Chapter 99

Ethan's POV

I sat at my desk, staring at the reports of final integration for the Pack merger. The words blurred together as my thoughts wandered to Olivia. My wolf stirred, not with restlessness but with quiet contentment.

A smile tugged at my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be standing here with a united Pack, a Mate who was my equal in every way, and twins on the way, I would’ve laughed. Now, it felt like every step, every trial, had been leading to this.

The door creaked open, breaking my thoughts. Marlus leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his signature smirk firmly in place. “You’re brooding again,” he said.

I snorted, leaning back in my chair. “Reflecting, not brooding.”

“Same difference,” he teased, stepping inside and dropping into the chair opposite me. “You’ve got that ‘serious Alpha contemplating life’ face on. Let me guess, Olivia?”

“Always,” I admitted without hesitation. “And the twins. And the Pack. And everything in between.”

Marlus grinned, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Fatherhood, huh? Bet you never thought you’d be knee-deep in diapers and diplomacy.”

I chuckled despite myself. “Not in the same lifetime, no.”

He clapped a hand on his knee. “Well, if you need advice on the diaper part, don’t ask me. But diplomacy? You’re doing all right for a guy who started off scaring half the Alphas at Council meetings.”

I shot him a dry look, and he shrugged. “What? I’m just saying you’ve grown. Don’t get used to me being nice, though.”

I tilted my head, studying him. “Speaking of growth, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Mia.”

His easy demeanor faltered for a split second before he recovered. “She’s good company,” he said casually.

“And?”

He sighed, his grin fading into something more contemplative. “And… I don’t know. She’s tough, smart… and way out of my league. But makes me think I could actually have something stable one day.”

“That’s not nothing, Marlus,” I said.

He met my gaze, something unspoken lingering in his expression. “You and Olivia… what you have? It’s solid. Real. Makes a guy wonder if he’s been settling for less than he deserves.”

The honesty in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Marlus rarely opened up like this, and I could see how much it cost him to admit it.

“You deserve that too,” I said finally. “When you’re ready, you’ll find it. And if it’s Mia, I’ll support you – after I give her tips about dealing with your annoying habits.”

He laughed, the tension in the room breaking. “Fair enough.”

As the moment passed, I found myself reflecting again. Marlus wasn’t just my Beta; he was my brother in everything that mattered. His loyalty, insights, and even his occasional sarcasm had helped shape me into a better leader and friend.

“You know,” I said, leaning forward, “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

Marlus raised an eyebrow. “Now who’s getting sappy?”

“I mean it,” I said firmly. “Olivia and I might lead this Pack, but you’ve kept everything running when I couldn’t see straight. I owe you for that.”

He waved me off, but I didn’t miss the way his expression softened. “You don’t owe me anything, Ethan. This Pack? You and Olivia? You’ve given us all something to believe in. That’s not nothing.”

“Thanks, Marlus,” I said, my voice quieter now.

He stood, his smirk returning. “Don’t mention it. Now, go spend time with your Mate before she starts running the Pack without you.”

I laughed, watching him leave. Alone again, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t expected. I leaned back, my thoughts returning to the future. I wasn’t just leading a Pack anymore, I was building a legacy.

Olivia's POV

Pain tore through me like a wave, sharp and unrelenting, leaving me gasping for breath. I gripped the edge of the cot in the healer’s quarters, my knuckles white as another contraction tightened around me.

My heart raced, but not from fear. This was it, the moment I’d been bracing for, waiting for, and dreading in equal measure.

“Breathe, Luna,” Maren’s soft voice instructed.

I tried, but it was impossible to focus with the mix of emotions swirling inside me. Anticipation. Pain. Joy. Panic.

The door burst open, and I felt the flood of emotions shift before I even saw him. Ethan’s presence filled the room like a storm breaking, his wolf surging to the surface as his eyes locked on mine.

His expression was fierce, protective, and yet there was a softness in his gaze meant only for me.

“I’m here,” he said, crossing the room in a heartbeat. His hand found mine, strong and steady as he knelt beside me. “I’ve got you.”

The warmth of his hand grounded me, and for a moment, the chaos seemed to ease. “They’re coming,” I managed, my voice trembling.

“I know,” he murmured, brushing damp hair from my face. “You’re strong, Olivia. You can do this. We got this.”

Another contraction hit, and I squeezed his hand so tightly I was sure I’d cut off his circulation. He didn’t flinch, his other hand moving to my back to support me as I leaned forward, trying to breathe through the pain.

Maren’s calm instructions felt distant, like background noise to the storm raging in my body. All I could focus on was Ethan – his voice, his presence, the unwavering strength he offered.

“I need you to push, Luna,” the healer said firmly.

I nodded, gritting my teeth as I bore down, every muscle in my body straining. Ethan’s grip tightened on mine, his forehead resting against mine as he whispered, “You’re incredible, Olivia. I’ve never seen anyone stronger than you.”

Tears welled in my eyes, not just from the pain but from the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume me. “Don’t leave me,” I whispered.

“Never,” he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Time blurred into a series of pushes, contractions, and Ethan’s steady encouragement. Healer Maren’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and clear. “One more push, Luna. I can see the first pup.”

My body screamed in protest, but I dug deep, finding strength I didn’t know I had. With a final push, the room was filled with a sharp, piercing cry.

“It’s a boy,” the healer announced, wrapping the tiny, squirming bundle in a soft blanket and handing him to Ethan.

Ethan’s hands trembled as he held our son, his eyes shining with awe. “He’s perfect,” he breathed, leaning down so I could see him.

Tears streamed down my face as I reached out to touch his tiny hand, my heart swelling with a love so profound it left me breathless.

But there was no time to rest. The healer’s voice broke through again. “The second one is coming, Luna. Stay with me.”

Ethan placed our son in the healer’s arms and returned to my side, his hand slipping into mine once more. “You’ve got this,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension radiating from him. “One more, Olivia. Just one more.”

Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me, but the thought of meeting our second pup pushed me forward. With one final effort, I bore down, and moments later, another cry filled the room.

“A girl,” the healer announced, placing her in my arms.

She was tiny, her face scrunched up as she wailed. I cradled her close, my tears falling freely now as I looked up at Ethan.

He leaned down, kissing my forehead as his hand rested gently on our daughter. “You did it,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “They’re here, and they’re perfect.”

Outside, the sound of celebration reached my ears; our Pack, united in joy at the arrival of their Alpha and Luna’s pups.

In this moment, surrounded by love and the warmth of my family, I held my children and in turn we were held by my Mate.

And I wept with overwhelming love that flooded through me.