Chapter 313

Chapter 313
The mansion had never looked this bright.

The backyard had been transformed into something straight out of a wedding magazine—soft golden lights wrapped around tall palm trees, tables decorated with roses the color of champagne, servers moving gracefully with trays of sparkling wine. A soft jazz band played near the fountain, giving the entire place an expensive, dreamy glow.

It was Mira’s engagement party.

And everyone was trying very, very hard to pretend they weren’t still replaying the chaos of yesterday.

Sia was the first to spot Mira coming down the stairs.

Her mouth dropped.
Her eyes widened.
She let out a breathless whisper.

“Woah…”

Mira looked beautiful.

She wore a long silk gown the color of deep ruby red, hugging every curve, the fabric shimmering under the chandelier lights. Her hair was curled softly, falling like waves behind her shoulders, and she actually—surprisingly—looked nervous.

Serene’s smile stretched wide as she adjusted her earring.

“You look stunning,” she said softly.

Mira huffed. “I look like someone who’s about to faint.”

Damian, fixing the cufflinks on his white silk shirt, raised a brow. “You look fine.”

“That wasn’t a compliment,” Mira glared.

Damian smirked. “I know.”

Reid and Luna ran past them with cupcakes in their hands, screaming, “THE PARTY STARTED! THE PARTY STARTED!”

Sia followed behind them, holding her small dress as she ran, careful not to trip.

They had dressed her in a soft peach gown with a tiny bow in her hair. She looked like a little princess.

A very shy princess.

She paused beside Serene, looking up. “You look pretty, Mom.”

Serene’s heart melted. “Sweetheart, you look like magic.”

Damian turned when he heard that—his eyes softening at the word "Mom." Sia was adapting beautifully. Faster than he expected. Faster than he even dared to hope for.

Guests began arriving in waves—business partners, family friends, pack allies, and even some of Alec’s men. Everyone brought gifts. Everyone was excited.

Everyone except Mira, who looked like she was going to crawl into the nearest hole.

“Serene,” she whispered harshly, grabbing her arm. “What if he regrets it? What if he thinks I’m trapping him? What if he—”

“Mira.”

“—runs away or—”

“Mira.”

“—jumps the fence and—”

“Mira!”

She finally shut up.

Serene squeezed her hands. “Alec loves you.”

Mira swallowed. “That’s the problem.”

Serene blinked. “How is that a problem?”

“Because I don’t know how to do this,” Mira whispered. “I know how to curse, break noses, hack security systems, and ruin a man’s ego. But love? Family? Being a wife? A—”

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“—a mother?”

Serene cupped her cheek. “You’ll be amazing. And you won’t do it alone.”

Mira blinked hard, forcing back tears. “Serene… don’t be nice to me right now. You’re going to make me cry and ruin my eyeliner.”

Serene laughed softly and hugged her.

Across the yard, Alec finally walked in.

And everything paused.

Perhaps it was the way he carried himself—calm, confident, sharp in an all-black tux with his hair brushed back. Or maybe it was the way his eyes found Mira like she was the only person in the world.

When he saw her dress, he actually stopped walking.

Actually froze.

Alec exhaled a curse under his breath. “Holy…”

Damian smirked. “I’d close my mouth if I were you. You’re drooling.”

Alec punched his shoulder lightly. “Shut up.”

He walked toward Mira in slow steps, and the closer he got, the more color filled her cheeks.

When he finally reached her, he whispered:

“You’re breathtaking.”

Mira inhaled sharply. “You’re—late.”

Alec smiled softly. “Traffic was hell. Plus, I had to stop to buy something.”

He reached into his pocket.

Serene’s eyes widened.

Damian lifted a brow.

Sia whispered, “Is he giving her a candy?”

But no.

Alec pulled out a diamond bracelet—delicate, shimmering, covered in tiny sapphire stones.

“For you,” he said softly, clipping it on her wrist.

Mira stared at it like it might explode.

“You like it?”

She lifted her head slowly.

“Alec,” she whispered breathlessly, “this is expensive.”

“I know,” Alec chuckled. “You’re worth it.”

Everyone who overheard melted.

Including Damian, but he pretended he didn’t.

Dinner started.

The children ran around the dance floor, chasing bubbles from a bubble machine. Sia stuck with them, laughing freely for once. Reid was determined to teach her how to dance. Luna was bossing both of them around proudly.

Damian and Serene stood back, watching all three kids.

“She fits,” Serene whispered. “She really fits.”

Damian nodded slowly. “I know.”

“And she calls you dad now,” Serene said with a tiny smile.

Damian swallowed. “I still can’t believe it.”

Serene touched his hand gently. “You’re doing great.”

Damian’s voice softened. “I hope so.”

Across the party, Alec and Mira were pulled into different conversations, but their eyes found each other constantly.

Alec finally grabbed a microphone.

Mira’s face drained. “No. No. Alec—don’t—”

He smiled at her panic.

Then addressed the guests.

“Thank you all for coming tonight…” he began.

Everyone quieted.

Mira held her head like she was about to faint.

Alec continued, “I know this engagement happened fast. And I know some of you were shocked…”

Damian snorted. “Some? Try everyone.”

Alec ignored him.

“But I want to say something I’ve never said before,” he continued, eyes locked on Mira.
“Mira saved me. This five years of my life with her in it has been the greatest . She made me better. She changed my life in ways I can’t explain… and in ways I’ll be grateful for forever.”

Mira’s breath hitched.

Alec stepped closer, offering his hand.

“And I don’t care what challenges come next. I don’t care how hard things get. As long as she stays with me—”
His voice cracked.
“—I’ll handle anything.”

Everyone’s eyes watered.

Even Damian blinked hard.

Mira walked toward him slowly, face softening, walls melting.

She touched his face, whispering, “You mean it?”

“Every word.”

She kissed him.

The crowd cheered wildly.

Sia clapped loudly. “Yay!! They’re getting married!”

Reid yelled, “UNCLE ALEC IS GONNA BE OUR UNCLE FOR REAL!!”

Luna screamed, “MOMMY, CAN I WEAR A PINK DRESS AT THE WEDDING?!”

Damian rubbed his forehead. “Oh god… it begins.”

Serene laughed and leaned into him. “You love it.”

“Unfortunately,” he grumbled.

The engagement party turned into loud dancing, laughter, food, and chaos.

But Mira kept touching her bracelet.
Alec kept touching her hand.
Sia kept smiling.
The twins kept screaming.

And Damian?

He kept looking at his family like life finally aligned.

Everything was perfect.