37. NEPHELINE

37

NEPHELINE

The hours since my mates left have been heavy like I’m carrying the weight of the packlands on my chest. The silence in the house is oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of Darius checking on me or the quiet hum of Dr. Ellis as he fusses around. I’m curled up on the couch, the warm lavender tea Darius made me cradled in my hands.

I don’t even like lavender that much, but it reminds me of him, of the way he always knows how to soothe the sharp edges.

The first pain slices through my abdomen like a bolt of lightning, stealing the breath from my lungs. I hiss, my hand flying to my belly as the tea sloshes dangerously close to the edge of the cup.

“Bambi?” Darius’ voice booms through the house, his footsteps thundering down the hallway as he bursts into the room. His eyes are wild, his hands already reaching for me.

I hold up a hand, forcing a shaky smile. “I’m fine,” I manage, though the lingering ache tells me otherwise. “It’s just… it came out of nowhere.”

Darius doesn’t look convinced, his hands hovering like he’s not sure if he should touch me or stand guard. Dr. Ellis steps into the room, his calm presence doing little to ease the tension crackling in the air. “Let me check,” he says, his voice soft as he kneels beside me.

I grit my teeth, nodding as he presses gentle fingers against my belly, murmuring reassurances I barely hear. Another wave of pain crests, but it’s duller this time, a deep ache rather than the sharp stab from before.

“You’re okay,” the doctor says finally, pulling back with a faint smile. “Your body’s preparing. With how close you are to your due date, it’s not surprising that you’re starting to contract. This could go on for days—or it could pick up quickly. It really depends on the magic.”

I nod, my fingers tightening around the teacup. Dr. Ellis’ words feel distant, blurred at the edges.

Because something else is pulling at me.

A whisper.

It’s soft at first, like a breeze brushing against my mind, but it grows louder, more insistent. It’s not the guttural voice of the First Alpha—this is different, familiar in a way that makes my heart stutter.

Locke.

I barely register standing, the tea slipping from my fingers to the coffee table as I wobble toward the back door.

“Neph, what are you doing?” Darius’s voice is panicked as he moves to my side, his hands on my elbow to steady me.

“I hear him,” I whisper, my breath hitching. “It’s Locke. I know it.”

The whisper pulls me harder, like a tether I can’t ignore, guiding me to the door. My hand shakes as I grip the handle and fling it open.

The cold bites at my skin, but I don’t care. Not when Locke is standing there, his massive wolf form framed by the faint glow of the setting sun. His dark fur ripples in the wind and his golden eyes—so much like the ones I remember—are locked on me.

I hear Darius shift behind me, his soft growl of warning vibrating through the bond. Neph, we don’t know if it’s safe yet , he murmurs, his voice low but tense.

But I know. I know .

“It’s him,” I say softly, my breath curling in the cold air as I take another step forward. “It’s my brother.”

Locke moves then, slowly, his massive paws crunching against the frost-covered ground. His head lowers slightly, his ears flicking back as he stops just a few feet from me.

And then, to my shock, he bows his head.

My heart shatters and mends all at once, the sight of his submission—his trust—taking my breath away. I don’t hesitate. I step forward, wrapping my arms around his snout as that’s all I can reach, burying my face in the thick fur there. “You came back,” I whisper, my voice trembling.

His body vibrates with a low rumble, something that feels like relief and sorrow all at once.

I heard you, his voice flows through the pack bond we share, deep and rich, and unmistakably Locke. Every time you spoke to me, I heard you. It took time, but your voice pulled me back. Away from him.

I pull back slightly, my hands still buried in his fur as I stare into his golden eyes. “You’re free?”

Not completely,” he admits, a shadow flickering in his gaze. But I’m here. I found my way back to you, Neph. Back home.

The tears spill over, and I don’t bother trying to stop them. “You’re home,” I choke out, hugging him tightly again, his warmth grounding me. “Goddess, Locke, I thought I’d lost you forever.”

Behind me, Darius clears his throat, his presence steady and protective as always. “Neph,” he murmurs, his tone softer now, “we need to get you inside.”

I glance back at him, reluctant to let go, but the cold is starting to seep into my bones. Locke steps back, his golden eyes flicking to Darius briefly before following me to the door. Darius guides me toward the living room, his hands hovering protectively around me. Locke follows, his large form moving with surprising grace as he pads silently across the floor.

When I settle into the nest, Locke lowers himself to sit just at the edge, his head tilting slightly as he watches me.

Darius stands nearby, his arms crossed, his brow furrowed in thought. “I can hear him,” he says suddenly, his voice filled with quiet surprise.

I nod, wiping at my damp cheeks. “Of course you can,” I say softly. “Technically, we’re all the same pack. He’s part of the Nightshades now, whether he realizes it or not.”

Locke huffs softly, his golden eyes glimmering with amusement. You always were the bossy one, he teases, earning a soft laugh from me.

“Don’t act like you didn’t love it,” I shoot back, the bond between us flickering with warmth. It’s almost perfect having him here with me, in my house, on our lands again.

His gaze softens then, and he shifts slightly, his eyes dropping to my belly. You’re pregnant,” he murmurs, awe lacing his voice . I always knew you’d make a family, Nepheline. Even when we were younger, I knew you’d be the one to bring something beautiful into this world.

My throat tightens and I press a hand to my belly, feeling the faint flutter of life beneath my palm. “They’re everything to me,” I admit, my voice trembling with emotion. “My mates, this baby… And now you. You’re here, Locke. You’re home. ”

He nods, his golden eyes glistening with something I can’t quite name. I never thought I’d see this. But I’m glad I have.

The warmth of the nest wraps around me like a cocoon, but the weight of the moment presses heavy on my chest. Locke’s massive wolf form is still at the edge of the nest, his golden eyes watching me intently. He hasn’t moved, hasn’t tried to shift back, and the question burns in my mind until I can’t hold it in any longer.

“Why haven’t you shifted back?” I ask softly, my voice trembling. “Why haven’t you… why can’t I see you, Locke?”

His ears flick and he lowers his head slightly, as if bracing himself for something difficult. His voice filters into the mindlink, deep and steady but laced with an emotion I can’t quite place. Because this is all that’s left of me, Neph.

I blink, his words settling over me like a weight I wasn’t prepared for. “What do you mean?” I whisper, my throat tightening. “What happened to you?”

He takes a slow breath, his golden eyes never leaving mine. The First Alpha destroyed so much of who I was, he begins, his voice filled with quiet sorrow. There was nothing left that night. Nepheline, I died. My body did. But someone brought my wolf back. It’s the only form I have left. This is all that remains. My wolf. My instinct. My soul. If you’ll accept it, this is who I am now.”

The tears spill over before I can stop them. I reach out, my hand tangling in the thick fur of his neck as I choke out, “Yes. Of course, yes. You’re still my brother, Locke. No matter what form you take, you’re still you. ”

His golden eyes soften as he leans into my touch, a low rumble vibrating through his chest. It’s comfort, it’s reassurance, it’s him—and it’s enough.

But then another sharp pain rips through my abdomen, stealing the air from my lungs. I gasp, clutching my belly as the contraction seizes me, my body trembling from the intensity.

“Bambi!” Darius is at my side instantly, his hands steadying me as he helps me lean back against the nest. His face is pale, his eyes wide with worry. “What’s happening?”

I let out a shaky breath, my teeth clenched as the pain ebbs. “I think she’s coming,” I whisper, my voice thin. “I think my baby girl is on the way.”

Darius curses under his breath, his hands moving to gently massage my belly. “You’re early,” he says, his voice tight but steady. “The doctor said it could be days.”

“Well, she has other plans,” I manage, a weak laugh escaping despite the pain. Another contraction rolls through me, and I squeeze his hand tightly, tears streaming down my face. “I wanted to wait for them to be here,” I cry. “I wanted them to see her, to hold her.”

Darius presses a kiss to my forehead, his voice a soothing murmur. “It’s going to be okay, Neph. We’ll get through this. They’ll be back. They always come back to you.”

The pain subsides slightly, and I look over at Locke, who has risen to his feet, his massive form casting a shadow over the nest. His golden eyes meet mine, fierce and determined.

Nothing bad will happen to the packlands while I’m here, he says firmly. I’ll protect you, Nepheline. I’ll protect you both.

His words send a fresh wave of emotion crashing over me, and I nod, my breath hitching. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with gratitude.

Darius moves quickly, his hands steady as he supports me through another contraction. I can feel the bond between us humming with love and reassurance, his presence grounding me as the reality of what’s happening settles in.

My baby girl is on her way.

And even though my mates aren’t here, I know we’ll be okay. Because we’re not alone. Not anymore.

Locke is here.

And for the first time in a long time, hope feels like something tangible—something real.