Chapter Forty-Three - Before Bedtime

Aria’s POV

I was still thinking about the gathering when Martha and I left the garden.

The afternoon had been more successful than I had imagined. Even now, I could hear the women’s laughter in my head, remember their grateful smiles, and picture the way their faces had brightened whenever Laura answered one of their questions.

For the first time since becoming Luna, I felt as though I had done something that truly mattered.

Not because the elders would praise me for it or because it would improve my standing in the pack, but because I had given the women something they needed and I wanted to do more.

“We should make it a monthly gathering,” I told Martha as we walked down the hallway.

She glanced at me. “You have barely finished the first one, and you’re already planning another?”

“Why not? We could invite Laura again, perhaps a healer next time. We could also arrange a separate gathering for nursing mothers. They might have questions they don’t feel comfortable asking in front of younger females.”

Martha smiled knowingly. “I see you have already begun planning everything.”

“Someone has to.” I chuckled.

“Of course, Luna.”

I nudged her lightly with my elbow.“Don’t start.”

She laughed, and I joined her.

We were still talking when I turned a corner and collided with someone.

A pair of strong hands caught my arms before I could stumble backward.

“Careful.”

I looked up and saw Kael.

For a moment, I simply stared at him, surprised to find him standing in the hallway. He wore his usual dark trousers and a fitted shirt, with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His expression softened when he recognized me.

“Aria.”

“Kael.” I stepped back, smoothing my dress. “I didn’t see you coming.”

“Clearly.” He smirked.

Martha covered a smile with her hand.

I shot her a warning glance before turning back to my husband.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.” His gaze moved briefly toward the garden entrance behind us. “I was actually looking for you.”

“You were?”

He nodded. “I heard about the gathering.”

I couldn’t stop the small smile that appeared on my face.

“Already?”

“Word travels quickly around here, especially when the entire kitchen has apparently been preparing refreshments for half the pack.”

Martha burst out laughing. “It wasn’t half the pack, Alpha. Only the women who were invited.”

“That is reassuring.” His dry response made me laugh, too.

Then he looked directly at me.“Congratulations, Aria. I heard it was a success.”

The warmth in his voice caught me by surprise. “Thank you.”

“I mean it. The idea was good, and from what I’ve heard, the women enjoyed themselves.”

“They did.” I felt my smile grow. “Laura was wonderful. She spoke about pregnancy, nutrition, rest, and the importance of having support during and after childbirth. She also answered questions about intimacy during pregnancy. I think many of the women learned things they hadn’t known before.”

Kael listened attentively. “And you arranged all of it?”

“With a little help from Martha and the kitchen staff.”

“A little help?” Martha interjected. “Alpha, you should have seen her. She spent days making sure everything was perfect. She chose the decorations, reviewed the refreshments, arranged the seating, and personally welcomed the women. She even made sure the pregnant mothers had comfortable chairs.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “Martha, you’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not.” She turned to Kael. “You should have seen their faces when they arrived. Some of them said they had never attended a gathering like it before. And when the program ended, they thanked Aria for giving them a place where they could ask questions without feeling embarrassed.”

Kael looked at me with something that resembled pride.

“That sounds like exactly what a Luna should be doing.”

The words warmed me more than I expected.

There had been a time when I thought of the Luna title as a punishment for the mistakes I had made. I had returned to Ironcrest burdened by guilt, convinced that I would never be able to repair the damage I had caused.

But Kael’s words reminded me that I was no longer simply the daughter who had run away.

I was becoming someone who could contribute to the pack. Someone who could make a difference.

“I want to arrange more gatherings,” I admitted. “There are so many things the women need help with. I think we could make this a regular event.”

“Then do it.” He smiled.

I blinked. “Just like that?”

“Why not?” He tilted his head. “If it benefits the pack, you have my support.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

I had expected him to ask about the cost, the time, or whether the gathering had interfered with my other responsibilities. Instead, he had accepted the idea without hesitation.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

He gave me a small nod. “You don’t have to thank me for supporting something worthwhile.”

Martha looked between us, and I could practically see the satisfaction on her face.

“Well,” she said, “I think I should leave the two of you to talk.”

Kael glanced at her. “Actually, Martha, I need to speak with Aria.”

Her smile widened. “Of course, Alpha.”

She turned to me and squeezed my arm. “I’ll see you later.”

“Don’t go too far,” I told her.

“Why? Are you afraid you’ll need someone to rescue you from your husband?” She teased.

“Martha!” I shrieked.

She laughed as she walked away, leaving Kael and me standing alone in the hallway.

I watched her disappear around the corner before turning back to him.

“What did you want to tell me?”

His expression changed.

It was subtle, but I noticed it immediately. The pride and amusement that had softened his face moments earlier gave way to something more serious. He glanced toward the far end of the hallway, where two guards were waiting near the staircase.

Then he looked at me again. “I need to tell you something.”

I waited. “All right. What is it?”

He hesitated, and I frowned. “Kael?”

“I can’t tell you right now.”

I stared at him. “What do you mean, you can’t tell me right now?”

“I’m in a hurry. I have to deal with something in the eastern section of the territory, and I need to leave immediately.”

“Oh.” I tried not to let my disappointment show.

After the conversation we’d had beneath the moonlight, I had begun to feel that we were finally learning how to speak to each other without allowing our fears to get in the way. I had hoped that whatever he needed to tell me would be another step toward that understanding.

But he was already glancing toward the waiting guards.

“Is everything all right?” I asked.

“Yes. Nothing you need to worry about.”

I wasn’t entirely convinced. “Then why do you look so serious?”

He looked back at me, and for a moment, I thought he might finally tell me what was on his mind.

Instead, he reached for my hand. “I promise I’ll explain everything when I return.”

“When will that be?” I asked with worry on my face.

“Before bedtime.”

I searched his face. “You promise?”

“I promise.” He smiled.

There was something reassuring about the certainty in his voice, even though I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was holding something back.

I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“All right. I’ll wait.”

His expression softened. “Thank you.”

He lifted my hand briefly to his lips before releasing it. The small gesture surprised me, but it left a warmth behind that lingered long after he stepped away.

“I’ll see you tonight, Aria.”

“Be careful.” I nodded.

Then he turned and strode down the hallway, his guards falling into step behind him.

I stood there, watching until he disappeared through the main entrance.

I had no idea what had come up so suddenly or why he seemed so impatient to speak with me.

But he had promised to tell me everything before bedtime and for now, I chose to believe him.