Chapter 313

The mansion was finally quiet.

The engagement party had ended hours ago, the candles outside had burned low, the music had faded, and the children had collapsed into sleep after dancing themselves breathless.

Mira was in her room with Luna and Sia, brushing their hair and letting them climb over her like puppies.

Reid had fallen asleep with frosting still on his cheek.

And Damian stood on the balcony of their bedroom, looking out over the soft lights of the estate, breathing slowly as if letting the night settle around him.

Serene came out, barefoot, wearing one of his shirts that hung loosely around her thighs. Her hair was tied up, her makeup washed off, her face soft and natural.

She slid her arms around his waist from behind.

Damian exhaled, leaning back slightly into her warmth.

“Everyone’s asleep,” she whispered against his back.

“Good,” he murmured. “My ears finally get to rest.”

Serene giggled, walking around him to stand at his chest level. She leaned against the balcony rail, eyes on his face.

“You look peaceful,” she said softly.

“Do I?” Damian asked, almost surprised.

Serene nodded. “You do. It feels… quiet. Like the world finally stopped trying to kill us.”

Damian huffed a laugh, low and tired. “For the first time in a long time.”

Serene nudged him lightly with her shoulder. “Can you believe it? No Elders. No dark magic. No curses. No bloodlines or destinies or enemies.”

He nodded slowly.

“No missing children… no secrets… no running.”

She added softly, “Just us. And the kids.”

A small smile tugged at Damian’s lips—one of those rare, real ones he only gave her.

“Just us,” he echoed quietly.

Serene crossed her arms and looked off into the night.

“Mira is engaged,” she said, still sounding amazed. “To Alec. I swear I thought they would burn that island down before ever admitting they liked each other.”

Damian snorted. “They almost did.”

Serene burst into laughter. “I know! And to think—Alec actually almost killed him over a coconut drink.”

Damian rubbed his forehead. “Alec is unhinged.”

“But Mira loves him,” Serene said, softer this time.

Damian nodded again. “She does. And now… everything is starting to fall into place.”

Serene glanced at him mischievously. “Speaking of things falling into place… how’s Evelyn?”

Damian froze.

Serene’s grin widened. “Yes. That Evelyn. The one you brought here to teach Luna pack etiquette.”

Damian cleared his throat. “Ah. Her.”

“The one I almost murdered with a hardcover book,” Serene added sweetly.

Damian chuckled. “You didn’t almost murder her.”

“I aimed for her head,” Serene corrected. “The book veered because Luna screamed my name.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “She asked me if we still wanted her to come back.”

Serene raised a brow. “And what did you say?”

“That I would rather stick my hand in a blender.”

Serene burst into full laughter, clutching her stomach. Damian watched her, eyes softening again, drinking in the sound like it was something sacred.

Eventually, her laughter faded into quiet, comfortable silence.

Then Damian said quietly—

“Can you believe how this all started?”

Serene tilted her head. “The auction?”

Damian nodded slowly, staring out into the distance.

“You were furious,” he said. “You swung at me. Cursed me. Accused me of everything under the sun.”

Serene crossed her arms. “Well… you did bind me at an auction.”

“You attacked me with a table knife remember?"Damian added.

“You deserved it.”

He laughed softly—then his expression grew serious.

“And you accused me of killing your father.”

Serene exhaled slowly, her smile fading. “I know. I believed it for so long. I thought… you destroyed everything.”

Damian’s jaw tightened a bit, but his voice remained calm.

“I never touched your father, Serene.”

“I know that now.”

Damian leaned on the railing beside her, shoulders heavy.

“He wasn’t killed for honor… or revenge… or anything noble.”

He paused, voice low.

“Your father was involved in illegal land deals.”

Serene swallowed.

Damian continued, quietly, “He sold territory that didn’t belong to him. To men who had no right to buy it. It provoked the wrong group. And that night your pack was attacked…”

He looked at her.

“It wasn’t your fault. Or your mother’s. It wasn’t even fate.”

Serene stared at him, breathing shallow.

“It was your father’s deal,” Damian said gently.

“And he left all of you to carry the consequences.”

Serene felt her throat tighten. She had spent so many years thinking Damian had played a part in that night—when all along, the truth had been far uglier and far simpler.

She whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Damian looked down at his hands.

“Because you were grieving him. And I didn’t want to rip away the last piece of respect you still had for him.”

Serene blinked fast. “Damian…”

He looked up at her, eyes soft, sincere.

“I didn’t want to add to your pain. I only wanted to protect you.”

Serene stepped closer, touching his jaw.

“You did protect me,” she whispered. “In ways I didn’t see back then.”

Damian exhaled shakily. “And now… it’s all normal. Quiet. Peaceful.”

He looked inside where the children were sleeping in one room, all tangled together.

“We have kids. We have Mira. We have family. No monsters. No past chasing us.”

Serene leaned into him. “It feels unreal.”

Damian wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

“It feels like home,” he murmured into her hair.

Serene closed her eyes. “I never thought I’d have this.”

“Neither did I.”

They stood there like that—two people who had survived storms, trauma, betrayal, war, darkness.

Now standing under soft moonlight with nothing chasing them.

Just each other.

Just peace.

Just family.

Damian whispered, “I’m glad it’s you.”

Serene whispered back, “I’m glad it’s us