Chapter 177 CHAPTER 177

Chapter 177 CHAPTER 177
The music swelled the moment they stepped into the dining hall, a lively rhythm that vibrated through the floorboards and filled the air with warmth and excitement. Kaelan met the women at the door, his hand brushing Elara’s lower back as he guided her gently into the room. His eyes swept over her dress, a deep red that shimmered in the light, and something warm flickered in his gaze.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek.

Elara felt heat rise to her face. But before she could respond, Talia stepped into the room behind them, her lavender dress catching the light, her hair pulled back with tiny flowers. She hesitated at the threshold, her eyes wide as she took in the decorations, the music, and the people.

Kaelan turned to her, his expression softening. “Talia.”

She looked up at him, uncertainty flickering across her face.

“You look very pretty,” he said gently. “Would you like to dance?”

Talia blinked, startled. “Dance? With… you?”

“If you want to,” Kaelan said, offering his hand.

For a moment, Elara thought she might refuse. But then Talia’s lips curved into a small, shy smile, the kind that made Elara’s heart swell even more, and she placed her hand in Kaelan’s.

“I’d like that,” she whispered.

Kaelan led her to the centre of the room. Talia followed his steps, her movements hesitant at first, then gradually more confident as Kaelan murmured quiet encouragements. When she laughed, a soft, breathy sound, Elara felt tears prick her eyes.

She had missed that sound.

Lyra appeared at Elara’s side, nudging her with her elbow. “Look at them. He’s a natural.”

Elara nodded, her chest warm. “He really is.”

“Come on,” Lyra said, grabbing her hand. “Dance with me.”

Elara laughed as Lyra pulled her into the open space beside Kaelan and Talia. Kieran joined them moments later, followed by Arden and Ana, who twirled into the group with a grin.

Their movements weren’t perfectly coordinated, but they didn’t need to be. They laughed, bumped shoulders, spun each other around, and for the first time in a long time, Elara felt the weight of the past few months lift.

Arden looped an arm around Elara’s waist. “We needed this.”

Elara nodded. “More than I realised.”

Ana twirled Lyra dramatically, making her squeal. “We should do this every week.”

Kieran snorted. “You say that now. Wait until you’re the one cleaning up after everyone.”

Ana stuck her tongue out at him, and the group dissolved into laughter.

Eventually, the song shifted into something slower, softer, and Kaelan appeared at Elara’s side, offering his hand.

“May I?” he asked.

Elara smiled. “Always.”

He pulled her close, one hand settling at her waist, the other holding hers gently. They swayed together, the world narrowing to the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Elara rested her head against his chest, breathing him in.

“You look happy,” he murmured into her hair.

“I am,” she whispered. “Tonight… I really am.”

His arms tightened around her. “Good. You deserve this.”

They danced until the song faded, until the room shifted into a blur of movement and laughter once more.

Eventually, Talia grew tired, and Elara guided her upstairs, tucking her into bed with soft blankets and a kiss to her forehead. Talia fell asleep almost instantly, her breathing soft and even.

Elara lingered for a moment, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

Kaelan appeared in the doorway. “She’s out?”

“Completely.”

He smiled. “Come on. The others are waiting.”

The firepit crackled warmly as they approached, the flames casting soft orange light across the faces of their closest friends. Kieran, Arden, Lyra, Darius, Ana, Mira, and Jake sat in a loose circle, drinks in hand, laughter drifting into the night air.

Elara and Kaelan settled between Lyra and Kieran, the warmth of the fire seeping into their bones.

“So,” Kieran said, raising his drink. “A lot has happened since you two left the Arrax pack.” Tilting his drink slightly to Elara and Lyra.

Elara snorted. “That’s an understatement.”

Lyra grinned. “We stumbled into Kaelan’s old cabin and everything changed.”

Kaelan groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

Arden nudged him. “You’re welcome, by the way. If we hadn’t supported Elara in leaving that day…”

“I’d still be living alone with a pack known as forgotten, in the woods,” Kaelan finished dryly.

Elara laughed. “And I’d still be trying to avoid the matchmaker.”

“Look how that turned out,” Ana teased.

They all laughed, the sound warm and familiar.

Kieran cleared his throat. “Speaking of things turning out… I have news.”

The group quieted, waiting for him to continue. And knowing Kieran, him having news could mean anything.

Kieran beamed. “June and I are having a baby.”

A chorus of cheers erupted among the group. They all congratulated him, giving him pats on the back. 

Elara leaned forward after the rest quieted down. “Congratulations. You’re going to be an amazing dad… not that you aren’t already.”

Kieran’s eyes softened. “Thank you.”

Arden and Jake sat close together, their fingers intertwined. Arden rolled her eyes when Jake kissed her cheek. “Don’t get mushy.” She warned him.

Jake smirked. “Too late.”

They bickered lightly, as they always did, and the group laughed at their familiar dynamic.

Lyra leaned into Darius, her eyes bright. “I want a baby too.”

Darius choked on his drink, coughing violently as the group burst into laughter. He then turned to Kieran, “Look what you have started.”

Kierna responded by laughing and raising his drink in a salute.

Ana grinned. “We’ll have kids eventually. Mira and I have already talked about it.”

Mira nodded. “One day.”

Arden shrugged. “Not for me.”

Jake raised a brow. “We’re having kids.”

Arden glared. “We are not.”

“We are,” Jake insisted.

Their argument spiralled into playful bickering again, and the group laughed until their sides hurt.

Then Ana turned to Elara and Kaelan. “What about you two?”

Elara looked at Kaelan, and Kaelan looked at her. Then Elara smiled softly. “We already have a daughter now.”

Kaelan took her hand, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “We do.”

Lyra sniffled. “Oh, don’t make me cry.”

When the fire burned low, they all made their way back to the pack house. The halls were quiet now, the music faded, the lanterns dimmed. They parted ways; the group all resided mainly on the second floor, and Elara and Kaelan continued up to the third floor. Instead of going to their room, they slipped into Talia’s room. She was still asleep, curled beneath the blankets, her breathing soft and steady.

Elara brushed a kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, my girl.”

Kaelan lifted the blankets, and the two of them slid into bed on either side of her, their arms wrapping around her small form.

Talia stirred faintly, then relaxed between them.

Elara rested her head against Kaelan’s shoulder, her hand resting over Talia’s heart.

For the first time in a long time, their little family felt whole.

And together, they drifted into sleep.