t help but wonder about us. About what all of this means for... for whatever is between us."

Lorenzo took my hand, leading me away from the window to the privacy of the balcony where the night air was crisp and the sky was a tapestry of stars and silvery moonlight.

"Eleanor, I've never been one for uncertainty, for leaving things unsaid," he began, his voice carrying a conviction that made my heart skip a beat. It reminded me of the first time he confessed his feelings for me all those years ago and my wolf yearned for the fondness of that memory. "What happened tonight, it wasn't just about defending my Luna. It was about defending my... my feelings for you."

My breath caught in my throat, the admission igniting a spark that I had tried so hard to contain. This couldn’t be happening… did he really feel the same? What had happened before the banquet seemed so real, I knew I couldn’t deny this anymore. I knew I couldn’t deny what was right.

"Lorenzo, I... I feel the same," I confessed, the words tumbling out in a rush of emotion. "But I'm scared. Scared of what this means, of how fast everything is moving."

Lorenzo stepped closer, his hands cupping my face, his gaze piercing as he spoke.

"Fear is a natural part of facing the unknown, Eleanor. But know this—I've never been more certain of anything in my life. What I feel for you, it's more than duty, more than the bond of Alpha and Luna. It's something deep, something real. And I'm willing to face whatever comes, as long as I have you by my side."

The sincerity in his words, the intensity of his gaze, was all the confirmation I needed. I leaned into him, our lips meeting in a searing kiss that was a promise, a vow of shared futures and shared battles.

"We have a long road ahead, Eleanor. There will be trials, there will be tests. But with you by my side, I believe there's nothing we can't face, nothing we can't overcome,” Lorenzo said and I leaned in to kiss him once more.

As we ascended the stairs together I made a silent agreement with myself to let him share the bed with me that night. When I told him as we entered the room, his face lit up with an expression I hadn’t seen since highschool. He gave me a swift kiss on the cheek and we parted ways briefly to get ready for bed.

I felt like a schoolgirl, giggling over sharing a first kiss with a long time crush. While this certainly wasn’t Lorenzo and I’s first kiss, it almost felt like one. It was the do-over I never thought I’d have — or want — with him, but I was indeed grateful.

My wolf hummed in contentment at the way the night had progressed. “See, I knew you were falling for him” my wolf said and I couldn’t help the blush that spread over my cheeks. What could I say? I finally got what I wanted, even if it was five years later.

I exited the washroom to find Lorenzo already in bed waiting for me, and I crawled into his arms trying to contain my excitement. My back against his chest, I let him curl around me like we used to, the position comforting and familiar. With one final goodnight, I felt Lorenzo’s breath even out until he was blowing soft puffs against my ear.

I should’ve felt the most calm I’d felt in years — but something kept me awake.

Was I getting swept up in how familiar this was? Was I so blinded by my hurt from the past that I was falling into a trap? With Lorenzo wrapped tightly around me like he had done every night all those years ago, I couldn’t help but think of the pain.

Lorenzo had come up from nothing. Once a poor and shy young man who had grown into the strongest alpha I had known in my lifetime. It had felt so right when he chose me, like he had when we were teenagers, but even that moment of choice was clouded by the past.

All I could picture was the day he left me and seeing him, an arm wrapped around Cate, two days later as if I had never existed. My fear of that history repeating itself lingered, and as much as I tried to push it away, I couldn’t help but worry.

I shifted slightly away from Lorenzo’s tight grip, needing to distance myself before I got hurt again. My wolf whined but I ignored it. I wouldn’t be tricked again.