Chapter 178
[ 1,239 words ]
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY EIGHT
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY EIGHT
Talia’s POV
It was official the morning of the ceremony and I felt strangely calm.
I sat still while Della adjusted the sleeves of my dress for the third time. Her fingers tugged and smoothed as if she could iron out my nerves along with the fabric. Leslie leaned against the dresser with her arms crossed, watching us.
“If you keep messing with her dress like that, you’re going to rip it,” Leslie warned.
“Then, I will get her a new one. This is an important day for Talia. She has to look perfect,” Della responded.
“I think you’re more nervous than she is,” Leslie said.
“I am anxious. I want to know who she’s going to choose. She hasn’t even told me and I’m her best friend,” Della said and rolled her eyes.
I said nothing as I stared at my reflection. Once again, I looked like a proper Princess thanks to Della’s help. When I returned to Silverfang, I had felt awkward about dressing up like this and now it just felt right.
“Are you even listening?” Della asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Sorry. What did you say?” I apologized.
“You’ve been out of it all day. That means you haven’t made a decision on who you plan on choosing.”
Leslie nodded. “Or she’s thinking of an escape plan.”
“I am not going to run,” I said. “And I have made a decision already.”
Both of them looked at me. “Well, who is it then?” Della asked. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”
“Nolan. I’m choosing Nolan,” I finally said.
Della froze. Her hands dropped slowly to her sides. “Nolan,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“I thought you didn’t want to be with him because he wouldn’t claim you,” Della said.
“Well, he did claim me. He even defended me against Jason,” I explained.
“Oh, I wish I was there to hear that,” Della said and then she frowned. “Colin is going to be so sad. He really cares about you.”
Leslie snorted. “Just because he cares doesn’t mean he’s right for her.”
“True, but Nolan has been an ass lately,” Della argued.
“That is kind of Talia’s fault,” Leslie said and I glared at her. “Sorry, Talia, but it is true. Nolan told you not to trust Jason and you decided to find out for yourself.”
I turned toward the mirror, ignoring Leslie’s comment. “Colin is kind and he is loyal, but there is no spark there and I can’t force something that isn’t there.”
“You could learn to love him,” Della suggested,
“Not when I have a mate,” I said. “Nolan’s my second chance mate. That matters more than anything else. The Moon Goddess blessed me with another chance at happiness, and I won’t be ungrateful and take another mate because he looks like the perfect fit. I won’t be like Jason.”
Della studied my face. “If he ever betrays you,” she said quietly, “I will not forgive him. I will find a way to make him pay.”
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY EIGHT
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“I know,” I replied.
“There’s always the herb,” Leslie suggested with a smile. “That way it is guaranteed he won’t betray you.”
I laughed softly. “That will not be necessary, but it will be for someone else.”
Leslie’s brow lifted. “Oh? Has Marco done something he shouldn’t?”
Della’s face became flushed with panic as she said, “No. Marco wouldn’t. He…”
“Calm down. It’s not Marco,” I cut her off, gripping her hand reassuringly. Della sighed in relief. I turned my attention back to Leslie.
“Solon agreed to take the herb,” I continued.
“No way! Didn’t your father Alpha command him not to agree?” Della exclaimed.
“Solan spoke with him and they both agreed,” I explained.
Leslie straightened. “They did?”
“Yes.”
For the first time since I’ve met her, Leslie looked genuinely surprised.
Della clasped her hands together. “That’s incredible,” she said. “I am glad Solon stood his ground on this. Great way to start a relationship.”
“L…I didn’t expect that,” Leslie finally said.
“I told you to give Solon more credit,” I said. “He won’t betray you. I bet my life on that.”
“Enough of this. Let’s get you to your ceremony. You have a hot mate to claim,” Leslie said. I allowed her to change the topic. She had a lot to think about, and I had a mate to claim. I followed Leslie and Della out of my room.
The closer we got to the hall, the more nervous I felt. It was silly really. I had been begging Nolan to claim me, so I shouldn’t be nervous about it now.
“You got this,” Leslie said as she pulled me into a hug. She entered the hall to take her seat.
The hall was already full when Della escorted me inside. The murmur of voices stopped as we entered. The entire Silverfang pack was present and representatives from Colin and Nolan’s packs were also in attendance.
Colin and Nolan stood on the stage in suits in their pack colors. Solon waited near the steps. When I reached him, he offered his arm, and I took it.
“You’re ready,” he said quietly,
“I am,” I replied.
My father moved to the center of the stage, “Today marks a sacred moment for Silverfang,” he said. “We gather to witness Princess Talia’s choice of mate and the alliance that will shape our future,”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Solon escorted me up onto the stage. I took my place in between Colin and Nolan.
My father turned to me and said, “Talia, my daughter, please make your choice.”
I faced Colin first and I could see Nolan tense in my peripheral.
I stepped closer and hugged Colin. “Thank you for always standing by me and being a wonderful friend.”
Colin hugged me back and said, “No need to thank me, Talia.”
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY EIGHT
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I stepped back and turned to Nolan. I took his hand. “We have been through sa many things in a short period of time that we’ve known each other. You have protected me, defended me, even when I was unappreciative of it. You embody the true characteristics of an Alpha and a mate. Because of that, I choose you, Alpha Nolan, to be my mate if you will have me.”
Nolan’s grip tightened slightly. “I accept you as my mate, Princess Talia. I promise that I will protect you and honor you as my mate and Luna.”
My father looked directly at him. “Do not say those words unless you mean them, Alpha Nolan.’
“I meant every word,” Nolan said.
Jason had said the very same thing to me, and I didn’t know if Nolan was telling the truth, but I had to hope he was.
“Then, so be it,” father said and the crowd erupted again in cheers.
Colin chuckled. “If you ever mess this up,” he said lightly, “I will take her from you.” I could tell Colin was joking, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me feel there was some truth in his statement.
Nolan’s expression hardened before turning back to look at me with a smile. “You will never have the chance in this lifetime.”
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