Chapter 64: The Unexpected Proposal
**Aldrich’s POV:**
Happiness is an odd thing. It often sneaks up on you when you least expect it, leaving your heart light and your mind adrift in dreams. For me, that happiness was Thelma Zane.
I used to scoff at the concept of love. Back in high school; I found the romance dramas that my peers adored laughable and overly sentimental. Love, in my opinion, was a distraction–an emotion that weakened resolve and clouded judgment. Soldiers had no room for such vulnerabilities.
But that was before. Before her.
Now, I couldn’t go a single day without thinking about Thelma–her smile, her fiery determination, even her moments of frustration Everything about her captivated me. She had become the anchor of my thoughts, the reason behind my newfound happiness.
When winter arrived and the first snow graced the ground, I began thinking about the perfect gift for her. Perfumes and cosmetics felt too mundane, dresses too superficial, and jewelry too extravagant. Nothing seemed worthy of her–my moon, who carried the essence of celestial beauty.
Fate seemed to intervene one day when I traveled to Australia for a mission. An old friend invited me to tour his opal mine, a place filled with treasures hidden beneath the earth’s surface. It was there, among the stones and dirt, that I found it–a black opal shimmering like the night sky.
The moment I saw it, I thought of Thelma’s eyes. Mysterious and deep, her gaze held the same allure as the gem in my hands. I knew instantly that this was the gift I had been searching for.
Upon my return, I polished the opal myself, shaping it into a pendant. I carefully chose a silver chain, adjusting its length so the pendant would rest elegantly against her chest. The finished. piece felt like a tribute to her–a token of the connection I felt every time I looked into her
eyes.
Thelma’s reaction to the pendant had been everything I hoped for. Her delight was palpable, her smile lighting up my entire world. For a moment, I felt as though I had captured a piece of the moonlight itself and given it to her.
When I returned to camp that evening, I could hardly contain my elation. My colleagues probably thought I had gone mad, grinning like a fool as though I’d just won the grand prize at the Moonlight Festival.
But the next day brought a more sobering turn of events. My father called, summoning met home for what he described as an important discussion.
Initially, I assumed it had something to do with the southern Duke and his daughter, Carolyn.
Perhaps the Lycan King had devised a new strategy and wanted my father to relay it. But when I arrived, my father’s casual demeanor set me on edge.
“Good evening, son,” he greeted me, setting aside a travel book he had been reading. “How was the Moonlight Festival? Did you meet anyone special?”
His question caught me off guard, but I quickly masked my surprise. “Not exactly,” I replied keeping my tone light. “I suppose the Moon Goddess hasn’t deemed it time for me to find my match.”
As I spoke, I silently prayed for forgiveness. It wasn’t entirely a lie–Thelma and I weren’t officially together yet, after all. Still, I hated hiding my feelings, even if it was necessary.
To my dismay, my father didn’t let the topic drop. He straightened in his chair, gesturing for me to take a seat. “You know, Aldrich,” he began, his tone uncharacteristically gentle, “your generation is quite different from ours. Back in my day, relationships were often arranged, and emotions developed over time. But you young people seem to value feelings above all else.
His words set off alarm bells in my mind. I could sense where this conversation was and I didn’t like it.
headed
“That’s true,” I said cautiously, “but I think it’s important to focus on my career first. As a soldier, my time is limited. Missions and training leave little room for personal commitments. I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to a relationship where I couldn’t be fully present.”
My father nodded as though he understood, but his next words betrayed his persistence. That may be
but you
be so,
don’t have to dive into a relationship immediately. Friendship can be a good foundation for something more. It’s important to meet people who share your goals and values.”
I frowned, uneasy with the direction this was taking. “What are you trying to say,
Father?”
Instead of answering directly, he handed me his phone. On the screen was a picture of Carolyn, the southern Duke’s daughter.
“This is…?” I trailed off, my heart sinking.
“I simply thought you might enjoy meeting her, my father said innocently, though the twinkle in his eye suggested otherwise.
“You called me here to set me up on a blind date? I asked, incredulous.
“Not a blind date, per se,” he countered. “Just an introduction. Carolyn is a bright, well- mannered young lady. Lennon is eager for her to find a suitable fiancé, and I thought you might get along.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Shaking my head, I replied firmly, “She’s only sixteen. That’s far too young for anything serious. Besides, I barely know her. How could you expect. me to consider something like this?”
My father waved off my concerns. “The law doesn’t prohibit engagements at her age, and there’s no rush to make decisions. Friendship first, remember?”
“This is absurd,” I said, rising to my feet. “I’m not interested in dating a high school girl, let alone discussing marriage. And with all due respect, Father, I think we have more pressing matters to focus on.”
Deep down, my mind was already fixed. Thelma was the only one for me. No matter how polished or promising someone else might seem no one could compare to her.
My father sighed, clearly disappointed but not entirely surprised by my resistance. “Very well, ” he said finally. “I won’t push the matter. But do keep an open mind. The future often unfolds in ways we don’t expect.”
As I left, I couldn’t shake the weight of the conversation. It wasn’t just the awkwardness of my father’s matchmaking attempt–it was the reminder of how fragile my situation with Thelma was. We weren’t officially together yet, and the road ahead was fraught with challenges.
But one thing was certain. My feelings for her were unshakable. Whether or not the Moon Goddess had plans for us, I was determined to fight for what we had. My heart belonged to Thelma, and no one else could ever take her place
