Page 81 of Alpha's Exiled Mate
The following days unfolded with a calm and fulfilling rhythm, seeming to slip by in the blink of an eye. Under our governance, the kingdom flourished, and the union of the two nations brought unprecedented peace and prosperity. Anna excelled in every aspect, becoming a beloved little princess among the people. And as for Perock and me, we grew even moresteadfast in our love and commitment to each other with every day spent in each other’s company.
A year after our wedding, on a vibrant spring morning, I discovered I was pregnant again. When I shared the news with Perock, his eyes filled with joy and gratefulness, his arms enveloping me as if I were the most precious thing in existence.
“This time, I’ll be there every step,” he promised, his voice thick with emotion. “From the first day to the last, I won’t miss a moment.”
Anna, thrilled at the prospect of a sibling, hovered around me, her small hands often resting on my belly, eager to feel the new life stirring within. She planned lessons for her brother or sister—magic, horseback riding, history, even painting—her excitement infectious.
The palace buzzed with joy, maids sewing tiny garments, Healers monitoring my health, chefs crafting nourishing meals. One evening, Perock and I sat on the palace balcony, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Anna playing at our feet, her laughter a melody.
“You know,” Perock said, his voice soft, his hand resting gently on my slightly rounded belly, “sometimes I wonder if fate planned this all along, long before we were born.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, tilting my head, curious.
“All the pain, the separations, the misunderstandings,” he said, his gaze distant, thoughtful. “Maybe they were meant to teach us to cherish what we have now. Without those trials, we might never have realized how vital we are to each other.”
I leaned against his shoulder, considering his words, the warmth of his presence a comfort. “Maybe,” I said, my voice soft. “But I like to think we shaped this ending ourselves. Our choices, our persistence, our love—it’s what overcame every obstacle.”
Perock smiled, pressing a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering. “Either way, I’m grateful fate brought you to me, that we get to build this beautiful future together.”
Anna leapt up, pointing skyward, her voice bright with excitement. “Look! The first star!”
We followed her gaze, spotting a single, brilliant star twinkling in the deepening twilight. Anna squeezed her eyes shut, her face scrunched in concentration, clearly making a wish.
“What did you wish for?” I asked, smiling at her secrecy.
She opened her eyes, her grin mischievous yet tender. “I wished for us to be this happy forever.”
Perock ruffled her hair, his voice warm with conviction. “That wish will come true, Anna, because we’ll make it happen, together.”
I looked around, my heart full, taking in Perock’s steady presence, Anna’s radiant joy, the new life growing within me. From slave to queen, from orphan to family, from despair to hope—my journey had been one of unimaginable trials and miracles. But here, surrounded by love, I knew every moment of pain had been worth it.
This was my story—a tale of love, forgiveness, courage, and hope. A story of finding light in the darkest moments, of drawing strength from the deepest despair. Whatever the future held, I knew we’d face it together, our bond unbreakable, our love a force no darkness could dim.
Because true love, pure and steadfast, was the greatest magic, the strongest shield, the brightest light to banish any shadow.
Epilogue
Anna
I always loved sneaking up to the highest point of the palace at dusk, watching my father and mother stroll through the gardens below. They thought no one could see them, but from my little secret lookout, I had a perfect view of everything.
My father, King Perock, a man who appeared as imposing as a mountain in front of others, became like a playful boy in my mother’s presence. He would suddenly pop out from behind her, startling her with a gasp; he would sneakily take her hand when no one was looking, gently kissing her fingertips; and on full moon nights, he would transform into that silver-gray wolf, circling around her and making her burst into laughter.
And my mother, Queen Lilia, a resolute and powerful ruler in the court, softened like a stream under moonlight when she was with my father. She would adjust his tie, forcefully pull him away from his desk when he overworked, and tightly hold his hand when he felt uneasy, silently giving him strength.
“They’re beautiful together, aren’t they?” a warm, familiar voice broke through my thoughts, startling me from my reverie.
I spun around, my heart leaping, to find my grandmother, the former queen of Fellinger, standing at the tower’s edge, her silver hair catching the starlight, a knowing smile curving her lips. In her arms, my little sister, nestled close, her chubby cheeks dimpling as she beamed at me, her tiny hand waving with uncoordinated enthusiasm, her giggles a soft trill in the quiet.
“Grandmother!” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my dress. “I wasn’t—I mean, I was just—”
Grandmother’s chuckle was rich and warm, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she eased herself onto the stone bench beside me, her movements graceful despite the years etched into her face. “No need to explain, little Anna,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, settling my sister in her lap, where the toddler promptly grabbed a strand of her hair, cooing contentedly. “When I was your age, I loved sneaking around, watching people too, catching glimpses of their unguarded moments.” She followed my gaze to the garden below, where my parents walked hand in hand, their silhouettes a study in harmony. “They’re fated mates, you know.”
I nodded, my eyes drifting back to them, a familiar ache of wonder stirring in my chest. The legend of fated mates had been my lullaby, woven into bedtime tales by my parents and grandmother, but none captivated me like the saga of my mother and father—a love born amidst betrayal, forged through sacrifice, and sealed by a triumph that united two kingdoms. Their story was a beacon, proof that love could conquer even the darkest trials.
“Can you feel it?” Grandmother asked, her voice soft, her gaze searching mine, as if peering into my soul. “That connection, that unspoken but undeniable thread that binds them?”
I nodded again. Even from this distance, I could sense the unique tie between them. When they stood together, it was as if invisible threads of gold and silver bound them, creating a perfect whole.