Epilogue #3

*FLORA*

I always believed that time would heal all wounds, but today, I know it’s not always that simple. Some wounds will remain with us, but ideally, we will have learned to deal with them in a healthy manner. I still miss Grandma, especially when I think about my own little family and my children, who she will never meet. There are days I still cry over my loss.

It’s similar for Elden. During the last couple of years, he has stopped talking about Caelum. He lets others say or think whatever they want - they are too scared of him to share their unwarranted opinions, anyway. When others ask about his parents, he doesn’t go into detail about what happened. He doesn’t even correct them, unless someone directly insults his mother. I know he doesn’t want to constantly relive the trauma. Now that he is a father himself, I know he realizes how little connections he had to his family, and how little love he received while growing up. No one ever paid him any attention when he was a child. Sometimes, he overcompensates with our children, but in whatever he does, he always thinks about them, and me. His family always comes first.

“Do you need help, love?” Elden calls out from the hallway. He is carrying our youngest, Finn, in his arms, who is still fast asleep, while I make sure to get Marius dressed properly.

“I am helping with Mari, Dad,” Liam answers readily.

Indeed, he helps me with getting his brother dressed, even at his young age, already the responsible older brother. It seems to be in his genes because he absolutely loves doting on his siblings. I was scared he would be much more jealous when Marius was born, shortly after him, and then Finn, but to my relief and surprise, Liam immediately loved being an older brother.

With Liam helping me, I get Marius dressed much faster, and soon we all join Elden. I know he is incredibly proud of Liam, and he makes sure to tell him regularly. I can see how hard he tries to be the perfect father. When it was just Liam, he was much more tense; constantly scared of making mistakes. I guess the trauma from his father ran much deeper than he realized himself. But with every passing day, Elden more and more realizes he doesn’t need to constantly prove himself. He is nothing like his father.

“You look wonderful,” Elden tells me with a gentle smile.

“You too.” He really does. He is wearing his best tux and has tied his hair back slightly. He looks fine, especially now that he has grown a beard. I could jump his bones anytime!

“Ginny just linked me. She is almost here,” Elden says.

“Fantastic!”

We will have our nanny watch Finn and Marius today, because they are both too small to join us, but Liam is allowed to come with us, which makes him very proud. Once Ginny has arrived and takes over, Elden takes Liam’s hand to lead him out of the room. I follow them, quietly closing the door behind us so as not to wake Finn up.

“How do I look, Mom?” Liam asks me, clearly copying his father by the way he looks at me and asks. It’s the cutest thing ever. “Yesterday, Dad showed me how to tie my tie!”

“You did it yourself!? You look like a true gentleman!” I exclaim.

“See,” Elden whispers to him, “I told you Mom would be impressed.”

“Mom’s impressed but also in a hurry,” I say, ushering my two men out of the door. “We need to get moving. “Mom’s a bridesmaid.”

I am wearing a light-pink flowery dress that was handpicked for me, with a matching flower crown. The wedding itself isn’t particularly pompous. It is obvious that there was a lot of love poured into it and that it’s a couple who has been waiting for this day for a long time, and just wants to share their joy with everyone.

When we arrive at the location, I leave Liam with Elden and hurry to find my best friend. Both Elden and Liam work and train a lot with each other already, although Liam is still so young. But he does have a very strong lycan spirit, and has to steadily learn how to control him. However, just having fun with each other definitely comes as an advantage today, to give them both a chance to relax, and Elden is eager to make this as much fun for Liam as possible, indulging him completely.

“Flora!”

I follow the voice until I reach the bridal suite, hugging Janice tightly. “I am so, so, so, so happy, Janice!” I blurt out. “Finally!”

She laughs. “Yes, finally!” She is much more earnest now, than she was a couple of years ago. After the years of turmoil, hiding and living in fear of being detected, it was to be expected. The happier I am to see her so joyful and relaxed today. “Is Elden already with Jace?”

“When I left him and Liam, they were on their way to look for him,” I inform her.

“Good,” she smiles. “He was feeding the twins. Fortunately, they are taking the bottle now and don’t need to be breast-fed anymore.”

“Ah,” I turn around when I hear the door opening gently and see Rosemarie coming inside, the two babies in her arms. “Here they are.”

“I made sure Jace stays behind,” Rosemarie chuckles. “And just brought the boys. I figured you might want to see them.”

“You were right,” Janice beams and reaches out her arms, happily taking the twins. She looks at them full of love. “My boys,” she says gently, as her eyes fill with tears.

Rosemarie hugs her while I take her hand. “It’s all going to get better from now on,” I say quietly. “No hiding anymore, no running away, no abusive parents that keep you and your mate apart.”

“We can finally be together openly,” she says. “It was a long road, but it was worth it.” Something in her voice breaks slightly. “Though it could have been easier.”

“I am sure the goddess will reward you with all the joy you can get,” Rosemarie says. “Jace proved to be more than worthy as an alpha. And I feel comfortable leaving you with him. I know he can protect you now.”

I nod. It wasn’t too long ago that Janice had to go into hiding, because their scheme was uncovered and then finally, Jace had had enough and challenged his father for the position that was rightfully his. Finally putting an end to this whole ordeal, he and Janice had to go through. He definitely proved to everyone that he was worthy of his rank. On the night of his victory, he made sure to return Janice to the pack and marked her as his.

I gaze at the two baby boys in her arms. “How can you even tell them apart?” I ask.

Janice smiles. “It’s simple. This here-” she gently brushes her finger over the cheek of one baby, making it curl its nose. “This is my little Henry, and this here-” She repeats the gesture with the twin brother, laughing when he grabs her finger. “This is my sweet Anthony.”

“They are beautiful,” I say softly. “And they are lucky to have such a wonderful mom.”

Her blonde hair falls into her face now while she gazes at the twins, rocking them slightly. “No one is standing in our way anymore. It’s such a weird feeling. I still want to hide or run out of habit, but I don’t need to anymore.”

“I am sure you will be a fantastic luna to Emerald Moon,” I say.

“Well, the former one was garbage,” Rosemarie says dryly. “So, if anything happens and you mess up, you can still be sure that you are doing better than her.”

She has successfully broken the melancholic moment with her sarcastic comment, and Janice and I giggle. “Here, let me take the boys,” I offer.

“I can barely part with them,” Janice says. “My lycan is already feeling so protective over them.”

“I understand that,” Rosemarie chuckles. “But both of you need to get ready now. I will take the twins and make sure they get some sleep.”

“I hope they can grow up with your children,” Janice says while she watches Rosemarie leave with the boys.

“They definitely will!” I say. “Liam is already doting on them anyway.”

“He really is the born big brother,” Janice chuckles.

“Already so responsible,” I sigh. “I wished he would have had more time to be a child.”

“The fate of a firstborn royal lycan,” Janice says quietly. “It’s not always all that great.”

“Yes, but I will make sure he receives as much love as possible,” I say. “And then there is Dante, who is doting on him like crazy. Even more so now than before. He understands his responsibilities much better now that he is a little older.”

“See, the goddess knew what she was doing by sending Dante along.”

She really did. I can’t say for certain, but I want to believe that Selene made sure Dante and Liam’s paths crossed so early, so that they could grow up and rely on each other. It means that Liam will always have someone who has his back, even as a little child.

I help Janice with her hair, before we both get up, finally ready to meet with everyone else. Janice wears a simple yet very elegant embroidered white dress, fitting her tall frame and dignified posture. The hard, last years have truly made her grow up, yet also given her an air of dignity that her pack members will certainly be drawn to.

“Come,” I say, locking our arms. “Jace is waiting.”

Janice smiles brightly. “Let’s go. From today on, he doesn’t need to wait for me ever again!”