Chapter 113 Chapter One Hundred Thirteen

Chapter 113 Chapter One Hundred Thirteen
Crystal chandeliers blazed overhead, their light reflecting off polished stone floors and long banners bearing the Silveredge sigil. Garlands of evergreen and moonflowers wound along the pillars, their fragrance soft but constant, blending with the warmth of wine and savory meats carried through the air. Music filled the vaulted ceiling in rich, sweeping melodies, strings and drums weaving together in celebration.

This was the hall Kaelani had once stood outside of as a girl.

She remembered watching through those tall arched windows during mating balls she had never been permitted to attend. She had watched wolves in silks and jewels pass beneath those chandeliers, laughter spilling into the courtyard while she remained unseen.

Tonight, she did not stand beyond the glass.

Tonight, she stood at the center of it all.

Guests from Blackthorn and Silveredge filled the hall in equal measure, mingling freely beneath music, laughter, and celebration. Even the Unseelie forces stood stationed along the edges of the room, their presence disciplined but no longer distant.

And at the heart of the hall, beneath the largest chandelier, Kaelani danced with her fated mate.

Julian’s hand rested securely at the small of her back, drawing her close as they moved in slow, deliberate rhythm to the music. Her fingers curled into his shoulder as they turned across the floor, the fabric of her gown whispering against polished stone.

They smiled at one another often, laughter slipping between them in quiet bursts as they spoke through their mindlink.

Near the edge of the Great Hall, Elara sat at a banquet table, her posture composed but her attention fixed across the room. Brielle sat beside her, elegant as ever, her expression carefully indifferent to the revelry around them.

Elara’s gaze followed the two Alphas as they moved across the dance floor, their closeness effortless. They looked unburdened. Untouchable.

Happier than ever.

She lifted her glass and took a long swallow of wine, the burn welcome as it slid down her throat. When she set the glass back onto the table, she leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the white tablecloth.

“Mother,” she said quietly, still watching the dance floor, “do you believe in karma?”

Brielle did not immediately look at her. She lifted her own glass with languid disinterest.

“Karma is a convenient myth for people who need to believe the universe keeps score,” she replied coolly. “It does not.”

Elara’s lips curved faintly, though there was no humor in it.

“So you don’t think that the bad things people do can one day come back and bite them in the ass?”

Brielle’s gaze flicked toward her briefly, unimpressed.

“The Goddess blesses and curses without explanation,” she said. “It is not sentiment. It is power.”

Elara let out a soft breath and turned her attention back toward Kaelani and Julian. They were slower now, foreheads nearly brushing as they spoke privately through the bond.

“Well,” Elara murmured, “it couldn’t hurt… to try and be a better person. Right?”

Her voice lost some of its edge.

“You know, after working in the orphanage these last few weeks…” She hesitated slightly. “It has me thinking. Questioning a lot of things.”

She found her attention lingering on Kaelani longer than before.

Brielle drained the rest of her wine in one measured swallow and placed the empty glass on the table with quiet finality.

“When you discover the answers to those questions,” she said flatly, rising from her seat, “you may inform me.”

She smoothed her gown.

“I am going to bed.”

Without another word, Brielle walked away from the table and disappeared into the corridor leading deeper into the hall.

Elara remained seated, staring at nothing in particular. The celebration continued around her, but it felt distant now, muffled beneath the weight of her own conflicted thoughts.

The music swelled to its final note before tapering into a lingering chord, and the hall erupted in applause as Julian and Kaelani completed their first dance. Laughter and cheers followed them as they made their way back toward the long banquet table where Jace and Maddie were seated among the rest of their family and close friends.

Kaelani gathered a careful handful of her gown as she reached her chair. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said lightly, glancing at Julian, “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

Julian’s brows lifted as he looked down at the layers of satin and diamonds. “Do you need help?” he asked, gesturing toward the sweep of her dress.

Before Kaelani could answer, Maddie rose from her seat with a grin. “I’ll help her,” she said. “We can have some girl time.”

She shot Kaelani a playful wink, and Kaelani giggled softly before the two of them slipped away through the crowd.

Julian watched them go, a faint smile lingering on his face as he took the seat beside Jace.

“Those two have really hit it off,” he said.

Jace leaned back in his chair, watching the women weave through the hall. “Yeah,” he replied. “I think they understand each other more than they let on. Rough childhoods and all.”

Julian nodded once. “They’re both strong women.”

“Very independent women,” Jace added with a smirk. “Women who don’t need us.”

Julian huffed a quiet laugh and reached for his glass. “No,” he agreed. “They don’t.”

He took a slow sip before setting the glass down.

“But I’d still choose to stand beside her every single time.”

Jace lifted his glass with a grin. “I’ll drink to that.”

Their glasses met with a quiet clink before they both took a sip.

Julian reached for the bottle of wine and leaned over to refill Kaelani’s glass so it would be waiting for her when she returned. After topping it off, he glanced at the empty place beside Jace.

“Want to pour Maddie some while I’m at it?” he asked casually.

Jace shook his head. “Oh no, she’s fine with water.”

Julian paused mid-motion. “She doesn’t drink?”

“She does,” Jace replied smoothly. “She’s just having water tonight.”

Julian gave a small shrug and set the bottle back down, but when he looked up, Jace was watching him with a look he couldn’t quite place.

Julian’s brows pulled together. “What?”

Jace’s smirk widened slowly.

The realization hit Julian a heartbeat later. His eyes widened. “Wait… are you going to be a father?”

Jace’s grin spread unapologetically across his face.

Julian smacked him on the shoulder. “You’re kidding me. Congratulations!”

“Thanks, man,” Jace said, pride softening his voice. “We’re really happy.”

“You tell your parents yet?” Julian asked.

Jace glanced across the hall where his parents were talking amongst the other guests. “Not yet. We’re going to tell them when we get back to Blackthorn.”

Julian laughed under his breath. “Your mother is going to lose her mind. She’ll have the nursery decorated before the week is over.”

Jace shook his head with a fond smile. “Yeah. She’s been waiting for this moment for years.”

Just then, Lazarus and Sebastian approached the table through the swirl of music and celebration. Julian immediately rose to greet them.

“I didn’t see you after the ceremony,” he said, clasping Lazarus’s forearm warmly. “I thought you two had already headed home.”

Lazarus inclined his head slightly. “We did not wish to interrupt your moment with your family and pack,” he replied smoothly. “But we would not have left without offering our congratulations.”

Sebastian smiled beside him. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”

Julian nodded. “I owe you both a huge thanks. For everything you did for me and my mate.”

Lazarus waved the sentiment away with quiet grace. “Don’t mention it. I am simply glad—and relieved—that you both survived to tell the tale.”

Julian gave a low chuckle. “The Goddess was certainly with us.”

Lazarus and Sebastian exchanged a knowing glance.

“She certainly was,” Sebastian agreed softly.

At that moment, Kaelani and Maddie returned to the table, laughter still lingering between them. Julian turned toward his mate.

“Kaelani,” he said warmly, “I want you to meet a couple of friends of mine.”

Lazarus and Sebastian turned to face her fully.

“This is Lazarus,” Julian continued, “and Sebastian.”

Kaelani smiled politely. “Oh, hello. Julian has told me so much about you both.”

She extended her hand toward Lazarus, but instead of shaking it, he lifted her hand gently and pressed a courteous kiss to the top of it.

“Only good things, I hope,” he said lightly.

“Great things, actually,” Kaelani replied with an amused smile.

Lazarus released her hand as Sebastian stepped forward, taking both of her hands in his.

“He better have,” Sebastian said warmly before brushing a polite kiss against one of her cheeks and then the other.

Lazarus looked between Julian and Kaelani with measured consideration. “If you ever require my assistance again,” he said, “do not hesitate to ask.”

Julian nodded. “Thank you. I truly appreciate that.”

“Yes,” Kaelani added sincerely. “That is very kind of you.”

Lazarus then turned his attention to Maddie. “Be a darling and visit often, will you?”

Maddie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. “I promised I would.”

She hugged Sebastian next. “Have a safe trip home.”

Sebastian chuckled softly. “We are not returning home just yet. We intend to visit our daughter and the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren, and the great-great… well you know.”

Maddie laughed. “Yes, enjoy your time beyond the ice walls.” 

Julian and Kaelani exchanged a look.

Kaelani mouthed silently, Ice walls?

Lazarus and Sebastian offered one final nod before slipping back into the current of celebration and disappearing among the guests.

Everyone settled once more at the table.

Jace leaned toward Maddie, brow raised. “What did you mean, beyond the ice walls?”

The question immediately caught Julian’s attention, and Kaelani turned toward Maddie as well, curiosity evident in her expression.

Maddie smiled, taking her time before answering. “That’s where their daughter lives.”

Jace blinked. “In Antarctica?”

Maddie shook her head gently. “Beyond what you think is Antarctica.”

Kaelani leaned forward slightly. “Are you saying there’s an entire civilization beyond the ice walls?”

Maddie’s smile deepened. “A whole world within a world.”

Jace’s eyes widened. “Is that where the dragons are?”

Maddie lifted her glass of water and took a slow sip. “Maybe.”

Silence fell over the table as they exchanged looks, the music and laughter of the hall continuing around them while something far older and far larger settled into their collective imagination.

A few weeks later, Kaelani stood outside a familiar brick building with Tessa at her side, a silk blindfold tied securely over her friend’s eyes.

Tessa laughed nervously as Kaelani guided her forward. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I feel like I’m about to walk straight into a wall.”

Kaelani tightened her grip on Tessa’s hand, steady and reassuring. “I would never let you stumble on my watch.”

She led her carefully up the short step and through the front entrance.

“Okay,” Kaelani said with a grin she could barely contain. “You can take it off now.”

Tessa reached up and removed the blindfold.

Her eyes widened.

She slowly turned in a circle, taking in the polished hardwood floors, the fresh cream-colored walls, the gleaming glass display cases, and the restored hanging sign behind the counter.

It was the bakery.

Not abandoned. Not boarded up.

Renovated.

“I thought they were bulldozing this place to build a casino,” Tessa said, stunned.

“They were,” Kaelani replied casually.

Tessa stared at her sharply. “Were?”

Kaelani hopped up onto the counter and swung one heel playfully. “I had a nice little conversation with the developers and convinced them they were making a terrible mistake.”

Tessa raised a brow. “By ‘conversation,’ do you mean you used your supernatural powers and scared them into submission?”

Kaelani gave an innocent shrug. “I might have dream-walked a man or two. Changed my appearance. Suggested that carrying out their plans would result in a rather… unpleasant curse.”

Tessa burst into laughter. “Damn. I wish I had your powers.”

Kaelani smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief. “That’s not even the best part.”

Tessa blinked. “There’s more?”

“Oh, there’s definitely more.”

Kaelani hopped down from the counter and took Tessa’s hand again, leading her back outside into the crisp afternoon air. She positioned her directly in front of the storefront and stepped back slightly.

“Look up,” Kaelani said softly.

Tessa lifted her gaze.

Her expression stilled completely.

Mounted above the freshly restored entrance, written in elegant gold script across the brick façade, were the words:

Tessa’s Bakery.

Tessa slowly turned toward Kaelani, her eyes already shining. “Oh, Kae… I—I can’t. This is too much. I can’t accept this.”

Kaelani gently cut her off. “Yes, you can.”

Tessa shook her head. “I loved working there with you, but I’m not as good as you are.”

Kaelani stared at her in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? I’ve tasted your baking. It’s incredible. I don’t know where you ever got that idea.”

She stepped closer, her voice firm but warm.

“And please don’t insult me by pretending you didn’t learn everything I taught you and then make it your own. You are a damn good baker, Tessa. Better than you give yourself credit for.”

Tessa looked at Kaelani, hesitation still lingering in her eyes. “But you won’t be running the place with me anymore?”

Kaelani’s smile softened. “I’ll still come in from time to time. We’ll have our lunches, we’ll go shopping, and I’ll bring you into my crazy worlds every now and then.”

She squeezed Tessa’s hand gently. “We’ll always be friends, Tess. Always.”

Tessa pulled her into a tight hug, tears welling in her eyes. “I love you, Kaelani.”

Kaelani exhaled softly as warmth flooded her chest. “I love you too, Tess.”

They pulled apart, and Tessa turned back toward the sign overhead, staring at it in awe. “I love the bakery,” she said with a shaky laugh. “Everyone is going to be so happy when they hear it’s opening again.”

“And now,” Kaelani added with a grin, “you get to hire help. You get to be the boss. You don’t have to work yourself into the ground the way I did.”

They both laughed.

Kaelani reached into her pocket and withdrew a small velvet pouch. From it, she pulled a delicate gold necklace and stepped closer.

“I want you to wear this.”

She fastened it gently around Tessa’s neck. A gold butterfly pendant rested against her collarbone, its wings etched with fine detail and glowing faintly with a soft trace of Kaelani’s magic.

“If you ever need me,” Kaelani said quietly, “for anything at all—whether it’s danger or just because Jeff is being a complete pain and you need to vent—you touch the butterfly and say my name. I don’t care if I’m in this world or another. I’ll be here in a heartbeat.”

Tessa looked down at the pendant, emotion brightening her expression. She pressed it to her chest. “I’m never taking this off.”

Kaelani smiled and stepped back. “Alright, enough with the sentimental nonsense. Let’s lock up and go get Italian at our favorite place.”

Tessa beamed. “Oh my God, you read my mind. I’m starving.”

Kaelani locked the bakery doors and placed the key in Tessa’s palm. Together, they walked down the street, laughing and talking like nothing in the world had ever tried to separate them.