44. EPILOGUE TWO

44

EPILOGUE TWO

Nepheline

Three Months Later

The council room hums with the low buzz of voices, the energy crackling as the pack members debate fiercely over boundaries and new members for the pack. Standing at the entrance, I adjust my grip on Celeste, her soft breaths against my neck grounding me. Her warmth, her tiny fingers curled into my shirt—it’s all that’s keeping me upright.

Because I’m tired. Beyond tired.

And that bastard Mateo knows it.

He’s seated at the head of the table, arms folded across his broad chest, his eyes watching the room with amusement as chaos unfolds. His lips quirk into the faintest smirk when he meets my gaze and I narrow my eyes at him. He knows exactly how exhausted I am, how the impending storm of my first heat after giving birth is already starting to claw at me.

Beside him, Locke lounges with that wild grin of his, his dark wolfish eyes glinting like he knows something the rest of the room doesn’t. The voices rise again, individuals arguing over logistics and expansion plans and I’m about to turn on my heel and walk out when Locke interrupts.

Luna, my beautiful sister, he calls out, his voice cutting through the noise like a knife. I didn’t think you’d make an appearance.

I let out a low growl under my breath. He’s full of shit and he knows it.

All eyes turn to me as I step forward, my head held high even though my body aches and my mind screams for rest. Celeste stirs slightly in my arms, her soft coos silencing even the most heated voices in the room.

The room falls quiet as I cross the threshold, the pack members bowing their heads in respect. It’s still strange to me sometimes, the way they look at me now—not just as their Luna, but as something more.

Mateo rises as I reach him, his gaze softening as it falls on our daughter. Without a word, he takes Celeste from my arms, cradling her with the same ease and confidence he’s always had. The sight of him holding her, his strong hands so gentle, makes my chest tighten.

“You’re late,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing as he leans in close.

I roll my eyes, ignoring the heat that blooms in my chest at the way his lips brush my ear. “You’re lucky I showed up at all,” I retort, keeping my voice just as quiet.

He grins, the kind of grin that makes my knees weak and then he steps back, his attention turning to Celeste as he bounces her lightly in his arms.

I turn to the room, the weight of their stares settling on me like a tangible thing. They’re waiting, watching, and for a moment, the exhaustion threatens to overwhelm me. But then I remember who I am.

I am The Luna.

“Thank you for your patience,” I start. “I know the decisions we make here will shape the future of the packlands and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.” The room is silent, the tension palpable as I step beside Mateo, my hand brushing against his arm for support. He doesn’t say anything, but the warmth of his presence gives me the strength I need. “As we discuss expansion,” I continue, my gaze sweeping over the room, “we need to remember what brought us to this point. Unity. Trust. We fought together, bled together, and that bond is what makes us strong. Any new members must share our values, our vision.”

A few murmurs ripple through the crowd, but no one dares interrupt.

“Expanding our boundaries isn’t just about numbers,” I say, my voice rising slightly. “It’s about protecting what we’ve built. It’s about making sure that the darkness we fought so hard to banish never finds its way back. We are not a pack built on exclusion or fear. We’re a pack made of many parts, many backgrounds. Cutting people off because they don’t fit a certain aesthetic isn’t what we’re about.” I let the corners of my lips lift into a small smile, lightening the mood. “That said,” I add, a teasing lilt to my voice, “new members will still be vetted. We’re not letting just anyone stroll in and call this home.” A few chuckles ripple through the room as the tension starts to ease. “The magic of the packlands will determine the truth,” I continue. “When a wolf pledges loyalty, the pack’s crest will appear over their heart. If it does, they’re one of us. If it doesn’t…” I let the silence stretch for a moment before shrugging. “Then they can find somewhere else to go.”

The room nods in agreement, the weight of my words settling over them. It’s a fair system, one that honors the magic that binds us while protecting what we’ve fought so hard to build.

Mateo nods beside me, his approval clear in the way he squeezes my hand briefly before bouncing Celeste again. “ The Luna has spoken,” he says, his voice carrying an air of finality.

Locke chuckles—as much as a wolf can. I think that’s all the clarity we need,” he says, his tone light but full of respect. I shoot him a look, but there’s no malice in it. He’s here, with me, with us, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. He’s become a permanent part of the pack, filling holes we didn’t even know we had, and training the new guards to run along the boundaries.

Just as I’m about to call the meeting to a close, something shifts.

A familiar warmth courses through me, sharp and sudden, and my scent spikes in the air, sweet and heady. My body tenses, heat spreading across my skin like wildfire and I can’t stop the soft gasp that escapes my lips.

Mateo’s head snaps toward me, his eyes narrowing as a grin spreads across his face. “Oh, no,” I mutter under my breath, already knowing what’s coming.

He stands smoothly, his movements full of purpose as he steps around the table toward me. “I think that’s enough for today,” he says, his tone light but firm as he addresses the room.

“Luna?” one of the Betas asks, concern flickering across his face.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, waving them off even as the heat intensifies. “Really. Everything’s fine.”

Mateo’s laughter rumbles low in his chest as he places a warm hand on the small of my back, our daughter nestled in the crook of his other arm. “Come on, princess,” he murmurs, his voice a deep, teasing purr. “Let’s get you home.”