When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 42

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 18**

The sun had barely risen on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the vast expanse of the ocean, as Tessa found herself adjusting to life aboard the cruise ship. It had been a month since she embarked on this journey, a month filled with new experiences and unexpected moments of joy. She sat on the deck, scrolling through her phone, the vibrant updates and exhilarating news sparking a flicker of happiness within her.

Gone were the days when the trivial concerns of her former life weighed heavily on her shoulders. The decision to leave the pack had granted her a sense of liberation, an escape from the incessant chatter and judgment that had once suffocated her spirit. With no one to reach out to her, she felt a bittersweet freedom enveloping her.

Yet, even amidst the luxury and comfort of the ship, Tessa occasionally felt the sting of loneliness creeping in. Her wolf, Clara, was a constant reminder of the emotional void left by the absence of their mate. Each day, Clara’s spirit seemed to dim further, mourning the bond that had been so abruptly severed.

“I miss our mate,” Clara sighed, her voice laced with sorrow.

Tessa, attempting to mask her own feelings, replied with a casual indifference, “We no longer have a mate, Clara. That kind of mate isn’t worth having.”

“But do you think we’ll meet a new mate?” Clara’s voice held a glimmer of hope, a flicker that Tessa couldn’t quite extinguish.

Tessa fell silent, her mind racing. The thought of enduring another relationship that could lead to betrayal was daunting. Solitude, though painful at times, felt like a safer choice.

That morning, as the ship docked in Naples, Tessa stepped out onto the deck, her heart fluttering with anticipation. The city unfolded before her, a tapestry of vibrant buildings and bustling life, just as she had envisioned. It was early—a perfect 6 a.m.—and the world around her was tranquil, the soft calls of seagulls filling the air like a gentle melody.

As she admired the scenery, her gaze caught a figure on the adjacent ship, a man standing alone on the deck. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze.

“Mate,” Clara whispered, disbelief coloring her tone.

Both Tessa and the man stood rooted to the spot, the realization washing over them like a tidal wave.

“We’ve found our new mate!” Clara exclaimed, excitement bubbling forth, her spirit momentarily revived.

Tessa’s heart raced. It was indeed him—her fated mate. The coincidence of them both being aboard the same cruise was almost too surreal to comprehend.

She blinked, recalling the salesperson’s words when she purchased her ticket, mentioning that there were only two ships of this kind in existence. The vastness of the world had conspired to bring them together. It had to be fate.

Tessa studied the man closely; he exuded a sense of maturity and calmness that intrigued her. When their eyes locked, he held her gaze, as if trying to decipher the emotions swirling within her.

With a shy smile, she offered him a brief nod of acknowledgment. But before either could speak, the ships began to drift apart, each heading in its own direction, leaving a lingering sense of what could have been.

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