Chapter 237

Chapter 237
Lyrien's POV

I woke up slowly, the morning light filtering through the curtains of my childhood bedroom. Turning my head, I found Kael still asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His features were softer in sleep, less guarded. A warm feeling spread through my chest as I watched him, despite everything—the chaos with Morgravia, the struggling emotions inside him.

"Morning," Kael murmured, his eyes still closed but a smile forming on his lips. "I can feel you staring."

"Sorry," I whispered, not sorry at all. "Dragon senses too sharp for your own good."

He opened one eye, reaching out to pull me closer. "No complaints here."

The smell of bacon and pancakes wafted up from downstairs, breaking the moment. My stomach growled in response.

"Sounds like Dad's making his famous breakfast," I said, reluctantly pulling away. "We should join everyone."

Twenty minutes later, we entered the chaotic kitchen scene. Barry was flipping pancakes while Ara managed the bacon and eggs. Devin supervised the younger kids setting the table. Lorcan and Pury were already seated, deep in conversation about Faolan.

"Look who finally decided to join us," Lorcan remarked with a knowing smirk.

I rolled my eyes, sliding into an empty chair. "Not a word."

Barry placed a towering stack of pancakes in the center of the table. "Eat up, everyone. Growing wolves need their strength."

"And growing dragon-elven babies," Pury added, patting her still-flat stomach with a smile.

Alaric entered the kitchen, looking tired but composed. "Morgravia is secure. I reinforced the bindings this morning."

I nodded my thanks, trying not to let the witch's name dampen the warm family atmosphere. The normalcy of it all felt precious—my mismatched, beautiful family passing plates and arguing over the last piece of bacon. For a few blissful minutes, I could almost forget about divine realms and goddess trials.

That illusion shattered when the air in the dining room suddenly shimmered like heat waves on asphalt. Zephiel materialized beside the refrigerator, his silver robes looking ridiculously out of place among the kitchen's homey decor.

Devin was on his feet instantly, positioning himself between the messenger and the younger children. Barry and Ara moved in tandem to flank him, the three fathers forming a protective wall.

"Moon Goddess Heir," Zephiel announced, not bothering with pleasantries. "Your presence is required in the divine realm immediately."

I set down my fork slowly. "Good morning to you too, Zephiel. Care for some pancakes?"

His nostrils flared slightly. "Aetheria requires your return without delay. The trials resume in three days, and preparations must be made."

He glanced at Alaric, then back to me. "I sense the presence of dark magic. Aetheria felt the disturbance yesterday—a powerful witch using forbidden spells."

"Her name is Morgravia," I confirmed. "She's been subdued and bound."

Zephiel nodded stiffly. "Then the elven prince, the dragon, and you will return together. And you will bring the witch to face divine justice."

One of my little sisters whispered audibly, "Is that an angel?"

Devin stepped forward, his Alpha presence asserting itself. "My daughter will need time to prepare and say her goodbyes."

Zephiel considered this. "Three hours," he conceded with visible reluctance. "I will return at midday to open the passage." Without waiting for a response, he vanished.

"Dramatic asshole," I muttered, staring at my half-eaten breakfast.

"Language," Ara reminded gently, glancing at the younger children who were now buzzing with excitement about the "sparkly man."

The sudden announcement left the kitchen in momentary silence. Then, like a dam breaking, everyone started moving at once. My siblings began bombarding me with questions, Ara started planning a proper send-off, and Barry disappeared upstairs muttering about "proper protections."

I met Lorcan's eyes across the table. My twin's expression said everything words couldn't—a mixture of worry, pride, and resignation.

The next hours passed in a blur. I threw clothes into my bag without much thought, my mind racing with everything I'd have to leave behind again. Kael helped me pack, his movements efficient.

"So we're really going back," he said, folding a sweater that I immediately unfolded to inhale its familiar scent.

I nodded. "Duty calls. Again."

He took my hands in his. "What happened here... it wasn't just because we were away from everything, was it?"

I squeezed his hands. "No. Whatever this is between us – it's real. Complicated as hell, but real."

Relief washed across his features. "Good. Because I'd hate to think I was just your earthly vacation fling."

I laughed despite everything. "You're a bit too high-maintenance for a casual fling."

His smile faded slightly. "Vex will be at the trials."

The name still sent a complicated pang through my chest. "I know."

"And Alaric has his own agenda."

"I know that too."

By mid-morning, the entire pack had assembled outside. Lorcan had arranged a proper farewell ceremony—a tradition usually reserved for pack members departing on extended missions.

My family gathered in a semicircle on the front lawn. My three healthy fathers stood tall – Devin in the center as the current Alpha, Barry and Ara flanking him. I glanced up at the second-floor window where Carl sat in his wheelchair. He lifted a hand in greeting, and I returned the gesture, my heart aching at the distance between us.

Devin stepped forward first. "Daughter of our pack," he began formally, then his voice softened. "Lyrien. We send you back to your divine path with pride."

Barry approached next, always the protector. "Take this," he said gruffly, pressing something into my palm – a small carved wolf, no bigger than my thumb. "Old pack tradition. Keeps you connected to your roots."

I closed my fingers around it, feeling the smooth wood against my skin. "Thank you."

Ara's embrace came next, warm and enveloping. "We've added protections to the estate," he whispered. "No one will breach our borders again. Your family will be safe while you fulfill your destiny."

When Lorcan stepped forward, the practiced formality of the ceremony faltered. We stared at each other, twins who had once shared everything, now walking increasingly different paths.

"Don't do anything stupid up there," he said finally.

I gave him a watery smile. "Like get myself killed again? Been there, done that."

He pulled me into a fierce hug. "I'll protect them," he promised, his voice low in my ear. "You focus on becoming the goddess you're meant to be."

"Take care of Pury and the baby," I whispered back. "And yourself, you stubborn ass."

When we separated, Pury approached, her tiny wings shimmering in the sunlight. In her hands was a delicate chain with a crystal pendant.

"Elven protection charm," she explained, rising to hover at my height so she could fasten it around my neck. "It will warn you of danger and help guide you home, should you need it."

The pendant settled against my collarbone, warm and comforting. "Thank you, Pury."

She smiled, her hand drifting to her still-flat stomach. "We'll be waiting when you return next time."

As my youngest siblings rushed forward for their hugs, I realized how much I'd missed this—the uncomplicated love of family, the solid ground beneath my feet instead of the ever-shifting politics of the divine realm. Part of me wanted to stay, to forget godhood and trials and destiny.

I looked around at them all—my fathers standing tall and proud, Lorcan with his arm around Pury, my little brothers and sisters with their tear-streaked faces trying to be brave. They were my anchor. Whatever power awaited me in the divine realm, this would always be home.

Devin approached me as the ceremony concluded, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Before you leave, there's one more thing." He pressed a folded piece of paper into my hand. "Directions to the eastern cemetery. I think you need to visit her, Lyrien."

I didn't need to ask who he meant. Seren. The friend I'd accidentally killed, whose mother now stood bound and silenced in our custody. The ghost whose memory had set this entire journey in motion.

I nodded, my throat suddenly tight. "I'll go before we leave."

Devin squeezed my shoulder, his eyes understanding. "Some debts can't be repaid, but they still need to be acknowledged."