Rebecca’s POV

​My personal maid stepped in, followed by one of Ethan’s head servants. They were both carrying large garment bags and a jewelry case.

​"Princess," Ethan’s maid said with a respectful bow and a small, demure smile. "Alpha Ethan has requested that you dress in this. We are to bring you to him once you are ready."

​"Where is he? Is everything alright?" I asked, my voice high with confusion.

​The maids shared a secret look and smiled wider. "Let’s get you dressed first, Princess. All will be revealed."

​They moved with practiced speed, bathed me in scented oils, and began the transformation. They pulled a gown from the bag that stole my breath. It was a deep, crimson red—surprisingly, my favorite color. As they zipped me into it, the silk clung to my curves like a second skin, making my blonde hair pop and my sea-blue eyes glow.

​It seems our mate is planning a romantic dinner, my wolf whispered playfully in my mind. I felt a blush creep up my neck. A rooftop dinner, perhaps?

​Once I was ready, they led me through the quiet halls of the mansion. We didn’t head for the dining hall or the garden; instead, we climbed the winding stairs to the very top of the pack house. When we reached the heavy oak doors leading to the rooftop, the maids stepped aside.

​"He’s waiting for you," they whispered.

​I pushed the doors open and gasped as the night air hit my face. The entire rooftop had been transformed into a wonderland. Hundreds of flickering candles lined the edge, casting a golden glow over thousands of red roses that filled every corner. Strings of fairy lights twinkled overhead like fallen stars, and soft music drifted through the air.

​But my eyes went straight to the center.

​There stood Ethan. He had traded his training gear for a sharp, tailored black suit that made him look every bit the powerful Alpha he was. Behind him, a massive display of balloons and flowers framed a glowing sign:

​"WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

​My breath hitched in my throat. I knew we had a political arrangement. I knew we were fated mates. But this... he was asking me for real. He wasn’t just taking me because of a treaty or a wolf’s pull. He was choosing me.

​Ethan took a step toward me, his eyes burning with a love so raw it made my knees weak. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, clicking it open to reveal a diamond that sparkled more than the city lights below.

​"Rebecca," he said, his voice deep and steady. "I know our packs decided this for us. But today, in that training field, I found the only woman I will ever want. I don’t want a treaty. I want a partner. I want a mate. I want you."

​He dropped to one knee, looking up at me with a love that made my heart overflow. "Princess Rebecca, will you do me the honor of becoming my Luna for real? Will you marry me?"

​The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over, tracking down my cheeks. I looked down at him, and my heart felt like it was going to burst.

​"You have no idea," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "When I was a little girl, I used to sit by my window in Spain and wonder about the man the Moon Goddess had picked for me. I wanted someone strong but kind, someone who would see me before they saw my crown. I wanted a husband who would be my best friend." I let out a watery laugh, shaking my head. "Ethan, you check every single box I ever dreamed of. You’re more than I dared to hope for."

​I stepped closer, my hands trembling as I reached for him. "So, yes. A thousand times, yes!"

​A radiant, relieved smile broke across his face—the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He took my hand, his touch firm and grounding, and slid the diamond ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly. He stood up, his height towering over me in the best way, and pulled me into a kiss that tasted like promises and forever.

​"I will love you for the rest of my life, Rebecca," he murmured against my lips, his breath warm. "I’ll adore you every single day."

​"I know you will," I teased softly, and we both laughed, the tension of the day finally melting away into the cool night air.

​He led me to a beautifully set table nestled among the roses. When he lifted the silver covers, I gasped. It was everything I loved—authentic Spanish tapas, paella, and the specific sweets I used to sneak from the palace kitchens.

​"How did you know?" I asked, my heart fluttering. "We’ve only just met."

​"I asked your maids," he admitted, pulling out my chair with a wink. "I wanted everything to be perfect for my Luna."

​As we ate together, the conversation flowed as easily as the wine. But I wanted more than just surface talk; I wanted to see into his soul. "I want to know you, Ethan," I said, leaning forward. "The real you. Tell me your story."

​He paused, a shadow flickering behind his eyes before he gave me a small smile. "There isn’t much to tell, really. My life has been the pack."

​"There is always more," I pushed gently.

​He sighed, setting his fork down. "I once had a mate," he said quietly.

​My eyes widened, and for a second, my heart skipped a beat in fear. But he quickly reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "We rejected each other, Rebecca. Almost instantly. We weren’t compatible—our wolves didn’t mesh, and our goals were worlds apart. It was a mutual decision."

​I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, offering a silent, mental ’thank you’ to the Goddess. If he had stayed with her, I would have missed out on this. "And after her?" I asked.

​"I once loved someone else," he said, his voice distant. "But she didn’t love me back. Not in that way."

​I scoffed, defensive of him already. "Then she is a fool. How could anyone not love you?"

​Ethan let out a dry, short laugh and shook his head. "No, she wasn’t a fool. She was loyal. Her heart belonged to her mates, and I was just... a friend. A protector." He looked at me, his gaze clearing as he focused back on my face. "That’s all in the past now. It led me here, to you. That’s all that matters."

​He leaned back, his expression turning curious. "But what about you, my Princess? Tell me about the girl who hides in maid’s clothes. What is your world like?"

​I looked down at my glass, the wine swirling like the memories of a life that had always felt too small for me.

​"My life has been... boring, honestly," I admitted with a soft shrug. "At least compared to the legends of Alphas and wars. I spent most of my time tucked away in the palace library or the gardens. I realized I had the gift of healing when I was eighteen—I found a wounded pup in the woods and, without thinking, I just knew how to knit the skin back together. Since then, that’s been my world. Protecting life."

​I looked at him, feeling a sudden surge of honesty. "I’ve only ever dated once. It didn’t last long. He wanted sex, and I... I just didn’t feel that spark. I wasn’t ready to give that part of myself away to someone who didn’t feel like home. I’ve refused the hands of so many suitors over the years that my father almost gave up on me."

​I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "To be honest, I still don’t even know why I accepted our marriage alliance. It went against everything I told myself I wanted. Maybe it was just fate pulling me toward you before I even knew your name."

​Ethan leaned over the table, his gaze intense and tender. He reached out, taking both of my hands in his, his thumbs grazing my knuckles. "It is fate, Rebecca. The Goddess knew what she was doing, even if we were both stubborn about it."

​He stood up, pulling me from my chair and into the circle of his arms. The scent of roses and his own intoxicating musk wrapped around me, grounding me. He leaned down and pressed a long, lingering kiss to my forehead, a silent vow in the gesture.

​"The old stories are done," he whispered against my skin. "The rumors, the past mates, the boring life... they don’t matter anymore. Let’s write a new Chapter together."

​I smiled, leaning my head against his sturdy chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart—a heart that finally belonged to me.

​"Let’s do it," I whispered, looking up at him with a mischievous glint in my eyes. "But only if we do it as co-authors."