Chapter 167 Peace & Promises

Chapter 167 Peace & Promises
Darius POV

I woke before Beatrice every morning now. It had become my ritual in these final weeks of her pregnancy.

I watched her sleep, marveling at the miracle beside me. Her belly was round and full with our daughter. Her face, peaceful in the early morning light, she was radiant.

Sometimes I still couldn't believe she'd chosen me. This magnificent woman, powerful beyond measure, could have had anyone. But she was mine.

The mate bond had deepened to something I couldn't put into words. I could sense her emotions like they were my own. Sometimes we didn't need words at all, just feelings flowing between us through the connection.

Her eyes opened and caught me staring. "Creep," she said, but she was smiling.

"Can't help it." I leaned over to kiss her forehead. "You're carrying my pup. I'm allowed to stare."

"You stare every morning."

"And I'll stare every morning for the rest of our lives." I helped her sit up carefully. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I swallowed a melon." She rubbed her belly. "She was doing gymnastics all night."

"I felt it." I placed my hand where our daughter was moving. "She's going to be a fighter."

Getting dressed was getting more difficult for her. I helped her into a soft gown, taking my time, worshipping every curve of her changing body.

"You're stalling," she said.

"I'm appreciating." I kissed her shoulder. "You've never been more beautiful."

"I'm huge."

"You're perfect."

Family breakfast had become chaotic and loud, and I loved every second of it. All the brothers gathered around the table with Liora and Helena. This was what family sounded like.

Halfway through the meal, Theron cleared his throat as the table went quiet. "I've made a decision," he said. "I'm officially naming Beatrice as heir if anything happens to me."

"That's morbid," Kaelen said immediately.

"It's practical." Theron looked around the table. "The pack needs to know succession is secure. Beatrice is Luna. If I fall, she leads."

"Already drafted the documents," Silas said.

"Of course you did," Beatrice muttered.

Later, Theron pulled her aside for a private conversation. I stayed back but watched them through the window. Saw him take her hands. Saw her start crying.

When she came back, I raised an eyebrow.

"He said this is his gift to me," she explained. "Making sure he'll never fail to protect me again."

"He loves you," I said.

"I know and it’s overwhelming sometimes."

That afternoon, I found Beatrice in the library surrounded by books about pregnancy and childbirth. She looked up when I entered, and I could feel her anxiety through the bond.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting beside her.

"I'm scared." She closed the book. "About labor. About being a good mother, about everything."

"You survived Silvermist, you survived war, you will survive this too." I pulled her close. "And you're already a good mother. I can feel how much you love her."

"What if I mess up?"

"Then we mess up together." I kissed her temple. "That's what partners do."

We talked about the future then. About raising our daughter. About growing old together. About the large family we both wanted, several children running through Wynterhold's halls.

"I want to teach them to be strong but kind," Beatrice said. "Powerful but compassionate."

"Like their mother."

"Like both their parents." She looked at me seriously. "What are you afraid of?"

"That I won't be a good father," I admitted. "That I'll fail her somehow."

"You'll be amazing." Beatrice took my hand. "You already love her so much, I can feel it through the bond."

"I do," I said. "More than I knew was possible."

That evening, we sat together in the moonlight. Just us, quiet and peaceful. My hands rested on her belly, feeling our daughter move under my palms.

She was particularly active tonight, dancing and kicking like she could already hear our voices.

"Listen, little one," I said softly. "We'll teach you to be fierce but gentle. Strong but loving. You'll never doubt your worth. Never question if you're enough."

"We'll tell you about your grandparents," Beatrice added. "Your legacy and power."

"And we'll tell you that love is the greatest strength of all," I finished.