Chapter 96: Reunion Part 2

Chapter 96: Reunion Part 2
"Father!" I exclaimed happily and couldn't contain my joy as I ran towards him.
Father chuckled softly and pulled me into his embrace. He was dressed in pure white, his spirit form glowing faintly. Even like this, I could still feel the same warmth I had cherished when he was alive.
He told me he had been watching over me through all my hardships in the mortal realm. The moment our eyes met again, the dam of my emotions broke. I clung to him, sobbing, while he held me tightly, whispering apologies for not being able to protect me from our clan.
Regret weighed heavily in his voice, but I reminded him of the countless things he had done for me and how he shielded my true identity and stood his ground against my uncle.
"Oh, my beloved daughter! I am so proud of you!" Father's voice cracked as we finally pulled apart. He cupped my cheeks with such tenderness, his eyes glistening. "Look at you, mija. You've grown so much. You're the image of your mother now... brave and intelligent."
His words caressed my heart. 
I nodded. "Thank you, Father." I blinked, trying to hold my tears, but I failed. 
Father had always spoken those words to me. I could never fully understand why he sometimes mentioned Mother yet refused to tell me where She was. The only constant I ever saw from him was the way he gazed up at the moon every night, his eyes filled with quiet longing.
It wasn't until we met again in the celestial realm that I finally understood—he had loved Mother deeply. And she had loved him just as fiercely, even though she had far more mates than I ever would.
"I'm glad I've made you proud," I said with a smile before turning to my mates. "Have you met my mates yet?" I gestured toward them.
They stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, father-in-law."
Father's eyes narrowed, and just as he was about to speak, Mother's voice chimed in gently. (Hideyoshi, watch your words, love.) Father pouted at Mother, fluttering his eyelids at Her. Mother chuckled, shaking Her head. (Be nice, love. Our daughter is watching you.)
Mother's brow arched. Just the faintest lift, but sharp enough to slice through the space between them. Father pouted more in response, shadows gathering at the edges of his expression. A sigh slipped from him, deep and resigned, before it melted into a low chuckle that seemed meant to soften the air.
"I'm just kidding," he said, his voice warm but tinged with something unspoken. His gaze flicked to mine, an apology hidden there, before his large, calloused hand came down gently on my head. The heat of his palm lingered like an anchor, steadying me, before he withdrew and turned to face my mates.
His smile came slow, deliberate, like a man introducing himself at a moment that mattered more than anyone dared admit.
"It's an honor to meet the daughter of Lunaria and me. I am Hideyoshi Azai... one of the Moon Goddess' mates."
The name, Lunaria, fell into the air like a stone into still water, sending ripples through my chest. My breath stalled. Every beat of my heart thudded harder, sharper, as though the sound alone had the power to split me open.
He had said Her name.
Lunaria...
Mother's name was so beautiful. Just by hearing it was enough to bring chills down my spine. 
Mother's real name was Lunaria. She was the Moon Goddess of the werewolves and lycans and Goddess of the Universe and Creations.
It was really such an honor to be Her daughter. 
Mother turned to me and smiled. (And I am honored to be your mother as well, Kiena.)
I blinked, surprised at Her words. But then, I remembered what Novalie told me that Mother could read our minds and could know what we were thinking. That was why no one could hide anything from Her.
"Greetings, father-in-law."
Thaddeus, Cretheus, and Theodore exchanged a glance. It was brief, silent, but brimming with purpose. Then, as if bound by a single heartbeat, they faced Father.
"We wish to ask for your daughter's hand... and for you both to witness it," they said in unison.
The words landed like a clap of thunder. My head snapped toward them, eyes widening, breath catching in my throat. Heat surged to my cheeks, my pulse thudding loud enough that I swore they could hear it.
For a heartbeat, the celestial realm felt utterly still. Even the faint hum of starlight that usually sang in these halls seemed to hush, as though the universe itself leaned in to listen. Even my wolf was in utter silence and shocked at stating their intention.
Was this the reason why they asked me to come? 
My gaze darted between the three of them. Thaddeus with his steady, unshakable calm, his eyes never left mine. Cretheus, whose hand itched at his side like he was restraining himself from pulling me close, and Theodore, his warm eyes locked on mine as if they could hold me in place forever.
A ticklish feeling etched on me. These men... My beloved mates... 
They were serious about this. They had finally made a move that they wanted to engage with me.
Oh, my dear Moon Goddess...
Father tilted his head, a slow smile tugging at his lips. "Bold, aren't you three?" His voice was deep, carrying the weight of both approval and challenge. He glanced at Mother, who was nodding as a response.
Mother, on the other hand, let out the softest hum. The air around Her shimmered faintly, moonlight weaving into Her hair like a crown. (I see the love in your hearts... but I also see the depth of your vows.) Her gaze moved from one mate to the next, piercing yet gentle. (Do you three truly understand what it means to be bound to my daughter for eternity?)
"Yes," they answered without hesitation—three voices, one truth.
Cretheus stepped forward first, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "I vow to protect her, even from herself, if ever her burdens become too heavy."
Thaddeus's turn came next, his tone softer but no less resolute. "I vow to stand beside her, through peace or war, and never falter in my loyalty."
Theodore took my hand gently, pressing his lips to my knuckles. "And I vow to love her in every lifetime, no matter how many times fate tries to tear us apart."
My chest tightened. My throat felt too small for breath. "My valiant... My lord... Commander..." I felt like my heart was about to explode from so many emotions. 
Hearing those words from them was enough to make my wolf squirm. I knew that my mates were vocal about how much they loved me, and hearing those words from them would never make me get tired of listening.
Father's eyes moved from them... to me. "And you, my dearest mija, Kiena? Do you accept them, knowing the vows they make are not just for this life, but for all the ones that will follow?"
Tears stung my eyes, but I held my head high. "Yes, Father, Mother," I whispered. "In every life, I will find them. In every life, I will choose them again." 
I watched them get teary-eyed from my words. It looked like any moment now, they would lung at me to hug me so tight.
Mother's smile deepened, and the light in the room seemed to grow brighter, wrapping around us like a blessing. (Then it is done. The Moon herself witnesses your promise.)
And just like that, the moment wasn't just ours. Theodore, Cretheus, and Thaddeus ran towards me as I met them, bestowing each other's kiss.
"I love you," we mumbled to each other.