After packing my belongings, I took one last stroll through Red Stone pack.

The streets buzzed with excitement over the Alpha’s upcoming mating ceremony. The entire pack was immersed in a festive celebration. I walked aimlessly like an outsider, until I unconsciously found myself at the central square.

My steps stopped abruptly.

Before my eyes, the center of the square bloomed with massive spreads of fiery red petals. Under the carefully arranged string lights, they blazed magnificently in the night like burning flames, so brilliant they hurt to look at.

Cosmos flowers.

The exact vision I had described to him countless times – my dream of what our bonding ceremony should look like.

My chest felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer. Dull pain instantly swept through my entire body. I could barely stay standing.

In this barren, desolate land of Red Stone pack, keeping even an ordinary flower alive was nearly impossible, let alone these delicate cosmos that required careful nurturing and specific soil conditions. It had once been my impossible dream.

“Aria, don’t worry,” Damon’s voice from memory echoed with the passion and determination unique to youth, as if sounding right in my ear.

“No matter what it costs, I’ll make it happen! I’ll make sure the entire Red Stone pack sees our ceremony covered in the most vibrant cosmos flowers! My love for you will be like them – eternal, never extinguished!”

He had actually done it. Just not for me.

I shook my head, cutting off the memories, and looked up to see Damon and Serena walking in this direction.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

I trembled, my eyes rimming red.

“Beautiful.” Serena immediately clutched Damon’s hand like a cheerful little bird, practically melting against his side.

Her face showed undisguised triumph and happiness. “Damon! It’s absolutely gorgeous! I never imagined you would really… go to such lengths for me! This must have been so difficult, right?”

She gazed up at him adoringly, completely satisfied, as if she were the most beloved princess in the world.

This should have been my flower sea. This should have been the promise fulfilled for me.