<h4>Chapter 327: Godmother & Godfathers</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I had braced myself for silence. For pity, maybe even judgment... though I knew Mallory and Kyros weren’t like that. But still, a part of me had feared it. What I hadn’t braced myself for was the joy that lit up their faces once the questions were done and all the pieces of truth finally fell into ce.


    Mallory pped her hands together so suddenly that I flinched. "Oh, Moon Goddess!" she squealed, bouncing on the edge of her couch like a child. "I can’t believe this... Eva, you are going to be a mom!"


    Her excitement was so raw, so contagious, that my lips parted in shock before a smallugh bubbled out of me.


    And then, as if it wasn’t enough, she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling, and announced, "I’m calling dibs right now. I’m going to be the pup’s godmother!"


    I blinked at her, wide-eyed. "You... what?"


    "Yes!" she said firmly, folding her arms like it was already settled. "Don’t you dare give the role to anyone else. I mean it, Eva."


    My heart swelled. Mallory wasn’t just excited for me... she was staking her im in this baby’s life.


    When I turned my gaze to Kyros, I found him looking at me with his eyes full of hope. "Then... could I be the godfather?" he asked, almost shyly, though his towering frame and deep voice made the request sound anything but small.


    I was stunned for a moment, my throat tightening. I nodded quickly before emotion choked me up. "Of course you can."


    Kyros’ shoulders eased as relief broke into a bright, warm smile.


    And then my attention shifted toward Rowan, who hadn’t spoken yet. His arms were crossed, one brow arched, his gaze leveled on me with that signature daring re of his. The one that screamed - <i>Don’t even think about leaving me out of this.</i>


    I burst intoughter, unable to help myself. "Fine! You too, Rowan. I wasn’t going to forget you. I can never forget you."


    His lips curved into a smirk, and he looked pretty satisfied.


    Warmth filled my chest. For the first time in nearly twenty-four hours, the cold heaviness inside me thawed.


    Maybe Draven had felt it too - my joy, my soft relief - because minutester there was a knock on the door before it opened, and there he was. He was bncing a tray in his hands, steam curling up from the mugs of cocoa lined neatly on it.


    "I thought you all might like this," he said smoothly.


    Kyros jumped to his feet at once to take the tray, setting it on the low table. Together, he and Draven began passing cups around until everyone was holding one, the rich scent of chocte filling the air.


    "Mind if I join?" Draven asked, his voice calm and his eyes warm.


    Mallory waved him over immediately. "Please do! And-oh! Congrattions, by the way."


    Draven froze for a heartbeat, blinking at her as though she had just spoken anothernguage. "Congrattions...?"


    "On bing a dad, obviously." Mallory grinned.


    And I watched it happen... watched the exact second her words sank into him.


    That smile. That rare, blinding smile bloomed across his face, so full of pride and joy that it almost hurt to look at. He slipped down beside me on the couch, draping his arm across my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his side.


    "I..." His voice caught before he steadied it. "I consider myself one of the luckiest men alive. Having a mate like Eva, and now... waiting for our pup? I have never been this happy."


    His words wrapped around me like the warmth of the cocoa in my hands. I leaned against him, letting myself bask in the safety of his embrace.


    We talked,ughed, and joked for another hour. Mallory teased Rowan about babysitting duty, Kyros promised to build the pup a training ground when it grew up, and Draven just sat there looking far too pleased with himself every time someone called him dad.


    But eventually, the world outside reminded us of its presence. The world outside had started turning dark and it seemed like it might start snowing soon.


    Mallory groaned, checking the time. "We should head back. My mom will freak if I stay out toote."


    Kyros and Rowan agreed as well.


    Draven, of course, immediately said, "You should all stay for dinner. Better yet, spend the night here."


    But my friends onlyughed, insisting they woulde back another day for the promised sleepover.


    One by one, they hugged me tightly and bid their goodbyes to Draven before heading out to the car he had arranged to take them home safely.


    And then it was just the two of us.


    Draven slid his hand into mine, his grip warm and firm as he led me back inside. "Come on," he said quietly, a softness in his tone. "There’s something I want to show you."


    Curious, I followed him up the stairs to third floor and down the hall, stopping at a door I recognized instantly. Oscar’s room.


    Draven knocked. The door opened secondster, revealing Oscar’s familiar smile. His eyes brightened the moment theynded on me, and before I could even greet him, his arms were around me, pulling me close.


    I melted instantly against his warmth.


    When he pulled back, his grin widened. "Perfect timing. I was waiting for you."


    I blinked up at him. "For what?"


    Instead of answering, he guided me inside. And there, on the thick rug before the firece, I saw hisptop open with several tabs filled with nursery designs and shopping lists spread around.


    Draven shut the door, and the three of us soon huddled together on the rug, flipping through ideas. Crib designs, wallpaper themes, color palettes. Oscar scribbled notes about what the baby would need, Draven suggested structural changes for a nursery room, and I... I just sat there, overwhelmed and touched by the fact that they were so excited and happy as they prepared to wee our child.


    Half an hourter, the door creaked again.


    River stepped in, his expensive coat still draped over one arm, his hair slightly tousled from the wind. His eyesnded on us - me nestled between Oscar and Draven, surrounded by lists - and his lips curved in the smallest, softest smile.


    "Couldn’t resist leaving me out, could you?" he teased lightly as he walked over, lowering himself gracefully onto the rug with us.


    Within minutes, he was leaning over theptop, giving his own quiet input.


    And somehow, between theughter of my friends earlier, the excitement of my mates nning the baby’s future, and the love and warmth radiating around me... I felt my chest loosenpletely for the first time since Kieran left.


    Especially when River nced at the three of us and, almost casually, said, "Kieran called me earlier today. He has arrived at Midnight Wolf Academy safely."


    The relief that flooded me was indescribable. My body slumped, the tension draining all at once.


    Finally, finally, I allowed myself to breathe again.


    * * *


    <strong>Author’s Note:</strong>


    Alright, everyone!


    It’s time to share your thoughts whether y’all want a baby girl or baby boy.


    Please let me know your choice in thements (also share if you have a particr reason for your choice).


    <fne41e> Find the newest release on find?novel</fne41e>


    Thank you!