Page 58 of Lycan Prince's Secret Baby

But Kyle’s voice was strained as he asked, “What happened? Did Reginald—?” His voice was thick with emotion, and I squeezedhis hand, understanding that he couldn’t bring himself to say it. After all, Reginald may have been treacherous and cold-blooded, but he was still his father.

“He’s dead,” I said. “Roman and I took him out after you saved me from him.” I nuzzled into his neck, breathing him in, his presence, warmth, and aliveness.

Kyle and Roman locked eyes, and once again, I felt a deep respect forming between them. My heart squeezed at the thought of their strengthening bond, myanukand myilak. Thankfulness for the way the battle had gone, despite Kyle’s injury, beat through me. The moon goddess had been shining down on us and guiding our way.

Even from his almost death bed, Kyle was quick to remember who had helped us attain this victory. “Mark, thank you for everything. If it hadn’t been for you, this victory against my father could never have been successful.”

Mark smiled, his brown eyes sparkling with a warmth that suffused his lean face, which was filled with more contentment than I’d ever seen it. “You’re welcome, Kyle. Besides, although I respect you and wanted to help you end your father’s corrupt rule of our pack, it wasn’t my chief motivation.”

Kyle looked bemused, and my lips twitched as I watched Roman’s azure eyes fill with affection as he looked at Mark.

“Seeing my mate restored to his lands and rightful position as Alpha,” Mark continued, “might have had a little something to do with all my hard work.” A mischievous glint shone in his eye as he looked at Roman.

Myanuklooked at Mark with a smile. “And how am I ever going to thank you,Ilak?”

“I can think of some ways,” Mark began.

But Roman’s lips silenced him as he kissed him hard, the two warriors making out, well, as if they’d four years of separation to make up for.

I grinned and then giggled as I caught the look of astonishment on Kyle’s face.

“So,” he began to me quietly, “when you said Roman broke off your engagement when he fell in love with someone else, you meant—”

“Mark,” I said, nodding, my eyes tearing up again with happiness for Roman and Mark and for me and Kyle. My heart felt full to bursting.

In a moment, Roman and Mark had excused themselves, unwilling to put off their reunion any longer, and Kyle and I were left happily with Healer Maria, who heard with joyous news about the last month Kyle had been gone from the pack and of our daughter’s existence.

Maria listened with such obvious joy to everything about Lina that I knew she was destined to become the grandmother to Lina that our daughter had been robbed of by Reginald’s treachery in assassinating Kyle’s mother and in my mom dying in the war between our packs.

A few days later, it was only with the promise of us returning with Lina that Healer Maria finally gave Kyle the green light to leave the infirmary.

“We’ll see you soon,Aanaga,” Kyle promised, kissing Maria on the cheek as we left our pack lands. Healer Maria’s smile was beatific as she took in Kyle’s new title for her—Grandmother.

I kissed her. “Thank you,Aana.” She looked touched as I called her Granny, too. With happy thoughts of returning to our pack lands soon, we hastened away, eager to bring our little wolf back home.

Chapter 30

Leah

In just two weeks, Lina and I had transitioned from the refuge of the safehouse back to our pack lands. Initially, a sense of uncertainty gripped me about where I belonged. A part of me longed to join Roman and our people, to engage in the jubilant reconstruction of our pack. The log cabins rising anew from the forest’s embrace, crafted with love and respect for both nature and our ancestors, seem to call to me.

Yet, it was Kyle’s duty as the newly appointed Alpha to inhabit the heart of his territory, taking up residence in the Alpha’s manor house. I knew how much that house meant to him, steeped in both good and bad memories, echoes of his mother’s warmth alongside shadows of his father. The thought of him stepping back into that house stirred a protective instinct within me. My heart, unwavering in its commitment to my mate, beckoned me to stand by Kyle’s side, easing his transition into Alphahood.

We settled temporarily into Kyle’s current home in the Moonlight Pack. It was a whirlwind of activity as we redecorated, transforming the Alpha’s house into a home for our little family of three.AanagaMaria’s frequent visits helped us navigate thetransition back into the Moonlight Pack. Over cups of tea at the kitchen table, she shared stories about Tamara, Kyle’s mother, while he and our Moonlight packmates gradually decanted our belongings from one home to the other. Whenever Healer Maria’s duties allowed, she spent time with us, forging her own connection with Lina, eager to become the grandmotherlyfigure that Kyle hoped she’d be.

Finally, after two weeks of bustling preparations, we were ready to mark the momentous occasion—opening the Alpha’s manor during the full moon when Kyle would officially take up the mantle of Alpha. The silvery light washed over both packs gathered to hear Kyle’s announcement, the air thick with anticipation, a collective breath held in reverence for how we were reshaping our lives together. The battle against Reginald had tested our strength, but now it was time to banish the shadows of the past and embrace the future as Igaluk’s moon illuminated our way.

Beneath the bright full moon, Kyle stood tall, his jet-black hair blending with the shadows, his tanned skin glowing in the night. Dressed casually in a knitted jumper, with the white collar of his shirt peeking out, and jeans, he radiated a commanding presence tempered by contentment.

The back doors of the house had been thrown open to the cold, crisp wintery night, where we’d all gathered on the lawn. We’d lit a bonfire in the center of the garden, its warmth and glow reminiscent of gatherings from my Blood Moon Pack. On nights outside our cabins with the forest fringing our fires, we’d sing folk songs. I’d spotted some guitar cases and was greeted by Phoebe earlier, who’d promised to entertain us later with her wooden flute. I imagined the Blood Moons celebrating under the stars with music and laughter.

Standing before the united packs, Kyle looked every inch the confident Alpha. I could see the determination shining in his emerald eyes as he thrilled to greet the future head on, and it ignited a fierceness in me.

“Today, we mark the dawn of a new era,” Kyle began, his voice steady and resolute. “With Reginald’s end, we cast out the darkness he spread among us.” He drew a steadying breath. “My father, Reginald, constructed lies, sowing seeds of discord, and sought power at the expense of our families and our packs. From this day forward, I promise to look to Igaluk’s light to trust in those around me and to learn from their strength and knowledge so as to be the best leader I can be for you. I know in my heart that the moon goddess will guide us into a bright and brilliant future where both Moonlights and Blood Moons live side by side, in peace and harmony.”

Murmurs surged throughout the crowd, and I felt the weight of a hundred emotions cutting through the tension. Reginald’s remaining followers had been banished the day after the battle. With Kyle still in the infirmary, Healer Maria and Roman had upheld Igaluk’s justice together. Reginald’s followers had slunk away into the night, their long-held dominion shattered. Perhaps they’d become rogue wolves or darken their souls even more by looking for refuge with the Black Moon Pack, but they no longer darkened our packs’ futures.

In this moment, Kyle’s leadership shone brighter than ever, his mother’s strength and vision reverberating through him.

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