Chapter <b>160 </b>


    Elena’s POV


    The reunion that unfolds engulfs us in a warm nket, easing the pain that struck our hearts for the past few days.


    Luna Kate, with tears in her eyes, refuses to let go of Rafael after she croches down and pulls him into her arms. Though shy and hesitant, Rafael manages to ease into her arms after a while, which Luna Kate takes as a sign that she can caress him more.


    Her chin quivered as more tears streamed in her eyes while she caressed Rafael’s face like he were a fragile figurine.


    “Oh, my grandson…” she cried when she examined Rafael’s body and saw some minor signs of his abuse.


    Alpha Mark, on the other hand, had remained silent beside her all this time, but the way his hand rested on his mate’s shoulder spoke volumes. The stone–cold Alpha I knew he had be had softened into a grandfather who had just reimed blood he thought was lost forever.


    And yet, as much as the sight broughtfort, a weight settled over me. Rafael’s ce in this world wasn’t just about blood or reunion. His future was written in his very birthright. He wasn’t only my nephew–he was the heir to my pack.


    “It will be alright.” A warm arm wrapped around my shoulders, Deacon pulling me into his side, his enticing eyes looking at me with so much love and belief.


    Then, a small smile spread on his lips. Leaning down, hended a soft kiss on my forehead and whispered in my ear. “I’m here.”


    His words indeed ease my heart a little bit, but I wouldn’t lie. The thoughts and worries remained gnawing at me as the evening settled.


    Considering it’s their first day of reunion and the formalities we still needed to do, we stayed a while longer in StoneMoon Pack.


    We had anticipated this, but I think it would take longer than expected.


    Now, we all gathered in the meeting room, faced with all the high–ranking members of the StoneMoon Pack and other relevant members, such as warriors. All of them who were looking at us with doubt when we first came in, now paid their respect after seeing the turn of events.


    Rafael, though already at ease, still felt a little awkward around the new faces and would asionally try to reach for my hand whenever he felt overwhelmed. But that didn’t stop Luna Kate from refusing to leave Rafael’s side.


    By the time we were offered guest rooms for the night, I was torn. Watching Rafael finally receive affection he had been denied all these years made me ache. But I couldn’t allow sentiment to blind me to what needed to be done.


    “You can’t sleep?” Deacon asked, half–lying beside me on the bed, apanying me in fear I’d have nightmares again.


    25 Bonus


    I looked up at him, still holding his arm and shook my head. “Tomorrow will be a long day.”


    And I was right.


    The next morning, over a quiet breakfast with Alpha Mark and Luna Kate, the inevitable conversation began.


    Mark’s sharp eyes met mine across the table. “Elena,” he called out, tone heavy with authority as he continued, “about the boy.”


    I set my spoon down carefully. “Yes.”


    “You brought him back. You saved him.” His voice softened for a breath before hardening again. “But you must understand–be is Hiry’s son. Our grandson. He has a ce here, in this pack, among his mother’s kin. Luna Kate and I can raise him, protect him. He doesn’t need to be thrown into the politics of your pack.”


    My heart ached.


    I know what he was talking about. Politics was a dirty and rough road. One needed to be strong to sustain a strong foothold. Rafael was still young, and they didn’t want him to be in that ce.


    They wanted to spoil him. But so do I. It’s just that….some things were easier than done.


    Luna Kate nodded, her hand smoothing Rafael’s hair where he sat quietly beside her, nibbling at a piece of bread. “He has been through so much. Let him heal here, with us. This house is filled <b>with </b>Hiry’s scent, her memories. It willfort him.”


    Their words struck deep, but I forced myself to remain steady. I reached for Rafael’s hand, and he instinctively gave it to me. His trust burned like a beacon in my chest.


    “I understand,” I said, my voice low but firm. “I know how <b>much </b>you’ve lost. I would never take him from you without cause. But Rafael is not only Hiry’s son. He is Xavier’s son. My brother’s blood. That makes him <b>heir </b>to my pack ”


    Mark’s expression tightened. “An heir can be trainedter. He is still a child. Do you think Deacon’s mother will even agree to this? To raise a boy she’s only just met in her household?”


    His words stung, because they weren’t entirely wrong. Deacon’s mother had never fully weed me in the first ce, and Rafael was an unexpected addition. But that didn’t change the truth.


    He’s my nephew and not someone whom I just picked up from somewhere. Besides, Deacon’s opinion mattered more than anyone else’s. As long as Deacon’s on my side, I wouldn’t mind the words of others.


    I could surely fight them.


    “He is already behind,” I said, my voice gaining strength.


    Sara Lili


    Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.