Chapter 218 They're True Mates All Along

Chapter 218 They're True Mates All Along
Isabella's POV

I was running late to the party, which was unusual for me. Normally, I prided myself on punctuality. Richard had always been a stickler for time, and after twenty-four years of marriage, his habits had become mine. But tonight? Tonight I had dragged my feet, changed my outfit three times, and "accidentally" spilled coffee on my first dress choice. Anything to delay the inevitable.

The party was being held to celebrate Airina's return and her forced union with my son.

Richard had met with Damian earlier today. I'd wanted to be there, but Richard had insisted this was "a conversation between Alpha and heir." Now I was expected to attend this... spectacle. As Luna, I had no choice. The responsibilities of my position often felt like shackles.

I stared at my reflection in the hallway mirror, smoothing my midnight blue gown. The woman looking back at me seemed a stranger. The carefully applied makeup couldn't hide the hollowness in my eyes.

Five hundred wolves were expected tonight. In the grand ballroom decorated with crystal chandeliers, imported flowers, and ice sculptures that would melt before midnight. The Omegas had been working overtime for days. Guards had been pulled from border patrol. All for what? A celebration built on lies.

I turned away from my reflection, disgust rising in my throat.

The financial records of Moon Shadow Pack were in shambles. Three trade contracts terminated in the last month alone. Our accountants estimated we'd burn through our reserves within two to three years if things continued. But Victoria insisted on this display of extravagance.

That wasn't even the worst of it. The forced marriage between my son and Airina was what truly broke my heart. I had fought with Richard about it repeatedly, especially after I'd overheard him and Victoria discussing using an alpha-order on Damian if he resisted—forcing him to marry Airina and mark her.

I had begged Richard to let me turn myself in to the Supernatural Council to pay my debt to Victoria. My guilt over what happened with Catherine had given Victoria leverage over me for decades. But Richard refused, insisting it would jeopardize trade agreements, that he couldn't function without me, that Damian wasn't ready to take over.

"You have a responsibility to see this through," Richard had told me just yesterday. "One day, Damian will thank us."

I had reluctantly agreed, though my sense of duty was wearing thin. I wanted to do the right thing. I just wasn't sure what the right thing was anymore. Helplessness had become my constant companion.

With a deep sigh, I finally made my way to the ballroom entrance. The moment I appeared, two guards I recognized—and trusted—approached me.

"Luna Isabella," one said, his tone polite but urgent. "Would you please come with us?"

I frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Not wrong, Luna," the second guard said. "Just... unexpected. Alpha Richard has requested your presence."

I nodded and followed them, assuming Richard needed to discuss something before we made our entrance. Instead of leading me toward the small antechamber where Richard typically waited before events, they guided me down a corridor to one of our secure rooms.

When they opened the door, I found Richard and Sebastian waiting inside. The guards left, and the door clicked locked behind them. That was the first sign something was off.

"Richard?" I asked, moving toward my husband. "How did your meeting with Damian go?"

Instead of answering, Richard pulled me into a tight embrace. His body was tense, and his eyes—when he finally released me—held fear. Richard only feared two things: Victoria and the Supernatural Council.

I looked to Sebastian, silently questioning what was happening. He shook his head, seeming as confused as I was. That was the second sign.

The door opened again, and Jason and Alice entered, escorting... Lya?

I gasped. Lya looked beautiful—radiant, even. Her hair, a warm auburn that caught the light, framed a face that had lost its teenage awkwardness and found striking maturity instead. She carried herself with a confidence I'd never seen in her before.

"Lya?" I whispered, shocked and relieved to see her alive. "When did you return? Where have you been? Has Damian seen you?"

Richard and Sebastian had no answers. Wolves of all ranks were lining up to pay their respects to Lya. That was the third unusual sign.

Lya was gracious and friendly to everyone—nothing like the frightened, bullied girl who had left our pack months ago. I realized I hadn't seen Lya smile genuinely in over two years.

Then Airina arrived. I watched her face as she spotted Lya, the shock and confusion clear even from here. I could tell from Airina's reaction that she had no idea Damian and Lya had reunited long before this moment. I suppressed a smile, biting back the urge to tell Richard "I told you they were true mates all along."

Through the monitors, we watched as Damian walked straight to Lya and kissed her. We could hear their conversation through the room's speakers.

"You're late," Lya said, her voice teasing but affectionate.

"Yes, I'm sorry, dear," Damian replied, looking at her with such adoration that my breath caught. "I had to track down something."

He pulled out a framed baseball photo from his suit jacket.

"Is that...?" Lya's voice trailed off.

"Yes. Airina moved into my old room and threw away many of my things. The Omegas helped me recover this from the trash. No, this is the one you gave me. The one that told me there was still hope for us. It means the world to me."

Lya smiled. "You've gotten sentimental, you know that?"

"Only with you, dear," Damian replied, his voice thick with emotion.

My heart swelled with hope, something I hadn't felt in a long time. I had never seen my son so happy. Not once. I was grateful he had found Lya and somehow earned her forgiveness. The Moon Goddess truly works in mysterious ways, and her choices are never wrong.

Together, they walked to the stage. They looked powerful, confident. I was struck by this side of Damian. Had it always been there, unseen by me? Or had Lya brought it out in him?

Damian took the microphone. "Good evening everyone... Before we begin tonight's agenda, please join me in a round of applause for all the staff who worked hard to make tonight so special."

A small smile touched my lips as I watched my son thank the workers. It was something I should have thought to do myself, and I felt a twinge of shame that I hadn't.

As the crowd applauded, I watched Richard's face. He didn't look pleased by this unexpected turn of events. He looked worried. And he should be. Because tonight, everything was about to change.