Chapter 165 Damien's POV

Chapter 165 Damien's POV
Cassian made his way over to us. "You look exhausted," he observes, studying Riley with his analytical gaze.
"Thank you, Cassian. Every woman loves to hear that," Riley responds dryly.
"I meant it as concern, not criticism," he clarifies. "You should be resting more."
"I rest plenty."
"You held a council meeting until midnight last night," Lucien points out, stealing Jaxson's pancake in retaliation for some earlier offense. 
Riley laughs, the sound warming the entire room. "You're all ridiculous. I'm fine. The baby's fine. Everything is fine."
But through the bond, I feel the exhaustion she's hiding. The ache in her back. The way her feet throb even first thing in the morning.
Being Luna while heavily pregnant isn't easy. The pack demands haven't lessened just because she's expecting. 
If anything, everyone wants reassurance from their Luna that everything is stable, that the future is secure.
She gives it freely, never complaining, but I see the toll it takes.
"Actually," I say carefully, "I was thinking maybe we should postpone tomorrow's meeting."
Riley's eyes narrow. "Don't even think about it."
"You're eight months pregnant…"
"And still fully capable of attending a diplomatic meeting," she interrupts. "The Knight’s family is important. Their support solidified our transition to leadership. I'm not going to snub them because I'm tired."
"It's not snubbing…"
"Damien." She uses her Luna voice, the one that brooks no argument. "I appreciate the concern. Really, but I've got this."
I feel her determination. Her need to prove, even after four years, that she belongs in this role. 
"Okay," I concede. "But you're sitting the entire meeting, and keeping your feet elevated."
"Deal," Riley agrees, then winces and puts a hand to her belly.
I'm on my feet instantly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. She's just... really active this morning." Riley guides my hand to where our daughter is kicking. "Feel."
The tiny thump against my palm makes my wolf surge with protective pride. Our daughter. Our legacy.
"She's strong," Jaxson observes, and I hear the approval in his voice. "Going to give Asher a run for his money someday."
"She's going to be the best," Asher declares with three-year-old certainty. "And I'm going to protect her from all the mean kids."
"No one's going to be mean to your sister," Riley assures him.
"But if they are, I'll bite them!" Asher demonstrates with his pancake, making exaggerated chomping noises.
"We don't bite people," I say automatically. "Not in human form anyway."
"But Papa, you said wolves protect their pack!"
"With strategy and strength," Cassian interjects, saving me. "Not randomly biting people at the academy."
"Even if they're mean?"
"Especially then," Lucien adds. "You tell an adult. Like Uncle Lucien, who will make their lives very uncomfortable through completely legal and non-violent means."
Riley catches my eye, and we share a look. These three. Our family by choice. Raising our son alongside us, already planning to protect our daughter.
Four years ago, I couldn't have imagined this. The domesticity. The normalcy. The simple joy of breakfast with the people I love most.
"Papa, are you doing the mushy face again?"
"No."
"You definitely are," Jaxson confirms. "It's getting worse. Soon he'll just be permanently mushy."
"Better than permanently grumpy like you," I shoot back.
"I'm not grumpy. I'm appropriately serious."
"You growled at a sparrow yesterday," Lucien points out.
"It was in the security perimeter!"
Riley laughs again, and the sound fills our home with warmth.
This is what we fought for. What we survived for.
Not just the big moments, the battles, the political victories, and the formal ceremonies. 
But this. Stolen mornings with our family. Pancakes and terrible jokes. Our son's laughter. Our daughter's kicks. The bond humming contentedly between Riley and me.
Four years ago, I took over as Alpha from my father. It wasn't easy. The transition was contested by some of the older council members who didn't believe Riley, the scholarship outsider, should be Luna.
We proved them wrong.
Together, Riley and I have strengthened Silverwood. Modernized our policies. Built alliances with packs who would have previously never worked with us. Created a future where bloodlines matter less than character.
It hasn't been perfect. We've made mistakes. Faced challenges. Dealt with threats both internal and external.
But we've done it together. As Alpha and Luna. As partners. As mates, and now, with our growing family...
"Damien." Riley's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Stop spiraling."
"I'm not spiraling. I'm reflecting."
"You're stressing about nothing," she corrects. "Everything is fine. The pack is stable. We're happy."
She's right. She usually is.
"Can we go to the training grounds now?" Asher asks hopefully. "I finished my breakfast. See?" He opens his mouth wide to demonstrate his empty mouth.
Jaxson stands, stretching. "Alright, mini-Alpha. Let's go, but you follow my instructions exactly, understood? No running off."
"I promise!" Asher scrambles down from his chair. "Bye, Mama! Bye, baby sister!" He kisses Riley's belly enthusiastically. "Bye, Papa!"
"Be good," I call after him as Jaxson herds him toward the door.
"Always am!" Asher calls back, which makes everyone laugh because we all know that's not exactly true.
Cassian and Lucien follow them out, arguing about something work-related. The door closes behind them, and suddenly the house is quiet.
Riley slumps slightly in her chair, the mask of energy dropping now that it's just us.
"Come here," I say softly, pulling her up and into my arms as carefully as I can with her belly between us.
She leans against me, her head on my chest. Through the bond, I feel her exhaustion, but I also feel her contentment. Her love. 
"I love you," I murmur into her hair. "My Luna. My mate. My everything."
"I love you too," she responds. "Even when you're being overprotective."
"Especially when I'm being overprotective," I correct.
She laughs softly. "Fair enough."
We stand there in our kitchen, the morning sun streaming through the windows, our daughter moving between us.
Four years of marriage. Two children. A pack to lead. A future to build.
"Thank you," I say quietly.
"For what?"
"For everything. For choosing me. For standing beside me. For giving me Asher and our daughter. For being exactly who you are."
Riley pulls back to look up at me, her hazel-green eyes soft.
"You don't have to thank me for loving you, Damien. It's the easiest thing I've ever done."
I kiss her there in our kitchen, our daughter kicking between us, and I think about how far we've come.
From that first disastrous meeting at the Moon Rite ceremony. Through battles and betrayals and blood moons. To this. To home. To family. To forever.
The scholarship girl and the Alpha heir. The impossible bond that became unbreakable.