<b>Chapter </b><b>152 </b>
:
68
The movie flickered out, thest notes of the soundtrack fading into the night. I was still curled into Xavier’s chest, warm beneath the nkets, when his voice rumbled low
against my ear.
“Little mate,” he said, careful with his words, “Felix will be here soon. We’ll need to start
preparing.”
The reminder pierced the bubble we’d built, dragging back the weight of what wasing. My Lycan shift. The danger to the baby. Felix is giving his life for ours. My heart clenched, and I pressed my hand to my bump like I could hold the pup closer just by touch. But then Haiden pped his hands together, cutting through the heaviness. “Not yet. We’ve still got cake.”
Noah grinned, conjuring a spark of light to guide them as they ducked to the side, and momentster, they returned carrying the cake they’d worked so hard on earlier at Mum and Dad’s. It was imperfect, lopsided on one side, with too much icing pooling at the bottom, but gods, it was beautiful.
“Happy birthday to you…” They started, voices ovepping, off–key, but louder with every line.
By the time they finished, I wasughing through the tears sliding down my cheeks. I leaned forward, closed my eyes, and whispered into the candles: <i>Keep </i><i>them safe</i><i>. </i><i>All </i>of <i>them</i><i>. </i>Then I blew them out in one breath, the smoke curling up into the fairy lights
above.
Noah conjured music next, something soft, stringed, that hummed into the night like it had been waiting for us. Levi offered his hand with a crooked smile.
“Dance with me,
doll.”
I stood, slipping into his arms. His movements were steady, practiced, leading me slowly across the rug as the candlelit path glowed around us. “You look radiant tonight,” he whispered. “Even more than the first time I brought you here.<b>” </b>
:
68
Before I could answer, Haiden cut in, pulling me into his chest with a cocky grin. “My turn.” He spun me once, carefully, mindful of the bump pressed between us, then kissed my cheek. “You’re mine, birthday girl. Always.”
Xavier stole me next, his hands warm and grounding on my waist. He didn’t move fast, didn’t spin me, he just held me, forehead pressed to mine, swaying in the soft glow of the lights. “You’re everything,” he murmured, so quiet I almost thought I’d imagined it. And then Noah swept me in, his lips brushing my temple as he moved us in time with the music. “We’ll carry this with you,” he promised. “Every step. Every breath.”
Iughed and cried all at once as they passed me between them, spinning me gently, kissing me softly, telling me in every way they knew how that I wasn’t alone. For a little
while, the music was louder than the fear. But when the song faded and I turned toward
the treeline, I saw him.
Felix stood at the edge of the clearing, watching, his silhouette cut against thest strips of twilight. For a heartbeat, I didn’t see the man who kept secrets, who let Marcus twist too much of my life. I saw the man who raised me. The man who once tied ribbons in my
hair and taught me how to hold a de.
I stepped forward, and his arms opened like they always had, like nothing had ever
broken between us. I fell into them, the sob catching in my throat.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “For what I didn’t stop. For what I didn’t protect you from.”
I pulled back just enough to look at him, tears blurring my vision. “I love you,” I said simply. “No matter what. I love you.”
His face crumpled, and he held me tighter. And in that moment, I let myself believe he was still the man who had loved me first.
Felix held me like he had when I was small, like nothing could touch me as long as his arms were there. For a moment, I let myself believe it. That maybe he’d never faltered, that maybe none of it had happened. But reality sat between us, heavy and unyielding. Behind me, footsteps drew close. My mates formed a circle, not crowding, just steady. Four walls of strength bracing me in ce.
<b>18:11 </b>Fri, Sep 5
:
Xavier was the first to break the silence. His voice was low but strong. “Felix… thank you. For offering this. For standing here. I won’t pretend it’s easy to ept, but I need you to hear me; we’ll never forget it.”
168
Haiden stepped forward next, his jaw tight, shoulders squared. “I’ve seen warriors die for less. You’re giving your life so hers and the pup’s can continue. That’s more than duty. That’s love. And I respect the hell out of it.”
Levi’s tone was softer, but no less sharp. “We wouldn’t ask this of you. You chose it. And I won’t let your choice be brushed aside like it’s a simple thing. It matters, Felix. It
matters more than words can reach.”
Noah’s hand found my back, steadying me, before he spoke. “You raised her. You stood in when no one else did. And even though mistakes were made, even though things broke, you’re here now. You’re still protecting her. I’ll make sure your sacrifice means
something, every single day that pup breathes.<b>” </b>
I turned back to Felix, my throat raw, tears hot. “You hear them? You hear me?” I cupped his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. “This is not something I want. Not something I’d ever ask of you. Are you sure? Truly sure?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “I am,” he said firmly. “Envy… I was given a second chance at life. I used it the best I could, but I failed to keep Marcus from touching you. This…” his hand ghosted over my belly, reverent, never quite touching “this is where I make it right. A life for a life. Yours. The pup’s. It’s not a burden. It’s my honor.”
The words broke something in me. I clung to him, the sob tearing free, and he held me as though we had all the time in the world. My mates pressed closer, their presence wrapping around us like armor. For a fleeting moment, it wasn’t about fear of what wasing. It was about family. About love paid forward in blood and sacrifice. And when I finally pulled back, wiping my eyes, I knew. We weren’t walking into this shift alone. We carried him with us, his choice, his love, his promise.