Chapter 3

Seeing me agree so easily, without a single tear or tantrum, everyone froze.

Especially Blake. He stared at me with wide eyes, as if he couldn't process it.

Clara urged me with fake sweetness, "Sister, pick a new guard quickly, so the binding ceremony can continue."

The smug satisfaction on her face was impossible to miss.

I ignored her. My gaze swept slowly across the crowd.

Finally, it landed on a silent figure watching this whole charade from the shadows.

"I choose him."

The crowd followed my gaze to Ronan, standing quietly at the back.

We grew up together. He is three years older than me, a true warrior of the pack who earned great honor in the Blood Moon War.

But lately, whispers spread that he was weak. He never showed his wolf soul in public. Some mocked him, claiming his wolf had gone dormant, which was why he never joined the monthly pack hunts.

But I knew they were wrong.

In my past life, just before I died, it was Ronan who fought tooth and nail to save me.

That's when I saw his true form. A massive, silver-white wolf with eyes burning blood-red with fury. The raw power radiating from him was terrifying.

"Ronan," I asked. "Are you willing?"

The crowd gasped again.

"Is Aurora insane? Choosing Ronan?"

"That quiet freak?"

"I heard his wolf is dead... He hasn't shifted since the war."

Whispers echoed through the hall.

Ronan paused for a heartbeat, then walked straight through the crowd without hesitation.

People parted for him. His strides were firm. His eyes were fixed only on me.

He stopped in front of me and offered his strong, calloused hand. His gaze was impossibly tender.

I took his hand, feeling its warmth seep into my skin.

"Princess, of course I am willing," his voice rang out, loud and clear. "I, Ronan Gray, swear to the Moon Goddess. I will serve and protect Aurora Redfern with my life and soul. I will never betray you, until my dying breath."

As he finished, a beam of moonlight pierced the crystal skylight, falling directly onto our joined hands.

It was as if the Moon Goddess herself was blessing our vow.

The hall fell silent.

A wave of warmth spread through my chest. In two lifetimes, Ronan was the first—and only—one to choose me without a moment's hesitation.

I couldn't help but smile.

The moment was ruined by Blake's sneer. "How touching. Too bad you chose a brute, Aurora. He's just muscle. Utterly useless for your future."

Ronan’s muscles instantly tensed. I could feel the anger rolling off him.

But he didn't move. He just looked at me, waiting for my command.

I gave his arm a gentle squeeze, a silent order to stand down. Then, I turned slowly to face Blake, a cold smirk on my lips.

"A brute?" I repeated softly. "Blake, you are just a rogue. What gives you the right to judge a war hero?"

The color drained from Blake's face.

Looking at his twisted expression, I knew we were done.

In my past life, I hadn't debased myself for nothing. I had passed over strong pack warriors and chosen a rogue only because he'd saved my life in the Shadow Forest.

Now, for a taste of power, he tore me down to ally with my sister. I owed him nothing.

I made my stance clear to the entire pack.

I looked around, my voice loud and firm:

"From this day on, Ronan is my guard. Anyone who messes with him, messes with me."

My eyes swept over every face. The pack members, stunned by my sudden dominance, quickly looked away.

Even my father froze, shocked that his meek little girl had found her claws.

Blake just scoffed. "As long as the Princess is happy."

Ronan gently tugged my sleeve.

I turned to him. His eyes were rimmed with red, his gaze burning with an intensity that felt like a brand on my skin. He looked like a loyal hound, ready to die for his master.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I'm always here."

In that instant, my wolf stirred restlessly.

A flutter deep in my chest... a feeling I had never known before.