Chapter 93 93
Corinne washed the newborn gently while Cécile helped swaddle her in a soft cloth, lifting the tiny child carefully against her chest. Claire, Jeanne, Corinne, and Rebecca gathered close around Cécile, their gazes fixed on the infant with quiet reverence. The moment the baby’s eyes fluttered open, a collective gasp of wonder filled the room.
Across the room, Doc tended to Sofía, cleaning her with careful hands before assisting Fernando in settling her properly against the pillows. A warm duvet was drawn over her fragile body.
Cécile approached the bed and laid the baby near Sofía so she could see her daughter. A hoarse, exhausted laugh slipped from Sofía’s lips when the baby blinked up at her those same silver-blue eyes, identical to her own, stared back.
With trembling arms, Sofía gathered the small bundle to her chest and kissed her cheek before turning toward Fernando, who stood beside the bed as though rooted to the floor.
He swallowed hard and extended his large hands. Sofía placed the baby into them.
Fernando handled her as though she were spun from glass. His eyes widened faintly, and then his expression softened into a radiant smile that broke into a quiet, breathless chuckle.
“She has your eyes,” he murmured.
“What will you name her?” Corinne asked gently.
“Charlotte,” Fernando and Sofía answered together. They had chosen the name months ago, long before this moment.
“It’s beautiful,” Cécile said warmly. Then her tone shifted, cautious. “Charlotte is a hybrid.”
Silence fell thick and immediate.
Fernando had expected the same of his sons, yet they had been born pure werewolves. Charlotte, however, carried both bloodlines.
Did it matter?
No.
Her father and her brothers would guard her fiercely.
“I know,” Fernando replied calmly, brushing his nose against Charlotte’s soft cheek. In response, she lifted her tiny fists and pressed them clumsily against his chin and jaw.
Jeanne laughed. “Oh, Charlotte’s already her father’s little girl. Gabrielle will adore her.” Gabrielle Jeanne’s two-year-old daughter would surely be enchanted.
The bedroom door opened, and Claire stepped aside to let Ricardo and Blake enter. They crossed the room and stood beside Fernando, staring down at the baby with open admiration.
“The boys will want to see her,” Ricardo said before slipping out to fetch them.
Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. The boys burst into the room, barely managing to stop themselves before tumbling forward.
“Oh, God! The princess is finally here!” Dominique declared dramatically, drawing laughter from everyone present.
Fernando carefully placed Charlotte on the bed while the three boys gathered around her like devoted guards.
“She’s beautiful,” Damien whispered, awe written across his face.
“I want to see her eyes,” Dominique said eagerly, practically vibrating.
“She’ll have my eyes,” Damien insisted hopefully.
Dominique scowled. “Oh, come on. She’ll have mine.”
They were already bickering when Alexandre stood silently, staring as if he were witnessing something sacred.
Then Charlotte opened her eyes.
All three boys fell still.
“She has Mommy’s eyes,” Damien and Dominique said at the exact same moment, and instinctively high-fived, proud of their perfect synchronization.
Alexandre gasped softly when Charlotte stretched a small fist in his direction. Almost reverently, he extended his hand and allowed her tiny fingers to curl around it.
“She’s so delicate,” he murmured, utterly entranced.
Corinne chuckled. “My son is already smitten with your daughter, Sofía,” she teased, earning a smile from Sofía.
Fernando stiffened at the remark but held his tongue. They were only children.
“Mommy, what’s her name?” Damien asked.
“Charlotte,” Sofía answered softly.
The three boys grinned.
“Charlotte!” they shouted together.
The sudden volume startled the newborn. Her chin trembled, her face crumpled and she burst into tears.
Fernando reacted instantly, scooping her into his arms and murmuring soothing sounds. Sofía’s eyelids were already heavy, exhaustion dragging her under.
Cécile caught Ricardo’s eye, and he gently ushered the protesting boys toward the door.
“But Dad, we want to play with her,” Alexandre complained.
“Sofía and the baby need rest. You’ll have time later,” Ricardo said firmly.
Dominique and Damien nodded in understanding.
“Yes. Mommy and Princess need rest,” Damien agreed solemnly.
One by one, everyone left until only Fernando, Sofía, and Charlotte remained.
He placed Charlotte carefully into Sofía’s arms and helped her feed the baby. When Charlotte finished, Fernando laid her down beside Sofía and pressed a kiss to his mate’s forehead. Her eyes were already drifting closed, sleep claiming her.
He brushed his lips softly against hers before lying down on the other side of Charlotte.
He did not sleep.
Instead, he watched them his queen and his princess breathing softly in peaceful slumber. A powerful surge of protectiveness wrapped around him as he memorized the sight.
This was peace.
His peace.
—
“I wanted her to have my eyes,” Dominique sighed dramatically as the three boys sat in Charlotte’s room later that day.
“I wanted that too,” Damien admitted glumly.
“Oh, shut up. Her eyes are beautiful better than both of yours,” Alexandre muttered.
Their heads snapped toward him in unison, narrowing suspiciously.
“We know,” Damien and Dominique replied together.
Alexandre sighed.
“My drawing’s almost done,” he said, holding up his paper.
The moment they saw it, Dominique and Damien burst into laughter.
“What is that?” Dominique asked between fits.
“An angel,” Alexandre answered defensively, shrugging.
“Alexandre… that looks like a mosquito,” Damien said with exaggerated sympathy.
Alexandre let out a low growl though it still sounded unmistakably childlike.
Despite their lingering babyish pronunciations, they understood each other perfectly.
“You two need your eyes checked,” Alexandre huffed, crossing his arms.
Dominique laughed harder.
Damien scowled, realizing once again that Dominique and Alexandre had teamed up against him.
They always did.
And it irritated him every single time.