The Silent Luna's Trial (Maple and Finn) novel Chapter 63

Chapter 9

Ryan was jolted awake by the sudden ringing of his phone, the sharp sound cutting through the quiet morning air.

“Hurry up, the mating ceremony is about to begin,” Olivia’s voice came through urgently, breathless on the other end.

“Why can’t I get through to Tessa?” she added, her tone laced with worry.

Ryan responded with a quick, distracted murmur before ending the call. The noise had also roused Chloe from her rest.

“Ryan,” Chloe whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she looked up at him with glistening eyes. “Once Tessa becomes your Luna, will you still care about me?”

Her fingers nervously tapped against his arm, a silent plea for reassurance. Without hesitation, Ryan pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

“Of course I will,” he said softly, his gaze locked on hers with unwavering affection. “Everything I’m about to do… it’s all for you.” He leaned in, pressing a tender, heartfelt kiss to her lips.

“Alright, babe,” he said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood, “let’s get ready. We should head to the Moon Tree soon.”

Once he was prepared, Ryan immediately tried calling Tessa. He dialed once, then twice. By the third attempt, the call went straight to voicemail, and a heavy unease settled over him.

Even Chloe sensed the tension, her earlier nervousness now replaced by a growing worry.

Had something happened to Tessa?

Without hesitation, Ryan grabbed his belongings, determined to rush to the pack house despite any objections. Just as he was about to leave, his phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number.

It was Tessa.

“It’s me,” she said, her voice slightly distorted. “There’s something wrong with my phone—it’s not working properly. But don’t worry, I’m waiting for you under the Moon Tree. I’ve got a surprise planned.”

Hearing her voice eased the knot in Ryan’s chest. A small smile spread across his face, and he tried to calm those around him.

“Tessa just called,” he announced, his tone lighter. “She’s preparing a surprise for me. Just be patient.”

The joy in his expression was unmistakable. This was the moment he had been dreaming of—about to step into his role as the true Alpha of the pack. It felt like fate itself was conspiring to make this day unforgettable, with Tessa adding her own touch of magic.

Nearby friends chuckled softly, teasing the couple.

“You two are still so deeply in love after everything,” one whispered with a smile. “You really are the perfect picture of happiness.”

But as the ceremony drew closer, Tessa was nowhere to be seen.

Leaning in, Olivia whispered in Ryan’s ear, her voice low and sharp.

“Do you think she’s having second thoughts? It’s getting late, and she still hasn’t shown up. If she tries to back out now, I won’t let her off easy.”

Ryan tugged gently at his mother’s sleeve, his confidence unwavering.

“No, she loves me. There’s no way she’d run away. Besides, she said she was preparing a surprise!”

Still, he remained blind to the storm brewing beneath the surface.

As the elders urged them to take their places on stage, a creeping panic began to gnaw at Ryan’s heart.

Standing on the platform, he tried to cover for Tessa’s absence. “Please, everyone, just hold on a moment. The ceremony will begin shortly…”

Before he could finish, a ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. People started checking their phones, their eyes shifting towards Ryan with growing curiosity.

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Olivia climbed onto the stage and pulled Ryan down gently, holding her phone up for all to see.

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