Chapter 166 Riley's POV

Chapter 166 Riley's POV

EPILOGUE - PART ONE

The afternoon sun filters through the windows of our home office, casting golden patterns across the papers scattered on my desk.

I should be reviewing the latest pack census reports, but instead, I find myself staring out at the forest beyond, one hand resting on my swollen belly.

Our daughter kicks, a sharp little jab right under my ribs, and I smile despite the discomfort.

"I know, baby girl," I murmur. "You're running out of room in there. Just one more month, I promise."

Another kick, as if she's arguing with me.

She's going to be just like her father, stubborn, strong-willed, and absolutely certain she's right about everything.

I can't wait to meet her.

The office door opens and Vivienne walks in, carrying two cups of tea. Damien's sister has become one of my closest friends over the years, and right now, she's looking at me with that knowing expression that always means trouble.

"You're supposed to be resting," she says, setting a cup in front of me.

"I am resting. I'm sitting."

"You're working. That's not the same thing."

"I'm looking at papers. Very restful."

Vivienne rolls her eyes and settles into the chair across from me. She's grown into her role as one of Silverwood's most respected Beta wolves. Sharp, fierce, and fiercely loyal to our family.

"Damien sent you to check on me, didn't he?" I ask.

"He may have mentioned you've been in here for three hours without a break," Vivienne admits. "And that you refused lunch."

"I wasn't hungry."

"Riley." Her voice softens. "You can't keep pushing yourself like this. The baby…"

"Is fine," I interrupt, though my tone is gentle. "I'm fine. I just... I need to finish this before the meeting tomorrow."

Vivienne studies me for a long moment. "This isn't about the meeting, is it? This is about proving something."

I want to deny it. Want to say she's wrong, But she's not.

Four years as Luna, and some part of me still feels like I need to work twice as hard to earn my place.

Still remembers being the scholarship girl who didn't belong. Still hears the whispers that followed me through marble hallways.

"Old habits," I say finally.

"Old fears," Vivienne corrects. "Riley, you've proven yourself a thousand times over. You don't have to keep doing this."

"I know." And I do know. Logically, but the scared girl from the rusting trailer still lives somewhere inside me, always afraid it could all be taken away.

I feel Damien's concern spike. He's at the training grounds with Asher, but our connection is strong enough that he feels my emotions even from a distance.

I'm fine, I send to him. Vivienne is mother-henning me.

Good, he responds immediately. Someone needs to.

I don't need a babysitter.

No, you need a nap, and food, and to stop working yourself into exhaustion.

I feel his love and exasperation through the bond, and despite everything, I smile.

I love you too, I send back.

That's not what I said.

It's what you meant.

His amusement ripples through our connection before he returns his attention to Asher.

"The mushy bond face," Vivienne observes. "You two are disgusting."

"You're just jealous."

"Maybe a little," she admits with a grin. "Though watching my brother go from ice-cold Alpha heir to completely besotted father is entertainment enough."

"He's good at it," I say softly. "Being a father. I wasn't sure he would be, with how he was raised. But he's... he's amazing with Asher."

"He had a good example of what not to do," Vivienne says, her voice darkening slightly.

Our father-in-law. Former Alpha Marcus Blackthorn.

The transition of power four years ago was brutal. Marcus fought it every step of the way, unable to accept that his son had chosen to mate with someone he considered beneath their bloodline.

But Damien held firm, and eventually, with the support of the younger generation and enough of the council, Marcus saw the love and care we had for each other and had no choice but to step down.

He and Selena moved to the pack's northern territory. We see them occasionally at formal gatherings. The relationship is... getting better and things are going well.

"Hey." Vivienne's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Stop spiraling. I can see it happening."

"I'm not…"

"Yes, you are. You get this look. Like you're trying to solve all the world's problems at once."

"Maybe I am."

"Well, stop. You're eight months pregnant. The world can wait."

I laugh despite myself. "Tell that to the pack council. Or the Knight family. Or the three different territorial disputes that cropped up this month."

"Damien can handle it."

"I know he can. But we're partners. Co-leaders. I don't want him carrying everything alone."

"He's not alone. He has you. Even when you're pregnant and supposed to be resting, you're still beside him. That's what partnership means."

She's right. Of course she's right.

Our daughter kicks again, harder this time, and I wince.

"Okay, she's definitely her father's child," I mutter, rubbing the spot. "Already demanding and impossible to ignore."

"Can I?" Vivienne asks, gesturing to my belly.

"Sure."

She reaches over, placing her hand where our daughter is moving. Her eyes widen when she feels a strong kick.

"Wow. She's really active."

"She's been like this all day. I think she's running out of patience with being stuck in there."

"One more month," Vivienne reminds me. "Then you'll be wishing she was still contained and not destroying your house."

"Asher hasn't destroyed anything in at least a week."

"Because Jaxson started training him. Give it time."

We both laugh, and it feels good. Easy. Normal.

This is what I never expected when I walked through Silverwood's gates four years ago. Not just Damien and the mate bond, but this. Family. Friends. Belonging.

Harper appears in the doorway, her strawberry blonde hair escaping from its usual messy braids.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere." She hurries in, holding a package. "This just arrived from the capital. It's addressed to both you and Damien."

I take the package, noting the official seal. "Council of Alphas."

"Ooh, fancy," Vivienne says. "What do you think it is?"

I open it carefully, pulling out an ornate invitation.

The Council of Alphas cordially invites Alpha Damien Blackthorn and Luna Riley Blackthorn to the Annual Summit...

"The Alpha Summit," I read aloud. "In three months."

"That's perfect timing," Harper says. "The baby will be born by then. You'll have recovered…"

"And we'll have a newborn," I point out. "Not exactly ideal for traveling."

"You don't have to go," Vivienne says. "Damien can represent Silverwood alone."

"No." The word comes out firmer than I intended. "We go together. We've built our reputation as partners. As equals. If only Damien shows up, it undermines everything we've worked for."

"Rile…"

"I'll be fine. We'll bring the baby. Hire extra help. Figure it out." I look at the invitation again, at our names side by side. Alpha and Luna. Partners.

Four years ago, I would have never imagined receiving an invitation like this. Being recognized as Luna by the wider wolf community. Having a voice that matters.

Sometimes I still can't believe it's real.

A moment later, the front door bursts open and Asher's excited voice carries through the house.

"Mama! Mama! I knocked Uncle Jax down! Well, he let me, but still!"

I hear Damien's low laugh, Jaxson's mock-offended protests, and Asher's continued excited chatter.

"Sounds like training went well," Harper observes with a grin.

"Or Jax is getting soft in his old age," Vivienne adds.

The three of them appear in the office doorway, Damien with Asher on his shoulders, Jaxson looking tired but amused.

"Mama!" Asher waves frantically. "Did you hear? I'm gonna be the strongest warrior ever!"

"I heard, baby. I'm so proud of you."

Damien lifts Asher down and the little boy runs to me, stopping just short of ramming into my belly. He's getting better at remembering.

"Hi, baby sister," he says to my stomach. "I knocked Uncle Jax down today. When you're born, I'll teach you too."

"She'd like that," I say softly, running my fingers through his sweaty hair.

Damien crosses to me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "You've been working," he observes.

"I've been sitting and occasionally looking at papers. Vivienne has been monitoring me like a hawk."

"Good." He glances at his sister. "Thank you."

"Someone has to keep her from working herself into early labor," Vivienne says, standing. "Come on, Harper. Let's give them some privacy."

"But I want to hear about…" Harper starts.

"Privacy," Vivienne repeats firmly, dragging her from the room.

Jaxson follows, ruffling Asher's hair on the way out. "Good job today, mini-Alpha. Same time tomorrow."

"Yes!" Asher pumps his fist.

Then it's just the three of us. Four, counting our daughter.