h4Chapter 304: The Parade of Love/h4

    strongNatalie~/strong

    Imagine waking up one morning and suddenly being the star of a parade you didn’t sign up for—no heads-up, no warning, not even a casual "hey, you might want to prepare your nerves today." Just bam—confetti, marching bands, screaming crowds. That was me.

    I genuinely thought the wedding announcement parade was as absurd as my new royal reality could get. I mean, how could it possibly get more over-the-top than waving from a gold-ted carriage in a tiara that weighed more than my childhood trauma?

    But then I looked out the pce gates.

    And wow.

    There were people everywhere—packed shoulder to shoulder, spilling into streets like a living ocean of gs, flowers, and phone cameras. Some held banners with our names, others had my face printed on their shirts, which was both ttering and terrifying. The cheers were deafening. It didn’t feel real.

    Suddenly, I wasn’t just part of a royal love story. I was the main attraction in a fairytale I didn’t remember auditioning for.

    The streets of the Lycan capital had been transformed into a glistening fairytale. Goldennterns floated midair, hovering like stardust above the cheering crowds. Petals rained from the sky in elegant swirls. Music filled the air, somewhere between tribal drums and orchestral romance, and the scent of roasted meats, exotic spices, andvender soap made it feel like we were walking into a dream—or a very expensive perfume ad.

    Zane sat beside me in the open carriage, looking every bit the brooding prince he was pretending not to be. His fingers found mine and squeezed gently as he muttered, "If I see my face on one more cupcake, I’m going to lose it."

    I snorted. "There’s a banner behind you with your face drawn like a chibi cartoon holding a rose."

    He whipped around. "Where?"

    "Toote," I teased, waving at the crowd. "The damage is done."

    And just like that, the nerves faded intoughter. Being beside Zane did that to me. No matter how loud the world got, he was my quiet. My calm.

    And then I saw him.

    Jacob.

    "Wait..." I leaned forward in the carriage, squinting. "Is that—?"

    Zane followed my gaze. "Jacob? Your brother?"

    "Yes! What the hell? I just left him a few hours ago!"

    And he wasn’t alone. Oh no. He was making a grand entrance.

    Floating—literally floating—behind him was a luxurious chair that shimmered with soft gold light, surrounded by swirls of mist and enchanted cushions. Sitting on it like some ethereal forest goddess was Easter, She looked around like she was in a dream, her eyes wide, her wild curls tumbling across a silk pillow, cradling her tiny newborn in her arms. Her daughter, Rose, sat beside her with a big smile and a mouth full of candy.

    Jacob was walking like this was a casual Thursday.

    My jaw dropped. "He brought Easter? She just gave birth today!"

    "She looks... radiant," Zane murmured, a bit awestruck.

    "And he made her a floating cloud-chair like he’s the fairy godfather of maternity!" I was already climbing halfway out of the carriage, waving like a maniac. "Jacob! What are you doing?!"

    Jacob looked up and grinned that wickedly handsome grin that somehow made him look both neen and ancient all at once. "Surprising you, obviously. Did I do it right, little sister?"

    "You brought a woman who literally pushed a baby out of her body today to a public parade!"

    "She insisted," he said with a shrug. "Besides, I gave her a magical chair and sugar-free pastries."

    Easter waved sleepily. "Hi, Natalie! I’m fine! Also, can someone find me some spicy noodles?"

    I pressed a hand to my heart andughed. "I can’t with you two."

    "You love us," Jacob called out.

    "I do, but that doesn’t mean you’re not both insane!"

    But I couldn’t stop smiling.

    And then it got better.

    Behind them, like a group of movie stars making a red carpet appearance, came Tiger, Eagle, Bubble, and Fox—my wonderful brothers, my protectors, my chaotic quartet of elemental ethereals.

    Tiger, stoic as ever, walked in front, wearing some kind of green and gold robe that matched his moss-colored eyes. His presence alone quieted a section of the crowd. The earth listened when he walked.

    Eagle floated—literally floated—on a current of air, his hair flowing like he was in a shampoomercial directed by the wind itself. He nced up and winked when he caught my eye.

    Fox strutted like he was about tounch a fire-themed fashion line. He wore a red jacket with golden embroidery, his ming hair zing even in the daylight. "Did someone say wedding snacks?! I brought s’mores and danger!"

    Bubble camest, riding a wave of literal water that sparkled with diamonds. He waved enthusiastically at the crowd and blew kisses. "Yasss, queen! You look edible, Natalie!"

    Zane leaned into me. "Are we throwing a wedding or starting an Avengers team?"

    "Both," I said, eyes gleaming. "This is my family."

    And my heart swelled.

    The werewolf media was out in full force—drones shaped like birds circled above, enchanted orbs floated midair capturing the moment, while supernatural newscasters screamed dramatic things like "And there she is! The Celestial Princess in blue—rumored to have in demons, saved kingdoms, and made the Faceless Prince fall in love!" Damn! The media praise! I have never felt so important in this lifetime.

    One vampire station had a psychicmentator who yelled, "And I predict at least four babies in their future!"

    Zane choked. "What?!"

    "Focus," I whispered through my teeth. "We wave. Just smile and wave."

    And we did.

    But suddenly—just for a second—I wasn’t the broken girl from the shelter anymore. I wasn’t the wolf-less, mate-rejected outcast.

    I was Natalie Cross.

    A bride to be. A sister. A mother to Alex. A daughter to the universe. And a literal goddess.

    And I was surrounded by a family I never thought I’d have.

    Jacob caught my gaze again, and his eyes softened. He mouthed, "I’m proud of you."

    I blinked hard and nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

    Then Sebastian appeared—of course he did—wearing a velvet jacket and sunsses shaped like hearts. He jumped on the back of our carriage dramatically, holding a bouquet.

    "I object!" he shouted. "To how hot you both look. Ugh, it’s disgusting. Take it down a notch."

    Zane sighed. "Sebastian, please."

    "You’re ruining my viin arc, man," Sebastian said as he flopped between us. "You’re getting married. How do Ipete with this level of happiness? Do I fake my own death? Kidnap sweet Alexander? Start a boy band?"

    "Start with getting off my parade carriage," Zane growled.

    "Fine," Sebastian muttered, tossing the bouquet at a random werewolf reporter. "You win this time."

    Cassandra appeared beside him, smacking the back of his head. "Sebastian, behave."

    "I am! I’m being charming."

    "You’re being a child."

    "Same difference!"

    They wandered off bickering adorably.

    By the time we reached the pce square, the crowd had tripled. Musicians were ying love songs. Little kids were handing out paper hearts. Even the spirits joined in—Fox lit up the sky with floating fire-doves, while Bubble created heart-shaped rain that didn’t make anyone wet but left glimmering sparkles in people’s hair.

    Tiger summoned flowers to bloom at our feet, and Eagle sent the petals into a swirling dance above our heads.

    Somewhere in the chaos, I spotted Alexander darting through the street with Rose close behind, both of them giggling like mischievous little sprites on a sugar high. They zigzagged between flower beds and startled guests,pletely unaware of the panic they were causing.

    Trailing behind them was a poor, exhausted savant—arms iling, breath short—doing their absolute best to keep the royal tornado duo fromunching themselves into a fountain or identally setting something on fire. Honestly, they deserved a medal.

    It was chaotic. Beautiful. Absolutely insane.

    But when I looked at Zane, I knew—this was perfect.

    He reached for my hand again. "Still want to run away through the kitchen?"

    "Only if we steal a cake on our way out."

    He chuckled, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. "You sure you’re okay with all this? It’s a lot."

    "I’m better than okay," I whispered. "I’m surrounded by everyone I love. I’ve got an all knowing brother, sarcastic vampire, a floating water spirit, a fire-haired chef who sings lubies, and a prince who kissed the broken pieces of me back together."

    I leaned against him as cheers echoed around us. "I have a family, Zane. One that had always been there even when I couldn’t see it yet. And I have a mate. One that chose me."

    He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering. "And I will choose you. Every single day."

    From above, Eagle let out a loud caw. "Hurry up and kiss already!"

    Fox whooped. "DO IT, YOU COWARDS!"

    The crowd roared in approval.

    Zaneughed softly, then turned to me. "May I?"

    "You better," I teased.

    And he did.

    It wasn’t a kiss for the cameras. It wasn’t for the media or the crowd or even the spirits.

    It was ours—deep, slow, grounding. A promise between two people who had seen hell and still found heaven in each other’s arms.

    As the cheers swelled and the sky burst into glittering lights, I closed my eyes.

    And I felt it.

    Love. Joy. Belonging.

    i I was home./i

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