Chapter 90 What I Found in the Light
Zion
Two days after Phoebe gave birth, I stood once again at the gates of the Light Walker Pack—my birthplace, the home that never truly felt like mine. The winter wind tugged at the ceremonial cloak I wore, while my newborn daughter, Anastasia, slept quietly in the white sling Phoebe held close to her chest.
Phoebe still looked pale. Two days… her body was nowhere near recovered. But her determination to attend the blessing ritual kept her steps steady. And honestly, that’s one of the countless reasons I admired her.
“If you’re too tired, we can postpone this,” I murmured.
She shook her head. “Light Walker is your blood, Zion. And now… it’s Anastasia’s too. Besides, I’ve done this whole giving-birth thing before, remember?”
Yeah, but this time she gave birth to my child. That made everything feel different.
Her gaze softened something in me. Even exhausted, her eyes stayed clear—steady with a quiet resolve. I kept forgetting just how strong this woman truly was.
We were escorted to the center of the ritual grounds, a sacred circle marked by wooden torches and the carved claw symbols of the founders. The Elders were already waiting, along with dozens of pack members gathered to welcome the third-generation heir of the Glass bloodline.
Seer Holly stood at the center—her long white hair tumbling down her shoulders, her aged face carrying a gravity that made me instinctively bow my head. She had guided my father for years. And now… she would bless my daughter.
“Future Alpha Zion Glass,” she called, raising her crystal staff. “And his mate, Phoebe Matthews of Thunder Bite. Today, you bring forth a new light to continue the legacy.”
Phoebe squeezed my hand softly. I felt everything through that touch—her fatigue, the tight pull in her muscles, her pride simmering beneath it all.
We stepped inside the circle. The torches flickered at the same time, as if taking in a shared breath.
The ritual began.
Seer Holly lowered her staff to the ground, drawing a glowing line. Spirals of light unfurled, circling around our feet, turning slowly like a living pattern.
“Child of the Glass bloodline… Anastasia,” Holly said, her voice gentle but echoing across the grounds. “Third generation after Alpha Gregory. Descendant of Elder Willow. Bearer of the light that will never fade.”
Phoebe brushed her thumb across Anastasia’s cheek, and the tiny baby wriggled softly. Her eyes were still shut, but there was warmth radiating from her—subtle, comforting.
I knelt as instructed. Phoebe knelt beside me. Seer Holly took a bowl filled with moonflower water mixed with Light Walker’s sacred soil.
“Let the ancestors’ light flow through her,” she whispered.
She touched the blessed water to Anastasia’s forehead. My daughter hummed—didn’t cry, didn’t flinch—just reacted as if she was sensing something ancient.
Then Holly turned to me.
“Now you, Zion Glass.”
My heart slammed hard against my ribs. Anything involving the Glass lineage always twisted something in my chest. Duty. Legacy. Expectations. All the things I’d spent years running from.
“Focus your intention,” she said. “If you’re not ready, the light will not force you.”
I swallowed hard. “I… I’m ready.”
I glanced at Phoebe. She gave me a small nod. I placed my palm over Anastasia’s chest.
Silver-white light rose from the ground, traveling up my arm and slipping into my daughter’s tiny body.
Warm. Peaceful. Like something accepting her—claiming her.
The ritual lasted far longer than I had imagined. Seer Holly chanted softly, the words vibrating through the air. The pack bowed their heads. The flames swayed with each breath of the wind, almost as if they were singing too.
I felt the entire history of the Glass family swirling around us.
Eventually, the glow dimmed. Anastasia drifted back into sleep, looking completely untouched by everything that had just happened.
Seer Holly smiled. “She has been accepted.”
Phoebe let out a shaky breath—then her body suddenly dipped, her strength giving out.
I caught her instantly. “Phoebe!”
“I’m… fine,” she whispered with a forced smile. “Just a little dizzy.”
No. She wasn’t fine.
Without waiting for permission, I lifted her into my arms. “The ritual is over. My mate needs rest.”
No one dared protest. Even my father, who had been watching silently the whole time, only nodded in agreement.
That night, in the guest room of the pack house, Phoebe lay half-asleep, trying to smile every time I checked her breathing.
“Zion… you worry too much,” she mumbled.
“Of course I do. You gave birth two days ago.”
“It was just a light ritual.”
“That was not light,” I argued, sitting beside her. “Your energy dropped, Phoebe. I could feel it.”
She didn’t respond, but her smile softened.
I took her hand and began massaging her palm, then her shoulders where the tension pooled. I’d learned quickly that touch soothed her more than anything—and maybe it was also the easiest way for me to show how deeply I cared.
She exhaled slowly, her eyes falling shut.
“Mm… that feels good,” she whispered.
“Don’t stop.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “I won’t.”
I kept massaging her until she slipped into a peaceful sleep. And somewhere in that quiet moment, it finally hit me: Our little family was real with solid, completely ours and I wanted to protect both of them with every part of me.
The next morning, we returned to Thunder Bite. Henry was already waiting outside, bouncing excitedly the moment our car stopped.
“Baby sister!” he squealed, trying to peek into the sling.
Phoebe laughed softly despite her exhaustion. “Careful, sweetheart.”
Henry almost cried when he finally saw Anastasia’s tiny face. He sat on the living room carpet, letting his baby sister sleep beside him while he talked to her like she understood every word. I watched them from a few steps away, smiling—until Hayden appeared beside me.
“You’ve got a beautiful family,” he said.
I nodded. “They make me feel… complete.”
“Good.” Hayden crossed his arms. “So—have you decided? Staying in Thunder Bite, or going back to Light Walker to take your Alpha title?”
The question hit harder than I expected, even though I knew it was coming.
“I respect our friendship, Hayden,” I said quietly. “And… I’ve decided to stay in Thunder Bite. Even if that means not becoming Alpha.”
Hayden studied me carefully.
Then he nodded. “Thank you for being honest.”
What I didn’t tell him was the truth that lived deeper:
I never wanted to be an Alpha. Not anywhere. The title felt like a collar around my throat—heavy expectations, overwhelming responsibility. And gods, I was terrified of disappointing people. Terrified of failing. Terrified of being trapped.
Pretending to be strong only made the weight worse. Before my thoughts could spiral further, Phoebe called out to me.
“Zion?” Her voice was soft. “Why do you look troubled?”
Damn. She always knew.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Just… thinking about what Hayden asked.”
“And?” She took my hand, her eyes searching mine. “What are you really afraid of?”
I inhaled sharply. “I… don’t think I’m cut out to be an Alpha. I hate the idea of being bound to such heavy responsibility. I don’t want to… lose myself.”
Phoebe held my hand tighter.
“You don’t need to take the title if it hurts you,” she said gently. “But… I want Anastasia to be proud of her father. Not because of a rank. But because you made a brave decision for your family.”
Her words didn’t judge or push. They guided. They opened something inside me and finally… I genuinely considered it.
The next morning, Hayden and Finley were discussing plans for the clinic expansion when I walked up to them.
“Got a minute?” I asked.
Hayden arched a brow. “Sure.”
I took a long breath. “I talked to Phoebe. And… we decided.”
Finley perked up, curious.
“I’m accepting your old offer,” I said. “I’ll take the Alpha position—with Thunder Bite. Not leaving Phoebe. Not leaving my new family. I want to build something here.”
Hayden froze for a few seconds, then his shoulders relaxed and relief washed over his face.
“Alright,” he said firmly. “If that’s your choice, I accept it.”
Finley grinned. “The pack will be lucky to have you.”
A weight I’d carried for years finally lifted.
Then someone stepped out from behind the fence. A scent I instantly recognized.
Adonis looked at me, then at Finley—his expression shocked, annoyed, and… jealous?
“Hey, not to eavesdrop, but my hearing’s been ridiculously sharp lately, and I couldn’t reach Finley with mind link from a mile away.” His tone snapped toward Hayden. “So you’re taking him as your Beta? Seriously? You’re just snatching my best friend like that?”
Hayden rolled his eyes. “Adonis… we were just about to discuss—”
But Adonis was already stepping forward, practically exploding.
“Finley belongs to Light Walker, not Thunder Bite! And you—” he jabbed a finger at Hayden “—you always steal everything. Even my damn best friend!”
Hayden and Finley exchanged looks—somewhere between panic and confusion.
I just let out a long breath. Great. A new drama was officially beginning.