Chapter 282
Elowen's POV
Three weeks had passed since Raven's death, and the Thornwood Pack territory buzzed with an energy I'd never felt before—anticipation mixed with genuine joy, the kind that came after surviving hell and choosing to rebuild anyway.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in what used to be Luna Ella's dressing room, smoothing down the deep emerald silk of my gown. The dress hugged my curves before flowing out in elegant waves, the color matching the Thornwood Pack's signature green. My hair fell in loose waves over my shoulders, the gold highlights catching the light, and for once, I actually felt beautiful.
"You look perfect, sweetheart," Juno murmured in my mind, her presence warm and proud.
Through the bond, I felt Cassian's approval like a physical caress, followed immediately by Casper's playful whistle. Damn, baby. Save some of that gorgeousness for the actual ceremony.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. "Elowen? Can we come in?"
Kade's voice. I turned from the mirror, surprised. "Yeah, of course."
The door opened, and my three half-brothers filed in—Kade, Alaric, and Ronan, all dressed in formal suits that somehow made them look even more imposing than usual. Behind them, looking considerably less comfortable, was Ethan.
"We wanted to talk before the ceremony," Alaric said, his pale blue eyes serious. "About the Ashborne Pack."
I'd been expecting this conversation.
"We're taking Ethan back with us," Ronan continued, his emerald eyes hard as they flicked toward Cindy's mate. "He'll face consequences for what he did."
Ethan's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "I accept whatever punishment you deem fit, Alphas."
"Good." Kade's voice was cold. "Because you're lucky we're not killing you outright."
"And Cindy?" I asked quietly.
"She's coming with us too," Alaric said, his expression softening.
I nodded, understanding. Cindy had lost so much—her mate's betrayal, her sense of safety. Going with my brothers, helping them stabilize the Ashborne Pack while her own pack recovered, gave her purpose. Gave her something to hold onto.
"There's one more thing," Ronan said, stepping forward. "The Ashborne Pack needs a leader. As Lucian's daughter, you have the strongest claim—"
"No." I cut him off gently but firmly. "I appreciate the offer, really. But my place is here, with the Thornwood Pack, with my mates. You three are more than capable of leading together. You knew Lucian, understood his vision for the pack. I didn't."
Kade's amber eyes searched my face. "Are you sure?"
"Completely." I smiled. "But I need you to promise me something—take care of them. The Ashborne Pack, all the wolves who lost so much because of Raven's schemes. Make sure they know they're not alone."
"We promise," Alaric said solemnly. "You have our word."
Ronan grinned suddenly, the expression transforming his dangerous features. "Besides, Soren would never forgive me if I let anything happen to your extended family. He's weirdly protective of you."
"Not weird," Soren's voice rumbled through whatever connection allowed wolf spirits to communicate. "Practical. She killed a demon. Respect."
I laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Thank you. All of you."
"Elowen." Ethan spoke for the first time, his voice rough. "I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but I need you to know—I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I thought I was protecting Cindy, protecting our future. I was wrong."
"Yeah, you were." I met his gaze steadily. "But at least you're admitting it. That's more than most people do."
He nodded, something like relief flickering across his face before Kade grabbed his arm. "Come on. We need to get going before the ceremony starts."
My brothers filed out, Ethan between them like a prisoner under guard. Which, I supposed, he was.
The door had barely closed when it burst open again, and Cassian strode in, Zero's presence making the air shimmer with barely contained power. His ice-blue eyes swept over me, and I watched his pupils dilate, the wolf in him responding to the sight of his mate dressed for their ceremony.
"Fuck, Elowen," he breathed. "You're stunning."
"Language," I teased, even as heat pooled low in my belly at the hunger in his gaze. "We're about to become the official Alpha and Luna of this pack. Gotta maintain some decorum."
"Decorum is overrated." Casper's voice came from the doorway as he sauntered in, Leo's playful energy practically crackling around him. His amber eyes matched mine, both of us wearing the evidence of our connection like a badge of honor. "Besides, I think everyone knows by now that we're completely gone for you."
"Speaking of everyone knowing things," I said, remembering what had happened three weeks ago, right after Raven's death. "You two really went all out with that public announcement, huh?"
Cassian smirked, the expression making him look dangerously attractive. "Sarah needed to understand that she never had a chance. That ball was always meant for you."
"Even when we were too stupid to realize it," Casper added, crossing the room to wrap his arms around me from behind, careful of my stomach. "But we're done being stupid. From now on, everyone knows—you're ours, and we're yours."
I leaned back into his warmth, feeling Cassian move closer until I was sandwiched between them, surrounded by their scent, their love, their absolute certainty that we belonged together.
"Your parents apologized," I said quietly. "Luna Ella and Alpha Austin both came to see me yesterday."
Cassian's expression hardened. "They should have done more than apologize. They should have protected you from the start."
"They're stepping down," Casper said, his voice unusually serious. "Letting us take over completely. It's the least they could do after everything."
"They made mistakes," I agreed. "But they're trying to make amends. That's worth something."
"You're too forgiving," Cassian murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
"No," I corrected. "I'm just done holding onto anger. We've got better things to focus on now."
Like the twins growing inside me. Like the ceremony about to start. Like the future we were building together, one day at a time.
"Speaking of focusing," Casper said, his tone shifting to something lighter, more teasing. "We should probably head down before Jake sends another frantic mind-link about how the guests are getting restless."
"Too late," Jake's voice burst into my mind, accompanied by Leo's amused rumble. "They're already restless. Also, someone needs to tell Sophie that her flower arrangements are blocking the aisle. She's having a meltdown."
I laughed, pulling away from my mates reluctantly. "Duty calls."
"Wait." Cassian caught my hand, his expression suddenly vulnerable in a way that made my heart clench. "Before we go out there, before everything gets crazy again—I need you to know something."
"We both do," Casper added, taking my other hand.
I looked between them, seeing the love, the fear, the desperate hope in their eyes. "What is it?"
"We love you," Cassian said simply. "More than anything. More than the pack, more than our own lives, more than we ever thought possible. And whatever happens, whatever challenges we face—we're in this together. Always."
"Forever," Casper agreed. "You, us, these babies. This is our family, and nothing—not demons, not pack politics, not even our own stupidity—is ever going to tear us apart again."
Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them back, not wanting to ruin Sophie's careful makeup work. "I love you too. Both of you. So damn much."
We stood there for a moment, the three of us connected by more than just bonds or ceremonies or supernatural fate. Connected by choice, by love, by the absolute certainty that we'd found something worth fighting for.
Then Casper grinned, breaking the tension. "Alright, enough mushy stuff. Let's go become official before Jake actually has that meltdown he's been threatening."