Chapter 105 EPILOGUE

Chapter 105 EPILOGUE
"But you won't." I replied
"You don't know that. I don't know that. Don't say it like it's guaranteed," He nearly snapped. "You know what the bite can do. It's unpredictable… even with me controlling it." 
He looked away. "It might kill you, Lyla. And I… I couldn't live with that."
I placed a hand on his. "I know the risks, Zephyr," I said softly. "We both do. But this is my choice."
He looked frustrated. "Babe, if you're doing this to feel closer to the pack…"

"No," I interrupted. "I'm doing this because it's what I want."
He was partly right. I wanted to be turned into a Lycan because I wanted to be one of them. I wanted to stand at Zephyr's side as his equal, not as the fragile human he always worried over.
I wanted the people to see me as someone who shared their blood. Their strength. I wanted them to look at me and see a protector.
A wolf among wolves.
I didn't just want to belong in name or just as the Alpha's human wife who would never fully understand their world. But as someone they could see as theirs. And this time, I felt like maybe I finally could.

I used to think this was something I could never want. I still remembered stepping into this mansion for the first time, and just the idea of it had disgusted me so much I nearly gagged. But that wasn't the case anymore.
Now, even the thought of growing old… of dying before Zephyr terrified me to my core.

He shook his head, muttering, "You're so fucking stubborn. I wonder who you got that from."
I smiled. 
"But, I have to say it one more time. You can still change your mind." He tried again.
"I'm not changing my mind. This is what I want. It's us, Zeph. It's our life together."
My voice softened. "You can't say deep down you don't want this too."

A short silence fell between us, filled with unspoken worries.
Finally, Zephyr exhaled in defeat. "Okay."
Cupping his cheek, I smiled warmly at him. "Hey. I'm stronger than you think, remember?" I said playfully. "I survived being stuck with Darrin for like seventeen hours. I'm too damn stubborn to die on you."
He gave a short, pained laugh. "Yeah, right. I forgot. Forgive me, milady."

Zephyr kissed my knee, then looked up at me, every trace of humor gone from his face.
"Wildflower, this is going to hurt," he whispered. "I'm going to try to be as gentle as I can, but it's going to hurt like hell."
I took in a deep breath, nodding. "I know. I trust you."
"If it gets too painful and you want me to stop, just say the word."
"Okay"
He sat back on his heels for a moment, his eyes reading my face, as if searching for any signs of hesitance.

When he saw there was none, slowly, and with great care, he lifted my blouse, pushing it up above my stomach.
His fingers touched my side, the same spot he had marked before.
"Ready?" He asked. 
Gulping, I gave a single nod. "Ready."
His eyes shifted to that fearsome red, showing a glimpse of the beast hiding within him. The same beast I knew I'd become if I lived through this.
A darkness I'd have no choice but to embrace... to bond with.

I caught sight of the flash of his fangs as they gradually descended.
What came next was a blinding, all-consuming pain, enough to drive me mad.

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EPILOGUE
THREE YEARS LATER 

“Dada home! Dada home!” Jules shrieked with happiness, toddling eagerly toward the door.
His twin sister, Azalyn, abandoned her toys and scampered after him on unsteady little legs. Their Lycan hearing had caught the sound of their father’s voice even before he reached the door.

I stood back, recording the moment on my phone. Seconds later, Benedict got the door, and Zephyr appeared, briefcase in one hand, suit jacket in the other. His face lit up the instant he spotted the kids.
Dropping everything to the floor, he knelt to gather them both in his arms, Jules on one side, Aza on the other.
Benedict picked up his stuff and took it to its rightful place. 

“Oh, my sweet babies. You missed Daddy, huh?”
Their giggles filled the room, their dark hair just like his. Jules had my gray eyes, while Aza had inherited her father’s striking green.

Zephyr spent a few moments playing with them before finally setting them down and walking over to me. I’d already tucked my phone back into my pocket.
“There’s my beautiful wife,” he drawled with a grin, pulling me close and tipping my chin up to kiss my mouth. 

“Mmm, I was starting to think the kids had stolen all your love,” I teased, smiling against his lips.
“Oh, never,” he murmured back, kissing me again. 
“How was work?” I asked, leading him to the couch while the children busied themselves with their toys.
Zephyr pulled me gently down onto his lap. “Stressful, but none of it matters now.”
He kissed my neck. “You look so beautiful, Wildflower.”
“Zeph,” I giggled shyly, blushing.

He traced my collarbone absentmindedly.
I leaned into him, breathing in the tempting cologne that always clung to his skin even after a long day.
Very briefly, I forgot about the toys scattered across the floor and the mountain of responsibilities that came with being both Luna and a mother.
On Zephyr's lap, it was just us—a man and wife who had fought tooth and nail to find this peace.

Zephyr’s eyes softened as it scrutinized my face. “Are you sure I didn't dream you up or something, woman?” he asked jokingly.
“No, mister. I'm right here," I responded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “See?”
He shut his eyes, groaning. “I'm so lucky to have you as my wife and the mother of my children.”
“You’ve said it a hundred times.” I kissed his lips briefly. “And I’m lucky too. You're such a great husband and father.”

“Mhm?” Zephyr's voice dropped, filled with flirtation. “Well, Daddy needs some taking care of, don't you think?”
His hands found their way under my blouse, beginning a slow climb. "Zephyr," I chided in a hushed whisper. "The children are here."
"Georgia’s in the next room. We'll call her to stay with them." 
His fingers slipped under my soft bra, finding my already aroused nipple.

I bit down on my lip, suppressing the moan that threatened to escape as he gently stimulated it.
“Alright, fine,” I conceded, and Zephyr's boyish grin spread. Just as I prepared to get off his lap, little Aza toddled over, a book in hand and a radiant smile lighting her face. "Dada read!" she exclaimed, holding it up to him.
Zephyr looked at me, a wry amusement in his eyes. "I swear this girl can read our minds."

I burst out laughing. “No, she can't.”
“So she just happens to wander here, telling me to read to her when I had plans of destroying you?" Zephyr mused.
"Something like that," I replied with a smile.
He tutted, shaking his head. Aza, already on the verge of a tantrum from being ignored, was quickly scooped into his lap. "Alright, baby. I'm coming, I'm coming. Daddy will read to you. Okay?" he soothed.
I smiled at him. "You just got home," I said. "Let me do it. You relax."

The sight of them melted my heart.
My dominant, menacing Alpha husband had become the softest version of himself with them. Well, he was still a very protective beast, but one who now lived for bedtime stories, playing with toys, braiding his daughter’s hair with gentleness, and chasing after his son's wobbly ball kicks.
It was surreal. This was a side of him the world didn't see. A simple father, letting his children tug at his hair, patient when Aza demanded he read the same page twice.
The mighty Zephyrus Arcadius Wrath was a family man.