Chapter 163: A Luna's Return

Chapter 163: A Luna's Return
(Gretel’s POV)

By the time we arrived at the pack, the sun was near setting over the horizon. As our vehicle rolled past the last bend of the forest road to Devion’s grand mansion, it soon came into view.

The familiar estate made my heart flutter. This time, it didn’t feel like I was just visiting. I was home—and not just as a student on break. I was going to be a Luna.

I looked out the tinted window and took in the beautiful surroundings. Everything looked so familiar, but my perspective had changed. I wasn’t just some outsider trying to survive in a hostile pack.

I had a place here now. Devion had chosen me. I gently placed a hand over my belly, thinking of the tiny lives growing inside me—our babies.

My life was changing faster than I could’ve imagined.

The car stopped right in front of the alpha quarters. Before I could even grab my small purse, Devion was already opening my door like the attentive mate he was.

He gave me a warm smile as he helped me out. The guards standing nearby nodded respectfully to both of us, acknowledging their Alpha and his chosen mate, it seems.

Jazmine walked close behind us, smiling gently as we made our way up the wide granite stairs arm in arm.

As we stepped into the grand foyer, Devion turned to me and said, “You need to rest. Get cleaned up and eat something. I’ll meet with the Elders right after.”

Without waiting for a reply, he led me through the wide hall and up to the second floor, into his private study. The door shut behind us with a heavy thud, cutting off the noise from the rest of the house.

I had a feeling Jazmine noticed how tightly Devion had been holding on to me recently, but she hadn’t said anything yet.

Once we were alone, he immediately wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. His mouth found my neck, brushing lightly over my skin with affectionate nips.

A deep rumble vibrated through his chest. “Finally...you’re home. With me. Right where you belong. Soon, the whole pack will know you’re mine—my Luna.”

I leaned into his touch, tilting my head to give him more access, but gently stepped away before he got too carried away. “My love,” I whispered, “the Elders are waiting for you, remember?”

He let out a deep sigh before resting his forehead against mine. “You’re right,” he said, his voice heavy with something like longing.

“It’s just...it’s hard to stay away from you. I’ve missed you more than I thought I could.”

His ruby-red eyes locked with mine, so intense that I could hardly look away. For a moment, we just stood there, as if feeling the quiet heat between us.

Then he took a deep breath and pulled back, seeming to regain control.

“I’ll make it a short meeting,” he said firmly.

He turned sharply and flung open the doors to the study. “Guard,” he barked, his voice deep and commanding, “assemble the council.”

As he gave more sharp orders to his attendants, I watched him with some pride. Devion had been strong, yes, but now...he looked ready to rule. And I would be there, right by his side.

After that, I retreated back into our room and sank onto the large bed. Everything felt surreal. I was carrying his child.

Soon I’d be Luna. And the chaos we’d gone through? It was finally coming to an end.

But then, outside the window, I heard something. Voices. Movement. I rushed to the glass and looked down into the garden.

A group of guards were leading someone away, tightly surrounded. My heart leaped. Even from this distance, I could make out who it was—Sylvester.

So Devion had already started handling him. Good. That snake had caused so much pain and nearly destroyed everything we were trying to build. Banishing him was the right choice.

Just then, a wave of nausea hit me like a punch. I stumbled back from the window and pressed my hand to my belly.

I took a few deep breaths and whispered, “It’s okay, little ones. Your father is taking care of things. Just be good. It's going to be okay now.”

The sickness slowly faded, and I sat back on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply. After some time, the door creaked open behind me.

And Devion entered the room quietly, closing the door behind him. His expression was hard at first—probably still thinking about the meeting—but the moment his eyes landed on me, his face softened.

He walked quickly over and cupped my face with both hands. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern clear in his tone. “You look pale.”

I leaned into his touch. “I’m alright now. Just a wave of nausea. The babies were just reminding me they’re here, I guess.”

His expression changed at that—becoming something softer. He dropped one hand to rest it gently on my stomach.

“I should call the doctor to check on you,” he said, frowning. “Just in case.”

“No need,” I said with a small smile. “I’m better now. Really.”

He didn’t look completely convinced, but he let it go. Instead, I asked, “What happened at the meeting? What about Sylvester?”

A smile looking dark curved his lips. “He’s gone. Banished. If he steps one paw on our territory again, the hunters won't show him mercy then.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Good.”

“That’s not all,” he added, stepping back slightly to look at me fully.

“I’ve started new security plans for the territory. No more leak points. We’ll raise strong walls. Patrols will be doubled. No one will come close to what's mine again. I pray so.”

His possessiveness made my wolf stir with approval. Yes. That's the kind of mate to make one proud.

“And there’s more,” he said, holding my face between his hands once more. “In front of the Elders and the pack, I’ve announced our mating ceremony. Two weeks from now.” He announced.

My eyes widened. “Two weeks?”

“Yes,” he confirmed with a grin. “Same day Jazmine marries Aron. A shared celebration.”

I gasped, overcome by happiness. Tears pricked my eyes as I threw my arms around his neck. “That’s amazing... so perfect. How did you know just the right thing to do?”

He laughed and kissed my forehead. “You taught me. And you deserve the best, Gretel. And I want you to feel loved and cherished.”

Without warning, he picked me up and carried me to the bed, his eyes turning dark with something like desire.

“Now,” he growled playfully, “where were we before I was pulled away by pack matters..?” He asked, making me blush.

He was demanding, almost always hungry for me, but my wolf loved every bit of it.

Later, I lay beside him, feeling relaxed. My fingers traced the scars on his chest—so many, each a story of a fight, maybe. He’d suffered in his past. So I want him to have peace now. Turn a new page.

I kissed one of the scars gently.

“You’re incredible,” I whispered. “You went through so much… but you still love like this.”

His arms tightened around me.

“For you?” he murmured. “I’d do it all again.”

My heart swelled with pride and love. Devion was my mate, my Alpha—and I was proud to be his Luna.

And I want this to last forever.