Page 50 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
ESTEE
D ying freaking sucks.
Sure, we’re all supposed to die eventually, but I’ve now died and come back to life twice in this lifetime. Maybe even three times if you count whatever happened to me in the shadow realm.
Either way, the next time I go, it better be centuries from now. Or I’m going to raise hell. Maybe even literally.
But truth be told? I’d do it all over again.
Helping Sloane wasn’t a choice. It was instinct.
She’s the kind of queen this realm desperately needed—fearless, honest, and willing to burn down the world to protect it.
And after meeting Julian? I have no doubt he’s going to give Theo and Asher a run for their crowns.
That male has Alpha King written in the very essence of his soul.
We’ve only been back in Selaris for a single day, and yet, everything already feels…
lighter. Like a fog has lifted. Our people are walking taller and smiling easier.
The announcement that wolves from other kingdoms would be welcomed here?
That we were finally open, not just po litically but personally?
Well, you’d think we were throwing the festival of the decade.
Wolves are moving in and out of the castle with armfuls of supplies for our new pack members, laughter echoing through the stone halls.
Donations are arriving faster than we can catalog them—clothing, bedding, handmade gifts, even baked goods wrapped in cloth and still warm.
And for once, no one’s hoarding. They’re sharing .
I thought my heart was full before. Now I worry it might shatter from the sheer amount of love being poured into this pack. Into our home.
As I stand outside on the front steps, taking in the bustle, I spot a pair of our newest wolves walking toward me hand-in-hand. They’re both beaming, practically vibrating with excitement, though there’s a flicker of nerves in their eyes too.
The male bows deeply. “Queen Estee.”
Gods, it still sounds surreal.
But I’ve grown into this title. I earned it. And now I wear it like armor laced in purpose.
“Welcome to Selaris,” I greet them warmly. “I don’t believe we’ve officially met. What are your names?”
“I’m Julie,” the woman says with a smile, clutching the male’s arm tighter. “And this is James. I’m originally from Alcaris, and he’s from Venaris. We found out we were mates right before the battle.”
That explains the stars in their eyes and the shakiness in their fingers. A fresh bond, new and sacred.
“Then congratulations,” I say, placing a hand gently on both their shoulders. “You’ve found something precious, especially in a world like ours.”
Julie nods quickly, but James clears his throat, cheeks flushed with color. “Actually, we were hoping to ask you something.”
Julie glances at him then back at me. Her lips tremble slightly.
“We were wondering if you’d perform our mating ceremony.
We know it’s sudden, but we just don’t want to wait.
Not after everything.” She swallows hard, her voice faltering.
“We’ve learned all too recently that life can be taken away in an instant,” she continues, her gaze misting over.
“And we don’t want to waste a single moment now that we’ve found each other. ”
Her words strike something deep within me.
The way her voice catches at the end, the pain behind her smile.
I know that look. That ache. Someone she loved didn’t survive the fight.
Maybe family. Maybe a friend. But whoever it was, the loss is written in the curve of her shoulders and the quiver of her breath.
I step closer and take both their hands in mine. “I would be honored to officiate your mating ceremony,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
Julie lets out a soft sob of relief, while James exhales like he’s been holding his breath for days. “Thank you,” they whisper together.
“No,” I tell them with a smile. “Thank you . For reminding me what we were all fighting for. We’ll make sure everything is sorted for this evening.”
They nod, and I know—deep in my bones—that Selaris is not just healing.
It’s blooming.
They walk away, James still whispering softly to Julie as he keeps her steady, his touch both anchoring and tender. I watch them for a breath longer, the way their silhouettes lean into each other like gravity itself is pulling them closer then I turn back toward the castle .
I need a minute. Just one. To breathe. To feel.
But halfway up the steps, a familiar voice cuts through the commotion.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Isla’s voice rings out.
I turn, and I’m running toward her without a moment’s hesitation. I throw my arms around my sister and hold on tight.
Without any warning, I break into silent sobs.
Gods, it’s been a hellish week.
She holds me tighter, like only she can. My anchor. My constant. The glue I didn’t realize I still needed until this moment. She doesn’t speak, and she doesn’t need to. Her presence alone is enough.
A voice slices sharply through my bond. “Where are you?” Theo demands.
I send back calm reassurance. “Isla and Asher have surprised us. I’m okay—we’re in front of the castle.”
A blur of movement catches the corner of my eye then Theo barrels around the side of the courtyard in full wolf form. He shifts mid-stride, landing in a crouch on two feet, eyes wild until he spots me safe in Isla’s arms.
“I thought I was going to have to kill someone,” he mutters, rubbing a hand over his face before reaching out to shake Asher’s hand with a gruff nod.
“I told Isla we should have warned you first,” Asher says, his grin unapologetic. “But she insisted the surprise would be better.”
I lean back just enough to glare at my sister. “I would have objected. You were supposed to go home. You’ve got a kingdom to run.”
Isla rolls her eyes. “Cain and Mali have everything under control. Besides, I wanted to tell you the news in person.”
My stomach flips. “What news? ”
She glances at Asher then back at me, and the expression on her face nearly undoes me. There’s something sparkling in her eyes—mischief, joy, love—and before she even says a word, I know .
I gasp. “You’re pregnant?”
She bursts into laughter. “What? No!”
I freeze mid-hug, blinking. “Wait. You’re not ?”
“No!” She’s laughing harder now, reaching into her pocket to pull out a small, ancient-looking phone—chunky and gray with no touchscreen in sight.
“Davin’s been working on some Earth tech projects for me.
I asked him to keep it simple—this one just makes calls.
No texts. No distractions. Just a way for me to reach you , no matter where you are. ” She presses the relic into my hand.
I blink down at it. “Oh.”
She frowns. “Seriously? That’s all I get? ‘Oh’?”
“I thought you were giving me a niece or nephew!” I cry, pouting dramatically. “Now I feel betrayed.”
“Don’t worry, Estee,” Asher chimes in, smirking. “We’ve got plans. That little royal is already on our to-do list.”
Theo’s chest rumbles with amusement. “Guess we’re racing to see who gets there first.”
Damn overly competitive men.
“Who says?—”
“Please do!” she says, bouncing in place. “I need a little Estee running around in case this one up and dies again.”
I gasp, scandalized. “Rude.”
She just grins and leans her head against my shoulder. “Hey, if anything, it just makes me want to spend even more time with you. Nothing’s more important than my sister.”
“Also rude,” Asher mutters, though the sparkle in his eyes says he wouldn’t change a thing.
I wrap an arm around Isla again, holding her close, but before I can say anything else, a voice knocks the breath out of me.
“You weren’t supposed to start without us,” my dad mutters.
I turn.
And there they are. Mom and Dad, walking toward us, their steps sure, their faces soft and weather-worn but lit with love.
I burst into tears again, full-blown sobbing this time.
Gah. Maybe I’m already pregnant because I can’t seem to get a handle on my emotions.
It’s a joke, but even still, Theo is watching me closely, a look of wonder in his darkening gaze.
“I’m going to put a baby in you,” he says through our bond.
“And I’m going to let you. Right after my family leaves.”
“Am I allowed to kick them out?”
My outburst of laughter has everyone else looking at us, but I don’t care. We’re here, we’re together, and the future is brighter than it’s ever been.