Chapter 4

The night before our mating ceremony, Kael finally couldn't keep his concerns to himself.

He tossed and turned for a while before pulling me into his arms from behind. With his chin resting on top of my head, he spoke gently, though I could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

"Akalia… Have you confirmed the venue and gone over the ceremony schedule? I can't believe we're officially becoming mates tomorrow. I'm too nervous to sleep."

I hummed quietly in response.

Kael had no idea that a packed suitcase was already waiting inside our bedroom closet.

He let out a long breath of relief and kissed the top of my head.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Akalia."

…

When I woke the next morning, Kael was already gone.

I no longer cared where he had gone. Instead, I put on my wedding dress and fastened a white moonstone necklace around my neck.

I had chosen both of them myself to replace the original set.

A car horn sounded outside just as Kael called.

"Akalia, Lilith drank too much last night, and she's feeling terrible. I need to stay here and take care of her for a while. Go to the venue without me. Lilith and I will head over together later. The ceremony is only a formality, anyway."

"Okay," I said.

Kael fell silent for a moment, probably because he hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

"Okay… I'll get there as soon as possible. Don't be nervous when you arrive. I'll handle everything."

After ending the call, I slipped my phone into my coat pocket.

Then, I picked up the suitcase waiting beside the door and left.

The sun shone brightly over the beach in Sendor.

Golden light danced across the ocean, and the breeze gently stirred the white fabric draped around the floral arch. At the far end of a long table, the champagne tower caught the sunlight and scattered it into countless glimmers.

This was the scene that greeted Kael when he arrived.

He wore a dark blue suit, along with the blue-striped tie Lilith had given him. He was certain I would be happy when I saw how beautifully everything had been arranged.

Even so, an uneasy feeling gnawed at him. My reaction that morning had been far too calm.

Kael convinced himself that maybe I had simply accepted the change. I loved him so much, after all. Once we were formally mates, he silently vowed to put me first and never upset me again.

But Kael's unease turned to panic when he saw that the guest section was only half full.

The seats reserved for his pack were almost completely occupied, while the entire section set aside for my pack remained conspicuously empty.

Did I miss the notice about the venue change? But he had clearly reminded me last night.

Or did something happen to me on the way here?

As members of his pack began questioning him, Kael panicked.

He called me repeatedly, but all of the calls went unanswered.

Taking a deep breath, he shifted his phone from his left hand to his right and tried again.

Kael lost track of how many times he'd called before I finally answered.

"Akalia, are you okay? Why aren't you here yet? Everyone's waiting for you!"

He was practically shouting.

With one hand holding up the skirt of my wedding dress, I gazed up at the northern lights above the frozen plains of Beloria and smiled faintly.

"I'm already here."