Chapter 304 - 38: Luna of My Heart

Together, they stepped out into the crisp air and began walking toward the main house. After only a few paces, Destiny glanced back over her shoulder.

The chapel stood quietly behind them, its tall doors still open as the afternoon sunlight spilled across the stone steps. She reached up and absently touched the mark on her neck once more.

Noticing the movement, Dane looked down. "Regretting it already?"

She met his gaze steadily. "No."

"Good," he said, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You were beginning to scare me."

"Me? How?"

"The way you told me to mark you felt like you’d been waiting for it all day."

A sudden heat warmed her cheeks. "I was just trying to be brave."

"Well, you succeeded beautifully."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, listening to the soft rustle of the surrounding trees, before Destiny glanced up at him sideways.

"So, where exactly are you taking me?"

"To my room."

Destiny stopped dead in her tracks. Dane took another step forward before realizing she was no longer beside him, and he turned around to find her standing with her arms folded across her chest.

"Your room?" she repeated.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it’s my room."

She stared at him blankly. "That is completely lacking as an answer."

He offered her a smooth, teasing smile. "You’re my wife now. I naturally assumed you might want to see where you’re going to be living."

She considered his words for a second, loosening her posture.

"Fair enough."

Continuing down the corridor, they found the main house far quieter than usual. Most of the household staff had likely already caught wind of what had transpired in the chapel, but no one dared interrupt them.

When Dane unlocked and opened the heavy door to his personal quarters, Destiny stepped inside first, taking a slow, observational look around.

The room was expansive without feeling ostentatious. A wide, well-made bed sat on the far side beneath a massive window that framed the forest outside, while a dark wooden desk sat against the opposite wall, littered with scattered parchment and heavy leather-bound books. His formal coat from earlier had been casually thrown over a chair, and a silver-hilted sword rested upright against the wall near the wardrobe.

Destiny turned slowly on her heel.

"This is your room?"

Dane shut the door behind them with a soft click.

"It is."

She walked over to inspect the pile of books on his desk.

"I have to admit, I expected a bit more royal nonsense."

Dane chuckled, leaning back against the closed door.

"And what, pray tell, constitutes royal nonsense?"

"I don’t know." She gestured vaguely around the air. "Gold trim everywhere. Massive marble statues of yourself."

"I’m deeply grieved to inform you that I don’t own a single statue of myself."

"Good," she murmured.

She walked over to the tall window, where the low afternoon sun poured through the glass, bathing the entire room in a warm, golden radiance.

"I actually really like it."

Dane crossed his arms, watching her with fondness.

"You’ve been married to me for less than ten minutes and you’re already evaluating my living arrangements?"

"I’m simply trying to be a supportive wife."

"You’re doing a remarkable job of it."

Destiny turned around to face him.

For the very first time since leaving the chaotic energy of the chapel, they were completely and utterly alone.

The lighthearted bantering slowly faded away, replaced by a quiet, intimate stillness. Dane pushed himself off the door and crossed the room toward her with unhurried, deliberate steps. Destiny stood her ground, watching him close the distance between them.

When he stopped directly in front of her, he reached out and gently brushed a loose strand of dark hair away from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin.

"You really are beautiful, Destiny."

She offered a faint, tender smile.

"You’ve said that already today."

"I know."

"You’re repeating yourself, Alpha."

"I don’t mind if I am."

Her smile widened, though her eyes remained soft.

"You’re acting awfully confident for someone who was just arguing with his father about whether he was going to survive his own wedding night."

"That was entirely different."

"How so?"

"Because when I was arguing with him, I wasn’t looking at you."

A soft laugh bubbled up from her chest. Dane’s fingers traced a gentle path along her cheekbone before slowly falling back to his side.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave as his tone turned serious.

Destiny’s expression softened instantly.

"About what?"

"About everything," he clarified, the weight of the question settling heavily between them. "The marriage. Me. All of this."

He glanced down at the fresh mark peeking out above her collar.

"We don’t have to rush into anything just because we made it official."

Destiny studied the sincere concern written across his features.

"Are you trying to offer me an escape route?"

"Only if you want one."

Instead of answering with words, Destiny took a step closer, closing what little space remained between them.

"I don’t."

Dane’s dark eyes searched hers, looking for any trace of hesitation.

"You’re absolutely certain?"

"Yes," she said firmly, placing her palm flat against the center of his chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart beneath her hand. "I chose you, Dane."

His larger hand moved to cover hers, trapping her fingers gently against his chest.

"Then come here."

He pulled her in and kissed her.

This time, there was no elder priestess standing by to direct them, no watchful family members filling the room, and no immediate threat looming right outside the door. There was only the quiet warmth of the sunlit room and the two of them.

The kiss began slowly, filled with a delicate caution, but the remaining unspoken fears between them quickly dissolved into an intense, comforting warmth. Destiny’s fingers curled tightly into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer as Dane’s arms wrapped securely around her waist.

When they finally separated for air, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the quiet space.

Destiny let out a soft breath, her lips curling into a smile.

"We’re really doing this."

Dane smiled back, his thumb caressing her waist.

"Apparently, we’re married."

She laughed softly, resting her cheek against his chest.

"You keep saying that."

"I’m still getting used to the sound of it."

"So am I."

He tilted her chin up and kissed her again, deeper this time.

Outside, far beyond the thick stone walls of the Alpha house, eager voices were already beginning to spread the astonishing news through the territory. By the end of the afternoon, every member of the pack would know that their Alpha had taken a Luna. In two days’ time, the entire territory would gather to celebrate the union.

And by then, Vance would find out, too.