Chapter 66 Epilogue
Aiden’s POV
“Is everything alright? What happened back there earlier? You scared us.” Nick said.
Ashira is now resting, as well as Quillon. It was a long night, and Ashira gave birth quickly and faster than expected.
“Yes. Everything is fine. Go to Zynia and ask her to come to my office. I’ll head there and wait for her.”
Nick looked confused, and I know he had a lot of questions in his head, but I can’t disclose this to anyone yet. I will soon, I know.
I didn’t wait for Nick to say more and turned to go inside the office. It was not too long before Zynia came knocking.
“Alpha Aiden.” she greeted.
“Please close the door, Z,” I asked, and she did. “Take a seat.”
I grabbed glasses and a bottle of wine for us, giving her one while I sipped on mine, trying to clear the thoughts swirling inside my head.
“About Quillon…” I sighed. “I guess your calculations are right, Z. He does possess the same power as the Alpha King. I’m beyond grateful that Zeron didn’t acquire what he wanted, but I’m also afraid for what may come for my child.”
“I understand your concern, Alpha Aiden. Your child is still young and unable to protect himself yet. The King does not know about this, he thinks he succeeded, and it's better he thinks that way.”
“The child concealed his power himself. We saw how he hid the colors of his eyes; we felt how the surging power inside him was shrouded. As if he understands the danger as if he is not a newborn. Is that possible?”
“Honestly, I’m without knowledge with a child next in line to the highest throne. I’m not saying we shouldn’t trust the child for his ability, but the time will come that his power will come out without his desire to do so.”
She was right. And I can’t risk the chances. It’s us versus the Alpha King. Even with Quillon on our side, having him but unaware of his power, we don’t stand a chance.
And I don’t know if the King would be too generous to spare a child’s life, if that child is what he feared.
“I’ve studied something about the royal’s life before. The Alpha King has a sword embedded with a gem that matches the color of his eyes. The Paraiba Tourmaline. It is used to conceal one's power and let it out or be controlled by the owner’s free will. I will look for that kind of gem; we need to seal Quillon’s power for now.”
“And what of Luna Ashira?”
“I will tell her. I will tell this to my Beta and Gamma, as well. I’ve thought the less person who knew, the better. But it's different now; I will need a hand. I will need all your help.”
“I’m honored to be trusted, Alpha Aiden.”
“I need Zeke to know about this, too. He knew a lot of rogues, and those connections can be useful in finding a Paraiba Tourmaline gem. I will let you spread the word to him as I know you will return to Ravenous.”
“In a few days, I will. And I’m ensuring my son will help your child, Alpha Aiden.”
Our meeting ended, and I started to plan on my own. I called for Seth and Nick then began to explain the matter to them.
“You mean your pup can be the next Alpha King?” Nick burst.
“You just repeated what he said.” Seth sighed. “From how you sound, it means Quillon will be in danger.”
“Once this news spread and reaches the King’s ears, I believe he will,” I answered. It's good that they knew what Zeron wanted to have when he offered to help Ashira’s case. They caught up quickly with the issue. “It will be better to keep this on us. Keep this unknown from your mates, as well.”
“You can trust us on that, Aiden.” Seth said, and I can see how serious he was.
“So where is this gem located?” Nick asked. “If you studied it before, it might be written there where we can find it.”
“We will conduct thorough research about the gemstone. Given his connections with the rogues, I also asked for Zeke’s help. And it will be less suspicious that he is the one looking for it.”
“Okay. We will do our best for this, too.”
“One more thing I needed to ask the both of you is to look after Quillon as he grows. One needs to tend to him when I’m busy. He will grow faster than a normal pup. In just a month, I’m sure he will act like a five-year-old child though I hope he will stop developing fast at that age like a normal wolf.”
“I think that will be my job now.” Seth offered. “I’m Luna’s protector, and the both of you needed to attend the pack works.”
“Indeed. Once he lost control of his concealment, someone needed to remind him. The child is an infant, yet he understood me well.”
“You also need to discuss this with Ashira, Aiden.” Nick said in a worried tone.
I paused for a minute. “I will. She is one of the people that will be closest to Quillon.”
“She won’t get angry with you this time. The King gained nothing; nothing was taken from you guys.”
“She will understand you. Don’t keep lying to her about this.” Seth seconded.
I nodded my head and sighed. “I know.”
Ashira’s POV
A moment of silence enveloped the both of us.
Quillon was sleeping soundly in his crib after I fed him. I can’t believe I delivered my son safely; I thought I would die from the pain! But seeing him now, so cute and tiny, hearing his little heartbeat, I feel so blessed, and all the pain I had has gone.
And this early in the morning, Aiden talked to me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” I can’t count how many times he apologized. “I had no choice at that time. I want you back to me; I was willing to trade my life to have you again. I know what I did was egocentric, but-”
“Shh!” I placed my finger on his lip, trying to stop him from talking. I had too much information that my head can’t absorb it well. “The Alpha King took our child’s power in exchange for healing me. Did I get it right? Don’t speak yet; just move your head.”
I took my finger away from his lips, and Aiden slowly nodded. I can see the regret in his eyes; he looked pleading, even without uttering a word. I can only guess how much ‘sorry’ he has inside his head from how he looked.
“And you agreed?”
“I don’t-”
“Don’t speak yet.” I cut in.
He sighed and nodded his head.
I don’t know why Aiden looks like I won’t even understand a word. I’m not narrow-minded, and I knew he was under desperate times. Seeing him fear the thought of losing me, I know he can do anything to save me despite the circumstances.
What I hate right now was how he gave me so little trust.
I sighed.
“I’m not mad at what you did, Aiden.” I leaned closer to him and caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes and held my hand; I smiled. “But you should have trusted me. I understand how… you felt that time. I can only imagine the pain you faced alone, but I’m back now. I’m here. And I forgive you for that.”
He opened his eyes, and I saw it water as it glinted. “I love you.” is what he said.
I smiled. “Me, too. But since the child still possesses his power, this can be a dangerous time. Did I get that right?”
“Yes. We believed that Zeron didn’t want to give up the throne, which is why he tried taking Quillon’s gift.”
“And he failed.”
He nodded, grabbed my hand and kissed it. “Yes, unfortunately.”
Unfortunately. Yes, I will agree with him on that. We share the same thought, and I won’t ask for more of my son. He was just born, and a huge responsibility is already hanging on his shoulder. I can’t believe I gave birth to a possible candidate of the royal throne, but given the enemy we will face because of this, I can’t be joyed.
“Is there anything we could do to… stop any possible danger?”
I looked at my son’s crib and watched as he slept. Oh, young one. Aiden hugged me from behind; I know we share the same emotions.
I can feel him. We are scared.
“I’m already working on it.”
“Okay. I trust you, and I believe you can find the answers. Tell me if I can help in any way, please…”
“You’re already helping, baby.” he turned me to face him. “Being the mother of our child is help enough. Though you need to watch out for some possibility that he may leak his powers unintentionally.” he kissed me on my cheek, and I chuckled at how his words sounded.
“Of course, he might. You made it seem like he knew what he was doing.” I chuckled more.
“Oh, he does.” Aiden said with pride.
What?
I pushed him and found his eyes. He was serious! Quillon was just born yesterday, and Aiden’s already telling me that our child is with knowledge of this problem. At one day old?!
Aiden gave me a smug smile, and that creeps me more! “Aiden!” I smacked his chest. “Tell me what you mean!”
He laughed and caught my fist that was hitting him, pulling me closer. “Believe me, Ashira. Our son understood us even at his early age. The level of his intelligence is not of a regular stealer pup; he is more developed. Try talking to him about things, and you will see it for yourself.”
Oh, wow. I never thought I would have this feeling of discovering more from my child. No wonder my wolf said he is grumpy and snob! Quillon is a unique child!
“I can’t believe I gave birth to such a beautiful child like him…” I whispered, dozing off with my thoughts.
“With or without these gifts, he is beautiful.” Aiden said, looking at Quillon’s crib. “And cute. Our son is the second cutest thing I’ve seen in my life.”
“Huh?” Who’s the first one?
Aiden laughed and pulled me for an embrace. “Thank you for giving me a family, Ashira. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”
It’s been two months since I gave birth to Quillon, and I can’t believe how fast he grow.
“Quillon, don’t go too far!”
We are at our spot, and Quillon can’t pull himself out of the river. He loved running after fishes, and he has been on it for half an hour.
Yes, my two-month-old son is already swimming. He can also talk and almost do everything, to be honest.
Normal wolf pup reaches this stage in the fifth month, and then the development will stop, making them grow normally. Stealer wolf pup, on the other hand, only needed two months, and then the development will be in a regular time.
But Quillon has reached the normal development stage at one month. He is 100cm tall now, speaks well, and can quickly learn things. His strength is too much that he already started training and sparring battle with Seth.
Aiden said it was because of the King’s ability. Our was born with a gift and even the Alpha King failed to have.
Suddenly, I felt a cold shoulder and looked at where Quillon was.
Bzzt! Bzzt!
I sighed.
He got excited again and electrified the river. Oh my. “Quillon! You wll kill all those fishes, I’m telling you!”
He popped his head out of the water and grinned at me. “I’m sorry, Mommy.” Oh, this young boy! How could I even get mad at him if he knew my weakness too well? I can’t stop admiring how cute my son is when he grin like that!
Damn, my heart is melting!
“Okay, come up here and eat something. You’ve been scaring the fishes for half an hour now.”
“Okay, Mommy!”
It only took him a blink, and he was beside me. I didn’t even sense him coming, but I got used to it now. Before, I couldn’t stop halting, or my eyes widened because of shock. But it's part of his gift. He moves like a mist, like a feather in the wind.
“Mom, I think Uncle Seth was affected with my power. He hasn’t come up yet.”
“Oh, shi-cheese dog!” I forgot Seth was also swimming at the river to guard on Quillon! Fuck! Was he electrocuted?!
I ran to the riverside and called for him. “Seth! Are you alright?!”
After a long minute, Seth popped out of the water with a dazed face. “That was not fun.” he muttered and shook his head.
“Sorry, Uncle Seth.” Quillon held on to my dress, hiding behind me while he held a sandwich in his hand.
“No worries, bud. You almost win there, though.” Seth smiled and pat Quillon’s head.
I sighed and urged them to eat now. Aiden was at the pack, and I knew why he was so busy.
He never stopped looking for the paraiba tourmaline gemstone for two straight months now. He came home at night and took off in the morning. He was so hell-bent on looking for the gem together with Nick; Zeke also helps on the other side.
Aiden still gives us time, taking the weekends off. Of course, he never let the day pass without the sleepless nights he promised while I was still pregnant. Oh my, remembering it makes me flush!
And if there’s a person who Quillon’s manipulative cuteness won’t sway, that’s Aiden. Quillon looks up to him a lot, he idolizes his father, and I’m grateful that my son does.
“What game were you playing that you got too excited, baby?”
“Fishing a hundred. Uncle Seth was so good at it because he has large hands.”
Seth burst out laughing or boasting. Argh. And here I am, thinking about what might excite Quillon to the point of losing control of his gift.
“You almost beat me, though.”
“Yeah, but I lost my cool again.” Aww. Now my baby boy is pouting. He looks so cute!
There are times when Quillon loses control of his power. When he was too mad, too excited, or too sad. The child adjusts down his power when he lose it.
At a young age and mind, he knew the danger of being found, and he didn’t want to harm anyone because of him. I feel bad whenever he is like this, thinking like a grown-up man.
I held his cheeks and kissed him playfully.
“Mommyyyyy!~” he complains. I laughed.
“You know, baby, it's okay to lose control sometimes. As long as you will be reminded of concealing it, you’re good, okay?”
“But Daddy wants me to conceal it. I promised I would help him.”
I will surely kill Aiden later.
I smiled at my child. “You are helping him, baby. You’re doing good. He won’t be mad at you for little mistakes; he loves you.”
“I know he does, Mommy~…”
“Aww, come here, baby!” I squish him inside my arms in a tight embrace. I thought he would continue his sad emotion, but he started laughing.
“Hey, Kill!”
\=_= That was Nick!
“Nick, I told you to stop calling him that!” I nagged and gave him a deadly stare. This loveless Beta started giving my son some weird nickname!
I felt Quillon moved to my shoulder and take a peak to who’s coming. Huh! I know him well, and he sensed his Daddy coming!
“Daddy!”
I watched as he ran towards Aiden. He never used his super-enhanced speed whenever he wanted to go to his father. It was as if he wanted the time to be longer, and I know why.
He misses him truly.
“Hey, little one!” Aiden crouched and picked Quillon up, swinging him in the air.
I felt a warm hand touching my heart, and I always feel this whenever I watch the both of them together. My family…
Aiden looked at me, and I was immediately drowned by his gaze.
‘I got off early.’ he said in our mind and smiled at me.
These days, I can’t stop myself from quivering whenever he give me the ‘look.’ You know, that look where you know you’ll both end up in bed. Damn!
‘What are you thinking…’ he said in a teasing voice. I can only imagine how I look right now that he read right through me!
“C-Come eat some snacks!” I called to them, taking my eyes off him. A daddy-Aiden is too much to handle! Much hotter and sexier in my eyes!
“You’re so transparent.” Seth scoffed. “Go get a room. Aw!”
Serves him right! I just threw a bottle of water in his head, ladies and gentlemen.
I hear Quillon telling stories to his Dad as they came nearer.
“...then I almost electrify Uncle Seth.” I heard him say in a cute guilty voice. I smiled as I prepared more sandwiches for Aiden and Nick. Now, this small swimming of Quillon turned into a picnic.
“Really? You should have tried roasting him sometimes.” Aiden laughed.
“Hey! Don’t listen to your father, buddy.” Seth said quickly. “Bad influence.” he said to Aiden with widened eyes. Aiden just laughed as he hugged Quillon, who sat on his crossed legs.
Aww. I wanted to cuddle with them, so baaaad!
“How’s your treasure hunt, Dad?” our son asked while eating his sandwich. He knows that Aiden is searching for the paraben tourmaline gem, and he also knows it will help him conceal his power.
I was against it at first, but Aiden trusted our son too much; he trusted his ability and capability to understand at a young age. And he was not mistaken because Quillon took the information with an open mind.
Also, I think Aiden doesn’t want Quillon to get mad at him for being gone for so long. He wants our son to know that he is doing this for him, his way of showing his love.
“We finally found the treasure.” Aiden said to Quillon, poking his nose while smiling widely.
My eyes widened, and Quillon mirrored the same expression! He found it!
“Really, Daddy?!” our son began jumping like a spring, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of Aiden, still in shock that he found it this early!
He saw my expression and moved close to me. “I found it, baby.” he whispered, leaning in to kiss my lips tenderly. “I found it at last.”
“How? Just today?”
“Yeah. A lady rogue came to the pack; she possessed the gem in her necklace that was given to her by her mother.” he pulled me inside his warm embrace.
I can’t tell you how happy I was. Finally, our child won’t worry about concealing his power. Finally…
“And also,” he turned to look at Seth. “Hey, Seth. Nick found his mate!” Aiden laughed.
“For real?!” Seth looked at Nick and punched his arm. I can’t believe this!
“But why does Nick look bothered?” I asked. “Who’s his mate?” I can’t believe he found his fated one, even though it's not yet the mapping!
“No wonder his mate can’t be found by the mapping; she’s a rogue!” Aiden announced!
“No way! For real? The same lady rogue that had the gem?!” I exclaimed!
“She hates me!” Nick looked like he was about to cry as he shouted. Instead of adding more words, he stuffed his mouth with food.
Okay, I think he is stress-eating.
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked Aiden. Seth won’t stop bothering Nick, teasing the poor Beta. My son, on the other hand, from jumping like a spring, is now running after a butterfly.
Aiden pulled me closer to him. “The dog got excited about the gem; he accidentally saw his mate naked. She was showering at the guesthouse.”
“What?! I bet that was not an accident!” Seth teased more.
We all laugh while Nick seems down.
They have found the gem, Quillon’s power will be sealed, and he can start living like a normal pup; he can now play with other wolves; everything is going back to pieces!
“Thank you for your hard work.” I said to Aiden when everyone was busy doing their own thing. He looked down and found my eyes, giving me the most genuine smile.
He is happy like I am.
“I promised to protect you and our child.”
“And you always did. Thank you for loving us, Aiden.” I whispered.
His hands on my waist tightened, drawing me closer to him than I already was. I can feel his heart beating loud but with relief. “I love you.”
Burying my face to his neck, I hugged him tight. “I love you, too.”
I will never get tired of loving you until my last breath, Aiden.
“I want Huggies, too!” Quillon jumped from nowhere, and both of us laughed as we held him in our arms.
I may have started the wrong way, but having Aiden and Quillon on my arms right now proved that I’m far from how I was at the beginning. A loving mate, a loving son, I won’t ask for more…
“I want a baby sister…” Quillon said out of the blue. Aiden and I looked at each other. I was startled by what I heard, but I could see in Aiden’s eyes that he loved the idea.
“Quillon, did Daddy told you to say that in your portal?” I asked sweetly and caress my son’s cheeks. He looks so cute!
‘Yes, Mommy, but he said not to tell you.’ my son answered in my head.
I burst out laughing as Aiden scratched the back of his head, knowing that he was found. I grabbed them both and hugged them tight once more. “I love you both!”
THE END
Author's Note:
Second book of The Rare Wolf Series - Alpha of the Shadows (completed)
Third book about Quillon will be released by November 2025
Follow @jokerblade_official on instagram
Add www.facebook.com/jokerblade.official
Like www.facebook.com/jokerblade.page