Chapter 169: The Queen's Beginning

Beatrice POV - EPILOGUE

Six months had passed since Elara's birth. I stood on the Wynterhold balcony overlooking our territory, my daughter in my arms. She was growing fast, already showing her personality. Wild white hair that refused to stay down. Bright grey eyes that took in everything with fierce curiosity.

The morning sun rose over the mountains, painting everything gold. A new day, a new beginning.

Darius joined me, wrapping his arms around both of us from behind.

"Good morning, my queen," he said, kissing my temple.

Elara babbled happily and reached for him with chubby hands. He took her and tossed her gently in the air. Her giggle was the sweetest sound in the world.

I watched my mate with our daughter and felt my heart might burst from how full it was.

My brothers emerged one by one onto the terrace for breakfast.

Theron arrived with Liora, her belly showing prominently. "We have an announcement," Theron said.

Everyone turned to look. "We're expecting twins," Liora said, grinning.

Chaos erupted. Congratulations and questions and excited planning all happening at once. Elara waved her hands excitedly at all the noise.

Silas came out with Helena. They'd officially mated two months ago in a small private ceremony.

"We're building a house on the grounds," Silas announced. "Close enough to visit but far enough for privacy."

"Meaning far enough that we don't hear you two," Kaelen said.

Helena threw a roll at him.

Kaelen caught it and grinned. "Someone has to be the fun uncle. Might as well be me."

"I'm perfectly happy being Uncle Healer," Corin said. "I get to spoil them and then give them back when they cry."

We settled around the breakfast table. Loud, chaotic, loving. Elara was passed between doting uncles, each one trying to make her laugh.

She clearly had favorites, though no one would admit which uncle it was.

I looked around the table at my family. My brothers. My mate. My daughter, my sisters by choice in Liora and Helena.

This family I'd thought was lost forever. I remembered the servant girl crying alone in those tiny quarters at Silvermist. That broken omega who thought she was worthless.

I thanked her silently for surviving. Because her suffering had led to this queen's rising.

"Happy tears?" Liora asked, noticing my eyes getting wet.

"The happiest." I wiped my face. "I'm just grateful for all of this."

"We're the grateful ones," Theron said. "You completed our family, Beatrice, made us whole again."

Later that afternoon, I walked through Wynterhold with Elara strapped to my chest. Pack members bowed as I passed, but with love, not fear.

Children ran up to see "baby Luna" and ask if they could touch her soft hair. I let them, watching their wonder.

I loved it here. The omega who'd become their queen. I returned to the balcony at sunset. Darius found me there and took my hand naturally, like he always did.

We watched our daughter sleep against my chest, peaceful and safe.

The moon rose over Wynterhold, blessing us again with light. Luna stirred in my soul, content and triumphant. I thought about everything that had happened. Every moment of pain and joy that had brought me here.

They called me worthless, they should have called me Wynter.

They said I was weak, they should have feared my strength.

They rejected me but they set me free to find my destiny.

I am Beatrice Wynter Veylor.

I am Luna, a mate, a mother and queen.

And this is only my beginning.

Luna howled in my soul, fierce and proud. The white wolf who'd always been there, waiting for me to accept my power.

"Ready for whatever comes next?" Darius asked, squeezing my hand.

I smiled at him, at our sleeping daughter, at the family gathering inside for dinner. At the pack thriving below us, at the future stretching bright and full of promise ahead.

"With you?" I said. "Always."

The rejected omega's story had ended.

The White Wolf Queen's story was just beginning.

And I couldn't wait to see what came next.