h4Chapter 337: Epilogue/h4

    strongNatalie~/strong

    Backstage at the Sorbonne’s grand auditorium, I adjusted the cap and gown that felt heavier than fabric had any right to be. Not heavy in weight, but in meaning—a badge I’d fought for, bled for, and somehow earned through sheer grit. Two years had blown past like a storm, reshaping my life in ways I’d never seening.

    I had pressed pause on school when fate pulled me onto a stage I never asked for: first as the Celestial Princess, then Queen of the Lycans, and eventually a goddess in my own right. Somewhere in the chaos, I brought a new life into the world—our daughter, Katrina. We named her after my Earth mother, my parents absence still stung like an open wound. Her loss left a hollow in me, but Katrina filled it with light so bright it kept me breathing.

    My life had be an overflowing te—ruling a kingdom, learning tomand powers I barely understood, raising Alexander, and now caring for a newborn. The weight nearly crushed me, but Zane... my king, my mate, my anchor, he saw through me. He stepped in, taking the lion’s share of responsibility, breaking it all into schedules that bent around me instead of breaking me.

    "You’ve conquered worlds, love," he told me once, his voice steady as stone. "Now go conquer your dreams."

    Because of him, I came back to Paris. I picked up my studies with a rity I didn’t have before, and I poured myself into them. And now—here I was. At the finish line. Graduating.

    The ceremony was a spectacle, broadcast live across the Lycan Kingdom via enchanted feeds that shimmered in every pack’s gathering hall. Over 5,000 attendees filled the auditorium: a mix of humans oblivious to my otherworldly status, Lycan dignitaries in disguise, and my beloved family. The air hummed with respect and love, so palpable that even the humans caught the wave, their apuse thundering with genuine admiration as they witnessed the joy radiating from my supporters. Banners fluttered with the university’s crest, but hidden among them were subtle Lycan symbols—moon phases and starry motifs—winking at our secret world.

    Zane stood beside me, his hand warm in mine, while Alexander darted circles around us like a bolt of lightning. At twelve, he had the restless energy of three kids packed into one body, hisughter carrying across the courtyard as he waved a bouquet of enchanted roses that hummed and shimmered with every swing. Katrina, just two years old, sat perched in Zane’s arms, tugging insistently at his tie with her tiny fists, babbling in protest when he tried to adjust her grip.

    My brothers—Tiger, Fox, Bubble, and Eagle—nked us like living elements, their presence grounding the moment with a quiet strength. Jacob and Easter stood close too, their smiles wide and warm, my beautiful family that had been there through every storm. And of course, Sebastian and Cassandra had flown in, their son Nics trailing at their heels, mischief practically radiating off the hybrid boy. Although Katrina was older than him by two months, Nics grew faster than normal children—whether human, werewolf, or even fae. He looked about five years old when, in truth, he was just turning two. His vampire-werewolf nature made him a perfect match for Alexander’s boundless energy. Together, they were a storm waiting to happen—one I wasn’t entirely sure Paris was ready for. And poor Rose, at seven years old, did her best to keep up with the boys.

    As the orchestra swelled, signaling the start, Easter squeezed my arm. "Natalie, look at you," she whispered, her green eyes sparkling. "I still remember ourte-night study sessions — you’d teleport back and forth from the pce,pletely drained, but never gave up. And now, here you are, finally walking the stage. I’m so proud of you." I hugged her tightly, inhaling her familiar scent of fresh earth and strawberries. "Couldn’t have done it without you, Easter. You paved the way—showing me how to bnce it all. Easter had her own graduationst year and it was one of the best things that happened to our family. "How are the kids? Diane and little Theo?" Diane was almost three years old now and Theo camest year, Jacob and Easter’s first child together.

    Easterughed, ncing at Jacob, who held their son Theo—a one-year-old with Jacob’s wise eyes and Easter’s curly hair—while Diane toddled nearby, chasing a floating flower conjured by Tiger. "They’re thriving. Diane’s already summoning tiny vines, just like Tiger taught her. She absolutely adores him. And Theo? He’s got his father’s ancient soul; he stares at the stars like he knows their secrets. Jacob’s been an amazing dad—reading them epic tales from his millennia of wisdom every night."

    Jacob leaned in, his messy hair tousled as always, a soft smile on his face. "It’s true. But today isn’t about us, sister. You’ve earned this. After everything—the rejections, the battles, bing a goddess—graduating from one of the world’s top universities? That’s legendary."

    The dean called my name, and the crowd erupted. As I walked across the stage, the apuse was deafening. Humans pped politely at first, but seeing the sea of adoring faces—Lycans bowing subtly, their eyes glowing with pride—they joined in with fervor. "Who is she?" I overheard one whisper. "Royalty or something? Look at that family—pure love." The broadcast captured it all: screens in the kingdom showing my beaming face, packs cheering from afar.

    Diploma in hand, I returned to my seat, heart pounding. Zane pulled me close as the ceremony continued. "My queen, my schr," he murmured, his blue eyes intense with possessiveness and love. "You’ve made the kingdom prouder than ever. Katrina’s already pping for you—see?"

    I nced down at our daughter, her chubby hands mimicking the crowd. Alexander tugged my gown. "Mommy, you’re the best! When I grow up, I wanna graduate too—like you and Aunt Easter!"

    Laughing, I knelt to his level. "You will, my brave boy. But remember, it’s not just about the degree—it’s about chasing what lights your soul on fire. Like how you love exploring with your uncles."

    Tiger, ever the stoic one, rumbled from behind us, his deep voice like shifting earth. "Indeed, little wolf. The ground remembers your footsteps in the gardens. You’ve grown strong, Alexander. And Natalie... the earth blooms for you today. Your journey inspires us all."

    Fox grinned mischievously, mes flickering harmlessly in his palm as he entertained Nics, who giggled and swatted at them. "Tiger’s right, but let’s add some fire to it! Nat, you juggled queenship and calculus? Epic. Remember when you teleported to ss mid-council meeting? Zane nearly had a fit—’Where’s my mate?’" He mimicked Zane’s growl, earning a yful re from my husband.

    Zane chuckled. "Guilty. But I trusted you, love. And look at us now—our family’splete. Katrina’s your mini-me, with that fierce spirit. She and Alexander would rule wisely one day, thanks to your example."

    Cassandra, seated next to Sebastian, rolled her eyes fondly, her one-time rogue hunter edge softened by motherhood. Nics squirmed in herp as she tried to stop him from running around everywhere, his dark hair tousled, eyes shing with hybrid mischief as he tried to grab Fox’s mes. "Easy there, troublemaker," she cooed, handing him a toy car that Sebastian had enchanted to glow. "Natalie, congrats. Pregnancy hit us both hard—me two months behind you. But Nics’s worth every cranky moment. He’s got Sebastian’s sarcasm already; yesterday he nearly made half the coven pee their pants. He’s like a tiny vampire lord."

    Sebastian smirked, adjusting his casual suit— a far cry from his old impable style. "What can I say? He’s a natural. But seriously, Nat, you’ve outdone us all. Queen, goddess, mom, and now graduate? You’re awesome. And before I forget—Cassandra and I got word from Griffin yesterday. Don’t ask me why she’s decided to be ’good friends’ with him of all people, but here we are. Anyway, the Silverfang Pack sends their regards. Griffin’s turned it around, but they still toast to you as the one who showed them mercy."

    I smiled, warmth flooding me. "Tell them thanks. No bitterness left— that rejection led me here. To all of you."

    Bubble sshed a gentle mist our way, cooling the warm auditorium. "Hear, hear! Water flows forward, not back. Your graduation’s a wave of joy crashing over us."

    Eagle nodded from above—literally, as he hovered slightly for a better view. "The skies are clear for your future, sister. I see it: knowledge soaring higher. Alexander, want a quick flight after this?"

    Alexander’s eyes lit up. "Yes, Uncle Eagle! Higher thanst time?"

    As the ceremony wrapped, the dean invited graduates for photos. We posed as a massive group—me in the center, Zane’s arm around me, Alexander and Katrina in front. My brothers nked us: Tiger grounding us with his presence, Fox adding ir with illusory fireworks (subtle enough for humans), Bubble creating rainbow mists, Eagle summoning a gentle breeze. Jacob and Easter held their children, Rose smiling brightly, Diane waving shyly, Theo cooing.

    "Hold that pose!" the photographer said, awe in his voice. "You all look like... royalty."

    "We are family," I replied, voice thick with emotion. "That’s better."

    Post-ceremony, we spilled into the university gardens for a private reception—enchanted to blend magic seamlessly. Tables groaned with Parisian delicacies mixed with Lycan feasts: croissants alongside glowing fruits from our realm. The broadcast continued, showing packs celebrating remotely.

    Easter clinked sses with me. "To Natalie—the graduate who rules hearts and minds. Last year was my turn; this year’s yours. Our school’s lucky to have us supernatural sisters."

    "Cheers," I said, tears pricking. "You’ve been my rock. Watching Rose, Diane and Theo grow... it’s magic. Diane’s vines—does she know she’s part Earth spirit yet?"

    Jacob overheard, chuckling. "She’s figuring it out. Yesterday, she made a flower crown for Theo. He’s got my longevity; Easter worries he’ll outlive trends, but I say that’s a gift."

    Sebastian sauntered over, Nics on his shoulders, the boy pulling his father’s hair. "Aunt Nat! Fly!" Nics demanded, his toddler voice a mix of growl and hiss.

    "Not now, champ," Sebastian said. "But congrats again, Nat. Cassandra and I bet on you finishing top of ss—won that one."

    Cassandra elbowed him. "You doubted? Please. Natalie’s unstoppable. Remember our pregnancies? Me craving blood smoothies, you with moonberries. But our kids—Nics climbing everything, Katrina’s already shifting tiny forms."

    I nodded, watching Katrina toddle toward Alexander, who protected her like a mini-Zane. "They’re the future. Peaceful, loved."

    Zane pulled me aside, his charismatic smile melting me. "Love, this day’s yours. But selfishly, I’m d it’s over—you’re all mine again."

    "Always yours," I whispered. "Thank you for making it possible."

    Fox interrupted with a toast. "To Natalie! From rejected wolf to goddess graduate. May your knowledge ignite like my mes!"

    Bubble added, "And flow like my waters!"

    Tiger rumbled, "Root deep like the earth."

    Eagle called, "Soar high like the wind!"

    And Jacob finished with a grin, "Drift endless like my mist."

    Weughed, clinking sses. The humans mingled, drawn by the joy, respecting the unbreakable bond they sensed.

    As sunset painted Paris gold, I reflected: many years of chaos turned triumph. With my family, anything was possible. This wasn’t an end—it was our eternal beginning.

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