Chapter 167 Chapter 166

Chapter 167 Chapter 166
Aloria.

"Aloria!" she calls out again, closing the distance as she reaches for my hands, her gaze traveling the length of my body, admiring the dress I have on. "You look absolutely breathtaking. This is so beautiful on you!" she cries out, her voice filled with awe and admiration.

At her praise, the anxiety thrumming within me fades away, leaving a strange lightness. "Thank you..." I mutter, looking at her territory. "I'm glad you like it," I tell her.

She pulls back, still staring at me, her eyes sparkling with wonder and delight. "Oh... The alphas will be stupefied when they see you. You look like the loveliest fairy I've ever seen. Utterly beautiful."

The seamstress smiles then, seemingly satisfied that another person finds the dress beautiful. "I'm honored that you love it. But for now... we'll be taking the dress for further alterations. It's not in its final stages yet," she says.

Erena immediately helps me get out of the dress, and the seamstress packs it up with the promise to see me as soon as the changes are made. I watch her go, feeling an odd sense of satisfaction, then turn to Erena, who is still looking at me with awe in her eyes.

"So..." she starts, stretching the word out. "When is the mating ceremony?"

I shrug. "Roughly two weeks from now. It's probably less than that, but... who's counting?" I ask, and we burst into a chuckle. "It'll be happening a few days before the full moon," I tell her, and she widens her eyes in understanding.

"Oh... looks like the alphas timed it about right, didn't they?" she asks, and we break into a soft chuckle.

I gesture for her to sit and join her, serving some tea and snacks. Erena scoots closer to me instead, eyeing me with a curious look. "How do you feel about it, truly?" she asks, her voice losing its melodic lilt, turning somber.

For a moment, the question hangs between us, heavy with everything unsaid. It's on the tip of my tongue to feign excitement, to brush it off as nothing, but the gnawing feeling at the pit of my stomach won't fade, and it's high time I find someone to talk to about it.

"To be honest... I'm not quite sure. A part of me is quite excited about this, but..." I cut myself off, feeling my throat close up as memories of the past assail me.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I try again, my voice stronger this time around.

"But a part of me, who has been scarred by the several failed mating rituals in the past, is scared."

I look at Erena then, my hands trembling slightly. She reaches for them, wrapping her own hands around mine, offering her comfort and solidarity. At the act, I allow myself to say the question that has been plaguing me since the day began.

"What if... What if this one fails too, just like the previous ones?"

Erena lets out a breath, a muscle ticking in her jaw as she gazes at me tenderly.

"This one won't fail..." she mutters, her voice gentle but filled with conviction. "I'm sure of it. Didn't you say you received the Moon Goddess's blessing?"

She asks, and I nod my head.

She squeezes my hand then.

"Have faith in that. If the Moon Goddess has promised her blessing, there is no reason for it to fail."

Erena's words seem to settle the gnawing feeling in my stomach, and the knot of anxiety loosens, allowing me to breathe properly for the first time in a while.

"Thank you, Erena. I wouldn't know what to do without you."

Erena chuckles, then reaches to hug me.

"You would do amazing things, Aloria. Never forget that," she mutters against my ear.

I tighten my hold on her, breathing in her warm, comforting scent. Eventually, Erena pulls back, reaching to grab my shoulders, shaking me softly, yet firmly.

"No, tell me... How do you feel?"

I grin then, my heart feeling truly light.

"Spectacular."

Erena giggles.

"That's more like it!" she cheers, and I chuckle.

She stays for a moment longer, and we discuss various other topics, from the upcoming mating ritual to several other mundane subjects. Eventually, she has to leave, and I'm left alone once more.

The raging anxiety that plagued me before has been reduced to a low hum. I'm about to rise from my seat and do the things that are required of me when the door opens and Draven strides in, closing the door behind him.

My heart skips several beats, a warm smile blooming on my face.

"Hey there... I just saw Erena leave the manor. She just finished seeing you, right?" he asks, and I nod, rising to my feet.

He gives a sound, a cross between a chuckle and a scoff, but his eyes are warm. I rise, closing the distance between us, a soft sigh escaping my lips when he wraps his arms around me, pulling me even closer, his hands resting on my waist.

"That's thoughtful of her, coming to see you. She really does care for you," he growls, his voice tender.

I give a low, imperceptible nod.

"She does indeed," I mutter, smiling up at him.

Draven gives a tiny smile, then his brows furrow slightly.

"You look like you've been thinking hard. Why is that?"

"Oh..." I trail off, not knowing what to say for a moment. Finally, I clear my throat and speak.

"It's nothing much... I'm just excited and nervous about the mating ritual, that's all..." I tell him, watching his expression.

Draven places his hand under my chin, tilting my face up so I'm looking at him.

"It'll go well..." he growls, his voice low but filled with conviction.

That seems to burn away the last of my anxiety. I let out a breath and lean into his touch, letting out a soft smile.

"I believe you," I whisper, my voice soft.

He nods, his hand leaving my chin to rest on the small of my back.

"The butler informed me that the seamstress came today."

"She did..." I confirm. With a small smile, I add, "We're down to the final adjustments. She said she would be back in three days' time."

Draven nods, satisfaction crossing his features.