Page 95 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

Epilogue

“ A re you sure we should leave Momma right now?” Brody glanced back toward the pack house as he held Asher's hand. He listened as Chasen snickered.

“You aren't worried about Momma. You’re worried about Reiya.”

“Don't pretend you aren’t anxious about leaving Hunter!”

Asher chuckled as he squeezed both of his sons’ hands.

“Do you think your daddy would leave them if it wasn't safe?” A deep, mirthful chuckle erupted from his chest as he looked forward at the well-cared-for path.

Overhead, bright green leaves rustled in the trees, like nature's symphony playing out for anyone who cared to listen.

The sun played hide-and-seek with them, casting dancing shadows on the ground below.

A content smile spread on his face. The last time he took this walk, he held a lot of pain in his heart.

Now, he was so full of peace and love that he was no longer that man.

“You’re gonna be in trouble.” Brody looked up at his daddy. “Momma wanted to come.”

“Your momma needs her rest. Reiya and Hunter are taking a nap, and she was sleeping peacefully next to them.”

“You’re still going to get yelled at.” Chasen grinned up at his dad, watching him nod his head.

“Probably, but because it's your momma, I don't mind. When I first met your mom, I was in a lot of pain. I never showed it, though. I hid behind a rough exterior, but I was depressed and lost.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I almost made the biggest mistake of my life. Thank the gods your momma showed up when she did. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be living a miserable life.

She took a chance on me. She changed me.

Her unconditional love and devotion healed the wounds I'd kept buried.

“My parents were killed during a fearsome war. My father was the strongest werewolf I’d ever seen.

He didn't have any weaknesses except for two … me and my mother. I’m certain he would still be alive today if he’d never taken a mate.

” Asher grew quiet as the boys listened to him silently.

He looked up at the black steel gates that led to the pack cemetery.

As he led them in, he began talking again.

“My mother was a strong fighter, and when war broke out, she insisted on going to war beside my father. The moment my mother began to get overpowered, my father dove in to protect her. When he did, he exposed his vulnerable side to the enemy. I lost them both that day.” He spoke softly, tightly gripping his sons’ hands.

He gestured toward two enormous stone figures of wolves. “They would have loved you both.”

Brody stared up at the large statues in awe before his eyes moved to the statue behind theirs. “Hey, that one has my name on it!” he exclaimed excitedly.

Asher nodded his head slowly. “Believe it or not, that death was harder on me than that of my parents.

Brody was my best friend and my delta. You notice our pack doesn't have an official delta now.” He watched as both boys nodded their heads.

“That's because that was Brody's position.

He died protecting me. I couldn't get over it. He was such a great guy, and he always had my back, no matter what. I promised I would never take another delta in honor of him. I had so much guilt and pain—” He shook his head.

“Well, I closed myself off. I almost married someone other than your mother, too, because of it. Pain and guilt can make you do dumb things.”

“I think he’s happy,” Chasen said thoughtfully.

“What do you mean?” Asher looked down at his son curiously. What an odd thing to say.

“Well, he saved you. He gave his life for you. He was like your guardian.” Chasen smiled up at his dad. “He really loved you, huh?”

Asher's eyes brimmed with tears as he nodded his head. A small smile rested on his lips. “I can look back on his memories fondly now. It still hurts that he’s gone, but I can now be happy for the time I got to spend with him. And that’s all because of your mother and you guys.

You've filled my heart up with so much love, there’s no room for pain. ”

“I'm going to protect Reiya just like Brody did you.” Brody smiled up at his dad, who shook his head.

“How about you all protect each other? We don't want to lose any of you. You’re all our precious children.”

“Brody was just a werewolf though, right?” Chasen watched as his dad nodded his head. “We’re guardians. It’s our job to protect. But don't worry. We’re really really really really strong.”

“Yeah! We’re going to be stronger than you, Dad!” Brody flexed his little arm in the air and put on a fighting face.

“Is that right?” Asher laughed.

“Yeah, we’re going to be stronger than Uncle Grayson, too!” Chasen cheered, holding both arms in the air.

“Uh oh. I think I'm in trouble.” Asher chuckled as he turned his head. He watched as Lita walked toward him, holding Reiya and Hunter. Next to her was Grayson, who had a mischievous smile on his face.

“Looks like we have a couple of hot shots.” Grayson's deep voice sounded as he snatched Chasen in his arms.

“Lita.” Asher grabbed Reiya out of her arms and kissed her forehead.

“You left without me.”

“How could I wake up my sleeping angel? I wanted you to rest.” He moved his nose into her hair as he breathed in her relaxing scent. She gave him everything. She gave him his life back. He would not be the man he was today without her.

“You gave me a family and a real home,” she reminded him as she listened to his thoughts and felt his emotions.

“There are two of us and only one of you!” Brody said, squaring off against Grayson.

“That's right, little cub. It’ll take two of you to take me down.” He chuckled as he lowered Chasen down next to his brother. “Maybe one day you'll be able to try to face me one-on-one.”

Grayson led the children on a playful chase outside the cemetery. Their laughter rang out as Asher wrapped his free arm around Lita.

“You’re a great leader. Your parents would be so proud of you.” Lita smiled up at him.

“It's only because of you. Everything I am is because of you. I gave you a home, but you gave me my life. Thank you, Lita.” He leaned down and softly pressed his lips against hers. “If there’s anything I can ever do—” He stopped and began to laugh as he read her thoughts.

“Well, it would be a big help if you could start lactating, too.” She giggled as she listened to his sweet, rumbling laughter.

“Sorry, my love. I can't help there. But I can sit beside you and feed you while you feed them.” He snuggled Reiya against his chest as Hunter started to fuss. He listened as Lita softly cooed to their son until he quieted down.

“You got me!” Grayson laughed as he fell to the ground. Brody and Chasen pounced on him as their childish giggles filled the air.

Asher smiled as he looked at the memorial statues.

“I wanted to show you the reason why I don't visit as much anymore. And for you to know that I’m doing great.” He paused as he looked at Brody's statue.

“I'm sorry about your sister. Maybe if you were around, it wouldn't have turned out like it did. I messed up there, too. Part of what happened was my fault, and I’m sorry. I won't visit like I used to. I’m no longer going to live in the pain of the past. Thank you for being such a good friend to me.” He glanced down at Lita, resting his chin on her head, while his eyes moved to Brody and Chasen.

He never would have imagined it then, but as bad as things were, they got that much better.

He might have lost a lot, but he gained even more.

And with the fairy magic that flowed through him, he now understood death.

This life might fade, but there were always others.

His parents and Brody might have chosen to reenter the life pool, maybe even starting their lives again.

A smile curled over his lips as he looked at his son Brody wrestling with his brother Chasen.

Maybe.