Page 64 of Prey of the Lycan Queen (Unwanted #2)
Three years can either seem like the blink of an eye or a vast expanse of time, stretching on endlessly. For me, it was a bit of both. But what’s undeniable is how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same.
From my vantage point on the palace balcony, I watch our three-year-old daughter, Larisse Electra, dash through the gardens.
Her raven curls dance in the sunlight. We decided to name her after our mothers and my grandmother.
Looking at her now, I see the name fits perfectly, and I know one day Larisse will make history—just like the three strong women who influenced our lives and her name.
Behind her, three white blurs—Gnash, Shadow, and Hunter chase her tirelessly, their playful growls and her joyful giggles filling the air. The scene is one of pure, unbridled happiness.
Larisse is the spitting image of Regan, but she inherited my fiery spirit. Every day she grows more independent and assertive, leaving her fathers and me in awe—and occasionally exasperated. But seeing her surrounded by our loyal protectors, I know she is safe, loved, and cherished.
A gentle hand settles on my protruding belly, drawing my attention from the playful scene below. Regan stands beside me, his eyes reflecting the same mix of pride and affection. “She’s going to be an incredible queen one day,” he murmurs, his gaze fixed on our daughter.
I chuckle softly. “Let’s hope the kingdoms are prepared for her brand of leadership. Can you imagine her and these three ruling at her side?” I tease, motioning to the trio of wolves, who now seem content to allow Larisse to climb all over them.
Regan laughs, the sound rich and warm. “The kingdoms won’t know what hit them.”
We share a comfortable silence, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of lavender and rose gold. I lean into him, my thoughts drifting to the new life growing within me. We weren’t planning for this child, but life, as always, is full of surprises.
“Do you think Larisse will be as thrilled about being a big sister as she is about being chased by those three?” I muse.
Regan’s arms wrap around me, pulling me close. “Knowing our daughter, she’ll probably try to recruit the baby into her little ‘army’ the moment they’re old enough to crawl.”
I laugh, imagining the scene. “Poor baby. Doesn’t know what they’re in for.”
“My daughter will run rings around her,” Zeke taunts. Coming to stand beside me. He shoves Regan away. Even without being told, there was no denying Larisse was Regan’s. She definitely inherited his wrath.
“Oh please, this one is mine. I made sure to be first every heat,” Lyon says as he wanders out.
I shake my head at them when Larisse calls out.
“Daddy, come play with me, my wolves are being lazy,” she huffs when the three of them collapse beside her, refusing to chase her anymore.
“Daddy’s coming, sweetie,” Zeke calls, only to be shoved by Lyon.
“I’ll be right there,” Lyon calls, only for Zeke to tackle him.
Regan sighs and stomps down the steps while Zeke and Lyon wrestle, not realizing Regan has stolen her attention already.
I chuckle watching him chase after Larisse.
She stops and bends to pick up a tennis ball, and Regan freezes mid-step.
My brows furrow as flames shoot from the ball, and Larisse squeals.
I gasp, and Lyon and Zeke both freeze in panic, but Regan is already at her side, clamping his hands around the ball she lit on fire with her magic.
Feeling my own magic flare, I rush down.
“Shh, calm down, sweetie, it’s not hurting you,” Regan tells her as she flails her hand around freaking out.
“Breathe, it’s just magic like Mommy’s. You got excited,” he tells her, but I can feel his pain as he tries to smother the flames with his bare hands.
I reach out to touch her magic and smother it. “Let me?—”
“No, she can do it. She can control it,” he says, pulling her hand away. Regan presses a gentle kiss to her forehead, and she hiccups a sob. “Breathe, Larisse,” he tells her, and she shakes her head.
Gnash wanders over, brushing along her tiny back, and, just like that, the flames extinguish. Regan quickly moves his hands behind his back, letting them heal before she sees.
“What’s wrong, puddin’?” Zeke asks, scooping her up. “I ruined my ball and hurt Daddy,” she cries.
“You did? He looks fine to me,” Zeke tells her, and Regan holds out his healed hands. She reaches for his hands, turning them over, her brows furrowing in confusion.
“But I smelled his skin burning?”
“Nope, not even a blister,” Regan tells her, taking her from Zeke just as Lyon wraps his arms around me.
Just like we didn’t know what we were in for when we started this journey together, we don’t know what her future holds, but one thing I do know is she’ll never face it alone. Looking at our family. It’s more than I could’ve ever hoped for.
It took hours to soothe our sweet girl, but as I watch her sleep in her father’s arms, surrounded by her family in front of a warm hearth, I feel a profound sense of peace.
As night settles over the kingdom and the stars begin to shimmer, I feel a profound sense of peace.