Chapter 150

Chapter 150
Seraphina's POV

The next morning, I was awakened by the cub's crying. He was hungry, mouth open, making weak cries.

I picked him up and began nursing. Watching him suckle contentedly, my heart filled with tenderness.

Ember entered and smiled gently. "He's really adorable."

"Yes," I said softly. "He's the most adorable baby I've ever seen."

"Have you thought of a name?" Ember asked.

I froze. A name? I hadn't thought of one yet.

Just then, Lucian entered. Seeing me nursing, he quickly turned away. "Sorry, I didn't know..."

"It's fine," I said with a smile. "Come in. We're discussing names."

Lucian walked to the bedside and was silent for a moment. "I've been thinking about this."

"What ideas do you have?" I asked.

Lucian looked at the cub, eyes full of tenderness. "I want to give him a name that symbolizes health and hope."

I nodded. "I was thinking the same."

Lucian thought for a moment. "In ancient wolf language, 'Vitalis' represents 'life force' and 'healthy growth.' This name comes from the Moon Goddess's blessing, symbolizing powerful life force and indomitable will."

I repeated softly, "Vitalis. Life force."

"Yes," Lucian said gently. "I hope he can be like this name—possess powerful life force, grow up healthy, and no matter what difficulties he faces, live on strongly."

I looked at the cub in my arms, warmth filling my heart. "Vitalis. It's a good name."

Ember also nodded. "Very meaningful."

I looked at Lucian and smiled at him genuinely for the first time. "Then let's call him Vitalis."

Lucian's eyes brightened. This was the first time I had shown him a genuine smile since returning to Northern Peak.

"Vitalis," he repeated softly, then looked at the cub. "My son, Vitalis. This name carries all our hopes and blessings. May you grow up healthy and become a strong and brave wolf."

I lowered my head and pressed a gentle kiss to Vitalis's forehead. "Vitalis, my darling. Mama will always love you and protect you."

Vitalis seemed to understand, stopped suckling, and looked at us with amber eyes. In that moment, I felt the intense connection between us—this was our child, carrying all our love and hope.

Just then, Donny entered. "Seraphina, I need to examine Vitalis's condition."

My heart immediately tensed. It was time to know whether Vitalis carried the Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome gene.

"Alright," I handed Vitalis to Donny. "Please."

Donny carefully collected a drop of blood and placed it on a special herb leaf. The leaf gradually glowed, changing from green to silver, finally turning gold.

Donny's expression was serious. He took out several more herbs for more detailed testing.

Time seemed to freeze. Lucian and I waited tensely.

Finally, Donny turned around, expression complex.

"How is it?" My voice trembled.

Donny took a deep breath. "Vitalis does carry the Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome gene."

My heart sank heavily.

"Moreover," Donny continued, "the gene has already begun activating."

"What?" Lucian was shocked.

Donny nodded. "Yes. It may be due to stress during pregnancy or energy consumption during labor. In any case, the activation is faster than expected."

"What do we do?" Tears streamed down my face.

Donny grasped my hand. "Don't worry, Seraphina. We've prepared everything. The Moon Essence Purification ceremony can heal him."

"When can we proceed?" Lucian asked.

"On the full moon night—twenty-eight days from now. Until then, we must closely monitor Vitalis's condition to ensure his life force doesn't weaken further."

"Twenty-eight days..." I murmured.

"Seraphina, these twenty-eight days are crucial. You must rest well and maintain your mental state. Vitalis needs your life force support."

I nodded, forcing myself to calm down. "I understand. I'll take good care of myself."

Donny turned to Lucian. "You too. The ceremony requires both of your full cooperation."

Lucian nodded solemnly.

Donny returned Vitalis to me. "Take good care of him. Though the gene has activated, his condition is still relatively stable now. As long as we proceed with the ceremony as planned, he can recover completely."

I held Vitalis, tears sliding down again. "My darling, Mama will make you better."

Lucian walked over and gently embraced both me and Vitalis. "We'll get through this difficult time together. I promise."

Lucian's POV

The morning after confirming Vitalis's condition, I stood alone on the high ground at Northern Peak's border. The moonstone in my hand glowed faintly in the dawn light as I took a deep breath and activated the connection to Blackmane Pack.

No matter how Seraphina would react, I had to let my family know about Vitalis's existence—and the danger he was facing.

Father answered first. I watched the light shimmer across the moonstone's surface, my heartbeat quickening involuntarily.

"Lucian?" Father's voice carried confusion. "Calling this early—what's happened?"

"Father." I paused, then finally spoke. "Seraphina gave birth. A boy."

Silence stretched from the other end. I could almost picture Father's expression—shock, disbelief, followed by more complex emotions.

"A boy... my grandson... Lucian, is he healthy?"

I closed my eyes. This was the hardest part.

"Father, remember when I mentioned Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome at the Healing Temple? Donny did an examination. The situation isn't optimistic."

Another silence, longer than before. I could hear Father's heavy breathing.

"I'm coming." He finally spoke. "I need to see my grandson. If it really is that disease, you'll need to perform the Moon Essence Purification ceremony, correct?"

"Yes. It needs to happen on the full moon night."

"Then our pack must support you." Father's voice grew stronger. "We have ritual instruments passed down through generations, and experienced warriors to help guard. Lucian, this isn't just my decision—it's the entire pack's responsibility. That's my grandson, Blackmane Pack's bloodline."

He paused, his voice softening in a way that surprised me. "Lucian, I know our pack has been very unfair to Seraphina. Now, please let me have the chance to make amends. Not just for the cub, but for her too."

My throat tightened. "I need to ask Seraphina first. This is her decision."

"I understand." Father's tone carried an unprecedented humility. "But please tell her—we're coming to help, not to pressure. She can set any boundaries she's comfortable with, and we'll respect them all."

"Give me one day." I said.

"Alright. I'll wait for your answer." Father paused. "Lucian, tell Seraphina I'm sorry."

"I'll tell her." I replied.

After the communication ended, I stood on the high ground, watching the rising sun. Father's words brought both comfort and a trace of sadness—if he had understood sooner, if the pack had accepted Seraphina earlier, would Vitalis be facing this danger now?

I activated the connection with Willow.

"Lucian?" Grandmother's voice was as clear as always.

"Grandmother, I have news. Seraphina gave birth. A boy. But..."

"But the child may carry Silver Moon Depletion Syndrome." Willow stated directly. "Your father just contacted me. Child, I'm coming. Not just to meet my great-grandson, but to participate in the ceremony."

"Grandmother..."

"I've witnessed three Moon Essence Purification ceremonies." Her voice became serious. "I know how to improve the success rate. And the family blessing ritual must be led by the eldest female. This isn't just tradition—it's protection. Before the ceremony, I need to establish a family connection protective barrier for him."

I knew I couldn't dissuade her. "Then please travel safely."

"Also," Grandmother added, "tell Seraphina I'm bringing the family's inherited moonstone amulet. That stone has protected five generations of Alpha firstborns. Now it's Vitalis's turn."

After ending the communication, I turned back. The morning light grew brighter, the forest quiet and peaceful. But my heart couldn't settle. How should I tell Seraphina? Would she agree? Or would she think I was forcing her to accept the wolves who had once hurt her?