Page 51 of My Fated Mate

Rylan shrugs. “He could be more helpful.”

Taking a deep breath, I explain everything—well, not everything since he knows half of it anyway. I tell him that I’ve messed up royally and Elowen is indeed the fated mate, so I need to solve everything as soon as possible.

Zane listens patiently, his face unreadable until finally, he lets out a low whistle.

"Whoa, Alpha," he says, shaking his head. "That's one hell of a mess you got yourself into."

"Wow, I didn’t know. Thanks for the insight, Zane," I mumble sarcastically.

"Alpha," he continues, unfazed. "I may not be the best with the ladies, but I know a thing or two about forgiveness. And trust me, it ain't easy, especially after something like that."

Then, to my surprise, a voice pipes up from behind me. "Did someone say something about females?" Viktar saunters into the clearing, a suggestive grin plastered on his face. "Because I, good sirs, am an expert on the fairer sex."

I roll my eyes, exasperated. The last thing I need right now is Viktar's self-proclaimed expertise on women. He was all charm and no substance, a reputation that precedes him.

"Can it, Viktar," I growl. "This isn't some barroom brawl where you can charm your way out of trouble."

He shrugs, but his grin drops slightly. "Alright, alright. Just saying, I might be able to offer some… unique perspectives."

“Don’t listen to him, Alpha, what you need is sincerity," Zane cuts in. "That's the key. But females have their own way ofknowing. A mumbled apology or a forced show of remorse won't do. They can sniff out insincerity a mile away."

Viktar lets out a scoff. "Please, sincerity? Overrated. Women get mad—you buy them something shiny, something expensive, and poof! All is forgiven."

I glare at him, the urge to throttle him rising again. "Yeah, Viktar, because clearly, all females are the same, easily swayed by baubles and trinkets."

His bravado falters under my withering gaze. He shrugs defensively. "Look, it's worked for me. Every time."

The truth, of course, is probably far less rosy. But Viktar's words spark a thought, a desperate attempt to grasp at any straw in sight. What could I give Elowen? A token of my apology, a symbol of something deeper?

I turn and start toward the council room. Of course, they all follow me.

In there, I turn to the ornately carved chest, the one holding the pack's most prized possessions. It houses jewelry passed down through generations, each piece imbued with history and significance.

My mother's emerald necklace, the sapphire ring that belonged to the first Luna, a collection of intricately carved jade pendants—items coveted by every woman in the pack.

Could that be the answer? Could a piece of our history bridge the gap I've created? The more I consider it, the more the idea gnaws at me.

It isn’t just about the material value. These are symbols of leadership, of love, of the very essence of our pack.

But which piece? Each holds a different meaning, a different story. My mother's necklace, a symbol of strength and resilience, resonates with the way I want to appear to Elowen. But wouldn't it be a painful reminder of the pack that rejected her?

The sapphire ring passed down from Luna to Luna holds a different kind of power. It represents unity, loyalty, and the enduring bond between Alpha and Luna. Perfect, wouldn't it be? A symbol of the bond I so desperately want to rebuild.

Except, Elowen isn’t Luna yet. Handing her the Luna's ring feels premature, a burden she may not be ready for. It may appear as pressure, a demand for something she clearly isn’t prepared to give.

Every option seems flawed, riddled with potential landmines. Maybe Viktar isn’t entirely wrong. Perhaps something tangible, something beautiful, could be a starting point, a way to show I value her.

Then, another idea strikes me—a compromise. I wouldn't present her with the Luna's ring—not yet. But maybe…

My hand reaches into the chest, pulling out a delicate silver chain. Attached to it is a small, pearlescent moonstone, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow.

It isn’t as grand as the other pieces, but it holds a quiet beauty, a gentle luminescence that reminds me of Elowen's own strength and grace.

This is the perfect starting point. It isn’t the Luna's ring. It doesn’t come with a burden of leadership.

But it is a piece of our history, a symbol of something precious and rare.

A symbol, perhaps, of the love I hope to rekindle between us.

---