Chapter 149

Chapter 149
Seraphina's POV

When I awoke, I found myself lying in bed, my body no longer in pain, the cub quietly moving gently within my belly.

"Lucian." I suddenly remembered something and sat up abruptly.

Ember quickly steadied me. "Don't rush, you just stabilized."

"Where's Lucian?" I asked anxiously.

Ember's expression was complex. "He's unconscious. Donny says he nearly depleted his life force to save you and the cub. He's resting in the next room now."

My heart clenched sharply. "Take me to see him."

"Seraphina, you can't get out of bed right now."

"Take me!" I insisted.

Helpless, Ember supported me to the adjacent room. Lucian lay quietly in bed, face pale, breathing weak.

I walked to the bedside, tears flowing uncontrollably, grasped his hand, and placed it on my abdomen.

"Can you feel it? The cub is fine. We're both fine. All because of you..."

Donny entered. "Seraphina, you shouldn't be out of bed."

"He'll be alright, won't he?" I asked, choking up.

Donny sighed. "He needs a long time to recover, but he'll be fine as long as he rests properly."

I nodded, tears still flowing. "I want to stay with him."

Ember and Donny exchanged glances and finally agreed. They brought another bed into the room so I could stay by Lucian's side.

That night, I held Lucian's hand continuously, moonlight bathing us both.

"Lucian, I know you can hear me. You must get better, understand? I... I still have so much to say to you."

I lowered my head and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "You must wake up."

As if hearing my call, Lucian's fingers moved slightly.

After Lucian woke, his body recovered slowly, but he never complained. Each day he worked hard to exercise, only to better care for me and the cub.

And I began slowly letting down my guard. I allowed him to sit beside me, discuss the cub's name together, even let him gently touch my abdomen.

"It kicked me again." Once I said with a smile. "This little one is really mischievous."

Lucian gently touched my abdomen, eyes full of tenderness. "It must be very healthy."

"Yes, thanks to you. If you hadn't saved us that day, the cub and I might both have..."

"Don't say it." Lucian softly interrupted. "That won't happen. I won't let anything harm you both."

I looked at him, warmth rising in my heart. Perhaps we really could start over.

Several more days passed, and I began noticing changes in my body. The cub's movements became increasingly frequent, sometimes even bringing waves of pain. After examining me, Donny said these were already signs of approaching labor.

That night, I tossed and turned sleeplessly, hand gently stroking my abdomen, feeling the cub's movements.

"Little one, you're about to come out. Mama is so eager to meet you. You must be healthy and safe."

The cub seemed to respond by moving gently.

Suddenly, intense pain struck, spreading from my abdomen through my entire body.

"Ah!" I couldn't help crying out.

Ember immediately rushed in. "Seraphina! What's wrong?"

"I... I think I'm in labor." I said weakly, forehead covered in cold sweat.

Ember's expression changed abruptly. "I'll get Donny and Lucian!"

Minutes later, Donny and Lucian arrived.

Donny immediately examined me. "Yes, she's in labor. Quick—prepare hot water and clean cloths!"

Lucian stood aside, face pale, fists clenched, wanting to approach but not daring.

"Seraphina," his voice trembled. "You'll be fine. You and the cub will both be fine."

I looked at him, tears filling my eyes. The pain left me barely able to speak, but I still nodded.

"Lucian..." I called to him weakly.

He immediately rushed over and grasped my hand. "I'm here. I've always been here."

Another wave of intense pain struck. I couldn't help screaming. Lucian's hand was tightly gripped by mine. He just silently used his other hand to gently stroke my forehead.

"Deep breaths, Seraphina. Follow my rhythm." Donny guided from the side.

I tried to cooperate, but the pain was too intense—I was nearly fainting.

"Hold on," Lucian whispered in my ear. "You're the strongest she-wolf. You can do this. I believe in you."

His voice gave me strength. I gritted my teeth and persevered.

Time seemed to freeze. Each second felt like a century. Wave after wave of pain came, but I couldn't give up. For the cub, for our child, I had to hold on.

"Push!" Donny shouted loudly. "Seraphina, push! The cub is almost out!"

I used every ounce of strength. With a scream, I finally felt my body lighten.

Then a faint cry rang out.

It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard in my life.

"It's a boy!" Donny announced excitedly. "A healthy boy!"

Tears could no longer be stopped. I turned my head to see Donny placing a tiny, wet infant in my arms.

He had silver-gray fur, exactly like Lucian's. His little face was wrinkled, but when he opened his eyes, those amber eyes were identical to Lucian's.

"He... he's beautiful." I choked up.

Lucian stood aside, tears glistening, reaching out to hold him but not daring.

"Can I hold him?" he asked carefully.

I nodded.

Lucian gently took the cub, as if cradling the most precious treasure in the world. He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the cub's forehead. "Welcome to this world, little one. Papa will always protect you and Mama."

Watching this scene, my heart filled with indescribable happiness. This was our child. No matter how many problems remained between us, this small life was our deepest bond.

Donny examined the cub from the side. "He looks very healthy from the outside, but further testing is needed for the Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome situation."

"When can we examine him?" Lucian immediately asked.

"After Seraphina has rested well. Right now, the most important thing is letting her recover her strength."

Lucian nodded and gently placed the cub back in my arms. "Rest, Seraphina. You worked so hard."

I looked at the cub in my arms, tears sliding down. "Our baby, we've finally met."

The cub seemed to sense my emotions, stopped crying, and looked at me with amber eyes. In that moment, I felt unprecedented happiness and fulfillment.

Lucian's POV

I quietly looked at Seraphina and the cub in her arms, my heart filled with intense protectiveness. This was my son, mine and Seraphina's son. No matter what price I had to pay, I would protect them.

Donny walked to my side and said quietly, "Lucian, I need to speak with you privately."

I nodded and followed him out of the small cabin. Moonlight poured down like water onto the ground. Donny's expression was serious.

"How is the cub?" I immediately asked.

Donny sighed. "He looks very healthy from the outside, but whether the Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome gene has activated still requires further examination. I need to collect blood samples for analysis."

"When?"

"Tomorrow. Tonight, let Seraphina and the cub rest well."

I nodded, though the unease in my heart didn't diminish. "What if the gene has already activated?"

"Then we proceed with the Moon Essence Purification ceremony as planned. I've already prepared all the herbs and ritual items. As long as we wait until the full moon night, we can proceed."

"What's the success rate?"

Donny said seriously, "If everything goes smoothly, the success rate can reach ninety percent. But Lucian, this ceremony requires your and Seraphina's full cooperation. Your life force and blood are both crucial."

"I understand. Whatever is needed, I'll give my all."

Donny patted my shoulder. "Take good care of them. Seraphina just gave birth—her body is very weak and needs your support."

I nodded and returned to the small cabin. Seraphina had fallen asleep, the cub lying quietly beside her. I sat by the bed and gently touched the cub's small hand. He immediately grasped my finger, that soft touch melting my heart completely.

"Little one, Papa will protect you. No matter what happens, I'll ensure you grow up healthy."