Chapter 136
Elowen's POV
My hands were shaking. I couldn't stop them.
Casper squeezed my right hand. Cassian held my left. Their warmth anchored me, but it wasn't enough to push away the fear crawling up my spine.
"I won't let anything happen to you." Casper's voice was soft. Steady.
I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to.
But what if tomorrow everything changed? What if the Moon Goddess took it all away? What if—
"You mean the three of you." Cassian's correction cut through my thoughts.
My breath caught. Right. The babies.
Our babies.
The word still felt foreign. Impossible. Like someone else's life.
We turned down the hallway toward Alpha Austin's room.
"Elowen?" Juno's voice echoed in my head. Sharp. Insistent.
"Not now." I whispered under my breath.
"Yes, now." She pushed harder. "Remember when Selene pulled you aside? She told you something. About the babies."
My heart stuttered. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying she wasn't lying. You're carrying twins. I can feel them. Two little sparks. One feels like pine and smoke. The other like cold ore and roses."
Tears burned my eyes. I blinked them back fast.
"Are you sure?" My voice cracked.
"Positive."
Fuck.
I pressed my free hand to my stomach. Flat. Still flat. How could there be two lives growing inside me when I didn't even know how to take care of myself?
"Hey." Casper stopped walking. Turned me toward him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." The lie tasted bitter.
Cassian tilted his head. His ice-blue eyes narrowed. "Don't bullshit us, babe."
I swallowed hard. "It's just... I'm scared."
"About what?" Casper's thumb brushed my knuckles.
"Everything." The word burst out. "What if I'm a terrible mom? What if I don't know how to love them? What if—"
"Stop." Cassian's voice was firm. Not cruel. Just... certain. "You'll be amazing. We'll figure it out together."
Casper nodded. "We've got you, cutie. Always."
I wanted to tell them about Juno's confirmation. About the twins. About how terrified I was that Selene might take it all back because we refused to play her game.
But the words stuck in my throat.
"Come on." Casper tugged me forward. "Let's go see Mom."
---
Cassian's hand landed on the heavy wooden door. He paused. Closed his eyes.
"Can you feel him?" Casper asked me.
I shook my head. "I'm not pack-born. Remember?"
"Right." Casper smiled anyway. "Well, we can. And he's... stronger. Way stronger than before."
Cassian's eyes snapped open. "His life force. It's not just there anymore. It's vibrant. Like before the attack."
Hope flickered in my chest. Small. Fragile.
"Really?"
"Really." Casper kissed my temple. "Looks like Selene kept her word."
I bit my lip. Did she though?
We thought Austin would still be unconscious. Recovering. Maybe a little better, but not...
Cassian pushed the door open.
I froze.
Alpha Austin sat up in bed. Wide awake. His skin had color. His eyes were clear. And Luna Ella was curled against his side, her head on his shoulder.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Austin's gruff voice filled the room.
My knees buckled. Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
"Dad!" Casper's voice broke.
Luna Ella jumped off the bed. She ran to her sons and threw her arms around them both. Sobs wracked her body.
"How?" She pulled back. Touched their faces. "How did you do it?"
Cassian opened his mouth.
Luna's hands trembled as she cupped Casper's face. Then Cassian's. "I'm so proud of you both. So proud."
More tears. I couldn't stop them.
Casper looked at me. His amber eyes shimmered. He reached out.
I took his hand. Let him pull me close.
"You okay?" He whispered.
I nodded. Lied again.
---
"I know you paid a heavy price to save me."
Alpha Austin's voice slammed into my mind. Direct. Through the pack link.
My hand flew to my stomach. Instinct. Protection.
His eyes tracked the movement. Knowing.
Shit.
"I should go." I stepped back. "This is a family moment."
"You're family!" Casper and Cassian said it together. In perfect sync.
Warmth flooded my chest. My throat tightened.
"Now more than ever." Cassian added. His gaze dropped to my stomach for half a second.
Did he know? Could he sense it?
"Elowen." Luna Ella crossed the room. Wrapped me in a hug. "You're one of us now. Don't forget that."
I buried my face in her shoulder. Let myself cry. Just for a moment.
When I pulled back, Cassian was already at the door. Holding it open.
"We'll be in my room when you're done." I told the twins.
Casper caught my wrist. Spun me around. His lips crashed into mine. Hard. Desperate. Claiming.
"My room." His voice rumbled through our bond. "Not yours, cutie."
I gasped against his mouth.
Then Cassian was there. Pulling me away from his brother. Kissing me just as fiercely.
"Good thing it's too early for morning sickness, right?" He teased through the bond.
My face burned.
"Get out of here before I change my mind." Casper swatted my ass.
I squeaked. Ran.
---
I'd barely made it to Casper's door when I felt him.
Alpha Austin.
I turned. He stood in the hallway. Alone. Watching me with those sharp eyes.
My hand went to my stomach again. Protective.
"The boys told me about the deal with Selene." He said quietly. "About trading your future for mine."
I stepped closer. Kissed his cheek. "You're worth it."
His jaw tightened. Then his hand covered mine. The one still pressed to my belly.
"A life for a life." His voice was low. Dangerous. "Promise me. No life was sacrificed for mine."
The pack bond pulled. Tugged. Demanded truth.
I chose my words carefully. "No life was sacrificed for you."
Technically true. The babies were gifts. Not sacrifices.
His eyes searched mine. Lingering too long on my stomach.
"You have three minutes before those boys storm out here looking for you." He stepped back. "Go. Shower. Fast."
I blinked. "How did you—"
"I'm their father." A ghost of a smile. "I know everything."
I turned toward the door.
"Elowen."
I looked back.
"You're good for them." His voice softened. Just a little. "They're better with you."
My throat closed up.
Then his eyes dropped to my stomach one more time. His expression shifted. Something knowing. Something warm.
"Congratulations."
He disappeared down the hall before I could respond.
I stood there. Frozen. Hand on my belly.
He knew.
Alpha Austin knew about the babies.