Chapter 86 SPECIAL CHAPTER 5
Ravena sank her claws into the last rogue and twisted, ending the fight in one final motion. The body went still beneath her. She stepped back and spat the thick taste of blood from her mouth, shaking her head as she caught her breath.
Before the forest could fully settle, Arthur’s voice rang out through the pack link, strong and clear.
”Brienne has given birth to the twins!”
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then, one by one, the warriors lifted their heads and howled. The sound rolled through the trees—loud, proud, full of joy. It was a howl of victory, of life, of the birth of the Alpha’s children. Even those still catching their breath joined in, acknowledging the arrival of the future of the pack.
Ravena’s eyes widened, shock and happiness crashing into her all at once.
”I have nephews!” she exclaimed through the link, her voice bright with disbelief and joy.
Arthur allowed the howls to continue for a moment before lifting his head again, his tone shifting back to command.
”That’s enough,” he ordered. ”Clean this up. Dispose of the dead rogues properly. I don’t want their scent near our borders,” he added.
The warriors moved at once, spreading out to do as told.
Arthur then turned his attention to Carter, who stood nearby, still in his wolf form.
”Carter,” Arthur said firmly. ”Investigate this. The sudden rise of rogues along the border is no coincidence. Find out where they’re coming from and why they attacked tonight,” he ordered. Carter lowered his head in respect.
”Yes, Alpha Arthur. I’ll see to it,” he replied.
With the orders given, Arthur looked toward Ravena.
”Let’s go,” he said. ”They’ll be waiting for us at the packhouse,” he added.
Ravena nodded eagerly. Without another word, the two of them turned away from the border and headed home.
Back at the packhouse, they entered through separate doors, careful not to bring the scent of blood inside. Ravena went straight to one of the bathrooms near the guest wing, while Arthur headed to another down the hall.
Inside the bathroom, Ravena shifted back into her human form. She turned on the shower and stepped under the warm water, scrubbing away the blood and dirt from the fight. Her heart raced—not from battle now, but from excitement.
”Two boys,” she murmured with a grin. ”I can’t wait to meet you,” she added softly.
Arthur did the same in his own bathroom. The hot water washed over him as he cleaned himself thoroughly, his thoughts already with his grandchildren. The day had been violent, but it ended with life and hope.
When they were done and dressed, Ravena and Arthur stepped back into the hallway. They shared a look—tired, relieved, and smiling.
Without wasting another second, they headed toward Brienne’s room, both eager to finally see the twins.
They walked to the room where Brienne was and carefully knocked. The door opened slowly, and Cecil stood in front of them, a wide grin plastered on her face.
”Brienne’s already sleeping. She just finished feeding the boys,” Cecil mouthed softly. She lifted a finger to her lips, signaling them to stay quiet.
Arthur and Ravena nodded at once and stepped inside.
The room was calm and warm, lit only by soft light. Brienne lay on the bed, asleep, her face peaceful despite the long and tiring labor. Arthur moved toward Raven and gently pulled him into a quiet embrace, patting his back with pride.
”You did well in the fight, son. We annihilated them,” Arthur whispered. Raven nodded, his eyes tired but full of relief. “And congratulations,” he added.
Ravena, on the other hand, was already drawn toward the bassinets placed beside the bed. She walked closer, her steps slow, her breath catching in her throat.
Inside the bassinets, the twins slept soundly, wrapped snugly in soft blankets. Their tiny chests rose and fell in rhythm, faces calm and innocent.
Ravena covered her mouth, her eyes instantly filling with tears.
”Oh my gods,” she whispered. ”They’re so small,” she added softly.
She leaned closer, careful not to touch them, just staring in awe.
”They look like Raven,” she murmured. ”And a little like Brienne too,” she added with a quiet smile.
Cecil walked up beside her, watching her reaction with fond amusement.
”I can’t believe I have nephews,” Ravena said again, her voice full of emotion. ”They’re perfect,” she added.
After a moment, Ravena glanced around the room, suddenly remembering something.
”Where’s Raeya?” she asked quietly. Searching for her favorite niece. Cecil smiled and answered in the same soft tone.
”Brienne’s sister borrowed her for the day. She’ll be back tomorrow,” she said. Ravena nodded.
“They know already?” she asked.
”Yes,” Cecil replied. ”I informed them as soon as the boys were born. They’re coming back tomorrow—and they’re bringing Raeya with them,” she added.
Ravena’s smile widened even more.
”She’s going to be so excited,” she whispered, looking back at the sleeping twins. ”She’s finally a big sister,” she added.
Arthur joined them and glanced down at his grandsons, his expression softening.
”This pack just got stronger,” he said quietly.
The room fell into a peaceful silence once more. Brienne slept, the twins rested, and the family stood together—tired, happy, and full of love—as they welcomed the newest members of the pack.
Brienne woke up to the soft sound of Raven humming. Her eyes slowly opened as she looked around the room, her body heavy but calm. A familiar feeling settled in—she was hungry again.
”Hi, darling,” Raven said when he noticed she was awake.
He walked toward the bed and sat beside her, carefully holding a baby in his arms.
”This one’s Benjamin,” Raven said gently as he handed the baby to Brienne. ”And the one sleeping is Bennett,” he added, glancing toward the bassinet nearby.
Brienne cradled Benjamin close, her eyes soft as she looked at their son.
”They are so precious,” she whispered.
”Indeed, they are,” Raven replied with a smile. ”Are you hungry?” he asked. Brienne nodded and pouted her lips slightly.
”Do not worry,” Raven said warmly. ”I had them prepare the best meal for you,” he added.
Almost on cue, the door opened quietly. Two maidservants entered the room, each carrying trays filled with food. The smell alone made Brienne’s eyes widen.
They carefully set the trays on the table near her bed—warm soup, fresh bread, meat, fruits, and sweets prepared just for her.
Brienne’s eyes shimmered with delight as she looked at the spread.
”Oh my…” she murmured, clearly pleased.
Raven chuckled softly. ”Eat slowly and with caution,” he reminded her, his tone gentle but caring. She smiled at him, already reaching for the food.
Raven watched her closely, his heart full. Seeing his wife happy, safe, and smiling again eased something deep inside him.
”By the way,” he added softly, ”Raeya will be back tomorrow with your sisters,” he said.
Brienne looked up at him, her face lighting up even more.
”Really?” she asked. Raven nodded.
”They’re all excited to see the twins,” he said.
Brienne smiled and glanced down at Benjamin in her arms, then toward Bennett sleeping peacefully.
”I can’t wait,” she whispered, her heart full as she began to eat, surrounded by warmth, love, and family.
The next day, Brienne woke up early to feed the twins, with Raven helping her on both sides of the bed.
”I remember Raeya when she was just a baby,” Raven said softly, smiling as he gently patted Bennett’s back.
Brienne smiled and kissed each twin’s forehead.
”I remember it too,” she said.
She remembered the sleepless nights, the clumsy diaper changes, and the quiet panic of being first-time parents. Back then, everything felt new and overwhelming. But the Moon Goddess had been kind. Their parents had guided them through those early days, teaching them, supporting them, and never leaving them alone. Now, Brienne felt more confident. They had learned from the past, and they would use that experience to care for Benjamin and Bennett.
A sudden burst of excited footsteps echoed down the hallway.
”Mommy! Daddy!” Raeya’s voice rang out, full of joy. Brienne laughed softly, already knowing who it was.
Raven quickly stood and stepped out of the room just as Raeya came rushing toward the door, with Judy and Leah following behind her.
Raven crouched in front of Raeya and smiled gently.
”Hey, love,” he said softly. ”Your brothers are sleeping. We have to be quiet, okay?” he added.
Raeya’s eyes widened. She quickly covered her mouth, then nodded.
”I’m sorry,” she whispered, smiling shyly.
Raven chuckled and lifted her into his arms.
”Come on,” he said softly. ”Let’s go see them,” he added.
He carried Raeya back into the room. Judy and Leah followed quietly behind.
Brienne looked up as they entered, her face lighting up at the sight of her daughter.
Raeya leaned forward in Raven’s arms, her eyes shining as she looked at the twins.
”They’re so small,” she whispered in awe.
Brienne smiled, her heart full, as her family gathered close—tired, quiet, and happy together.
"Congratulations, Brienne," Leah and Judy said as they embraced their sister. Brienne hugged them back and shed a tear.
"Thank you for coming to see me and the twins," she said.
”Congratulations, Brienne,” Leah and Judy said together as they embraced their sister.
Brienne hugged them back tightly, unable to stop a tear from slipping down her cheek.
”Thank you for coming to see me and the twins,” she said softly.
Raven stood near the corner of the room and smiled as he gestured toward the bassinets.
”Meet your brothers, Benjamin and Bennett,” he said.
Raeya tilted her head and stared at the twins, her brows knitting together in confusion.
”Daddy, how will you know who’s Benjamin and Bennett?” she asked, her forehead creasing. ”They look exactly the same to me,” she added. Her aunties quietly chuckled at her question.
”Oh, it’s easy,” Raven said with a grin. He leaned closer and gently pointed. ”Benjamin has a mole under his lips,” he added.
Raeya nodded seriously, as if she had just learned something very important. She lifted her small hand and waved at the twins.
”Hi, Benjamin. Hi, Bennett,” she whispered. ”I’m Raeya. I’m your big sister,” she added proudly.
Leah turned back to Brienne, her expression soft with concern.
”How are you feeling now?” she asked. ”Birthing twins isn’t easy,” she added. Brienne smiled and rested a hand over her stomach.
”I’m okay,” she said honestly. ”Still sore and tired, but I’m healing,” she added.
Judy nodded, relieved.
”That’s good,” she said. ”You did amazing,” she added.
Brienne looked around the room—at her sisters, her daughter, her husband, and her sleeping sons—and felt warmth settle deep in her chest. Surrounded by love, she knew she would recover just fine.
”We visited Mom and Dad’s grave with Raeya,” Judy said softly. Brienne looked at her, then gave a sad but gentle smile.
”You did?” she said. ”I haven’t visited them for a while,” she added as she looked at her husband and children.
”We can visit them once you heal,” Leah suggested. ”Let’s bring your kids,” she added.
”Yeah, we can do that,” Judy agreed. ”I’m sure they’ll be happy up there, seeing their grandchildren,” she said.
”Yes, sure, we can,” Brienne replied with a small nod.
Raeya suddenly climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around Brienne. Brienne smiled and kissed her daughter’s cheek.
”I miss you, Mommy,” Raeya said softly.
”I miss you too, dear,” Brienne replied.
She glanced at her sisters as they moved closer to the bassinets, smiling down at the sleeping twins. Raven sat on the edge of the bed, watching his wife and daughter with quiet warmth in his eyes.
”I love you,” he said softly.
”I love you, Daddy!” Raeya replied at once. ”I love both of you!” she added happily.
”I love you, darling,” Brienne said to Raven. Then she looked at Raeya and smiled. ”And I love you, my little princess,” she added.
The room grew quiet, filled only with soft breathing and gentle smiles. Surrounded by family, love, and new life, Brienne rested back against the pillows, content and at peace.