Chapter 277 The Promise of Family

Chapter 277 The Promise of Family

TRISTAN

"Say yes," I heard her mother’s voice, and then Nyra’s, cutting through the haze of the room, assisting me.

Yelena blinked, her gaze shifting as if she were shaking off a long, heavy dream.

She looked at me, her eyes clearing, and a slow, tired smile spread across her face. She nodded, her fingers trembling as she reached toward me. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Yes, I'll marry you, Tristan Crosswood."

The room erupted. Claps and cheers echoed off the walls, and even Claire joined in, clapping her small hands with delight.

I felt a massive weight lift off my chest, a relief so sharp it almost hurt.

I reached for her hand, my movements careful and steady, and slid the ring onto her finger. It looked perfect there. I leaned over the bed, gathering her into my arms, and pressed a long, soft kiss to her forehead.

I had planned a grand, classic proposal at that restaurant we went to, but Livia had ruined that with her madness.

Still, looking at Yelena now, I realized it didn’t matter. Livia was gone, and she would never get the chance to ruin anything for us ever again.

"Aww... My friend is actually going to be the Luna of our pack," Nyra said, moving in to hug Yelena. She pulled back after a moment, looking at us both with a wide, genuine grin. "Congratulations to both of you."

I gave her a firm nod. "Thank you, Nyra."

I felt a sudden tug on my trousers. I looked down to see Claire, her face lit up with a huge, toothy smile. I didn't hesitate; I bent down and scooped her up into my arms. She clung to my neck, giggling into my shoulder.

"So, Mommy will start to stay with us now?" she asked, her voice small and hopeful. "We will all stay in one place now?"

My chest tightened. I hadn't realized just how much she had been longing for a real, solid home until she asked. I hugged her tight and looked at her, making sure she saw the promise in my eyes.

"Yes, baby. We’re all one family now," I said, my voice steady. "We’re going to live together, look after each other, and I’m going to protect you both, always."

"Awwn," she sighed, happy. She squirmed in my arms. "I want to see my sister."

I let out a soft laugh. I had been so focused on Yelena that I hadn't even checked on the new arrival yet. "Yes, we’ll see her together right now."

I looked toward the bed while Yelena was busy looking at her new ring, and I noticed Nyra backing toward the door, giving my family the space we needed.

Before I could say another word, a high, tiny cry pierced the room. I smiled instantly.

That was her.

Yelena looked toward the sound, her expression softening. I didn't put Claire down; I carried her with me as I walked toward the bundle tucked into the blankets.

The baby’s cry grew louder, and she started moving, trying to wriggle out of the cloth wrapping.

"Let me carry your sister, okay?" I said to Claire. She nodded, her eyes wide with wonder, and let me set her down on the edge of the bed.

I reached out, my hands feeling large and clumsy against the baby, but the moment I touched her, her crying started to slow. I scooped her up. She shifted against my chest, her tiny fists grabbing at my shirt, and her wailing faded into soft, hitching breaths.

I turned to Yelena, who was staring at us with wide, surprised eyes.

"It was a different story with Daniel," Yelena said, her voice full of wonder. "I guess she really likes you."

I looked down. The baby’s soft eyelids flickered. She opened her eyes, staring straight up at me.

My heart stopped.

She had eyes like Claire... bright, beautiful amber, just like their mother’s. She stayed still for a moment, then closed her eyes again and snuggled into my chest, relaxing into my warmth.

"Wow," I breathed.

Yelena smiled, her expression glowing. "Is she not hungry this time?"

"Maybe you should try to feed her," I walked back over to the bed, carefully settling the baby onto Yelena’s lap. Claire leaned in close, reaching out to stroke the baby’s arm with one finger and muttered, "My sister!"

I smiled and stayed right there, watching as Yelena pulled up her top to feed her.

She caught me watching and raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You can’t even look away?"

I blinked, caught red-handed, and leaned forward, resting my hand on her shoulder. "Why would I want to? Everything about you is mine, after all."

She shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her, but she turned her attention back to the baby. The little one wasn't interested, though. She kept turning her head, searching for something else.

Yelena sighed, giving up for the moment. "I think she just wanted to be with you," she said.

I didn't argue.

I reached out and took the baby back into my arms. Once more, she curled against me, her tiny head tucked right against my heart. She already trusted me, and that was all I needed to know.

I would be the father she needed.

"What’s her name?" I asked softly.

"Tyla," Yelena said.

"Tyla?" I repeated the name, tasting it. "After her father?"

Yelena nodded. I felt a flicker of something in my chest, but I looked over at Claire, who was currently busy poking at her mom’s shirt, and I just scoffed and nodded.

He was her biological father, and no matter how much I hated the man, I couldn't change the blood in her veins. It was a fact I’d have to live with.

"And I intend to let her meet him," Yelena said.

My jaw tightened. I didn't want that, not now. The wounds were too fresh, and the danger was still too real.

"I’ll have someone show him a picture first," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "And when you’re both strong enough to be out and about, you can go see him, not before."

I held my breath, waiting for her to push back. I saw the defiance flicker in her eyes, the stubborn spark that made me love her, but after a long moment, she simply nodded.

"Okay, Tristan. I heard you."

I leaned forward, closing the distance between us, and kissed her lips. It was a gentle promise, a vow between us. "Thank you," I whispered.

The room felt warm, the air finally clear of the fear that had been hanging over us for so long.

We were all here. We were together and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't just a wolf guarding his territory.

I was a man with a home, a woman who loved me, and a family that was finally, truly mine.

I sat on the edge of the bed, holding Tyla against my heart, and just listened to the sound of our breathing, a rhythm that finally sounded like peace.