Chapter 186: Who's Pregnant Now?

Chapter 186: Who's Pregnant Now?
Zephyra's POV

The months following Fiora's death were a strange blend of grief and healing. Each morning, I'd wake with that hollow space inside me—a constant reminder of what I'd lost. Yet Noah was always there, his warmth enveloping me, his love pulling me back from the edge of darkness.

"You're thinking about her again," Noah would whisper, kissing my temple as I stared out the window during those difficult mornings.

I never denied it. "I'll always miss her."

"As you should," he'd say, holding me tighter. "She was part of you for so long."

That was the beauty of Noah—he never tried to erase my grief or rush my healing. He simply stood beside me, a steady presence as I learned to navigate life without my wolf spirit.

The Lycan Council had dealt with Amara swiftly. She was sentenced to permanent imprisonment in the Council's special facility—a fate worse than death for a wolf who valued freedom above all else. I felt no satisfaction when I heard the news, just a quiet sense that justice had been served.

"She'll never hurt anyone again," Noah had said when he told me the verdict. I'd simply nodded, too exhausted to feel anything but relief.

Slowly, I adjusted to my new reality. The pack accepted me completely, despite my human status.

"You're one of us," Ryan had said firmly when I expressed my concerns during my first pack meeting after recovery. "Wolf spirit or not."

The others had nodded in agreement, and I'd felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I might have lost Fiora, but I hadn't lost my family.

Now, as I stood in the bedroom of the pack house on my wedding day, I couldn't help but count my blessings. I was alive. I was loved. And today, I would officially become Noah's wife in the human tradition.

The door opened, and Dominic stepped in, looking handsome in his tailored suit. "Ladies, are you ready? It's almost time."

The room was a flurry of activity. Elise sat in a rocking chair, nursing little Evangeline. Zoe and Chloe were putting the finishing touches on my makeup and hair. Balthazar, now eighteen months old, was napping peacefully on the bed. Elise was still breastfeeding both children, a fact that amazed me.

"We're almost done," Elise replied, adjusting Evangeline in her arms. "I just finished feeding this little one. Zoe and Chloe are making our bride look even more beautiful."

Dominic crossed the room to stand before me, his eyes warm with approval. "You look stunning, Zephyra." He leaned down to embrace me carefully, mindful of my perfectly applied makeup.

"Thank you," I whispered, genuinely touched by his kindness. Dominic and I had developed a friendship over the past months that I treasured. He had been incredibly supportive during my recovery, often visiting with Elise and their children.

I'd had the mating ceremony with Noah about two months ago, but he had insisted on a proper wedding too. "I want the whole world—human and wolf—to know you're taken," he'd said with that possessive gleam in his eyes that always made my heart race.

"I'll send Lily up when it's time," Dominic said, kissing Elise's cheek before heading toward the door.

After he left, Zoe clapped her hands excitedly. "I'm so pumped! We haven't had a wedding in years."

"Me too," Chloe agreed, resting a hand on her eight-month pregnant belly. This was her second child, and she practically glowed with maternal radiance.

I caught myself absently stroking my own stomach, a gesture that didn't escape Elise's notice.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern in her voice. "The dress isn't too tight, is it?"

I smiled, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "No, it's perfect. I'm just..." I paused, my smile widening. "I'm five months pregnant."

The room erupted in squeals of delight.

"Oh my god! Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Zoe exclaimed, hugging me carefully.

"Noah and I wanted to be sure everything was okay first," I explained. "After everything that happened with the silver poisoning, the doctors were concerned about complications."

"But everything's good now?" Elise asked, her eyes showing genuine concern.

I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for these women who had become my family. "Everything's perfect. I'm counting my blessings."

Noah had been over the moon when I told him about the pregnancy, and even more ecstatic when we learned it was a boy. It meant so much to him, especially after the guilt he carried for his role in Elise losing their unborn son years ago. I tried to focus on the joy of the present rather than the sorrows of the past.

The door burst open, and Lily entered, pulling little Ophelia by the hand. "Zephyra, are you ready to marry Dad?" she asked, bouncing on her toes with excitement.

I laughed, turning to face her. "I'm already married to him in all the ways that matter. This is just his way of scaring off human men."

Lily giggled, then turned to her mother with a suspicious look. "You're not pregnant again, are you?" she asked Elise.

Elise raised an eyebrow. "Not that I know of... Why?"

"Because I already have enough siblings to form a mini soccer team," Lily complained dramatically. "With Zephyra's baby, that's six children..."

Elise's lips twitched with amusement. "The person you should be worried about isn't me... You should talk to your dad. Dominic and I are done, but I think Noah and Zephyra are just getting started."

"Don't look at me," I said, raising my hands defensively. "I don't have those super-fast 'little guys.'"

Zoe snorted with laughter while Chloe tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile behind her hand.

Lily's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, then suddenly pointed at Zoe. "So if Mom's not pregnant, and you and Chloe are already pregnant, then that means I'm sensing Zoe's baby."

Zoe's jaw dropped. "Damn, I thought I was in the clear."

"Well, Ryan's 'little guys' had other plans," Elise teased.

"What are 'little guys'?" Ophelia asked innocently, her big eyes curious. "Are they fish?"

"That's a conversation for when you're older, sweetheart," I replied, trying not to laugh at the adults' barely contained amusement.

Ophelia came to stand beside me, reaching up to touch my cheek. "Mommy, you look pretty," she said, her voice sweet and sincere.

My heart melted. Though Ophelia was Dashiell's daughter, born under terrible circumstances, I loved her fiercely. When she first called me "Mommy" and Noah "Daddy," we'd both been moved to tears. I was determined to protect her and give her the loving home she deserved.

"Thank you, baby," I whispered, kissing her forehead. "You look beautiful too. That dress was a perfect choice."

She twirled, showing off her pale pink flower girl dress. "I'm going to throw flowers for you and Daddy!"

"And you'll do it perfectly," I assured her, adjusting the small flower crown on her dark curls.

"Come on!" Lily urged, tugging at my hand. "Dad's waiting, and he gets grumpy when he has to wait too long."