Page 100 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Mother." Cedric stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "I'll remember your criticism. I'll take better care of Alice from now on."

Mother glared at him but dropped the subject.

Father and Adrian came forward too, each giving me a hug.

"Where's Ethan?" Mother asked eagerly. "I need to see him right now."

"Sleeping in his room." I smiled. "I'll take you to him."

I led them to Ethan. Mother held him and couldn't get enough, saying he looked exactly like I did as a baby. Even when it got dark, she didn't want to let go.

Finally, Cedric suggested I stay with Mother until the wedding so we could spend time together. Only then did she look satisfied.

I'd never felt time move so fast. In a blink, it was the day before the wedding.

"Alice, my darling." Mother brushed my hair, eyes red. "I haven't even had enough time to spoil you, and now you're getting married. I can't bear it."

"Mother, I'm his mate." I reminded her. "We already have a child."

"That's different." She insisted. "To me, tomorrow is the real wedding. Tomorrow I'm truly placing you in his hands. Thank the Goddess she blessed me, let me find you again, let me watch you marry your mate."

I squeezed her hand. "Mother, he'll be good to me."

"I know." She wiped her tears. "I can see he truly loves you. But I still can't let you go..."

"I'm not disappearing." I felt tears coming too. "I'll visit often. With Ethan."

"Yes."

Mother and I talked late into the night. I thought she'd stay with me through it, but suddenly she said she had to go comfort Father. Ever since learning Cedric and I would have a proper wedding, Father had been distraught.

He'd even briefly entertained the idea of making Cedric marry into Rhine. Tonight he was probably crying somewhere.

Mother's words lightened my heavy mood. I walked her to the door, watched her leave, sighed softly.

I returned to my room, sat by the window, looked at the moon. Suddenly, the memory of my last life's wedding surfaced.

Back then, Victoria faked illness. Cedric abandoned me to see her. Those adoptive parents mocked and sneered, treating me like a social-climbing tool. The whole wedding, I stood alone. No one truly cared.

Now I had parents who loved me. A brother who protected me. A husband who cherished me. An adorable child.

I finally had a whole family of my own.

On the wedding day, all of Hilphia came alive. I stood in the dressing room, staring at my reflection.

The pure white gown was embroidered with silver and pale blue thread. The hem was dotted with tiny moonstones and pearls that shimmered with soft, dreamlike light as they caught the angles of illumination. The design was clever, perfectly tracing my curves.

On my head sat a crown set with sapphires. My long hair was braided into an elegant updo, with a few strands falling naturally by my ears. The whole look was both dignified and soft.

The birthmark on my face had long since vanished, revealing smooth skin. I lightly touched that spot that had made me ashamed for so many years. An indescribable feeling welled up.

"Beautiful." Mother stood behind me, voice full of admiration. The next moment, her eyes reddened again. "My daughter, you're so beautiful..."

"Mother, don't cry." I turned and hugged her, heart aching. She'd cried for me every day since arriving. "If you cry, your makeup will run. You should be happy for me."

"Yes, you're right. I shouldn't be crying. This is your big day." She patted my back, forcing a smile.

The door opened.