Chapter 128 THE LUNA THAT RISES FROM ASHES
Celestia's Pov
Six months had passed since I left Brazen Pack for the last time. Six months since I got my revenge on everyone who destroyed my life. Six months since I finally let go of the past and embraced my future.
I stood in the garden at PhoenixClaw watching Asher play with other pack children. He was laughing and running around without any sign of the illness that used to plague him. His health had completely recovered under the care of our excellent doctors.
Seeing him so happy and healthy made my heart feel full. This was what I had fought for. This was what made everything worth it.
I felt arms wrap around me from behind and hands settle on my very pregnant belly. Lucian rested his chin on my shoulder and we both watched Asher play.
"How are you feeling?" Lucian asked.
"Tired. These twins are getting heavy. But happy. Very happy," I said.
"Only a few more weeks until they arrive. Are you ready?" Lucian asked.
"As ready as I will ever be. Asher is excited to be a big brother. He keeps talking about all the things he wants to teach them," I said with a smile.
"He is going to be a great big brother. He has such a kind heart," Lucian said.
We stood there together watching our son play and I reflected on how far I had come. Five years ago I was a broken woman living with rogues and fighting just to survive. I had been exiled from my pack, separated from my child, and stripped of everything I valued.
But I did not let that destroy me. I got stronger. I found my blessed wolf. I built a community with other outcasts. I fought my way back until I reclaimed everything that was taken from me.
And along the way I found real love. Not the complicated painful love I had with Raphael but something deeper and more genuine. Lucian chose me when I had nothing. He stood by me through everything. He helped me get justice and never asked me to be anything other than myself.
"What are you thinking about?" Lucian asked.
"Just reflecting on my journey. From the rejected exiled Luna to the Queen Luna mated to the Lycan King. It has been quite the transformation," I said.
"You were always meant for great things. You just needed the right circumstances to show everyone what you were capable of," Lucian said.
"I am ready to let go of the past now. I got the justice I needed. I proved my innocence. I got Asher back. Now I just want to focus on our future and our growing family," I said.
"That is exactly what you should do. You have earned your peace. Enjoy it," Lucian said.
Asher ran over to us looking excited.
"Mama! Lucian! Can I go to Thomas's house for dinner? His mom invited me," Asher asked.
"Of course you can. Have fun and be polite," I said.
"I will! I love you Mama!" Asher said and he hugged me before running off with his friend.
"He is so much happier now. I barely recognize him as the sickly frightened child I met in that medical wing," Lucian observed.
"That is because he finally has what every child needs. Love, stability, and the freedom to just be a kid. He did not have any of that with Raphael and Medea," I said.
Three weeks later I went into labor. Lucian rushed me to the medical center and stayed by my side through the entire delivery. It was nothing like my traumatic experience giving birth to Asher. This time I had the best medical care and people who truly cared about my wellbeing.
After several hours of labor I delivered twins. A boy and a girl. Both healthy and perfect.
When the doctors placed them in my arms I cried happy tears. These were my babies. My children who would grow up loved and safe and free from the trauma I experienced.
Lucian looked at them with wonder in his eyes. He gently touched each of their tiny hands and they gripped his fingers.
"They are perfect. Absolutely perfect," Lucian said with emotion in his voice.
"What should we name them?" I asked.
"For the girl how about Luna? And for the boy we could name him after your father. What was his name?" Lucian suggested.
"His name was William. Luna and William. I love those names," I said.
We brought the twins home a few days later and Asher was immediately smitten with his new siblings. He wanted to help with everything and was so gentle and careful with them.
"They are so small. Were I that small when I was a baby?" Asher asked.
"Even smaller. You were born early and very fragile. But look how big and strong you are now," I said.
"I am going to protect them and make sure no one ever hurts them. I will be the best big brother ever," Asher declared.
Watching him with his siblings made my heart feel complete. This was my family. Asher, Lucian, Luna, and William. This was everything I had dreamed of during those dark years of exile.
I thought about Raphael and wondered if he knew I had given birth to twins. Wondered if he was still sitting in his empty pack house mourning everything he lost. Part of me felt sorry for him but mostly I felt nothing. He was in my past and I was focused on my future.
I had risen from the ashes of my old life and built something better. I was no longer the broken exiled Luna. I was the Queen Luna of PhoenixClaw. Mother to three beautiful children. Mate to a man who truly loved and respected me.
My happily ever after was not with the man who rejected me. It was with the man who chose to stand by my side through the darkest times. The man who helped me rise from the ashes and reclaim my life.
I had been rejected, framed, and accused. But I survived. I fought back. I got justice. And most importantly I found real love and happiness.
This was my story. The story of the Luna who rose from the ashes. And it had a happy ending after all.
The End