Chapter 96: Epilogue

"Finally..." I heaved a sigh as I finished the weaving I had been working on for the past few days. I held it out with a smile to admire how proud I was. "What do you think, Lulu?" I showed my daughter sitting beside me, watching my finished product.

Luciana fluttered her eyes in surprise. "It's so pretty. Are you going to show it to Daddy, Mommy?" she asked as I handed what I weaved. Her delicate hands traced all the details I had made.

I could see how impressed she was. Chuckling, I kissed her temple to make her look at me. "Yes. Later." I winked at her, causing her to giggle. "Take a break from stitching, sweetie. Go and join with Lumie and Richie."

"Hmm! Yes, Mommy!" She stormed out of the parlor room as fast as a lightning bolt.

My stomach felt ticklish as I stood up and went to the window to see her joining with her siblings, who were busy playing chess. I bit my lower lip. I couldn't accept that they were eight years old this year.

"Time surely flies..." I muttered, feeling nostalgic about those days when they were still little.

"They really are."

That familiar baritone voice touched my whole being before I felt a strong pair of arms wrapping around me. I immediately leaned back to his sculpted chest and raised my arm to reach for his face.

"You're home, " I uttered and looked up to see the loving face of my... "...my dear husband, pudding."

Alucard's lips stretched out into a big smile as he bit his lower lip and lowered his head to kiss me tenderly. "You are making me want to claim you again and again, my dear wife, dollface."

Chortling, my wolf and I felt excited at his words before he kissed me again. I spun around and released a soft moan when he deepened our kiss, our tongues dueling against each other.

And yes, Alucard and I had now married each other when he proposed to me before he set sail to attend his diplomatic mission two years ago. As soon as he arrived, we married a week after celebrating our children's birthday.

Little did I know while he was on his diplomatic mission, Alucard had already planned all the wedding arrangements. I fell in love with him more when he remembered the things I told him in the past.

After that, we married in the grand divine temple in the capital city and had our honeymoon in Crimson Cove.

Following our intense kiss, Alucard and I gently parted our lips. He then cradled my face in his hands, his eyes filled with affection as he gazed at me tenderly. "How are you and our..." He trailed off, his hand drifting down to rest on my slightly bulging stomach, his expression softening as he met my eyes once more. "Are you having cravings? Leg cramps? Backache?"

My heart felt like being caressed, and how Alucard looked worried. I was one month pregnant with our fourth child. After two years, we both decided we would finally have a new member in our family.

I had been waiting for him to say the words he wanted us to conceive. I knew that Alucard wanted to cherish first taking care of the triplets before he asked me a few months ago if it was all right for me that we could have another pup.

When he learned about my second pregnancy, he couldn't hide his excitement and went to the royal palace to deliver the news. It was why, later, we would be celebrating my one-month pregnancy.

Shaking my head, I pecked his lips before my hand laid on top of his hand that was on my stomach. "Only cravings, pudding." I slithered my arms around his neck and buried my face to the crook of his neck so I could smell his scent. "I missed your scent, pudding..."

Alucard kissed my forehead and chortled. "I am your craving for today again, dollface," he pointed out, leaning his chin on my head. "I missed your scent, too. I have been busy all day and I couldn't stop thinking about you, our triplets, and our baby pup." I only nodded, indulging myself in his warm body.

My wolf agreed that we wanted our mate to be so close right now. Yes, he was right. I was craving for him... everything about him.

Alucard and I walked together with our hands intertwined as we checked our children and watched them run in our direction the moment they saw their father.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

"Oh, my brave pups! Come here!" He knelt on the ground and opened his arms.

I felt a little emotional whenever he did that, and our kids would giggle and greet him with a kiss on his cheeks. This was the family I had ever wished for. And I was glad that I had given Alucard a chance years ago.

I couldn't imagine being in a situation where Alucard and I had to share custody of them. It was hard, and I knew our kids had been trying to cope to spend their time with their father.

Meanwhile, we had started our preparation for the party to celebrate my one-month pregnancy. It would be happening here in the citadel, which Alucard was worried about since I might be stressed throughout the night.

"I'm fine, Alucard. If I'm tired later, I will tell you, hmm?" I gently pinched his cheek as soon as I was done dressing up.

The frown sitting on his face never wiped. I could tell that he would do something that might change his mind.

To divert his attention, I pulled out the tiny socks I had weaved earlier. "Look what I just finished today, Daddy pudding." I teased him to ease his concern.

Alucard was so overprotective of my second pregnancy. Every move I made would make him faint. He didn't want to leave me for just a second, but he needed to fulfill his duties as one of the members of the royal lycan family.

His knitted forehead flattened as his eyes widened in awe upon holding them. "Is this for our baby pup?" He blinked so many times with his mouth slightly gaped open.

"Uh-huh. I will make more soon."

I watched him brighten up before hugging me so tight. "I cannot wait to see our baby pup soon. Two more months..." he said dreamily, which made me smile. Alucard knelt on one knee and placed his ear on my stomach. "Baby pup, we can't wait to see you. This time, I will be witnessing your mommy's pregnancy. Don't worry there, little one."

"Silly man." I rolled my eyes but chuckled, gently combing his hair using my fingers.

The party began at 6 pm. Alucard and I had greeted our distinguished guests. Luciana, Lumiere, and Liutrich were getting along with their cousins and some daughters and sons from the noble families.

We made sure that someone was watching over them.

After some time, I mindlessly caressed my baby when Alucard approached me by placing his arm over my shoulders. "I'll get you some food and water, alright?" he asked softly, kissing my forehead as he ushered me to the corner where a chair awaited me. He guided me to sit as I smiled at him, nodding.

"I'll be here, pudding."

Watching him going to the buffet table, I took that as an opportunity to remove my shoes. I released a sigh of relief and thanked Alucard.

"I brought you some tarts and sliced fruits, dollface. Tell me if you aren't fond of them," he said as soon as he returned.

I almost bit my lower lip, but my lip rouge was staining my lips. "Daddy, you're so sweet." I winked at him.

Alucard chuckled and kissed the back of my hand. "I just want to ensure you won't be upset in your food, Mommy." I melted when he called me that. "Is it to your liking?"

Glancing at my food, I nodded in approval. "Attend to our guests. I'll be on the balcony if you look for me. Hmm?" I gently pinched his cheek and pecked his lips when he knelt on one knee.

There was hesitation lingering in his eyes. I could tell he didn't want me to leave, but I assured him I would be fine.

It took a lot of convincing before Alucard had finally let me be alone as I enjoyed my meal while listening to the musical instruments being played inside the citadel. I was humming when I finished eating and caressed my stomach.

"Your father is really overprotective, my little one. I didn't know that he would be like this." I couldn't contain my excitement that I saw more of Alucard's behavior and how I could easily deal with them.

We had disparities throughout our marriage, but we worked on it and discussed it. If he and I argued, Alucard wouldn't be at peace and sleep if things weren't alright.

After contemplating, I decided that I would return to the party. However, upon striding the banquet hall, I saw Apollo, my father-in-law, in the gallery. His eyes pinpointed where Adeline, my mother-in-law, was talking to her peers.

That urged me to go there while he was sipping on his wine. I took a glass of juice before going to the gallery to speak with him.

"Thanks for coming, father-in-law."

Apollo glanced at me with a slight surprise before he scoffed. "You know that if my son sees you talking to me, he will think I will do something against you again."

I silently took a sip in my drink from his words, darting my eyes where Alucard was, busy talking to our guests and laughing with them. Just by watching him, I wouldn't forget how we were parted from each other.

"It's not my fault why your son is acting that way. After all..." I paused and looked at him meaningfully.

Apollo's action caused Alucard to distance himself from him. Since then, they weren't on good terms, and he threatened his father that if Apollo touched me, he would forget that Apollo was his father. Alucard didn't care if he would be against the former Alpha King, his biological father.

As for his mother, Adeline was disappointed at her mate that he had done things like that to sabotage their son's happiness. That devastated Apollo when my mother-in-law distanced herself from him.

But they had already reconciled years ago as I told them that I already moved on from what my father-in-law did. However, as for my beloved mate, he couldn't forgive his father even though I convinced him that it was not good that they were not fine.

Alucard was determined to distance his relationship with him, which I no longer insisted on. I told him I would support his decision and silently pray to the Moon Goddess that they would soon reconcile.

"That's why you must distance yourself from me before he wreaks havoc." He shook his head, swirling his glass as the liquid created a spiral motion, his attention pinned there.

A small chuckle came out of my lips, causing him to frown. But I immediately stopped when he glared at me, causing me to clear my throat. "Anyway, I am glad you still came along with Adeline."

Apollo and I would never be close to each other, unlike Adeline. There was a wall between us, but I was looking for ways that I would wish I could get along with him and would finally accept me as his daughter-in-law.

For now, it was impossible. But time would tell. I wouldn't push myself that he would like me for his son. What mattered most was I was with my beloved mate who loved me so dearly, and I loved him to the moon and back.

He heaved out a sigh. "I wouldn't miss it for the world..." he muttered, catching him looking in my stomach.

At that moment, I saw his stern features softened. It was the same expression whenever he was facing his grandchildren. He would quickly melt, without a doubt.

My lips formed a small smile as I opened my mouth.

"There you are, dollface. I have been looking for you."

I turned around and saw Alucard approaching. He was smiling all over, but as soon as his eyes fixed on his father, they immediately vanished.

As fast as the lightning bolt, I came to tend to my mate and calmed him down. "I approached him, pudding. Don't," I whispered to his ear. My hand was caressing his arm. "I'm just talking to him. I'm about to leave."

He frowned at me. I could see that he wanted to ask me, but he held back and nodded. "Father..." He acknowledged him by nodding at him.

"Son." Apollo nodded back.

Alucard turned at me and smiled. "Let's go. Simone and Charity wish to see you, dollface."

The mention of those two people made me smile, and I nodded. "See you later, Apollo."

"Did he say something horrible to you?"

That was Alucard's question while looking at me in concern. He was guiding me downstairs, and just by looking at how worried he was, I could tell he wanted to carry me so I wouldn't have to tire myself out.

"No, pudding. He just told me that he is glad that you invited him." I watched his forehead crease in confusion. Chuckling, I gently squeezed his hand holding mine. "I promise that he didn't say something that could harm my pregnancy."

Alucard was a paranoid man ever since my pregnancy. His anxiety became uncontrollable if his father was around in my presence.

"If he is, tell me." That was his response after a moment of silence.

I nodded to make him feel at ease before clinging to his arm. "Is it true that Simone and Charity are here?" I asked, smiling widely.

Alucard softened his expression and answered me. "Yes. They had finally responded to our invitation after their wedding a few months ago."

"That's good to hear. I'm happy for them."

It was still surprising that after I cleared things with Alucard about Simone. Alucard had spoken to him and told Simone about his intentions to me and that everything about Simone and I was now over.

"It's time to reclaim what is mine in the first place."

That was Alucard's words when he faced Simone, putting him in place. What shocked me the most was how Simone replied.

"I know. Faustina has never become mine because I know I can never replace you."

I knew by then that Simone liked me and wanted to court me, but I already told him that I could no longer continue dating him. We remained friends after our short encounter.

As for Charity, we had become distant from each other. She was still bitter that Alucard and I had tied the knots. That was when a few years back, we heard the news that Charity and Simone had started dating even though they were not mated for each other.

However, we were still unsure if this was just coincidence or intentional. But I was very sure that Simone was very genuine that he let go of me. As for Charity, I wasn't certain if she already moved on from Alucard.

The last time I saw Simone was six months ago. I could see his handsome face brightened than usual. It seemed that meeting Charity caused him to be like this, and I was happy for him.

"Faustina, dollface."

"Hmm?" I glanced at him and caught him looking at me. My wolf and I felt ticklish at that kind of look he was giving in my direction.

It was full of love and admiration with a hint of... annoyance?

"What's with that face?" I arched my eyebrow, trying to decipher what made him annoy right now.

"Simone..."

I immediately chuckled and shook my head. "There is nothing to be jealous about him. Didn't I tell you before?" I gently pinched his cheek causing him to grin.

"I am just kidding, dollface." Alucard leaned forward to kiss me on my lips before holding my face. "You are already mine, and there's no way that I would allow him to get you again even if let's say he and Charity are married."

I playfully rolled my eyes as I nodded. "I know, and you are mine, too," I said truthfully. My hand raised to touch his cheek. "Just so you know that I am not going to give up so easily, pudding. You are mine and mine alone. Hmm?"

My words brought a smile to his lips. His handsome face brightened up before he uttered, "I love you, Faustina. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to love you and be with our children." He took my hand and kissed the back of it, looking at me with full of love.

I bit my lower lip, couldn't contain how his words fluttered my whole being. "And I love you more, Alucard. Thank you for never stopping loving me throughout the whole years."

At that instant, as we stood united, our hands intertwined, I realized that whatever obstacles awaited us in the future, we would confront them as a team. Our love surpassed all boundaries, spanning across time and distance, and I cherished each moment we spent together. With Alucard beside me, I envisioned a future brimming with infinite opportunities, abundant in love, laughter, and the bliss of familial unity with my Lycan Prince that I got to have benefits.

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THE END

Mystique Luna's note:

Thank you for reaching out to the end! My apologies if I have been inactive last year. I will update more books in the near future. Please look forward to it! See you around, everyone! <3