Chapter 152

Chapter 152
Seraphina's POV

Willow walked into the cabin, her gaze falling on Vitalis, tenderness appearing on her face, yet concealing pain.

"May I come in?" Her voice was gentle.

"Please." I managed to say.

Willow slowly walked up to me, carefully looking at Vitalis. I unconsciously held him tighter, instinctively wary of this kindly old wolf.

The little one seemed to sense her attention and opened his eyes, looking at her curiously with amber eyes.

"What a beautiful child." Willow said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "He has Lucian's eyes and strength, but your soul. I can feel it."

"May I hold him?" Willow asked, her eyes full of anticipation and longing. "I want to perform the traditional blessing ritual for him. This isn't just tradition, Seraphina. This blessing will establish a family protective barrier for him, providing extra protection during the ceremony."

I looked at her sincere eyes, her aged yet gentle face. Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, but the love in her expression made me slowly, hesitantly hand Vitalis over.

Willow skillfully took him, her movements gentle. Vitalis moved in her arms but didn't cry, just quietly looked at her. Something in my chest seemed to loosen slightly.

"What a beautiful child." Willow murmured again, her voice full of affection and guilt. "He shouldn't have to bear this. But I swear I'll use the rest of my life to ensure he gets the best treatment and care."

She removed a silver chain from around her neck, with a small moonstone hanging from it, carved with complex runes.

"This is Blackmane Pack's inherited amulet." Willow explained. "Every Alpha's firstborn receives their grandmother's blessing and this moonstone. It has protected five generations of Alpha firstborns. Now, it belongs to Vitalis."

She hung the amulet on the edge of Vitalis's cradle and began chanting softly in ancient wolf language. The melody was melodious yet mournful, filled with blessing, protection, and repentance.

I listened quietly. Though I couldn't understand the words, I could feel the weight of emotion. Vitalis also listened quietly, his small hand gripping the moonstone, making satisfied cooing sounds that brought an ache to my heart.

After the ritual ended, Willow returned Vitalis to me. Our eyes met, and I saw such sincerity in hers that it almost broke through my carefully maintained defenses.

"This child will be fine." She said firmly. "He has strong life force, and he has you and Lucian, and the entire pack—a pack that's changing. He'll grow up healthy."

"Thank you." I said hoarsely.

Willow patted my hand, warm and strong. "You're a good mother and a good healer. I've always known. Those wolves who treated you badly—they were blind. Don't let their blindness affect how you see yourself."

After she left, I sat by the cradle for a long time, stroking the moonstone.

Soon after, the door knocked again. When Ember opened it, I saw Lucian and Dwayne standing at the doorway. My body instinctively tensed, old fears and hurts surging up.

When Dwayne entered, I unconsciously held Vitalis tighter. This man had once made me feel such oppression. Every glance, every word had reminded me: you're not good enough, you don't belong here. Now he stood in my safe space, near my child.

"May I come in?" Dwayne's tone was much gentler than I remembered, though still carrying weight.

I glanced at Lucian. He nodded, his eyes full of encouragement.

"Please." I tried to keep my voice steady.

Dwayne walked in, his gaze falling on Vitalis in the cradle, remaining silent for a long time. I nervously watched him, ready to protect my child at any moment.

But what I saw on Dwayne's face wasn't disgust, but trembling and pain. His eyes were soft, even tinged with remorse.

"He..." Dwayne's voice was hoarse. "He looks a lot like Lucian as a baby. Same eyes, same strong life force."

He paused briefly, his voice low. "But he shouldn't be facing this danger now."

I didn't respond, just quietly waited.

Dwayne took a deep breath and turned to me. In that moment, he suddenly seemed more vulnerable than ever before.

"Seraphina, I owe you an apology." He said, each word difficult. "Not just for how our pack treated you in the past, but for the danger this child now faces."

My fingers tightened on Vitalis, but I remained silent.

"I let prejudice blind me." Dwayne continued. "I only saw bloodline, tradition, and standards, but didn't see your value, kindness, and strength. We treated you in the cruelest ways."

He paused, genuine pain flashing in his eyes. "And these things may have indirectly led to Vitalis's current condition."

"Dwayne," I wanted to say something, but he raised his hand, signaling me to let him continue.

"Let me finish." He said quietly. "I know genetic inheritance is complex, not something environment can completely determine. But Donny told me that the mother's mental state affects gene expression and activation speed. If your pregnancy had been in a supportive and loving environment, perhaps... perhaps the gene wouldn't have activated so quickly, perhaps we would have had more time to prepare..."

He couldn't continue. An Alpha who had once been powerful and authoritative now stood before me, so vulnerable he seemed ready to shatter.

"You saved Claire's life." Dwayne's voice broke slightly. "When you yourself were pregnant, physically weak, possibly in danger at any moment, you still chose to save her."

He looked at me, his eyes full of genuine remorse. "I don't expect your forgiveness, Seraphina. I just want you to know: from now on, as Blackmane Pack's Alpha, I officially declare—Vitalis is our pack's recognized heir, my grandson, the pack's future. And you are his mother, Lucian's chosen mate, and deserve everyone's respect."

He handed me an exquisite wooden box. "Inside are the pack's inherited ritual instruments and rare herbs. They should have been given to you when you first entered the pack, as respect for the Luna. Now, they belong to Vitalis and to you."

I took the box, feeling its heavy weight.

"I'm not changing my attitude because of Vitalis." Dwayne said seriously. "It was Claire telling me how you risked your own safety to save her that made me realize my mistake. And now, seeing this innocent child possibly having to pay for our mistakes."

His voice completely broke. "Seraphina, I know I have no right to ask for anything. But please let me help this child. Use all the pack's resources to ensure the ceremony succeeds. This isn't charity—it's the only thing I can do as a grandfather, as an Alpha who made mistakes, to make amends."

He paused briefly, a desperate yet determined light flashing in his eyes. "I'll ensure the ceremony has the best preparation and strongest protection. If any sacrifice is needed, even if it's my life force transfer, I'm willing."

"Dwayne," I finally spoke, my voice hoarse. "This isn't your fault, at least not entirely."

I looked down at Vitalis and said softly, "Genetic inheritance really is complex. We can't determine what caused the activation. Maybe it was stress, maybe it was just... fate."

"But our attitude certainly made things worse." Dwayne insisted. "Seraphina, I'm not seeking your forgiveness. I just want you to know—I understand what we did wrong, and I understand the consequences of this mistake. I'll spend the rest of my life making amends."

"Thank you for the apology." I said, almost in a whisper. "As for forgiveness, I need time. But Dwayne, I accept your help. Not for you—for Vitalis."

"I understand." Dwayne nodded, his expression relieved. "Time—we have plenty of it. Seraphina, whatever your final decision is, whether you choose to return to the pack or stay at Northern Peak, Vitalis will have Blackmane Pack's full support. He's our bloodline, and you're his mother. This connection will never change."

He turned to leave, then stopped at the door. "Also, about Mira... I apologize for her presence."

"Thank you." I said.

After Dwayne left, I sat by the cradle, trembling as I opened the wooden box. Inside were exquisite silver instruments, each carved with complex runes, along with several small bottles containing rare herbs that gave off a faint fragrance. At the very bottom was an ancient booklet recording detailed steps and history of the Moon Essence Purification ceremony.

"These things are very precious." Ember walked over, looking at the instruments in amazement. "Seraphina, some of these runes I've never seen before. This must be a very ancient inheritance."

"Yes." I said softly, my fingers tracing the carvings. "Very precious."

But I knew in my heart that what was truly precious wasn't these items, but the sincerity and guilt in Dwayne's eyes when he apologized, his courage to admit mistakes and take responsibility. Maybe it really was possible to start over.