Chapter 191 Lilith POV
Chapter 191 Lilith POV
It’s been a long while since I was at the Enchanted Forest Pack, but here I am. Dragon holds my hand as he helps me sit at our table. Rose, Matt, Nova, Ares, and Rage are with us—my mother, Luna Bella, too. My father is skipping this event; he would rather not see Luna Ana.
We are in the green meadow. The grass is thick beneath our feet, like a plush carpet, and everyone is barefoot. Each table is draped in black cloth, with illuminated flower arrangements glowing at the center. The altar stands at the far end, framed beneath two trees that cross over one another. Candles float in the air, lighting everything with a soft, ethereal glow.
The whole coven is here. Queen Maxine smiles at us as she passes our table. She and Coral sit with the rest of the coven leadership—all women. Shouldn’t there be some men there? The question lingers in my mind. Do they even have men in the coven?
Lucas and Lacy take their seats beside us, and Alpha Matteo joins shortly after. Lucas looks stiff, his eyes locked on Lacy. It dawns on me that he’s acting this way because his father is here. A few tables away, I spot Alice and Jacob—he’s missing a hand. I tilt my head, confused, and Lucas breaks into a chuckle. Jacob quickly scurries off, dragging his sister with him to the other side of the meadow.
What am I missing?
"Nova? Are there any males in the coven?" I ask, genuinely curious. I’ve never really been inside—aside from running through it when I was thirteen.
"Umm..." she pauses, a guilty smile tugging at her lips. "Males are for breeding. They’re there, but...it’s complicated."
"Oh, Goddess, just spit it out, Nova," Ares cuts in. "Males are kept like slaves. They serve one purpose. They are also mostly human."
Alpha Matteo and my mother burst into laughter. "Sounds good to me!" my mother says, sipping her champagne.
"Mother???" Rose raises her voice, horrified.
Laughter erupts around the table. It’s nice seeing my mother interact with Ares and Nova—they are Lunas now.
The lights dim, and our attention shifts to the altar. Ruth the Seer and another elder stand tall beneath the crossing trees. Damian joins them, his parents at his side. Then Queen Maxine appears on the stage, transporting from her chair in an instant.
Soft music begins—definitely a witch ceremony thing. Heads turn as Asteria emerges from the treeline.
She is breathtaking.
Her dress is sheer, shifting in color from white to lavender to a pale blue. Each layer resembles flower petals, with a corset bodice and a flowing princess skirt. Her skin sparkles faintly, and a Queen of the Night flower rests above her left ear.
My eyes flick back to Damian. He stands tall, a wide grin on his face—a smile I haven’t seen in a long time. He watches her approach, step by step. For a split second, his gaze flicks to me, lingering, longing. Alpha Kyle places a hand on his shoulder, and Damian’s focus snaps back to his mate.
He extends his hand to help her up. Their vows are quick and sweet. Damian has always been that way—gentle, genuine. Unlike most werewolves, he doesn’t change behind closed doors or put on a façade.
They drink from their shared cup, and Maxine bestows her blessing over them. Damian moves her flower to the right side, his fingers brushing her cheek before he kisses her.
Delicate flowers rain down from above but disappear before they can touch anyone. The lights brighten again as Damian and Asteria step down from the stage. They cross the meadow and settle at the largest table, where Alpha Kyle and Luna Ana sit. All of Damian’s siblings are there—Dominic doting on Evelyn.
Everyone is dressed in black. Everyone except Asteria.
Damian kisses her again, his hand cupping her face—but his eyes open and land on me. Something strange stirs inside me. We are a closed chapter. We have been since I was marked.
Dragon exhales sharply beside me. His voice slips into our mindlink...."Is there something we need to discuss? Do you have something to tell me? There are too many exchanged looks between you two, and I’m uncomfortable."...........I hold my breath. How do I answer that?....."There is something we need to talk about," I reply carefully. "I don’t know how to tell you this, but...I want to name our son Tristan." I pause, then add quietly....."And there is nothing going on. This is the only time I will admit it… you... are... my.... favorite."
I beam at him, waiting for him to look at me instead of anywhere else.
"I....umm...seriously? Me?" he says out loud, his eyes full of love as they lock onto mine. At least now his thoughts are grounded in something real, not whatever tension was building.
"What are we talking about?" Ares asks, though the look on her face says she already knows.
"We’re going to name him..." I rub my belly softly. "Tristan."
"That’s a good name," my mother says, and just like that, we fall into conversation about the baby.
There’s so much to do...shopping, preparing a room for the pup, and notifying the Werewolf Academy that we won’t be returning.
I can feel Dragon’s gaze lingering on me. He’s stunned.
Alpha Matteo asks what our plans are now that we aren’t going back to school. I explain that Dragon still has his business to run, and in one more year, the new headquarters will open at our pack. I have my business too.
Then I drop the real surprise.
I’m joining the guard.
Damian and Asteria make their rounds and eventually reach our table. We stand, congratulating them properly. Damian pulls me into a hug, his hand resting on my growing belly—lingering just a little too long. His warmth traveling over my skin.
Ruth approaches quickly, her eyes locking onto my bump. They widen instantly.
"What was given...will be taken away," she says.
Luna Ana rushes to pull her back, but Dragon is already growling. He moves me behind him, his face beginning to shift. I step in front of him, taking his face in my hands.
"Calm down, moi lyubim," I say softly, out loud, in his native tongue.
Dread retreats. His expression softens immediately, his hands coming up to cup my face.
Dragon will always be my rock, my love, my safe place.