"Which of the dresses do you love, mate?" I asked, twirling slightly as I held up the red one. My voice was light with excitement, like a girl in a dream she never wanted to wake from. Joy bloomed in my chest like spring after a long winter. The thought of finally being marked by the man I loved more than anything in the world made my cheeks flush with warmth, my heart racing with anticipation.
Xander's eyes softened as he stepped closer, his gaze roaming over the collection of dresses laid out across the bed. He smiled, the kind of smile that still made my stomach flutter. "All the dresses look good, Haven," he said, his voice low and warm, "but I think the red dress will be perfect."
His voice was a melody I never wanted to forget. The way he said my name made the world around us blur and fade. But as I held the red fabric to my chest, that joyful hum inside me wavered. My smile faltered. Something wasn't right.
Xander noticed immediately. His brows knitted together in concern. "What's bothering you, mate?"
I hesitated, unsure how to put the feeling into words. "I don't know…" I whispered, my fingers tightening around the fabric. "Every time I think about the festival, about the bond… I get this heavy feeling. Like something's about to go wrong."
Without a word, he stepped forward and cupped my cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. He leaned in and kissed my forehead, the warmth of his lips easing some of the fear gnawing at me. "Don't worry, my love," he said softly. "Nothing bad will happen. We've come so far together, and the Moon Goddess is with us. I believe that."
His confidence wrapped around me like a cloak, pushing away the shadows—at least for now. I gave him a small nod and turned toward the small dining table in the corner, set neatly for four, even though it was just the two of us. My heart felt a little lighter, my steps a little steadier.
Xander didn't have much. He worked as a patrol officer for our pack, barely making enough to get by. But I had never cared. My love for him wasn't tied to wealth or status. It was simple. Pure. I was his, and he was mine.
We had met by chance, on a moonlit path after Adora's birthday party. That single night changed everything. From that moment, we'd made a promise: we would wait until the sacred moon festival to mark each other—our chosen bond, a bond even fate couldn't undo. Or so we believed.
We had been intimate since then—careful, cautious, never pushing the boundary too far. We didn't want to disrespect the sacred vow. But lately… something inside me had shifted. A quiet unrest had taken root.
Tonight was supposed to be magical. Instead, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather.
"What if the Moon Goddess tears us apart?"
I swallowed hard, trying to push the thought away. No. She wouldn't do that. The Moon Goddess wouldn't tear us apart after all we'd been through.
"The food is set on the table," I called out, glancing toward the hallway. "Come eat before you go to work."
"I'll be right there, love," came his muffled reply.
I paused. Something in his voice felt… off. Distant. Like he didn't want me to hear him at all. If our rooms weren't so close, I might've missed it entirely.
Part of me wanted to go in, to see what was keeping him. But the stronger part—the one hopelessly in love with him—silenced the urge. I trusted him. Always had.
Still… twenty minutes passed. No sign of him.
Concern tugged at me. I stood and moved quietly down the hall, my fingers wrapping around the doorknob. I opened it gently—and froze.
Xander was standing by the window, quickly ending a call. His expression was unreadable, his shoulders stiff.
"Why do you look so worried?" I asked, stepping in. "Is everything okay?"
He turned quickly, forcing a smile. "It's nothing, my love. Just my boss."
I tilted my head, not fully buying it. "Is he giving you a hard time again?"
"He wants me to work through the day… and even tonight."
My heart dropped. "Tonight?" I repeated, voice barely a whisper. "But—tonight's our night…"
I stared at him, the disbelief crawling up my throat like vines choking a flower. But before I could spiral deeper, Xander stepped closer and took my hands gently in his.
His eyes softened. That look—the same one he gave me the first night we met—still stirred something in me, even now.
"No one is going to ruin our night," he said, voice filled with promise. "I promised you that."
I nodded, though a storm still brewed quietly inside me. He pulled me into his arms, holding me like he always did—like I was his anchor. And yet… something was different. The unease crept back, latching on like a shadow.
Am I losing him already?
Or will I lose him tonight?