“Gus!” his father sobbed, clutching his son tightly against him. I was crying too, unable to stop my heart from aching at the sight of this long-overdue family reunion. Just how many families were finally together like this at this very moment, like us? And to think many wouldn’t know the truth for days or even weeks. Istill had letters to send out to the furthest parts of my kingdom with the news. Those poor alphas and omegas would have to wait a while longer for their reunion, but at least they would get the news soon.
A choked voice sounded from the doorway. “Gus?”
My eyes landed on an exact copy of Gus, just with less height and muscle.
“Corin!” Gus let his father go and flew over and hugged his twin fiercely. Both looked so pained and relieved as they held on to each other for dear life. I couldn’t watch it anymore, my heart hurting too much already, so I turned to Gus’ omega father.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, holding out my hand.
He took it, giving me a watery smile, his eyes still teary. Bram and Lio stood next to their father, their attention on Gus and Corin as they continued to embrace.
“I can’t believe it was all a lie,” Gus’ father said, shaking his head. “Oh, and I’m Mikkel, and this is Lio and Bram.” I finally had a name for each face, which was nice. I only knew Lio was the eldest.
“It was thanks to your son that I began questioning if alphas truly were a danger to us omegas. Gus’ kindness and affection proved to me he could be trusted with my heart and, soon after, we learned the truth.”
“I’m so proud of him. I always knew his kind nature would help him in life. I’d just never imagined him changing it, too.” Mikkel’s eyes were gleaming with pride as we watched Gus and Corin smile, speaking in hushed tones, their conversation a sacred thing between them.
“Would you mind spending some time here at the palace?” I asked them. “I have rooms for all of you. I think Gus would appreciate having more time with you after all these years apart. And you can meet your grandchildren and nephews.”
“We would love that,” Mikkel agreed. “I think Corin might stay for longer. He hasn’t been himself since Gus left. In fact, my poor son hasn’t spoken a single word to anyone since Gus left, and now… Look at them.” He nodded at his sons, who were engaged in a quiet conversation. “I fear separating them again. But if it’s a bother, we can move closer, and he can visit instead.”
I smiled softly. “Corin can stay here forever if he wants to, and so can you. You’re family now.”
Lio grinned proudly. “We’re royalty!”
I laughed at that, seeing so much of my mate in his eldest brother.
Gus came over, holding Corin’s arm in his, both of them red-eyed and smiling.
“Your family is staying with us,” I informed him, knowing he needed to hear it. The grateful smile he sent my way affirmed that, and so did the quick kiss to my lips.
Hal stepped closer, silently offering Gus Lumi, who proudly showed him off to his family, and they cooed in delight at our precious baby. Then Briar came with Ember, handing him to me, and Gus’ family did the same to him, gently touching his cheeks andawingover how gorgeous and cute they both were.
“Let’s all eat together in the dining room,” I declared, letting Gus walk with Corin and Lumi while I walked with Mikkel and Ember, eager to get to know my father-in-law better.
I couldn’t believe I finally had my own family.
Epilogue
Gus
Two years later…
Ember was my little shadow, but I didn’t mind one bit. Wherever I went, he went too, following me around as he quietly discovered the world around him. Two months ago, we celebrated the twins’ second birthday with my family,ourfamily! It was still surreal some days that I could now see my omega family whenever I wanted. They lived close by, my father only a few miles outside the city walls in a small village, and Lio one hour away, where he owned a paper mill with his alpha husband, Kal, whom he no longer needed to only see in hiding. Yes, my eldest brother had fallen in love with an alpha years ago and had fathered two children. Bram was overseas. He had been for six months now. When Seb had decided that he was finally ready to learn the destiny of his fathers, Bram had volunteered to lead a royal expedition to find them. And then there was Corin, my twin. I’d convinced him to stay with us, and he now lived at the palace, where he mostly helped Adrian at the stables.
Ember frowned at me, his sky-blue eyes not leaving my hands for one second, as I sanded down the owl I’d just finished carving from a piece of walnut tree. My little son was so like his father, my beautiful mate. A mini-Seb. So serious. So unlike his carefree brother, Lumi.
We were sitting in the open doorway to the stables, the early spring sun warming our faces. Laughter sounded from outside the stables where Hal was pulling Lumi around on Grace, one of our many horses. Briar sat behind Lumi, his arms wrapped protectively around my son. Hal grinned dopily, like he always did when Briar was close. It was no secret that my best friend was smitten with the tiny omega, but Briar seemed mostly indifferent, although my clever king assured me he wasn’t. He was just…Briar.
I looked back at Ember, whose frown had increased, his cute little nose all scrunched up, a handful of freckles scattered across his cheeks. Ugh, my son had better not be working on one of those logic-defying diapers of his. For some reason, he always made them when he was alone with me and never around Seb. Almost like my little omega son made them out of spite to tease me. I couldn’t wait until the boys were out of their diapers.
I narrowed my eyes at Ember. “You better hold it in, Little One. I’m not done with the owl yet.”
He sniffed, then rolled his eyes. I never knew toddlers could roll their eyes, but then again, Ember wasn’t just any toddler.
“I mean it.” I smiled at him, shaking my head. The amount of love I held for Seb and our boys was ridiculous. Like all-consuming and limitless. I would walk through the pits of hell just to protect them from any harm. Luckily, I wouldn’t have to since our kingdom had thrived immensely under Seb’s new order, and everyone seemed to be as content as they could be.
“Corin says it’ll only be a few more days,” Adrian called out to me as he appeared from around the corner of the building. Corintrailed a few steps behind him, a light blush on his cheeks, his face dipped toward the ground.
