Kamrynn's POV
Rmonica's lips pressed into a thin line, her hesitation clear as she glanced away. She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as if weighed down by her thoughts. "It's not that I'm unhappy," she began, her tone carefully measured. "I just don't like how rushed this is. A week, Kamrynn? It's erratic, even for something as significant as a mating ceremony. They barely know each other."
I blinked, surprised by her candidness. "Do you think the arrangement is a mistake?"
She shook her head firmly, her gaze steady as she met mine. "No. They're fated mates. That can never be a mistake. The moon goddess doesn't make errors, Kamrynn." A faint smile softened her features. "And nothing would make me happier than seeing Kyven find the one who completes him. But…"
"But?" I prompted, leaning closer.
Her voice dropped slightly, tinged with concern. "But instincts aren't everything. The mate pull is powerful, yes, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. That raw, irresistible urge fades over time. What sustains a bond after that is true love-something deeper, stronger, unshakable. That's what makes a union last."
I nodded slowly, her words resonating deeply. "So, it's the timing you're worried about?"
"Exactly," she said, her brow furrowing. "Kyven and Thalia are so young, Kamrynn. They've barely had time to know each other, to understand who they are as individuals, let alone as mates. Committing to a lifelong bond after only a week feels rushed. It makes me uncomfortable."
I hesitated, my heart giving an unexpected flutter of relief at her disapproval. I tried to push the feeling down, to bury it where it wouldn't surface again. "That makes sense," I admitted. "But... isn't it risky to wait? Couldn't delaying the ceremony make the mate pull harder to resist?"
Rmonica sighed, shaking her head. "I understand the urgency of the mate pull, the overwhelming desire to bond. Believe me, I do. But even so, rushing into something so permanent without taking time to build a foundation-it's a mistake in its own way."
Her gaze turned wistful as she smiled faintly. "When people thought I couldn't have children, the elders in the Pack were relentless. They constantly urged Orion to take a chosen mate who could give him an heir. It was devastating, hearing them suggest that I was holding him back."
"What did he say?" I asked softly, leaning in.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she recounted the memory. "He told them, in no uncertain terms, that he would never, ever be with anyone else. He said I was his heart and soul, and no matter what challenges we faced, he would rather face them with me than have an easier path with someone else." Her voice grew thick with emotion. "Even when I was at my lowest, when I felt like I was failing him, he stood by me without hesitation."
"That's so beautiful," I whispered, a lump forming in my throat. "I wish I had someone who could love me like that."
"You will," Rmonica said gently, placing her hand over mine. "Be patient, Kamrynn. You have such a good heart, and I truly believe your fated mate is out there. When you find him, he'll treat you like the priceless gem you are."
Warmth bloomed in my chest despite the chaos of my thoughts. "Thank you," I murmured, her words wrapping around me like a soft embrace.
She nodded, her expression growing thoughtful again. "But I can't shake this feeling that the timing for Kyven and Thalia's ceremony is wrong. One week simply isn't enough time for them to truly know each other, let alone commit to each other for life."
"Can't you do something about it?" I asked hesitantly.
Her shoulders slumped as a frustrated sigh escaped her. "I've tried. I brought up my concerns during the discussion, but Alpha Draven wouldn't hear it. He shut me down almost immediately. He seems convinced that this is the best course of action, though I can't for the life of me understand why."
The weight of her words settled over me, a nagging suspicion forming at the back of my mind. "It does seem... odd," I admitted, choosing my words carefully.
Rmonica glanced at the clock and stood abruptly, smoothing out her dress. "Look at the time-it's already six. I need to shower and change before the festival starts. Orion and I still have to officially open the night."
"Of course," I said, rising from the bed. "I'll let you get ready."
She smiled, the warmth returning to her expression. "Don't be late, Kamrynn. Tonight's going to be special."
"I wouldn't miss it," I replied, offering a faint smile of my own before stepping out of her room.
As I made my way to my own room, Rmonica's words replayed in my mind, each one adding to the knot of unease in my chest. Something about the rush to this ceremony didn't sit right with me, but for now, all I could do was focus on getting through the night ahead.