h4Chapter 336: Happily Ever After/h4

    strongNatalie~/strong

    It had been a month since that wild, emotional moment in the hall with Sebastian and Cassandra, and somehow life had slipped into this rhythm of beautiful chaos.

    Today, Zane and I were ditching pce walls for something new—a pic hosted by my brothers. Which brothers? The most unlikely pair you could imagine: Tiger, who’d rather disappear into the shadows than be seen at a party, and Fox, who lived for the spotlight and probably would’ve dragged the sun down just to have better lighting for the event. The mix alone was enough to make meugh, and I couldn’t tell if I was more thrilled or just exhausted. Honestly? Probably both.

    By the time I waddled—yes, waddled; there’s no point pretending otherwise—through the shimmering gates into the garden they’d created, I forgot my tiredness for a second. The ce was ridiculous. The air itself seemed alive, glittering like sunlight had shattered into a million floating diamonds. Trees rose around us, massive and otherworldly, their leaves shing emerald and gold as though they couldn’t decide which looked better. The fruits hanging from their branches pulsed softly, almost like they had heartbeats.

    Everywhere I looked, something impossible was happening. Roses actually sang—quietly, almost shyly—when I brushed past them. Lilies shifted shades depending on my mood, which, at the moment, meant they couldn’t choose between sleepy blues and excited pinks. A clear stream woundzily through the grass, bubbling like it was in on some private joke, and far off a waterfall crashed into a pool that didn’t just mirror the sky—it showed fragments of memories. Our memories. The good ones, the ones I wanted to hold onto forever.

    It didn’t feel like a pic spot. It felt like a dream, a ce carved out of pure magic where even the wind seemed to know our names.

    Zane’s arm was steady around my waist, supporting my heavily pregnant belly that felt like it housed a tiny gymnast doing flips. At three months along, I was ready to pop any moment—werewolf pregnancies were mercifully short, but oh, the crankiness! My feet ached, my back screamed, and every little thing set off my mood swings. But Zane, my enigmatic king, my everything, just smiled that mysterious, charismatic smile of his, his blue eyes filled with unending love and possessiveness. "Easy, love," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You’ve got this. And I’ve got you."

    Alexander, our bundle of energy, bolted ahead the second we arrived. "Uncle Tiger! Uncle Fox! Rose!" he shouted, hisughter echoing like bells. He dove straight into the fray, joining Rose with her wild curls and infectious giggles—as they chased after Tiger and Eagle. Alexander adored his "uncles," those ethereal brothers of mine, who weren’t mortals at all but spirits manifesting in handsome, protective forms.

    "Look at them go," I said to Zane, my voice heavy with emotion as I watched. Tiger shifted effortlessly into a massive tiger, letting Alexander and Rose climb onto his back for a ride. He didn’t speak much, my stoic Earth spirit brother, but his actions screamed guardianship. The ground beneath him bloomed with fresh flowers wherever his paws touched, animals from the woods peeking out to join the fun—deer prancing, birds fluttering in formation.

    Eagle soared above them in his human form at first, his long hair flowing wildly despite the calm day, silver eyes sharp as he summoned gentle gusts to lift Rose and Alexander into the air for brief, thrilling flights. "Higher, Uncle Eagle!" Alexander yelped, arms outstretched like wings. Eagle chuckled softly, his voice like a breeze through leaves. "Not too high, little ones. I see everything from up here—can’t let you out of my sight."

    Bubble on the other hand sshed in from the stream, conjuring water orbs that danced around the kids like yful bubbles. "Catch me if you can!" he called, his jovialugh booming as he turned the orbs into shimmering shields for a mock battle. He was always the fun one, protective in his own bubbly way,manding the waters to form bridges or fountains that sprayed rainbows.

    And Fox, oh, Fox was the mischief-maker, igniting harmless mes that twisted into shapes: dragons chasing butterflies, fireworks spelling out names. "Watch this, kiddos!" he grinned, snapping his fingers to make a bonfire roar to life, only to tame it into a warm glow for roasting marshmallowster. He was the life of the party, but his protectiveness shone through as he scooped up Rose when she tripped, turning her fall into a softnding on a bed of me-kissed petals.

    Jacob—my ancient, impossibly wise brother—sat cross-legged on a nket woven from living vines, as if the earth itself had shaped it for him. In his arms was baby Diane, only a month old, cooing like she had already figured out that the world adored her. Her tiny fingers were tangled in his messy hair, tugging at it with that fearless baby strength, and Jacob justughed, looking younger and lighter than I’d seen him in years.

    It struck me then: he looked happy. Really, genuinely happy. The kind of happy that settles into your bones and refuses to leave. Easter was part of that light in him—you could see it written all over both of them. She darted around the garden not far from him, her curls bouncing, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. Her freckled cheeks were pink fromughing too hard as she chased after Rose Alexander, Eagle and Tiger, her voice carrying across the air like music.

    Of course, she wasn’t ying fair. Easter had roped Tiger into cheating, and he was quietly summoning vines from the ground, little green tendrils that whipped up just enough to trip Eagle whenever he tried to dodge. Eagle’s annoyed squawk only made everyoneugh harder, and Easter—cheeks flushed, curls flying—looked like she was exactly where she belonged.

    "Easter, you’re cheating!" Eagle teased, his wind whipping her curls as he dodged.

    "Am not! Tiger did that one!" she shot back, giggling like a schoolgirl. Jacob watched her with such adoration, rocking Diane gently. "She’s perfect, isn’t she?" he said to me as I lowered myself—carefully—onto the nket beside him, Zane helping me down.

    "Absolutely," I replied, my heart swelling. "You two look so happy. Fulfilled."

    "We are," Jacob said, his voice soft but powerful. "After everything... this is our peace."

    Not far off, Sebastian and Cassandra arrived, arm in arm. Sebastian, the tall ck-haired vampire with his sarcastic wit and impable suit—looked utterly devoted now, wearing jeans and a simple t-shirt, carrying a basket of treats. Cassandra, the once-ruthless rogue hunter now one month pregnant, glowed with happiness but radiated crankiness. Her belly was just starting to show, but her mood swings? Legendary. "Sebastian, I told you I wanted strawberries, not these stupid apples!" she snapped, tossing one aside.

    Sebastian’s eyes widenedically. "But love, you said fruits—any fruits! And these are enchanted; Fox made them me-roasted or something—"

    "me-roasted? Do I look like I want my food on fire?" Cassandra huffed, crossing her arms, but her eyes softened when he knelt before her, offering a strawberry from his pocket like a peace treaty.

    "Here, my queen. Fresh from the garden. Forgive your hapless mate?" He batted hisshes, funny and sarcastic as ever.

    She snatched it but smiled. "You’re impossible. But... I love you."

    Fox and Bubble, ever the teasers, sidled up, grinning like Cheshire cats. "Oh, look at the big bad vampire reduced to berry-picking!" Foxughed, pping Sebastian on the back. "Zane’s not far behind—hey, King, how’s it feel catering to every whim? Natalie’s got you wrapped around her finger!"

    Zane shot him a mock re, but his lips twitched. "Better than being a eternal bachelor like you, Fox. At least I have a mate to spoil."

    Bubble joined in, sshing a tiny water droplet at Zane. "Yeah, but we’re free spirits! No cravings to chase. Though, Natalie, you look ready to burst—want me to cool you down with a mist?"

    Iughed, swatting at him yfully. "No thanks, Bubble. But if you could make this backache vanish..."

    As the sun dipped lower, painting the garden in golden hues, we all gathered around a massive pic spread Tiger and Fox had arranged: tablesden with glowing fruits, roasted meats that sizzled with magical vors, crystal goblets of nectar that tasted like liquid starlight. The children—Alexander and Rose—nibbled quickly before dashing off again, theirughter mingling with the singing roses.

    We adults settled in, tes full, conversation flowing like the stream. Zane’s hand rested on my belly, feeling the kicks, his possessiveness a warmfort. "So," Sebastian started, popping a grape into Cassandra’s mouth to appease her, "word from my spies—I gathered the Silverfang Pack is thriving under new leadership."

    I nodded, sipping my nectar. "Yeah. After everything Darius did... I could’ve taken it all back. Destroyed the pack and the ckthorns."

    Easter leaned in, her doe eyes wide. "You’re so kind-hearted, Natalie. Letting them keep the pack? And giving it to Griffin, of all people? The mate who rejected you?"

    "Exactly," Jacob added, bouncing Diane on his knee. "Darius was a bastard through and through. Mistreated you, turned the pack toxic. But you showed mercy."

    I felt a wave of emotion—gratitude, not bitterness. "No matter how you look at it, I’m grateful to Griffin for rejecting me four years ago. If he hadn’t... I wouldn’t be here. With Zane. With all of you. That rejection led me to the shelter, to Alexander, to love."

    Zane squeezed my hand, his voice low and intense. "And I’m grateful every day. You’re my queen, Natalie. My everything."

    Cassandra bit into her strawberry, chewing slowly before her expression softened. "You know what? Hear, hear to that. We all got our second chances. And even though it’s a relief Darius is gone..." She let out a small sigh, shaking her head. "I heard he actually did one decent thing in his miserable life. The only one, really. He adopted his twin daughters when his mate couldn’t have children. And by all ounts, he took good care of them."

    Her eyes drifted down, a flicker of something almost like respect crossing her face before fading. "It’s strange, isn’t it? Even the worst people sometimes have that sliver of good in them. A single thread of humanity. I guess it’s proof the world isn’t entirely rotten. Somehow, no matter how dark it gets, a little good still finds its way through."

    "True," Fox quipped, mes dancing in his eyes. "Like me—mischievous, but I’d burn the world for you lot."

    Bubble chuckled. "Speaking of futures... what’s ahead? No more demons, no more hunts. Just... this?"

    Eagle, ever watchful, smiled. "I see it clear from here. Peace. Families growing. Natalie popping out that baby any second—"

    "Don’t jinx it!" I groaned, butughed.

    Tiger finally spoke, his voice deep and rare. "The earth agrees. Roots deepen. Life flourishes."

    Jacob nodded. "Our future looks beautiful. Clear skies, strong packs, unbreakable bonds."

    Sebastian raised his blood goblet. "To us. Whole now."

    We toasted, the clink echoing like magic. As the garden’s lights twinkled like stars, I leaned into Zane, heart full. This was our happily ever after.

    strongThe End/strong

    strongiBut don’t worry, dear readers—an epilogue awaits in the next Chapter, tying up those loose ends with even more magic and love./i/strong