Chapter 2

Dad's reply, as well as the stream of congratulations lighting up my phone screen, made me exhale in relief. Now, no one could deny that I had a mate, right?

As dusk deepened, Helena the Priestess asked everyone to turn off their phones for the duration of the ceremony. Then, she began handing out the ceremonial wine.

When it was my turn, the same thing happened as in my previous life. Another werewolf bumped into her, and the dark red wine sloshed over the rim and spilled onto my dress.

Kyle reacted instantly. He took the cloth from Helena's hands and gently wiped the wine from my dress.

"Moon Goddess, please forgive me. It was an honest mistake," Helena said in a fluster.

I patted her arm. "It's alright. He can handle it."

She visibly relaxed and even remarked with a hint of envy, "Your mate is really attentive."

I stared at Helena, who had spoken the exact words in my previous life. However, when Kyle had disappeared and I had asked her about it, she had looked at me in complete shock. "I thought you came alone."

To prevent that from recurring, I caught her wrist and smiled. "Actually, can you do me a favor?"

She looked puzzled. "What is it?"

I told her I wanted to document every moment of tonight, since it was Kyle's and my first time attending the ceremony together. I took out my phone and asked, "Could the three of us take a picture together?"

She agreed almost instantly, "Of course."

And so, Kyle, Helena, and I stood together and posed. After saving the photo, my gaze shifted to Elder Thomas Darkwood. He was one of the pack's enforcers.

In my previous life, while he was preparing for the ceremony, he nearly slipped and fell. It was Kyle who had caught him in time. I clearly remembered Elder Thomas thanking Kyle repeatedly.

Thus, when I had to ask if the pack members had seen Kyle, I had gone to him first. However, he had insisted that I had been alone the entire time.

This time, I walked over and tapped his arm. "Elder Thomas."

He turned around to meet my eyes. "What is it, child?"

I squeezed out a smile as I pointed toward Kyle. "I'd like to hear what you think of my mate, Kyle. Dad hasn't met him yet, and I'm a little worried."

Elder Thomas studied Kyle briefly, then nodded with satisfaction. "His eyes are clear, and there's strength in him. He'll make a fine mate. I'm sure your father will be pleased."

After thanking him, I fell into deep thought.

Elder Thomas and Helena both seemed completely normal, without the slightest sign of deceit. So, what exactly was the problem? Why, in my previous life, had they both sworn they had never seen Kyle?

Determined to make Kyle's presence impossible to ignore, I stood up and pulled him to his feet beside me. Under his puzzled gaze, I raised my voice and spoke to everyone present, "Packmates, forgive my interruption.

"Tonight is a sacred night for me, as I've come here with my mate to affirm our bond. We've been together for three years, so being able to share this moment under the full moon means everything to me.

"I hope all of you will witness our union and give us your blessing."

Everyone in the clearing turned to look at us. Without hesitation, they voiced their support, "May the Moon Goddess bless your bond!"

Warmth spread through the pack like a gentle tide. Even Kyle was smiling, too.

After thanking everyone, he quickly pulled me back down to our place and whispered, "Nora, what's going on with you tonight?"

The tips of his ears were comically red. "The announcement and all that… I got a little embarrassed."

I gripped his hands. "I'm just afraid of losing you."

Everyone had witnessed this moment, so nothing should be able to go wrong anymore, right?