Chronically in love

Epilogue (Zoe and Arthur)

I paced in my study, my hands running through my hair. Tomorrow was the date, the first one, and I was already overthinking every detail. I had faced rogue packs, fought battles, and led my people through chaos, but this—this was somehow more terrifying.

"She's going to hate it," I muttered to himself.

Nalia, sitting on the windowsill, raised an eyebrow. "Why would she hate it? You've barely told me anything."

I groaned, dropping into the chair behind my desk. "I don't know what she likes. Human dates are different, right? What if she wants something simple, but I make it too extravagant? Or what if it's too simple, and she thinks I don't care enough?"

Nalia rolled her eyes. "Arthur, you're thinking too much. The fact that you're worrying this much means you care. Zoe will see that."

I stared at her,  "What if I screw it up? She's already mad at me. What if I make it worse?"

Nalia crossed her arms. "Then you apologize again, and again, and again until she forgives you. You love her, don't you?"

I sighed. "More than anything."

"Then show her. Be sincere. It's not about the date itself—it's about you trying to make things right."

I nodded, though the worry still lingered. I wasn't used to feeling so uncertain. But for Zoe, I'd face any fear, even the fear of her rejecting me. Tomorrow had to go well. It had to be perfect.

_________________________________________________________

Two days later, after dinner, Arthur arrived at my door, knocking softly like he was afraid I might not open it. I hesitated for a second before pulling the door open, trying to act like I wasn't feeling a weird mixture of excitement and nerves.

Arthur stood there, dressed in a simple button-up shirt, looking way too nervous for someone who was king of the werewolves. His eyes softened when they landed on me. "You look beautiful," he said quietly, and for a second, my heart did a stupid flip.

I cleared my throat, reminding myself that I was still mad. "You're not off the hook yet," I said, crossing my arms, though I couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

"I know," Arthur replied, his voice serious, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes. "But I'm going to try my best."

We walked in silence for a bit, out of the castle and into the forest. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when we reached the clearing, I stopped short. He had set up a small picnic, fairy lights strung in the trees, glowing softly in the dusk. There was a blanket on the ground with food laid out, and somehow, it was exactly what I hadn't realized I wanted. Not too fancy, but thoughtful.

"You did this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. "I had some help." He glanced at Nalia, who was pretending to check something on her phone a few feet away. "But yeah. I thought it might be nice. Simple, like... human dates, right?"

I couldn't help it. I smiled, and for the first time in days, it felt real. "You did good."

We sat down, and for the first time in what felt like forever, we talked. Really talked. About stupid things, about our lives before all of this, about anything but the heavy stuff weighing on us. For a little while, I let myself forget that I was angry, that there was a kingdom waiting for me to figure out what I wanted to do.

When the night ended and Arthur walked me back to my room, he stopped outside the door. "Zoe... thank you. For giving me a chance. I know it's going to take time, but I'm not giving up."