Page 23

EPILOGUE

H elena waddled through the gleaming doors of her old restaurant, one hand supporting her enormous belly while the other rested in the protective grip of her mate. Nine months pregnant with what felt like a litter of wolf pups inside her, she had insisted on making this trip despite Sol’s initial objections. The scent of seared butter and caramelized onions hit her nose immediately, triggering a wave of nostalgia so powerful, she had to blink back tears.

“Easy there, my Luna,” Sol murmured, his fingers tightening around hers as he steadied her. “These hormones of yours are making the temperature rise in here.” He nodded toward the small candles on the nearest table, which had flared dangerously high for a moment.

Helena took a steadying breath. “Sorry. It’s just... being back here feels like visiting an old friend.”

The restaurant looked better than she remembered—Tyanna had redecorated with warm copper accents that complemented the exposed brick walls. The lunch rush was in full swing, tables filled with chattering patrons enjoying Marco’s creations.

“Helena!” Tyanna squealed, abandoning her conversation with a customer to rush over. Her eyes widened at Helena’s prominent belly. “Look at you! You’re absolutely glowing! And huge! Are you sure there’s just two in there?”

Helena laughed, rubbing her stomach where one of the babies had just delivered a particularly enthusiastic kick. “Some days I think there might be an entire pack.”

“My pups,” Sol said with unmistakable pride, his hand sliding possessively around Helena’s waist. “Strong already.”

Tyanna led them to a reserved table in the corner—the best in the house with a perfect view of both the dining room and the open kitchen where Marco was orchestrating culinary magic.

“How’s Alina working out?” Helena asked, easing herself carefully into the chair Sol held for her.

“Your pack member is a godsend,” Tyanna gushed. “The organizational skills of that woman! Our profits are up fourteen percent since she took over management.”

Helena beamed with pride. Creating connections between her two worlds had become her specialty over the past nine months. “I knew she’d be perfect.”

Sol’s hand remained on her shoulder as he scanned the restaurant with the vigilance of an alpha protecting his pregnant mate. His green eyes missed nothing, cataloging exits and potential threats with military precision. Helena had long stopped finding his overprotectiveness annoying—especially since she’d learned the pack tradition that dictated pregnant Lunas were never to be left unguarded.

Marco emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. “The queen returns!” he announced, bending to kiss Helena’s cheek. “And looking like she swallowed a watermelon—or two!”

“Watch yourself,” Sol growled, though there was no real heat behind it. He’d grown accustomed to Helena’s former colleagues and their familiar ways, even if he still bristled at other men touching her.

“Ignore him,” Helena laughed. “The closer we get to the due date, the more wolfish he’s becoming.”

Marco grinned. “I’ve prepared something special for you—no spice, I promise.” He winked and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Helena settled against the cushioned chair, contentment washing over her. The twins shifted restlessly inside her, responding to her emotions as they always did. Nine months ago, she couldn’t have imagined this life—mated to a wolf prince, carrying his children, and balancing her culinary passion with leading a supernatural pack. Now, she couldn’t imagine any other path.

“Feeling happy today?” Sol asked softly, his thumb tracing circles on her shoulder.

“Completely.” Helena tilted her head back to look at him. “Though I’m looking forward to not waddling everywhere and being able to see my feet again.”

Sol’s smile was predatory and possessive. “You’re beautiful like this. Round with my pups.” His hand slid to her belly, warm and strong. “My Luna, my world.”

A sharp twinge made Helena gasp, different from the usual kicks and stretches. Sol tensed immediately, his nostrils flaring.

“What is it?” His voice dropped to that familiar authoritative tone.

“Nothing,” Helena assured him, though uncertainty flickered through her. “Just practice contractions. Dr. Lyra said they’re normal.”

Sol looked unconvinced but relaxed marginally. “We’re heading back after lunch. No arguments.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Helena teased, though privately she agreed.

Helena savored the last bite of the wild mushroom risotto, letting the earthy flavors linger on her tongue. Marco had outdone himself, putting together a feast that catered perfectly to her pregnancy cravings while still showcasing his culinary artistry. Though she had left this life behind, she appreciated how her old world and new one had begun to intertwine.

“That was incredible,” she sighed, dabbing her lips with the napkin. “I’ve missed his cooking.”

Sol’s fingers traced lazy patterns on her wrist. “Not as good as yours though.”

Helena smiled, knowing he meant it. She’d begun cooking again three months into her pregnancy, unable to stay away from the kitchen. The pack had been enthusiastically supportive, especially when she’d started incorporating her fire magic into her techniques.

Tyanna emerged from the back, holding a small package. “A little something for the babies,” she said, handing it to Helena. “From all of us.”

Helena unwrapped the gift to find two tiny chef’s hats embroidered with flames and the restaurant’s logo. Her eyes welled with tears.

“Damn these hormones,” she laughed, wiping her eyes. “Thank you. We’ll hang them in the nursery.”

Sol settled the bill despite Tyanna’s protests, leaving a tip that made Helena’s eyebrows rise. For someone centuries old, he’d adapted remarkably well to modern customs—especially generous tipping.

After final hugs and promises to bring the twins for a visit once they arrived, Sol guided Helena outside to where his gleaming fire-red convertible waited. Helena still got a little flutter in her stomach every time she saw him with the car—all that raw masculine power behind the wheel made her wolf purr with appreciation.

“Need help?” Sol asked, his hand steady at her lower back.

Helena shook her head. “I’ve mastered the art of lowering this whale-sized body into a sports car.”

Sol growled playfully as he helped her in any way. “My beautiful Luna.” His eyes darkened with desire as he leaned in to steal a kiss.

The engine roared to life beneath his touch, and Helena felt her body respond reflexively. There was something positively primal about the way his tanned hands gripped the steering wheel, and the way his muscles flexed as he shifted gears. The wind tousled his dark hair as they accelerated onto the highway, and Helena couldn’t help staring at his profile—the strong jaw, the sexy beard, and the intensity in his eyes.

“You’re staring,” he noted without looking at her.

“Can’t I appreciate my ridiculously handsome mate?”

His lips curled up into that crooked smile that never failed to make her heart race. “Appreciate all you want.”

Helena’s phone rang, interrupting the moment. “It’s Mom,” she said, glancing at the screen.

“Helena, sweetheart! How are you feeling?” Her mother’s voice came through the car speakers.

“Like I’m housing a circus in my uterus,” Helena replied, wincing as one of the twins delivered a particularly powerful kick. “They’re active today.”

“Well, considering who their parents are, I’m not surprised. Fire-wielding wolf babies are bound to be energetic.”

Helena smiled, still amazed at how well her mother had taken the revelation about her supernatural status. After the initial shock—and a few singed curtains during the explanation—her mom had embraced Helena’s new life with open arms.

“Sol taking good care of you?” her mother asked.

“I guard her with my life,” Sol answered before Helena could, his tone deadly serious despite the casual conversation.

Helena rolled her eyes fondly. “See what I deal with? Alpha male overprotectiveness 24/7.”

They were turning onto the long drive that led to the castle when Helena felt something shift inside her. A warm gush of fluid suddenly soaked the car seat beneath her.

“Mom, I need to call you back,” she said abruptly, ending the call as she stared down in shock. “Sol?—“

He had already noticed, his nostrils flaring as he picked up the scent. His entire body tensed, his hands gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles whitened.

“Your water broke.”

Helena nodded, a mixture of excitement and terror flooding through her. “The seats?—“

“Forget the seats,” Sol growled, accelerating with enough force to push her back against the leather. “My mate and pups come first.”

A contraction rippled through her abdomen—mild but unmistakable. This was really happening.

“They’re coming,” Helena whispered, her hand finding his thigh as their castle came into view. “Our babies are coming.”

Helena gripped the door handle as Sol accelerated up the winding driveway to their castle, the tires kicking up gravel beneath them. Another contraction rolled through her body, sharper this time, and she instinctively pressed her hand against her swollen belly.

“How far apart?” Sol demanded, his voice tight with concern as he maneuvered the sports car with one hand while the other reached for his phone.

“About fifteen minutes, I think.” Helena tried to maintain her composure, but fear and excitement battled within her. After months of preparation, reading every book on wolf shifter births, and countless conversations with Dr. Lyra, the reality of bringing two new lives into the world struck her with full force.

Sol barked commands into his phone, his usual authoritative tone amplified by urgency. “Lyra, it’s time. Meet us at the birthing suite. Now.” He didn’t wait for a response before ending the call and accelerating faster.

Helena watched the castle grow larger through the windshield, its ancient stone walls never looking more like home than in this moment. “I hope everything’s ready,” she murmured, mentally checking off the birthing plan they’d meticulously crafted.

“Everything has been prepared for weeks.” Sol’s hand found hers, warm and steady. “My Luna will have the best care and the best environment, everything she needs to bring our pups safely into this world.”

The possessive edge in his voice made her inner wolf purr despite the discomfort. It still amazed her how quickly that part of herself had integrated after their mating.

When they reached the entrance, Joshua was already waiting, alerted by Sol’s call. Before Helena could even reach for her door handle, Sol had circled the car and scooped her into his arms.

“I can walk,” she protested weakly, though the protective warmth of his chest felt wonderfully secure.

“Not while I have strength in my body.” His eyes flashed with determination as he carried Helena’s pregnant frame through the grand foyer, pack members parting respectfully before them.

Dr. Lyra met them at the birthing suite, a warm, welcoming room they’d transformed from one of the castle’s chambers. The walls were painted in soothing earth tones with special flame-resistant materials that Helena had insisted on after a particularly emotional prenatal appointment had resulted in spontaneous fire bursts.

“How are we feeling, Luna?” Dr. Lyra’s calm voice immediately soothed Helena’s frayed nerves.

“Like I’m about to push two wolf pups out of my body,” Helena quipped, wincing as Sol placed her gently on the bed.

Sol didn’t leave her side for a moment as she changed into the soft nightgown Deina had laid out. His steady hands supported her through each movement, his eyes never leaving her face. Helena caught glimpses of the fearsome alpha in the tight set of his jaw, and in the way he snapped commands at the servants bringing additional towels and water.

When the next contraction hit, stronger than before, Helena gasped and reached for Sol. His hand enveloped hers instantly.

“Breathe with me,” he commanded, demonstrating the pattern they’d practiced for months. “Like this.”

Helena followed his lead, locking her eyes on his. This man, this powerful shifter who had lived for centuries, looked genuinely terrified despite his efforts to appear in control. The thought that she could rattle an ancient alpha wolf brought a small smile to her lips between breaths.

“Something amusing you?” His eyebrow arched, but his thumb never stopped its soothing circles on her palm.

“Just thinking how the great Alpha of the Sunflare pack looks like he might shift and run for the hills.”

A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “Never. My place is here with you.”

The hours that followed blurred together for Helena—waves of pain punctuated by moments of clarity. Sol remained her anchor, his strength flowing into her through their mated bond. He coached her through each contraction, his voice a steady cadence in her ear.

“You’re doing beautifully,” Dr. Lyra encouraged as she checked Helena’s progress. “The first pup is ready to make an appearance.”

Helena felt an overwhelming urge to push, her body taking control. The primal force of childbirth consumed her, and she channeled her fire magic inward, using it to strengthen herself rather than letting it burst outward. Sol’s face remained inches from hers, his forehead pressed against her temple.

“Push, my love,” he whispered fiercely. “Bring our son into this world.”

With a final, powerful effort, their first child slipped into Dr. Lyra’s waiting hands. The room filled with the strong, indignant cry of a newborn wolf pup in human form.

“A son,” Dr. Lyra announced, placing the red-haired infant on Helena’s chest. “With his mother’s fire.”

Tears streamed down Helena’s face as she gazed at the tiny perfect being—his father’s green eyes blinking up at her from a face framed by wispy red hair. Sol’s hand trembled as he touched his son’s cheek with reverent gentleness.

Before Helena could fully process the miracle in her arms, her body reminded her that they weren’t finished. Their daughter arrived minutes later, her dark hair and fierce grip making Sol laugh through his own tears.

“She has your strength,” Helena whispered as their daughter clutched her finger with surprising force.

Sol cradled their son against his chest, the powerful alpha reduced to awed silence by seven pounds of newborn. “And he has your fire,” he murmured, gazing at the downy red hair. “Perfect balance.”

Helena looked from her daughter’s face to her son’s, then up at Sol. The fierce love that flooded her bond with him nearly overwhelmed her senses. After a lifetime of searching for belonging and happiness, she had finally found her true home—not in a place, but in the family they had created.

“Our little pack,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Sol leaned down to press his lips to hers, their children nestled safely between them. “Our everything.”