Chapter 267

Chapter 267
Serena’s POV

The days that followed were a beautiful blur. The kind that made me pinch myself just to make sure I wasn’t living in a dream.
The wedding preparations didn’t take more than a couple of weeks, but it felt as if the whole pack had been waiting all their lives for that day to come. Every corner of the packhouse buzzed with excitement—maids fluttered around with flowers and fabrics, Gammas alongside the decorators strung ribbons on the gates, and even the pups ran about singing “Luna’s wedding” like a festive chant.

Quinta supervised almost everything with terrifying efficiency. She’d bark orders one second, and then burst into tears the next, mumbling something about “my babies are getting married.” It was impossible not to laugh.

Hades was no better. The mighty Alpha of Fang Storm Pack looked like a lost pup whenever he wasn’t beside me. He’d sneak into the tailor’s section, trying to see my dress, and get kicked out every single time.
By the end of the second week, even the moon seemed to shine brighter over Fang Storm Pack.

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The day finally came—our mating ceremony and grand wedding.

I’ll never forget it. The air smelled of blooming night jasmines and roasted meat from the feast grounds. Torches flickered in golden lines, leading to the altar beneath the ancient oak tree that stood in the heart of the pack’s land. The entire pack gathered, hundreds of eyes gleaming with joy.

When I stepped out, dressed in silver silk that shimmered like moonlight, the crowd gasped. My heart thudded, not from fear, but from knowing that the man waiting at the altar—my mate—was mine.

Completely and irrevocably.

Hades stood tall in his dark ceremonial robe, a wolf sigil embroidered across his chest. His eyes, deep and filled with emotion, locked with mine the moment I stepped forward.

“Breathe, Serena,” Quinta whispered beside me, wiping tears that wouldn’t stop flowing. “You’ll make me sob before we even start.”

I laughed softly, blinking back my own tears as I reached Hades. His fingers brushed against mine, rough and warm, grounding me instantly.

The Elder recited the ancient vows of the pack.
“From this day forth,” Hades said, his voice deep and steady, “I vow to protect you not as my Luna alone, but as the heartbeat that steadies my own.”

My eyes stung as I repeated mine.
“And I vow to walk beside you, not behind you. To be your anchor when the storms rise, and your peace when the battles end.”

When he kissed me, soft, sure, and full of promise, the cheers that erupted could’ve shaken the mountains. My parents were crying openly, and Quinta? She was sobbing so much someone had to hand her a handkerchief and a cup of water.

That night, I was crowned the Luna of Fang Storm Pack—Serena Reynolds.

The people howled in joy under the moonlight, and Hades whispered against my temple, “You’re my forever now.”

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The months that followed were filled with joy, cravings, and chaos. My pregnancy was… something else.

Hades became a different man. The once fearsome Alpha now panicked at the sound of my slightest groan. He made the guards call him the moment I sneezed, and I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry.

My mother moved into the packhouse halfway through the second trimester because Hades was convinced the maids and Quinta “weren’t enough supervision.” I still remember him pacing the living room as he told her, “Please, mother-in-law, she’s stubborn. I blink and she’s climbing stairs.”

Quinta laughed at him for weeks.

I’d catch him sneaking into the kitchen late at night, making my strange cravings—cheese with honey, or mashed potatoes with chocolate sauce. He’d grimace, taste a bit, and gag every single time, yet still feed me with a smile.

Sometimes, I’d watch him asleep on the couch beside me, his hand resting over my belly protectively, and tears would just fall.
He was so intentional… so caring. And I’d made him go through hell with my mood swings. Once, I woke him at 3 a.m. crying because he didn’t tell me the moon looked pretty enough that night. Poor man apologized to the moon on my behalf.

Then, one beautiful morning, under soft sunlight and nervous laughter, our daughter came into the world.
Hades won the bet.

“It’s a girl,” the doctor announced.

He froze, then laughed, then cried all at once as he cradled her tiny form. “My princess,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “My beautiful little princess.”

Her skin was soft like mine, but her eyes… oh, those eyes. They were Hades’ eyes—strong, gentle, and full of warmth.

\---

A week later, we sat together on our bed, the little bundle between us, her fingers clutching his thumb.

“She’s got my nose,” I said proudly.
Hades smirked. “No, that’s definitely mine.”

“Yours? Look at it!” I pointed and pouted. “It’s delicate and cute. You have a fox’s nose, Hades.”

He chuckled. “A fox’s nose that got you pregnant.”

“My goodness, you didn’t just say that!”
We burst into laughter until the baby squealed, as if laughing with us.

The door creaked open, and Quinta walked in with my parents trailing behind her. “What are you two fighting about this time?”

“He said the baby has his nose!” I complained.

Quinta folded her arms. “Oh no, I’m not getting involved in your lovers’ quarrels again.”

My mother chuckled. “Then maybe focus on naming that baby instead of arguing about noses.”

Both Hades and I froze.

“Wait,” I gasped, looking at him.

His jaw dropped. “We forgot…?”

We stared at each other like two guilty children.

“You’ve both been calling her my princess, my princess,” my mother teased.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Goodness, Hades!”

He groaned, rubbing his face. “Don’t look at me like that. You loved the nickname!”

I leaned down, pressing a kiss on our daughter’s forehead. “She’ll forever be your princess, you know that?”

He smiled softly. “Always.”

Quinta giggled, her eyes twinkling. “So… what is her name then?”

We glanced at each other, then back at the baby, and said in unison, “We forgot to think of one.”

The room exploded in laughter. Even Hades looked sheepish.

“Alright,” he said finally, turning to Quinta. “You name her.”

“Me?” Quinta blinked. “You’re giving me that honor?”

We both nodded.

She walked closer, her wrinkled hands trembling as she bent over the baby. “I… actually thought of a name, though I wasn’t sure of the gender.” She paused, smiling as tears filled her eyes. “Arielle. Let’s name her Arielle.”

My mother gasped softly. “That’s lovely, Quinta.”

“She can be Elle for short,” I added with a little giggle.

Quinta chuckled. “It’s endearing. It means ‘lioness of God,’ strong and graceful, just like her mother.”

Hades and I exchanged a look that said everything.

We both looked down at the tiny girl between us and whispered together, “Arielle Reynolds.”

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you for this jewel, Serena.”

I smiled through tears. “No, Hades. Thank you for giving her a world worth being born into.”

“Look at those pretty eyes,” Quinta cooed, gazing at Arielle. “Aqua, just like her father’s. This little one’s going to melt and steal even the most icy hearts.”

Our daughter yawned softly, the sunlight slipping through the window and brushing against her tiny cheeks.

And in that perfect moment, surrounded by love, laughter, and warmth, I realized that this was what destiny had been preparing us for all along.

Not just mates.

Not just Alpha and Luna.

But a family.

A perfect forever.

THE END ☺️

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