The Future We Fought For

The Future We Fought For
Leo’s POV

A few months passed, and the world I once ruled with iron, I now ruled with purpose. Everything has returned to its rightful place. The shadows were gone and my queen…my heartbeat…was safe.

After weeks of struggles and my mate’s stubbornness, we finally found a balance. 

Ivy continued as CEO of her father’s company, a powerful woman in the human world, while still ruling as Luna Queen beside me. 

We built a system…she only needs to be at the office two times a week, virtual board reviews from her private royal office when important, and her presence in the kingdom when matters concerning her position arise.

There would be no clash between her two destinies. She would have both. Because she deserved everything.

As for me? I had experts running my corporation in the human city now. My priority? My woman. I didn’t care what anyone thought. Call it obsession, call it devotion…I didn’t give a fuck.

If she’s in a meeting? I was there.
Contract signing? Right beside her.
Charity event? Her hand in mine.
Royal function? Her king…always one step behind, not to control her, but to protect her.

Did I annoy her sometimes? Absolutely. Did she love me enough to tolerate it? Every damn day.

Ezra and his mate were finally back from their vacation, and now…it was my turn. 

I will be taking my queen on a late honeymoon. I needed to get her away from the weight of ruling, away from her desk, away from responsibilities…just me, her, and peace. She deserved it. Our pup growing inside her deserved it.

Daniel called a week ago…he was still traveling, still searching for peace, still figuring out who he was beyond pain. He said he would return when he was ready. I believed him.

So for now, we are waiting.

I even invited Connor and his mate for a private dinner weeks ago. I needed to look him in the eye and burn the bridge permanently…to thank him. Because if he hadn’t rejected Ivy, if she had truly stayed with him…I would have lost my mind. No queen means no king. I would have drowned in Dina’s shadows and hidden behind Ezra for the rest of eternity.

Since Ivy became pregnant, I stopped taking her blood. The hunger inside me…that part of me that craved blood…Silent. Dormant. Maybe it was the pup. Maybe it was her love. Maybe it was simply that I no longer needed that part…I had peace now.

As for my uncle and Isabella…they were exiled to the Maze Mountains. A fate worse than death. No one ever returned from there. That was the true punishment. They would live with the consequences of their betrayal…alone, forgotten, powerless.

“Ezra!” I called the moment I felt his presence enter the palace. A second later he appeared in front of me…loyal as ever and looking like he’s been having the time of his life.

“Your Majesty,” he bowed slightly.

I already had two travel bags packed…mine and Ivy’s. She didn’t know yet. If I told her in advance, she would have buried herself in work just to avoid traveling. And I…well, I’m weak for my little mate. Saying no to her was impossible.

“How was your vacation?” I asked him.

He looked…softer. Calmer. Lighter. More like the man he once was before I thrust responsibilities on him. I’d bet everything I owned that Shina was doing better too…wherever she was.

“Better than we expected, Your Majesty. There were…”

“Good,” I cut him off. “Now get back to taking care of the kingdom while I’m away.”

His face dropped. “Your Majesty…” he started.

I walked away, as he mumbled, signaling the guards to grab the bags. No time for debate.

I was in the car in no time, and the driver began heading straight to Ivy’s corporate tower. Her building. Her empire. Her name in golden letters at the top.

Her father changed it to her name after announcing his retirement.

I didn’t go up.

‘Come down,’ I mindlinked her. ‘Or I’m coming up there and kissing you breathless in front of your employees.’

Her exasperated sigh hit me immediately. ‘Jeez, I’ll be down shortly, Alpha. Calm down.’

I smirked and leaned against the car. Five minutes later…there she was. Walking out like she ruled the wind itself. Hair flowing, eyes sharp, her beauty blinding.

Mine.

I didn’t wait. I walked straight to her, pulled her into me and kissed her neck.

“I missed you, baby,” I murmured into her skin.

“Missed you too, my love.”

“Come,” I said, opening the car door. “I need to take you somewhere.”

She slid in, giving me that look…the one that promised she would argue later only to melt in my arms after. Hand on her bump, I rubbed gentle circles.

“Where are we going, Leo?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” I said with a slow, cocky smile.

She groaned. “Leo… what did you do?”

“Nothing. Can’t a man spend time with his woman?” I leaned in, kissing her until she melted. “You know I would die for you, right?”

She touched my face. “And you know I won’t let you die, right?”

Gods. I didn’t deserve her. But she was mine anyway.

“I love you, Ivy,” I whispered. “I love you. I love our unborn pups. And I will protect you three with everything I am…even if it costs me my soul.”

She stroked my cheek. “I know, Leo. And I love you too…more than words ever will be enough.”

We pulled into the private hangar minutes later, where the royal jet waited.

The driver announced, “We’ve arrived, Your Majesty.”

Ivy looked out of the window, then turned and froze.

“Leo!” she gasped. “What did you do? Where are we going?”

“My love… just a little trip. Just the two of us. We won’t be long I promise.”

“But my work…the palace…”

I pressed a finger to her lips. “Everything is handled. Trust me.”

She sighed, eyes searching mine. “My father and Rosa’s wedding…will we be back before then? It’s in three months time”

…Shit. I didn't think about that.

I scratched the back of my head. “Uh…yes?”

“Leo…” she whined and I kissed her.

“We’ll be back before the wedding,” I promised. “Originally I planned three months, but now we’ll do one month and a few weeks. Which is fucking tragic, honestly.”

She laughed, kissed both of my cheeks. “You’re such a baby. If we have a month…then we’ll make the most of it. Now tell me…where are we going?”

I pulled her close, brushing my lips against her ear.

“The Maldives,” I whispered.

Her breath caught as her eyes softened instantly. She has always wanted us to go there while we were courting…befire everything went down the way it did.

I rested my forehead on hers, hand over the life growing in her.

This…this is what I fought for. This peace. This woman. This future.

“I love you, Ivy Ashton,” I whispered.

“And I love you, Leo Ashton,” she replied.

And that… that is all that will ever matter.