Chapter 70

It had been a full day since our forces arrived back at the pack's territory, battered but victorious after the brutal confrontation with Alpha Lucas's rogues and packs.

I stood beside Dominic as he addressed our assembled warriors and allies from Alpha Scott's pack.

My gaze drifted to Dominic, taking in the quiet power exuding from his very stance. In his arms, he cradled Mathew, our son squirming happily against his father's chest.

Dominic seemed to follow my train of thought. His eyes found mine for a lingering moment as he bounced Mathew gently.

Dominic stepped forward, Mathew cradled securely in the crook of his arm. A hush fell over the assembled warriors as he raised his free hand for silence. When he spoke, his carried clearly across the crowd.

"Today we bask in the glory of a triumph that was dearly bought." His expression was ceremonious. "We have shed blood and lost zero souls because of our Luna and Thalia, the white witch, in defense of our home."

"But because of your unflinching dedication, your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, we have smashed the foes who threatened everything we hold sacred!" Dominic's voice rose in fervor.

"Alpha Lucas and his depraved alliance of rogues and traitors came at us with every dirty tactic. Poisoned ammunition, manipulated loyalties, striving to tar our honor with their depravity." He bared his teeth in a savage grin. "Yet we weathered it all through the unbreakable bonds of our pack."

Cheers and howls of approval erupted all around. The warriors stomped and beat their weapons against shields in a deafening clamor. I felt the same ferocious elation swelling within my own chest.

Dominic waited for the outburst to stop before continuing, "They sought to sever the roots that allowed us to lay claim as the true alphas of these lands. But in their arrogance and deluded grasping for power, they only succeeded in removing the hollow, decaying branches!"

"In the wake of this hard-won victory, our pack has been blessed again!" Dominic called out, his deep voice resonating with paternal pride. "The curse that once rendered our mates barren has finally been lifted!"

A wave of joyous cheers and howls erupted from all around at this revelation. I saw mates embracing, hands cradling bellies hopefully as the news sank in. New life would soon swell our ranks.

Dominic grinned wolfishly, bouncing Mathew gently. "In fact, your alpha shall be doubly blessed - twins are on their way to grace our family!"

If the roars of approval were thunderous before, they reached rapturous levels now. Dominic raised his free hand, allowing the screeching revelry to crest before continuing.

"Such fortunes are hard-earned through the sacrifices we have all endured. They would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance shown by every last one of you." His eyes shone with pride as he surveyed the assembled pack members, new and old alike.

"But special acknowledgments must be made. To our Luna, my mate Freya, whose powers and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity turned the tides of battle." His gaze found mine, unmistakable devotion and gratitude shining through.

"Mumma," Mathew bellowed happily, making me smile.

I felt a flush of warmth, remembering how easily I could have lost him to the violence and treachery. But we had weathered it together, overcoming any attempt to sunder our bonded strengths.

"To the white witch Thalia, whose insights and unexpected allegiance were invaluable." Dominic inclined his head respectfully towards the sorceress. "We would not stand here victorious without your aid."

Thalia accepted the tribute with a regal nod of her own. Though her face remained serene, I detected a glimmer of self-satisfied amusement in her ageless eyes.

"And finally, to Alpha Scott and his warriors who rallied to our side as loyal brethren." Dominic leveled his intense stare at our allied alpha. "We will forge new legends of our packs' unbreakable unity from the ashes of this conflict."

Scott raised his hand skyward in salute, his roguishly scarred features split by a approving grin. The chorus of cheers and howls swelled once more in acknowledgment.

When it finally died down, Dominic turned to surround all of us again, his voice brimming with barely restrained eagerness.

"Now go! Make merry with your loved ones and release your pent urgings from battle! Let our celebrations shake the foundations of this land we have reclaimed as our territory!"

Alpha Lucas and Mia were currently locked up in a cellular. I had raised Lucas from the dead just for the sake of Sage and her baby even though Dominic didn't want it to be.

I could make Lucas and Mia good. They didn't have to be enemies. I had even brought back Lucas pack members back to life and made them good. I had even sent the Lucas pack members back home after they sought for asylum from Lucas.

Dominic's heated gaze scorched my skin as he leaned in close, his gravelly voice sending delicious shivers down my spine. "I'm going to put our son down for his nap."

The unmistakable glint of desire blazed in his eyes, igniting a familiar ache of need deep within me. A thrill coursed through my body at the hidden suggestion behind his words. As soon as he tended to our child, that delicious promise of intimate connection would be fulfilled.

I nodded slightly, biting my lower lip. "I'm right behind you," I murmured, already anticipating his powerful embrace, his scorching touch setting my flesh alight with feverish want.

But before I could make my escape from the celebratory crowd to join my mate, a familiar voice called out, shattering the heated reverie.

"Freya!"

I closed my eyes briefly, reining in my frustration as my mother's voice sliced through the heated moment like a cold rinse. Turning, I tried not to let my annoyance show as I replied, "Yes, Mother? What is it?"

Before I could react, she had engulfed me in a fierce embrace, her thin arms squeezing tightly. I stiffened, heat rushing to my face at her overly affectionate display.

"Mother, please..." I grumbled, shifting in discomfort at her overt sentimentality. Finally releasing me, she cupped my face with a tenderness that made me want to squirm away.

"My dearest girl, we've come so far..." she continued.

Clearing my throat, I forced myself to meet her gaze evenly. "You wished to speak with me?"

She blinked, as if remembering her purpose. "I was hoping I could visit Mia in the cells? To ask for her forgiveness after all that conspired between us..." she trailed off.

I watched the flicker of regret and shame dance across my mother's features and felt a pang of irritation.

I eyed my mother sternly. "You can visit Mia, but brace yourself - she might not be so nice to you."

Mother's shoulders squared with determination. "I am prepared to face the consequences of all that has happened."

Nodding curtly, I excused myself and slipped away from the raucous festivities. My steps quickened with growing anticipation as I headed for Mathew's nursery first. Peeking inside, a tender warmth bloomed in my chest at the sight of my precious son slumbering so peacefully.

But there was another, more urgently simmering need demanding to be satisfied. I could feel the heated coil of desire unfurling low in my belly as I made my way to the bedroom chambers I shared with my mate, Dominic.

The moment the door closed behind me, he was on me - a flurry of rough, scorching kisses and fierce caresses that stoked the blazing ache between my thighs. I gasped against the onslaught of his passion, my fingers gripping the hard planes of his body as he pinned me to the wall.

"Watching you with that look in your eye..." Dominic growled, his lips dragging deliciously across the sensitive skin of my neck. "I could scarcely keep my thoughts coherent."

I arched shamelessly against the solid strength of his frame, seeking glorious friction to appease the growing ache. "Then don't bother trying," I breathed, wanting nothing more than to drown myself in the blissful oblivion only he could provide.

His answering growl reverberated through me before his mouth claimed mine in a searing, devouring kiss that liquefied every rational thought. There was only white-hot need, screaming to be sated by the exquisite temptation of my mate's touch.

As his hands roamed my curves greedily, I abandoned myself fully to the passionate onslaught.

Breaking away from the kiss I dropped myself onto the floor on my knees, a devious gleam in my eyes as I prepared myself to take him deep within the back of my throat.