Katy POV
Ace’s room was locked from the inside. I wanted to knock, but Kylie stopped me. She placed a finger on her lips and whispered, “Corella is chanting the spell to reverse the effect of her previous spell. If we go in, she will get disturbed.”
I darted a nervous look. “But I want to be with him.”
She held my forearm gently. “I understand, but let’s be patient.”
Patience was the only thing that I was lacking because I really wanted to be with Ace. Reversing the effect of a spell could have repercussions.
As if understanding what I was thinking, Kylie said, “Whatever the outcome is, Katy, you know in your heart that you won’t leave him.”
Swallowing the lump of emotions down my throat, I nodded. “I’ll never leave him, come what may. Even if that means that he has to start anew.”
“Great!” Kylie beamed. “So, would you like to wait here or go to your room?”
“Let’s go to my room.” I knew Logan would take care of Ace.
As we walked back to my room, I noticed how everyone in the castle bowed to me. It was odd. There was a time when they didn’t even acknowledge my presence. In fact, I barely ever went beyond the main hall of the castle.
It was the first time I was seeing it from inside and I couldn’t help but say that it was a breathtaking structure. The ancient walls were adorned with beautiful portraits of the ancestors and expensive fabric depicting the history of the pack. Tall chandeliers hung from the ceilings. Ceramic vases ran across the corridors with climber roses and magnolia, emitting an intoxicating scent.
Suddenly, a group of pups bumped into us. Their eyes went wide with wonder and they all bowed to me. I smiled as they hurried away, giggling.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow!” Kylie squealed. “And boy, isn’t this a beautiful castle? Logan and I can spend every summer here!”
I bit my bottom lip as I beamed with happiness. Marriage with Ace seemed like a dream come true. I couldn’t hold my excitement.
Upon reaching my room, I went to take a shower. My mind went back to how the competition started. I was a wild entry and came out victorious. Instead of recalling what all I went through, I picked up my shampoo and cleaned my hair. Fuck it all. I was going to get married to Ace tomorrow, and that was all I ever wanted.
Logan called us two hours later. When I reached Ace’s room, I saw he was sleeping. Logan hugged me and warned me not to talk about our past. “Though Corella has reversed the spell, she says that he will suffer from temporary memory loss.”
I clenched my teeth as I stopped myself from crying. Did Cassie and Luce know what they were doing to the heir of the Viking pack? How could they do this to him? How could anyone do this to anyone? What kind of mentality did they have?
Logan cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “You’ve gone through a lot, Katy. This is your final test. Stay by his side, and I’m sure that you will pull him out of it.” He shook his head. “I’ve been so blind all my life to not notice this. If I’d known before, I would have got you married to him already. Honestly, I just―” he couldn’t finish his words.
“Logan, please don’t beat yourself. All’s well that ends well.”
He chuckled and nodded lightly. “You’ve grown up, baby sis. Honestly, I am not liking it, but I guess it’s for good.”
I grinned and hugged him. Logan had always been like a father figure to me, protecting me from every calamity. And then there was Ace – fiercely guarding me. The process of Selection pushed me to struggle and forced me to mature.
I promised myself that instead of spoiling my children, I would empower them with responsibilities, fostering their independence and self-assurance, so they don’t have to wait for a rude awakening to learn life’s lessons.
Logan left with Kylie, who was of the opinion that she wanted to shop for herself and for me. After all, they needed to buy a wedding dress for me. I loved her enthusiasm. And thank the goddess, she was my best friend. It’s all thanks to her small maneuver in the invitation to Selection that I am here today.
This was my first time in Ace’s room. Not exactly how I thought it would be, but I was happy that I was with him finally. I slid next to him and, as if on instinct, he turned to me and pulled me to his chest. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and murmured, “Katy…”.
Goddess. I couldn’t help a teardrop that slipped out of the corner of my eye. My Ace was back. I closed my eyes and snuggled in his chest. It was amazing how I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
I woke and stretched myself with a yawn. My entire body was so relaxed that I felt like I was on cloud nine. I turned to look and found myself staring right into the most beautiful hazel eyes of Alpha Ace. He was watching me intently with his head propped up on his hand.
“Hey,” he murmured softly as he entwined his finger in a strand of my hair.
“Hey you,” I replied.
He leaned towards me and kissed my lips. “I’ve missed you.” There was so much love in his intense gaze that I melted.
“I’ve missed you too,” I said, tracing his jawline. “Did you know I won the Selection?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Yes, Logan told me. But I can’t seem to remember much after that or before it.”
Feeling sad, I wrapped him in my arms. “You don’t have to remember anything, love. Take every day as it comes, okay?”
He pulled me to his chest and pressed me to his body, inhaling my scent. “With you, I’m sure that my future is secure.”
His words were all the encouragement I needed. “I love you!”
“And I love you!”
I lifted my head. “We are getting married tomorrow.”
“And I can’t wait for that.”
I lowered my head and pressed a kiss on his lips. He deepened the kiss, and I let him devour me because I knew he needed to feel me all over again.
Though I wanted to stay with him the whole day, the king ordered that the bride couldn’t see the groom until the marriage. He also ordered that I wear a wedding gown with a long veil and a long train.
Ace hated the order of not being able to see me. He attempted multiple times to come to my room, but Logan always stopped him. Kylie and I would burst out laughing, listening to their scuffle.