Two days passed, and Fin hadn't left Nova's side once.
She worried about his Alpha duties, about the responsibilities he must've been ignoring, and whether he might eventually get tired of taking care of her. But the moment that thought began to spiral, he shut it down before it could gain speed.
"No," he said firmly. "I'm taking care of you, and I don't care how long it takes. Most Alphas go on holiday for a month when they find their mate. I finally have you, and I'm not wasting a second."
She felt a rush of gratitude so strong it nearly stole her breath. Fin was becoming more and more in tune with her thoughts—reading her, anticipating her, always reassuring her before she even had the chance to spiral. He was relentlessly proactive, always two steps ahead. He took care of her without hesitation, calling for Elias and her tonic before she even realized she needed one.
The waves of sadness and grief still came—but never for long. Each time, Fin pulled her back with a surge of love and steady strength, quiet but unshakable. He touched her constantly. A hand on her back, fingers brushing her knuckles, his lips pressed to her hair. He kissed her often, twirled her hair, and whispered soft things.
He was playful and made her laugh. He was helping her feel like herself again. Piece by piece.
On the third morning, Fin kissed her forehead and smiled softly.
"We're going to hold the ceremony tonight," he said. "For the new Gamma… and for you. Luna of the North."
She looked at him in surprise.
"I want you to have all the rights I do," he continued. "I want the entire North to know you are Queen today."
He intertwined his fingers in hers and kissed her hand.
"I already had the paperwork drawn up to make you Nova Shadowclaw."
She blinked. "You—"
He kissed her head again. "It's already done."
What she didn't know yet—what he hadn't told her—was that he'd chosen a crown. His mother's crown. A piece of history and legacy. And it would be hers tonight as part of the ceremony. He'd surprise her with it then.
Later that day, Elle stepped into Fin's quarters, arms full of bags and a determined look on her face.
"This would be a lot easier in my room with my own closet," she said, giving Fin a mock glare as she set everything down.
"You mean your closet?" Fin asked, laughing. "You and Cael's room?"
"Oh right. His too," Elle said innocently.
Fin raised a brow. "Does Cael even have clothes in that closet?"
"Fin, behave," Elle said, tossing a pillow at him with expert precision. It hit his shoulder with a soft whump, making Nova laugh for the first time in a few hours. Fin smiled. That laugh was his favorite.
She was wearing a white short silk robe Elle had brought up, the fabric soft and pearlescent against her skin.
"I really need to take her down to my closet for a few minutes," Elle said, pulling a cloak around Nova's shoulders and tossing a pair of boots at her. "I'll bring her right back."
Fin narrowed his eyes, amused. "Then why did you haul an entire duffle bag up here?"
"I forgot stuff, obviously," Elle muttered and then looked at Nova "Just put these on."
Nova bent to slide on the boots, tugging the cloak tight around her as it fell over the robe.
Fin couldn't help but stare. Even like this— boots and silk, half-covered in a cloak—she looked radiant.
"Why do you manage to make everything you wear look good?" Elle muttered under her breath as she looped an arm through Nova's and started pulling her toward the door.
Nova looked back at Fin just before stepping out, hesitation flickering across her face a little distraught. It was only downstairs, but still it made her feel sad to be away from him. She continued with Elle.
Elle finished Nova's hair and makeup in her massive walk-in closet—bigger than most bedrooms, and organized with frightening precision. As soon as she was done, the two of them walked out of the closet.
They didn't get far. Cael jumped out at them both:
"BOGOGOGOGOGO!"
Both Elle and Nova screamed at the exact same high-pitched frequency.
Nova flinched so hard she stumbled backward, and the drink in her hand launched directly into Cael's face, splattering across his shirt and dripping from his chin. Her heart pounded in her ears. Cael just stood there, completely frozen—arms still raised mid-ambush, eyes wide, blinking through citrus and sparkling water.
Nova stared, equally frozen. She wasn't sure whether to laugh, apologize, or throw another drink on him for good measure.
Two seconds later, Fin barged in like a storm, eyes sweeping the room until he saw her. He was at her side instantly, pulling her into his arms.
"You okay?" he asked, already scanning her for damage. Nova nodded against his chest.
Then he looked at Cael—dripping and guilty—and finally down at the remains of the drink still splattered on the floor.
He looked back at Nova and then bursted out laughing.
"Serves you right. Trying to jump-scare her on the day of her Luna ceremony?" Fin shook his head, grinning as he scooped Nova into his arms. "Come, baby. We need to get you dressed."
He kissed her forehead, and the tension in her chest melted like snow under sunlight. She nuzzled into the crook of his neck, safe again. Immediately feeling better.
"I'll be up in a few minutes!" Elle called through her laughter. "I need to help my mate get a new shirt."
Fin carried Nova out of the room.
"If I could commission a painter to capture the scene I just walked into," he said with a chuckle, "I'd make it giant and hang it right here at the end of this hallway."
Nova laughed softly against his neck.
He took her back up the stairs, into the quiet comfort of their quarters. He crossed the room and gently lowered her onto the couch, sitting down beside her.
Then he leaned in and kissed her—slowly, reverently—as if she were the most sacred thing he'd ever touched.
"Did you miss me?" Fin asked, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"Yes," Nova answered honestly, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his cheek. She had missed him—even if it was just for a little while.
Fin ran his fingers along the edge of her silk robe, eyes twinkling. "I'm going to get you one of these."
She blushed instantly, heat rising to her cheeks.
"I want to get you things, Nova. I want to fill our closet with clothes just for you," he said, voice low and sincere. "You don't have a choice. I'm sorry, baby."
His grin was boyish, full of affection, but what he felt back through the bond made his chest ache—waves of love, adoration, and quiet gratitude rolling into him from her. That had been happening more and more lately, especially when she looked at him like that. It made his heart melt.
Then he really looked at her.
Her makeup was flawless. Her hair curled in soft waves, half-pinned up, delicate and thick. She looked like a goddess. No—she was a goddess. Every time he saw her, it felt like the first time all over again.
He couldn't stop staring.
Nova noticed—and flushed even more.
"You're so bashful," he said, shaking his head gently. "I'm going to change that. You're going to get used to being worshipped."
He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers.
"You always take my breath away."
Nova inhaled his scent, letting it ground her, letting it soothe whatever little pieces of her still trembled. Her heart swelled.
"I love you, Fin," she whispered. She felt shy saying it out loud, but it was the only way she could even begin to express what he meant to her.
He smiled, brushing his lips over her hair.
"Love you too, baby."