41. NEPHELINE

41

NEPHELINE

I’m barely holding it together, exhaustion dragging at every part of me, but I can’t let go just yet. My baby girl is swaddled against my chest, her tiny, perfect form cradled in my arms. She’s so small, so delicate, and yet her presence feels so much bigger than this moment.

Her aura is almost overwhelming, radiating this soft, soothing energy that washes over me like a balm. It’s not just me—I can feel it rippling through the bond, calming everyone. Even Darius, who’s been pacing and fussing for hours, stands still, his tension melting away as he stares at her.

She makes the smallest sound, a tiny coo, and I’m gone. Completely undone. Tears slip down my cheeks as I lean down, pressing the softest kiss to her forehead. Her skin is warm and smells faintly of lavender, of home.

“Hi, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Welcome to the pack.”

Her eyes flutter open for the briefest moment, hazy and unfocused, but it’s enough. She’s here. She’s real.

Locke moves closer, his massive wolf form practically filling the room as he crouches beside me. His golden eyes are soft, almost reverent, as he lowers his head to nuzzle the baby’s head. His nose brushes against her cheek, and she lets out the tiniest squeak, her little hands curling into fists.

“Look, Locke,” I say softly, my voice thick with emotion. “She’s perfect.”

He rumbles low in his chest, a sound I know is agreement, and I smile. This is everything I’ve dreamed of and more. My family, together.

As I sink back against the pillows, my eyes fluttering closed, I hear her soft breaths, the quiet murmurs of my mates, and the steady hum of the bond.

“Welcome to the pack, Celeste,” I whisper one last time, her name a promise on my lips.

And then I let the darkness take me, secure in the knowledge that she’s safe, loved, and ours.

The world feels soft around the edges as I wake, my body heavy with exhaustion but my heart impossibly full. I stir slowly, the warmth of the bond pulsing faintly in my chest, and then I feel it—the magic. It’s alive again, humming like a melody through the packlands, wrapping everything in its gentle embrace.

“Hey, Bambi,” Darius says softly.

I blink up at him, my vision still hazy, but his face comes into focus, his warm silver eyes filled with so much love it makes my chest ache. In his arms, our daughter stirs, her tiny fingers twitching as if she feels it too—the magic, the life returning to the land.

“She’s perfect,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to her tiny forehead before helping me sit up. “Just like her mom.”

I let out a shaky laugh, brushing my fingers through my tangled hair as Darius helps me to my feet. My body protests with every movement, sore and tired, but I cradle Celeste against my chest and everything else fades.

The moment I hold her, the magic surges again, stronger this time, and I realize it’s not just the land—it’s her. She’s tied to this place, to us, in a way that feels bigger than anything I can comprehend.

“Neph,” Darius says gently, his hands steadying me as I wobble. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

I nod, my voice firm even though my legs feel like jelly. “I have to be. They’re here.”

The packlands are alive with movement, wolves gathering at the edge of the crystal forest as if drawn by an unseen force. The Sapphire wolves approach from the other side, their coats glinting in the soft light and it’s like the magic itself has called us all together.

I can see them—my mates—just beyond the trees, their forms silhouetted against the morning light. My heart clenches as I take a shaky step forward, Darius at my side, steady as always.

Celeste coos softly against my chest, her tiny face peeking out from the swaddle of blankets. I adjust her carefully, murmuring words of comfort as we make our way toward the gathering.

The cold bites at my skin, but I barely feel it with the warmth of the bond pulsing through me. Every step feels like it’s guided by something greater, something ancient, and I can’t help but marvel at the way the forest seems to glow around us.

As we break through the treeline, the air shifts. The wolves who fought to protect the packlands—Nightshades, Sapphire wolves, even some of the pack of the Forbidden—turn to us, their eyes wide with awe.

Mateo’s wolf steps forward, his eyes locking onto mine, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s battered and bruised from the fight, but he’s alive. He’s here. He shifts mid-step as he closes the distance between us. The moment he reaches me, his hands cradle my face, his lips crashing against mine in a kiss that steals the air from my lungs.

“You brought me back,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice thick with emotion.

Tears well in my eyes as I pull back just enough to look at him. “You promised me you’d stay,” I whisper, my voice trembling.

“I’ll always stay,” he vows, his forehead pressing against mine. The world seems to pause around us as he looks down at Celeste, his eyes softening in a way that makes my heart ache. “She’s beautiful,” he whispers, his hand brushing over her tiny head.

Each of my mates gathers around us, their eyes wide with wonder as they take in the tiny bundle in my arms. Remi is the first to reach out, his hand trembling as he gently touches her fingers.

Asani chuckles softly, his hand brushing against mine. “Celeste,” I say finally, my voice steady despite the tears streaming down my face. “Her name is Celeste. It means heavenly.”

Mateo takes her from me, his hands cradling her with a gentleness that brings fresh tears to my eyes. He turns to face the gathering wolves, his voice strong and commanding as he lifts her into the air.

“This is Celeste,” he declares. “The child of The Luna , the light that will guide us into a new era. Today, we leave behind the darkness. Today, we rise stronger, together.”

The sound of joy echoes through the packlands like a wave, swelling and crashing around us. Howls of celebration rise into the air, the energy so thick it feels like the very land is humming. The wolves—ours and the Sapphire pack alike—are rejoicing. It's a moment of peace, of unity, of triumph after what feels like an eternity of darkness.

Mateo steps forward, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Victoria, Lawrence, Kehlani, and Ilara. With a slow, deliberate movement, he inclines his head, a nod of respect and faith that makes my chest tighten.

The Sapphire wolves have been with us through every step of this journey, their loyalty tested and proven in ways that words can’t describe. Victoria catches his gaze, her expression softening as she returns the gesture, a silent promise that they will continue to stand by us.

Mateo turns back to me, handing me our daughter before kissing my forehead. The tension in his shoulders eases as he steps to the side to address my brother. For a long moment, I think he’s going to reject Locke but he doesn’t. Instead, Mateo bows his head as a sign of respect for another pack Alpha.

“Welcome to the pack,” Mateo says, his voice steady, but there’s a warmth there, a sincerity that makes Locke’s ears flick back.

Locke dips his massive head and my chest tightens. This moment—this connection—feels like a bridge between the past and the future. The air shifts, a strange stillness settling over the clearing as the celebrations continue around us.

At first, it’s just flickers of light, almost like fireflies dancing in the breeze. But as I watch, the shapes become clearer, more defined, and my breath catches in my throat.

“Neph,” Darius whispers, his hand brushing against mine as he follows my gaze.

They’re here.

My father, Casimir, stands tall and proud, his eyes shining with a warmth I haven’t felt since I was a child. Beside him are Ilsa and Gael, Mateo’s fathers, their expressions filled with pride and love as they look at us—at Mateo, at me, at Celeste.

The wind carries their presence, their spirits shimmering like sunlight breaking through the clouds. My heart feels impossibly full, a mix of joy and sorrow swirling within me as I take in the sight of them.

They’re proud of us.

They’re proud of me .

The wind shifts again, and I feel the faintest brush against my cheek, like a kiss carried on the breeze. And then, just as quickly as they appeared, they’re gone, their forms dissolving into the light.

The celebrations continue around us, but in this moment, it’s just us—my mates, my brother, my daughter. My family.

The bond between us pulses with life, with love, and I know that this is only the beginning.

As I look down at Celeste, her tiny face peaceful and radiant, I feel a surge of hope so strong it takes my breath away. And in that moment, I know that we can face anything. Together.