Chapter 210 My Angel | 103

Chapter 210 My Angel | 103
AZREN

The evening air is warm and gentle as I walk slowly beside Noelle, one arm wrapped securely around her waist while she holds onto my other arm with both hands. Every step I take is careful, not just because my body is still recovering but because I refuse to rush a single second with her.

Her very round belly brushes against my side with each movement, a constant, beautiful reminder of the life we created together.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly.

She smiles up at me with that radiant glow only pregnancy seems to give her. "I'm perfect as long as you're here."

We're heading towards the small, quiet ice cream stand at the edge of the pack gardens. Our little escape for the evening. An ice cream date. After everything we've been through, it feels like the most romantic thing in the world.

When we reach the stand, I order her favourite—strawberry swirl with extra chocolate chips—and my usual dark chocolate. The vendor hands us the cones with a knowing smile, but I barely notice. All my attention is on Noelle.

We find a secluded bench under the flowering trees, the soft glow of lanterns casting golden light across her face. I help her sit first, then I lower myself beside her, immediately turning towards her.

My hand finds her belly without thinking, my palm spreading wide over the tight, warm swell. I rub slow, gentle circles, feeling the subtle shifts beneath my touch.

Then I press a kiss to her temple.

She blushes, but her eyes sparkle as she scoops a bit of her strawberry ice cream onto her spoon and lifts it to my lips. "Open."

I obey, letting her feed me. The sweet taste barely registers compared to the way her fingers brush my lower lip.

I take my own spoon, gathering some of the chocolate, and bring it to her mouth. She accepts it with a soft hum of pleasure, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

When she opens her eyes, she tilts her head slightly.

"...what about the dagger?" she asks. "I've always been curious. How did you even find it?"

I let out a breath. "I had Blue start searching the moment I learned that it existed…"

Her brows pull together.

"I was obsessed with ending Nyxara," I admit. "For good. I needed it to be over."

"And now?"

I exhale slowly.

"...now it is."

She beams. "I'm so happy for you, honey."

Me too, Angel.

"You know, I always wondered what could have happened if I had truly given Finn the essence, not knowing he had already been influenced. I could have ruined everything."

I pinch the bridge of her nose gently. "But you didn't. My baby is smart like that."

A low, deep... purr rolls through my chest.

I freeze.

"...Aether?"

A familiar voice rumbles through me.

'Took you long enough.'

My breath catches in my throat. It's been so long, I realize. I haven't heard him speak in what feels like forever.

"...you—"

'I've been here.' There's a small pause. 'I tried to talk to you. But those voices... they drowned everything.'

My chest tightens.

"...I didn't hear you."

'I know.'

'It's better now. The spirits are gone.'

I swallow hard.

"...yeah," I whisper. "It is."

Noelle tilts her head slightly. "Are you good?"

I nod slowly.

"My wolf," I tell her. "He's back."

Her eyes soften instantly.

"...really?"

She doesn’t point out that I never told her about it.

"Yeah."

My hand tightens gently around hers. "He says he's been trying to reach me."

She squeezes my fingers.

"I'm glad you can hear him now."

"...me too."

My hand drifts back to her belly again, rubbing softly.

"...have you thought about the ceremony?"

She hums. "The Luna coronation?"

"Yeah."

She exhales slowly.

"I'm nervous," she admits. "It feels... big."

"It is big."

I glance at her. "But you were made for it."

She snorts softly. "That sounds like a lot of pressure."

"It's not."

I lean closer, my voice lower.

"It's a fact."

She goes quiet for a second, then she rests her hand over mine on her stomach.

"...and them?" she asks softly. "Are you ready for them?"

A faint smile pulls at my lips. "Terrified."

She laughs.

"Good. You should be."

"I am."

My thumb brushes gently across her belly. "But I want them."

All of it.

I turn slightly, looking at her fully now.

"And just so we're clear..."

She raises a brow.

"You're not becoming a housewife."

She blinks.

"...what?"

"I mean it," I say firmly. "You're not putting your life on hold because of me. Or them."

Her eyes water, her lower lip trembling.

"I don't mind—"

"I do."

My voice softens, but I don't back down.

"I didn't survive all that just to watch you shrink yourself."

Her eyes fill up with more tears instantly.

"...Azren..."

"I want to watch you excel," I continue. "Whatever that looks like. Whatever you want."

She leans in and presses a grateful kiss to my mouth. It's gentle and passionate.

"...thank you," she whispers.

She pulls back slightly, studying me.

"...how are you?" she asks.

I blink.

"...what do you mean?"

"Your head," she murmurs. "Your mind. After everything."

Ah. That.

I inhale slowly.

"It's... quiet."

The word feels foreign.

"Peaceful," I add, almost disbelieving.

Her eyes widen slightly. "Really?"

I nod.

"For the first time in my life..."

My voice cracks before I can stop it.

"...I'm not fighting anything."

That realization hits me all over again.

And suddenly, tears are leaking down my face. I'm crying. I don't even try to stop it.

All my life, I've been hurting, swallowing my pain, putting on a brave front. Yet, deep down, I was dying, shrinking, fading. I really...thought I wouldn't make it to my thirties. The pain I've felt isn't something anyone should have to suffer.

Still, I always thought it was all just in brand. There is no rest for the wicked.

My existence has always damned everyone around me. It was only fair if I suffered for it.

But...Noelle... she gave me the strength to hold on and breathe a little better.

My wife wraps her arms around me, pulling me into her.

"I've got you," she whispers.

My face presses into her shoulder.

"I didn't think I'd ever get this," I choke. "I didn't think—"

My voice breaks. Her hand strokes through my hair.

"You deserve it," she whispers.

I shake my head slightly.

"...no. I just—"

I tighten my arms around her.

"Thank you," I whisper. "For staying. For not giving up on me. For... everything."

She pulls back just enough to look at me.

"You don't have to thank me for loving you."

"I do," I say hoarsely. "Because you saved me."

She cups my face gently and kisses me again, holding me close.

"You saved me too, Az. You did."

We don't move for a while. The world just... exists around us. My thumb brushes over her knuckles absently. Then I speak before I can overthink it.

"...can I ask you something?"

She tilts her head, glancing up at me.

"You just did."

I grin. Fair.

"...do you ever think about them?"

Her brows knit slightly. "Who?"

"Your parents," I say.

I watch her carefully, ready to regret asking. For a second, she doesn't answer. Her fingers shift in mine.

"...I used to," she admits softly.

There's no bitterness in her voice. That almost makes it worse.

"Back when I was younger," she continues, her eyes drifting somewhere distant. "I'd wonder what they looked like. If they ever thought about me. If I was... a mistake or just... forgotten."

My jaw tightens.

I don't interrupt. I don't think I could without saying something violent.

She exhales slowly.

"I was curious for a long time."

Then she turns her head, looking at me properly now.

"But not anymore."

"...no?"

She shakes her head gently.

"No."

Her hand slips from mine for a second, only to lift.

She wriggles her fingers right in front of me. My focus drops on the shimmering ring on her finger. An upgraded version. Designed to match everything we've become.

It catches the light, flashing subtly with every small movement of her hand.

"...I have this now," she tells me.

"I have you," she continues. "My husband."

Her hand lowers, resting over her belly again.

"My babies."

My throat tightens.

"And I have them," she adds with a small smile. "Your parents. Our family. My home."

Oh, how she takes my breath away.

"I'm not looking for anything anymore, Azren," she says. "No missing pieces. No questions I need answered."

Her gaze softens as she leans her head against my shoulder.

"I already found everything."

I don't speak. Because I can't. My hand moves on instinct, sliding up to cup her cheek gently. I tilt her face towards me just enough.

"...say that again," I urge.

She blinks, surprised. "What?"

"That part," I say, my voice husky now. "About... finding everything."

Her lips part. Then she smiles shyly.

"I already found everything," she repeats.

Yeah. That does it. I lean in and kiss her desperately.

My hand slides down again, settling over hers on her belly, anchoring both of them against me.

"My wife," I whisper against her lips.

"Yes, husband," she giggles.

"I fucking love you."