<b>Chapter </b><b>107 </b>
<b>Levi </b>
The quiet of the chamber wrapped around me as Iy beside where Noah and Envy are entangled, the soft rhythm of their breathing filling the space. Her heartbeat, steady and strong beneath my hand on her belly, was the only sound that truly anchored me, the pulse of the life growing inside her.
Flint’s presence stirred in my mind, an ever–present shadow. His voice was low, calm, and steady, threading through my thoughts like a tether.
<i>“</i><i>You </i><i>feel </i><i>it </i>too, <i>don’t </i><i>you</i>?” Flint’s mental voice rumbled gently, eyes glowing in the darkness behind my eyelids.
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. The pup’s heartbeat. Stronger every day.
“Good.” Flint’s tone held approval, a subtle warmth beneath his usual gruffness. “<i>Will </i><i>it </i><i>be </i>more <i>like </i>us? <i>Fierce</i>, relentless?<i>” </i>
I smiled at the thought. “Or <i>gentle </i><i>like </i><i>Envy</i><i>. </i><i>Stubborn </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><i>wolf </i><i>who </i><i>knows </i><i>her </i>own mind.”
“<i>You </i><i>hope </i><i>it </i><i>takes </i><i>after </i>me<i>,</i><i>” </i>Flint teased silently, and I felt a grin tug at my lips.
<i>“</i><i>Maybe</i>,” I admitted. “<i>You’ll </i><i>be </i><i>an </i><i>excellent guardian</i>.”
Flint’s mental tail wagged, a ripple of energy that felt likefort and mischief all at once. “<i>Guardian</i><i>, </i>protector, <i>shadow</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>daddy</i>.”
I closed my eyes briefly and let the warmth of the moment settle around me. “<i>We’re </i><i>going </i>to <i>give </i><i>this </i><i>pup </i><i>a </i><i>world worth </i><i>fighting </i><i>for</i>.”
And it will be worth every battle. I opened my eyes, looking at the peaceful forms of Noah and Envy, their bond unbreakable, their love fierce. Flint’s presence pulsed in my mind like a heartbeat of its own, a reminder I wasn’t alone in this. Together, we were ready for whatever came next. Thete nights, the early mornings, the cries, theughter, the love, the chaos. I’m <b>ready </b>for all of it. The door creaked softly open, and Xavier slipped inside like a shadow, aforting presence in the dim light. He moved with that quiet confidence only he had, and even in his grim reaper robes, there was a gentleness that belonged only to family. He crossed the room without a word, kneeling beside Envy and
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brushing soft kisses along the curve of her belly. Her skin shivered beneath his touch, and I caught the almost reverent tilt of his head as he murmured something only she could hear. I leaned back, watching the subtle exchange with a soft smile. The way Xavier treated her was different, older, wiser, like he knew the sacredness of this moment and the fragile hope it carried. Breaking the silence, he straightened and nced at me and Noah. “Breakfast at the packhouse soon,” he said softly, voice steady but light. “Elliot already portaled ahead with Haiden. They’re up and working on waking Nanna and Pa. They want us all there.”
Noah’s eyes flicked open, a slow smile spreading as he processed the news. Envy stirred. beside me, eyes fluttering to the ceiling like she was trying to hold onto thest wisps of sleep.
I stood, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us. “Sounds like we’ve got a full day
ahead.”
Xavier nodded, adjusting his scythe with that familiar case. “We do. But for now, rest a
little more.”
Envy reached out, fingers curling around Xavier’s wrist briefly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you.<b>” </b>
He returned the smile, a quiet promise in his eyes, and then, just as silently, he was gone, leaving us in the warm quiet that only family can bring.
<b>Haiden </b>
The second wended at the packhouse, I took Elliot by the hand and led him down the familiar back pathway to my parents‘ cottage. The morning air was crisp and smelled faintly of pine and woodsmoke,forting in a way only home could be. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the worn path beneath our feet.
“Alright,” I began, lowering my voice a notch as we neared the door. “This is the n. You just jump on Pa’s bed and shake him a little. Nice and easy, nothing too crazy.”
Elliot’s eyes gleamed with excitement, but before I could finish, he pulled a glitter bomb out of his pocket, waving it like a magician about to reveal his grand finale.
“Or… what if I throw these? For dramatic ir?” he grinned, the mischief lighting up his
whole face.
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I sighed, already knowing there was no talking him down. Of course, he’d want glitter bombs. Gods, I love this kid. He’s cheeky and wild, with that spark of rebellion that reminds me so much of myself at his age. The same untamed fire, the same joy in stirring the pot just to see what happens. When I was a pup, I was always the one testing limits, pushing boundaries. Elliot? He’s a mirror, a reminder of the reckless youth I thought I’d left behind, but somehow, with him, I want to hold onto it.
I nced at him, a slow smile creeping over my face. “Fine. But just one. And if Pa doesn’t wake up immediately, you’re on your own.”
“Deal!” Elliot whooped, pulling the pin and lobbing the glitter bomb through the door as I opened it.
The explosion of sparkling dust filled the small entryway with shimmering colors, and before the glitter had even settled, Dad grunted, groaning as he sat up in bed, blinking wildly at the unexpected wake–up call.
Elliot giggled, eyes bright and victorious. I shook my head,ughing despite myself. This little bundle of chaos is going to keep me on my toes forever, and I wouldn’t have it any
other way.
“What the hell?!” I heard Mum say in the kitchen just as she walked to the end of the corridor to see us. She stood there with wide eyes and a face full of glitter, and just as Iughed, her eyes shot to mine with a look I knew all too well.
“You’re on your own, kid!” I said, spinning on the spot and running back out the door, I didn’t even make it to the bottom of the steps before a rope materialized around my feet, and I went down, hard. Elliot’sughter floated past me as he ran back towards the pack
house.
“You’re in trouble!” He sang on his way.
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