“Don’t you dare,” I warn. “You’re on bedrest. That means you stay in bed.”
“I hate bedrest,” she grumbles, but she’s smiling. “I’m going insane with boredom.”
“Two more weeks,” Astra says from where she’s arranging flowers on the side table. “Then you get to meet your baby.”
“Two more weeks of Seth hovering over me like I’m made of crystal.” But there’s love in her voice, deep and unshakable.
I settle into the chair beside her bed, taking her hand. “How are you feeling? Really.”
“Huge. Uncomfortable. Ready to have this baby out of me.” She squeezes my fingers. “But also terrified. What if I’m a terrible mother?”
“You won’t be.” I say it with certainty. “You’re going to be amazing.”
“Says the woman with three perfect children.”
I laugh at that. “‘Perfect’ is not the word I’d use. Anson asked me this morning why we have to sleep and couldn’t we just skip it. Bella tried to climb a tree wearing her best dress and tore it toshreds. And Veer ate an entire pot of honey before breakfast and was bouncing off the walls for hours.”
That gets a real laugh from both of my friends.
“See?” Selene says. “You make it look easy.”
“It’s not easy. It’s chaos. Beautiful, exhausting chaos.” I touch my stomach. “And I’m about to add another one to the mix.”
“How are you feeling?” Astra asks, moving closer. “Any morning sickness?”
“Not this time, thank the gods. With Veer, I was ill for months.” I lean back in the chair. “Kieran’s already panicking about having four children. I caught him making a list of all the things that could go wrong.”
“Sounds like Lucian when I was pregnant with Jaylene,” Astra says. “He nearly drove me insane with all his precautions.”
We fall into easy conversation, the kind that only comes from years of friendship and shared history. We talk about our children, our mates, the small details of our lives that feel both mundane and precious. Astra tells us about Jaylene’s latest antics, how she has started sneaking into the kitchens to steal pastries. Selene shares stories from her healing practice, the patients who make her laugh, the ones who test her patience.
And I tell them about the quiet life Kieran and I have built in the mountains. The pack that has thrived under his leadership. Our children who are growing up strong and happy. The peace we have finally found after all the darkness.
“Do you ever miss it?” Selene asks suddenly. “The palace? Being a royal guard?”
I consider the question. “Sometimes. I miss you two. I miss the excitement.” I pause. “But no. Not really. I love my life now. I love waking up in Kieran’s arms. I love watching our children grow. I love the simplicity of it.”
“You’ve changed,” Astra says, and there’s no judgment in it. Just observation. “You’re softer now. Lighter.”
“I am,” I admit. “But I’m still a warrior. That never goes away.”
“Good,” she says fiercely. “Never lose that part of yourself.”
There’s a knock at the door, and Seth pokes his head in. “Is my mate being a good patient?”
“Terrible,” Selene says cheerfully. “I tried to escape twice already.”
He rolls his eyes but moves to her side, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Of course you did.”
I watch Seth and Selene together, the easy affection between them, and a warmth blooms in my chest. This. This is what we fought for. These quiet moments of love and laughter and peace.
My first family flashes through my mind—the brothers I will never see again, the parents who never loved me the way they should have. All that pain, grief, and loss.
But then, I think of what came after. Kieran. Our children. This family we’ve built from the ruins of our pasts.
Worth it. All of it was worth it.
Later that night, after we’ve put the children to bed in the guest wing, I find myself in the gardens with Astra. The moon is bright overhead, casting everything in silver light.
