Chapter 136
Damian’s POV
“I noticed your place is a little sparse,” I said, keeping my tone casual as I grabbed a shopping cart. “Thought we could stock up on things. For when I stay over p>
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Aria’s face turn bright red.
Her neck flushed, then her cheeks, then even the tips of her ears.
God, she was adorable when she was flustered.
I’d never been to a supermarket before—not like this, anyway. Growing up, we’d had staff who handled shopping. As an adult, Rick took care of anything I needed.
But I’d seen my grandparents go shopping together when I was younger. I remembered how natural it looked—how easy. Just two people, moving through the aisles, picking out things they needed.
I wanted that with Aria.
I wanted normal.
“Damian, what—” Aria started to say something, but I was already scanning the shelves.
She picked up a bottle of body wash—some lavender-scented thing—and I immediately grabbed five more of the same kind.
If she liked it, we needed backups.
“Damian,” she said slowly, turning to stare at our now-overflowing cart. “Are you trying to buy out the entire store p>
“You said you liked it,” I pointed out.
“That doesn’t mean we need half the inventory p>
She started putting things back, and I frowned.
“If we buy extra now, we won’t have to come back as often,” I said logically.
Aria laughed—actually laughed—and shook her head.
“Damian… have you ever actually shopped at a supermarket before p>
I hesitated. “Not really p>
Her expression softened, and she stepped closer, her voice gentle.
“The point isn’t to stock up for months at a time. It’s to come back regularly. You buy a little, use it, then come back for more. That way nothing expires, and She smiled. “It gives you a reason to keep coming p>
“Together?” I asked, my chest tightening at the thought.
Her eyes warmed. “Of course. If you want to p>
If I wanted to.
As if there were any question.
“I do,” I said firmly.
She turned back to the shelves, reaching for something on a high row. I moved without thinking, stepping up behind her and easily plucking it down.
She was so small compared to me. Delicate. Soft.
And yet, standing here with her in this mundane, ordinary place, I felt more grounded than I ever had in a boardroom or a Pack meeting.
This—her, us, this quiet simplicity—this was what I wanted.
“Thanks,” she murmured, glancing up at me with that shy smile that made my wolf preen.
I wanted to kiss her right there in the middle of the aisle.
But I held back.
Barely.
By the time we loaded everything into my car, it was late, and Aria looked tired but happy.
On the drive back, her phone rang.
I saw her glance at the screen, and her expression shifted to panic.
“Damian,” she said, her voice rising slightly. “Your parents. Your grandmother. Do they know we got married? Did we—should we have told them first p>
I could hear the worry in her voice, and I hated it.
“I texted them right after we signed the papers,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “They know p>
She blinked. “They do p>
“My mother called to lecture me about being too impulsive. She thinks I didn’t give you a proper proposal or celebration.” I glanced at her. “She’s right. I’ll fix that p>
“I don’t need anything fancy,” Aria said quickly. “Today was perfect p>
“You say that now,” I said. “But you deserve a real wedding, Aria. A ceremony. Something the whole Kingdom can witness p>
She bit her lip, clearly still anxious.
“As for Crescent Moon Pack,” I continued, “I want to handle the announcement carefully p>
“You don’t really have anyone you’re close to there,so we should find a suitable opportunity to make a public announcement p>
I reached over and took her hand, squeezing gently.
“No one is going to question your place at my side, Aria. Not when I’m done p>
Her eyes shimmered, and for a moment, I thought she might cry.
“Damian she whispered.
“I mean it,” I said firmly. “You’re my mate. My wife. My Luna. And I’m going to make damn sure everyone knows it p>
She squeezed my hand back, and I felt my wolf settle, satisfied.
This was right.
She was mine.
And I was never letting her go.