Reunion
Leia - POV
I woke up with a throbbing headache, surrounded by my mates. It was a breathtaking sight—Xavier and Kai lay beside me, their features bathed in the gentle light of dawn. Their chiseled features and toned muscles glistened under the soft sunlight. It felt like I'd won the lottery having such handsome Alpha mates all to myself. Trying not to gawk, I stroked Kai's and Xavier's hair simultaneously. Suddenly, my hand was gently seized as Xavier's emerald eyes and Kai's rich brown ones fixed on me with intense scrutiny.
"Good morning," I managed, my face burning with embarrassment.
Releasing my wrist, Kai and Xavier leaned in, kissing my cheeks tenderly. Their voices, thick with sleep, murmured their morning greetings. The warmth of their actions filled my heart.
"You look exhausted. Didn't you sleep well?" Xavier inquired with genuine concern.
"I believe I connected with Sia last night," I revealed, instantly drawing Kai and Xavier's attention.
Kai's voice grew urgent. "What did she tell you?"
"She wants to meet you both in the soul realm. I can facilitate her meeting through my connection before she transitions to another realm," I explained.
"Do you know how to access the soul realm?" Kai pressed.
Nodding, I replied, "I previously summoned Xavier using chants from the ancient book, which brought his soul back. I'll need to revisit those chants to connect with the soul realm, but ensure both of you accompany me this time."
"After the Luna Ceremony, we should attempt to enter the soul realm," Xavier proposed. I nodded in agreement, eager to meet Sia as well.
Once dressed, we proceeded to the dining area. Over breakfast, our conversation shifted to the upcoming contract with Witchland. We discussed its potential advantages: it could yield profits, and its magical protection was invaluable. In return, our alliance would offer investment opportunities to bolster their territories.
"Hollie, how are the preparations going?" Kai asked.
"Everything's running smoothly, Alpha," Hollie replied as she joined us for breakfast.
"I heard you went on a mission to Witch Land, Luna," Hollie began with a twinkle in her eye. "Alpha Kai mentioned what an amazing fighter you are. I'd love to learn magic and sword training from you."
I smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. "I did go on that mission to help our pack and the witches. I promise I'll teach you."
"Thank you, Luna," Hollie said with gratitude, digging into her breakfast.
Once breakfast was over, I headed to my room to prepare. The ceremony was scheduled for the afternoon, a deviation from tradition. We didn't want to risk Kai's dark magic becoming stronger during the evening. The seal Xavier cast could wear off. Conducting the ceremony in the afternoon was the safer choice.
Kai and Xavier were engrossed in ensuring all ceremony preparations were perfect. Meanwhile, I enlisted the assistance of the maids for my makeup, hair, and nails. I dressed in a gorgeous light blue ballroom gown that sparkled brilliantly, its off-shoulder sleeves accentuating its elegance. As I checked the time, realizing it was time to leave, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, I found Kai clad in royal blue Alpha attire, strikingly contrasting to the usual tuxedo.
"You look dashing," I remarked.
"Well, considering my queen shines like the moon, I figured I should at least try to resemble a star when standing beside her," Kai replied with a wink. I couldn't help but chuckle at his playful banter, playfully swatting his arm.
"Shall we?" Kai asked, offering his arm. Hand in hand, we made our way to the banquet hall. As we entered, all the pack members turned their attention to us, their faces filled with joy and admiration. The priest commenced the ceremony, and as he chanted, a whirl of magic encircled us, strengthening our bond. With a deep, symbolic gesture, Kai bit into my neck, marking me as his mate in front of the pack. He then sealed our union with a passionate kiss, signaling our union as Luna and Alpha under the moon goddess's watch. Applause erupted from the pack members. I caught Xavier's eye as we took our seats on our thrones. He was beaming, genuinely pleased to see his brother and me united.
As the champagne was poured to initiate the next phase of the ceremony, Kai gently tugged my hand. "Care for a dance?" he asked.
As the soft notes of a waltz played, I followed his lead, dancing gracefully around him. For a moment, Kai looked like he was in a trance, completely captivated by our dance.
"You are breathtakingly beautiful, so much so that words can't do justice," he whispered. I pulled him closer for a tender kiss, conveying how deeply I understood his love and care for me.
The next dance paired me with Xavier. As we waltzed, I felt the weight of his thoughts pressing him into a quiet distance. I suspected he was reflecting on Sia's message. Without speaking, I focused on offering him comfort through our dance. Feeling the gentle hum of my magic, Xavier met my gaze with warmth, his gratitude evident in a tender kiss.
I later caught up with Rovina, who radiated happiness, her pregnancy evident. Beside her stood Eric, beaming. Rovina shared her gratitude at finding a second mate in Eric. As Eric tenderly kissed her cheek, she blushed. He had wholly accepted Rovina and the child she carried. Rovina praised Eric's maturity, and I felt a surge of happiness for them both.
After the festivities, I returned to my room and dressed casually. I needed to head to the Black Moon pack; only there could one access the soul realm, a place especially blessed by the moon goddess.
Outside, Xavier and Kai awaited me, having opted to travel by road to conserve energy. Teleporting, after all, was power-intensive, and we needed to reserve our strength for the spell that would grant us entry to the Soul realm. Hollie took the wheel, with Kai and Xavier flanking me in the backseat. Overwhelmed by the day's events, I nestled against Xavier's shoulder and allowed myself a brief reprieve, dozing off as the afternoon transitioned into the evening.
****
Xavier – POV
"We've reached Alpha Kai," Hollie announced. I blinked, waking from my slumber, and saw Kai doing the same. His eyes were heavy with sleep.
"Thanks, Hollie," Kai murmured.
I gently nudged Leia. "Babe, wake up." As she stirred, I brushed a kiss on her cheek. Her smile warmed me instantly, momentarily distracting me from my concern about my mother's call to the Soul realm.
"What do we need?" I asked once we were outside the car.
"I placed the ancient book in your office," Leia responded. Following her instructions, I retrieved the book and joined her at the Moon Goddess shrine. There, Leia drew a circle on the ground. After handing her the book, she gestured for us to sit. I watched as Leia, seated in the center of the ring, began to chant. A mesmerizing magic swirled around us, and as she reached out to grasp our hands, I felt lightheaded.
Suddenly, darkness surrounded me, save for the radiant souls passing by.
"Calm down, Kai, Xavier," Leia whispered soothingly. Looking down, I realized my hand was still securely in Leia's grip, and she was doing the same with Kai. All three of us observed the souls drifting around us.
"Did you find mom?" Kai inquired. Leia nodded in response, closing her eyes. Moments later, the familiar sensation of swirling magic enveloped us. When I opened my eyes, it wasn't just my mother, Sia, standing before me; a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to me was beside her. A realization hit me - this was my father, Sr. Xavier. Recognition flashed in his eyes as they met mine.
"Dad," I murmured, moving into his embrace. The warmth of his hug was a flood of emotion, a fatherly love I had never known. Nearby, Kai was locked in an embrace with his father, Reo. Our mother's eyes glistened with tears as she watched the heartfelt reunion. Pulling away, I saw Uncle Nas and Jia hugging Leia, their tears a testament to the joy of reuniting with family.
"Mom," Kai and I chorused, wrapping our arms around her. The warmth of her embrace, the unmistakable feeling of motherly love, was something I had yearned for.
"You look so much like me," my father remarked, placing a hand on my shoulder, his face brightening with a proud smile.
"Even my son takes after me," Uncle Reo declared, grinning proudly. Kai's face lit up with joy.
"It's a blessing to see you all again," Leia expressed, stepping back from her parents' warm embrace to address the gathering.
"Is this our final farewell?" Leia inquired, turning to my mother, who responded with a somber nod.
"It's thanks to Veronica," Jia, Leia's mother, began. "She used the last of her magic to allow this reunion, to show us how our children have thrived in the Wolf land."
"I'm overjoyed to see my daughter has found such caring mates in both of you. The way you stand by her, support her every move... it fills my heart," Jia confessed, tears of happiness spilling from her eyes.
"Kai, Xavier, I'm truly grateful for how you've cared for our daughter," Leia's father, Nas, added, his voice thick with emotion.
"You were right, Jia and Nas. You had nothing to worry about. Leia is a force to be reckoned with, and with my son by her side, she'll never face anything alone," my mother interjected, wrapping Leia in a comforting embrace. Leia responded with a bright, grateful smile.
"You were right. I had reservations, but seeing Leia, Kai, and Xavier face adversity with such bravery has put my fears to rest," Jia admitted.
"Son, I'm so proud of you," my father declared, his voice filled with the warmth and pride I'd always longed for. While Uncle Reo had tried to fill the void of a father's love in my life, meeting my biological father and hearing his advice and praise was an incomparable experience. Meanwhile, Kai was deep in conversation with Uncle Reo, and my mother, alongside Jia and Nas, was sharing a moment with Leia. They all looked content, taking in the joyous reunion.
"Leia, Kai, Xavier, our time here is short, but know that our love for you all is boundless," my mother said. We waved our final goodbyes with tears, a mix of joy and sorrow. Blinking, I realized we were back at the Moon Goddess shrine.
"That was truly special, meeting our parents again," Leia whispered, her face adorned with a radiant smile. Both Kai and I nodded in agreement, joy evident in our eyes.