Chapter 191
Chapter 191
ARIA
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Finished
“And yet you bonded with him anyway,” Mooris observel. “Knowing you were second choice. Knowing you couldn’t measure up to what he’d lost. Why p>
“Because the alternative was going back to Blackwood,” said. “Back to Damon’s obsession and control. And because I thought maybe I could be adequate even if I wasn’t exceptional. Maybe I could contribute enough to justify my presence here. Maybe being second choice was better than having no choice at all p>
“Is that still what you believe?” Aryada asked gently. “That being adequate is enough? That being second choice is acceptable p>
I didn’t know how to answer that. Because the truth was complicated. Because some days adequacy felt like victory and other days it felt like slow defeat. Because being second choice hurt constantly but having any choice at all was better than what I’d escaped.
“I don’t know,” I finally admitted. “I’m trying to make it enough. Trying to prove I deserve to be here despite `not being exceptional. But I don’t know if trying is the same as succeeding p>
The elders were silent, processing my confession. Then Bridget stood, and the others followed her lead.
“We’ve heard enough for this initial session,” she announced. “We’ll conduct further interviews over the coming days. Speak with other pack members. Observe dynamics and interactions. Gather the complete picture before rendering our assessment p>
She looked at me directly, her expression unreadable. “Luna Aria, your honesty is appreciated. Self- awareness of one’s limitations can be valuable. But we will need to determine whether those limitations are acceptable for someone holding your position, or whether changes might be necessary p>
Changes might be necessary. The diplomatic way of saying they might remove me. Declare me unfit. Dissolve the bond that kept me safe from Damon and gave me purpose beyond being someone’s possession.
“We understand,” Kael said, his voice tight with controlled emotion. “We’ll cooperate fully with your
assessment p>
“See that you do,” Mooris said. “And Alpha Kael-we’ll want to speak with you separately tomorrow. About your curse. About your bond. About the choices you’ve made and whether they serve the pack’s best interests or simply your own convenience p>
It was a warning. They were going to question everything. Were going to probe into whether our bond was legitimate or just political maneuvering. Whether I was uitable or just convenient. Whether Kael had made the right choice or simply the expedient one.
“We’ll be available whenever you wish to speak with us.” Kael assured them.
The elders filed out, leaving us alone in the council chamber. I sat frozen in my chair, unable to move, barely able to breathe under the weight of what had just happened.
I’d confessed everything. Had laid bare every insecurity and inadequacy. Had essentially told beings who could remove me that I believed I wasn’t suitable for my position.
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Chapter 191
What had I been thinking?
“Aria,” Kael said softly beside me. “Look at me p>
Finished
I forced myself to turn, to meet his eyes. He looked concerned. Worried. Maybe disappointed that his mate had just admitted to powerful elders that she believed she was inadequate.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just… I couldn’t lie to them. Celine said they could sense deception. That honesty was the only option. So I told them the truth p>
“The truth being that you think you’re a replacement,” Khel said, something like pain in his voice. “That you believe you’re second choice. That you think you’re not good enough p>
“Aren’t I?” I challenged. “Aren’t those things true p>
“No,” Kael said firmly. “They’re what you believe. What you’ve convinced yourself of. But they’re not truth. Not objective reality. Just your fears and insecurities wearing the mask of fact p>
“Kael p>
“We’ll talk more later,” he interrupted, standing. “After we’ve both had time to process this interview. After we’ve figured out how to navigate whatever the elders are planning. But Aria-you need to stop measuring yourself against Ivory. Stop treating her existence as proof of your inadequacy. She’s exceptional, yes. But that doesn’t make you worthless by comparison p>
He offered me his hand, and I took it, letting him pull me to standing. We left the council chamber together, walking back through the pack house in heavy silence.
And I wondered if I’d just destroyed everything.
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