Chapter 152 : Unexpected Legacy
Chapter 152 : Unexpected Legacy
ELIAS’ POV
TWO YEARS LATER…
Two years had passed since the battle that changed everything. Our pack had grown stronger. The alliance with humans brought new trade and technology that improved life for everyone. Tonight we celebrated our son Marcus turning three. Lights twinkled across the courtyard. Long tables groaned under piles of food. Music played while children ran between adults laughing and chatting
I stood beside Kai near the raised platform, one hand resting on Marcus’s shoulder. My body felt heavy. Tiredness had followed me for days, but I pushed it down. Kai had worked late every night finalizing the human deal. He carried enough stress. I refused to add to it.
Marcus tugged my sleeve, eyes bright. “Papa, look at the big cake. It has a wolf on top.”
I smiled and ruffled his hair. “It does. You picked it yourself, remember?”
Liora approached with her adopted daughter Sophie clutching her hand. The five-year-old girl wore a bright red dress and beamed at Marcus. Liora had chosen adoption after deciding marriage held no appeal anymore. Sophie had brought fresh joy to her life.
Kai stepped forward and lifted Marcus onto the platform. “Time for the main gift, little man.”
The crowd cheered as Liora presented a hand-carved wooden wolf with movable joints. Marcus squealed and hugged it tight. I moved closer to get a better view. The ground tilted suddenly. Black dots flooded my vision. My knees buckled. Voices blurred together as I hit the stone floor.
“Elias!”
“Papa!”
I woke up in our private chambers. Soft light glowed from the bedside lamps. Kai sat right beside me, his face etched with deep worry and suspicion. Liora stood a few steps away with Sophie, her adopted daughter, hiding shyly behind her leg. A healer packed away blood samples and instruments near the door.
I sat up slowly and rubbed my temple. “What happened? Is Marcus okay? Did I ruin his birthday?”
Kai placed a steadying hand on my back. “Marcus is fine. Liora kept the party going so he would not get scared. You passed out right in the middle of the ceremony. The healer checked you while you were unconscious.”
Liora shifted Sophie gently to her other side. “We have news, Elias. Important news.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and tested my balance. “News? I probably just need more sleep and actual meals. Stop looking at me like that.”
Liora took a deep breath. “You are pregnant. The healer confirmed it. All those active nights between you two clearly left their mark. You are going to be a father again.”
The words landed like a punch. I stared at her, then at Kai. A laugh bubbled up from my chest. It grew until I doubled over, shoulders shaking. “Pregnant? Again? After everything? This is ridiculous.”
Kai reached for my hand, his grip warm and tight. “We can handle this. I will rearrange my schedule. The pack is running smoothly now. We have support. We already raised Marcus together. This time will be easier.”
I yanked my hand away and stood up, still chuckling though irritation sharpened the sound. “Easier? You are not the one who will get cut open again. I carried Marcus. I went through the surgery and recovery. Now it happens all over because we could not keep our hands off each other for five minutes.”
Liora motioned for Sophie to play with some blocks in the corner and stepped closer. “The healer says you are about eight weeks along. The baby looks strong. You fainted because of low iron and exhaustion, but both of you are stable.”
I paced to the window and looked down at the courtyard. Marcus ran around with his new toy wolf while other children chased him. Lights still sparkled. Music continued. Life carried on below while mine flipped upside down again.
Kai followed and stopped behind me. “I suspected something when you started looking paler last week. I should have asked directly instead of assuming you were just tired. I have been buried in meetings with the humans. That ends now.”
I turned to face him. “I kept quiet because you had enough on your plate. The deal took months. I did not want to distract you with headaches and dizziness. Now we get another baby as a surprise.”
Liora smiled gently from across the room. “I will help every step. Sophie keeps asking for a cousin to play with. You will not go through this alone. We are family.”
Sophie looked up from her blocks. “I can share my toys. Babies like soft things.”
I walked back to the bed and sat down. The laughter had faded, leaving a strange mix of horror and warmth. Another child. Marcus would become a big brother. The pack would celebrate once the shock passed. I still felt annoyed at the prospect of another surgery, but the idea of a new little life growing inside me slowly took root.
Kai knelt in front of me and rested his hands on my knees. “Talk to me. Yell if you need to. But we will figure this out. Doctor visits start tomorrow. You rest when you need it. I will be there for every appointment and every late night.”
I covered one of his hands with mine. “I am still mad about the cutting part. But Marcus deserves a sibling. And I guess we make cute kids.”
Liora laughed softly. “I will take Sophie down to join the party. Marcus keeps looking for both of you.” She gathered her daughter and paused at the door. “Congratulations, you two. This pack has seen enough darkness. A new baby brings light.”
The door clicked shut behind them. Kai rose and pulled me into a tight embrace. I rested my forehead against his shoulder and breathed him in. The familiar scent grounded me.
“Happy third birthday to Marcus,” I muttered. “And surprise, he gets a sibling.”
Kai chuckled and kissed the side of my head. “We will celebrate both tonight. Extra cake for everyone.”
I pulled back and met his eyes. “No more hiding things from each other. If I feel weak, I'll tell you. If you feel overwhelmed with work, you tell me.”
“Deal,” he said firmly.
We walked downstairs together a short while later. Marcus spotted us and ran over at full speed. I scooped him up carefully, mindful of the new life growing inside me. He showed me his wooden wolf and chattered about the lights. Sophie danced nearby with other children while Liora watched with a peaceful smile.
The party continued late into the night. Music played. Stories were shared. I stayed close to Kai, his hand often finding mine. The exhaustion still lingered, but it felt lighter now that the truth was out.
Later, after Marcus finally fell asleep clutching his new toy, Kai and I stood on the balcony overlooking the quiet courtyard. Stars filled the sky above us. Another chapter had begun in our lives. Unexpected, terrifying, and somehow perfect.
I leaned against Kai and let the cool night air wash over us. Whatever came next, we would face it side by side. Just like we always did.