Page 78 of The Right to Bear Claws
Through their bond, he could feel Kaia's contentment mixed with the slight ache in her lower back that had been plaguing her for the past week. Their daughter—Dr. Martinez had confirmed the baby's gender just last month—was due any day now, and she'd been growing increasingly restless in the womb, as if she too was eager to join the Halloween festivities.
"Elias," Kaia called, catching sight of him across the square. "Could you help Thorin with the lighting? He's being stubborn about the color temperature again."
"She's got you well-trained," Magnus chuckled as Elias immediately moved toward his brother, who was indeed grumbling about warm versus cool lighting for the ceremonial bonfire.
"She's pregnant with my cub," Elias replied without embarrassment. "Whatever she wants, she gets."
The afternoon passed in a blur of community cooperation and gentle bossing from his mate, who seemed to have an opinion about every decoration, every food booth placement, and every safety protocol. But what struck Elias most was how completely she'd been accepted as the natural coordinator of the event. No one questioned her authority, no one suggestedalternative approaches. She'd earned her place as an unofficial town leader through months of helping people, and it showed in every interaction.
"Ooh," Kaia suddenly gasped, her hand flying to her belly as she stopped mid-conversation with Maeve about costume contest categories.
Elias was at her side in seconds, his bear's protective instincts flaring with alarm. "What's wrong? Is it the baby?"
"She's just very active today," Kaia said with a breathless laugh, guiding his hand to where their daughter was apparently practicing her kicks. "I think she wants to join the party."
The movement under his palm was strong, deliberate, and absolutely perfect. Their child responding to the sounds of celebration around her, eager to be part of the community that would welcome her with open arms.
"Hey there, little one," he murmured, his voice pitched low and soothing. "You've got a few more days before you can help with Halloween decorating. Be patient with your mama."
"She settles when you talk to her," Kaia observed with wonder, her free hand covering his. "I think she already recognizes her daddy's voice."
"Of course she does. I've been talking to her every night for months." Elias pressed a gentle kiss to Kaia's temple, marveling at how right this felt—his mate, their child, their community celebrating around them. "Smart girl knows where her protection comes from."
"She's going to be spoiled rotten," Maeve said with obvious affection, reaching out to pat Kaia's belly. "First Vane grandbaby, first new cub in the community in over a decade. We're all going to dote on her something fierce."
"She'll earn it," Kaia said confidently. "I can already tell she's going to be stubborn and determined and probably twice as headstrong as both her parents combined."
"God help us all," Elias said fondly.
As evening approached and the last decorations were secured, the celebration began in earnest. Children in elaborate costumes ran through stations designed to test their courage and cleverness rather than terrify them. Adults shared stories and warm drinks around the bonfire, their faces glowing with contentment and community spirit. And at the center of it all, Kaia moved with serene confidence, her pregnancy lending her an almost ethereal beauty that made every person she spoke with light up with genuine affection.
"You did this," Elias said as they finally found a quiet moment together, sitting on a bench overlooking the festivities. "You took our most dangerous night of the year and turned it into a celebration."
"We did this," she corrected, leaning into his warmth. "This community, this acceptance, this safety—it's something we all built together."
"But you were the catalyst. The one who showed us that some things are worth transforming instead of simply enduring." His arm tightened around her as their daughter gave another enthusiastic kick. "Look at her. She can't wait to be part of all this."
"She's going to love growing up here," Kaia said with quiet certainty. "Halloween parties and summer festivals, learning magic from Twyla and woodworking from your dad. Being taught that differences are gifts, not burdens to hide."
"Everything we never had," Elias agreed. "All the belonging and acceptance and unconditional love we had to fight for, she'll have from day one."
The sun was setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple that rivaled any Halloween decoration. Across the square, children shrieked with laughter as they participated in a modified treasure hunt that testedtheir problem-solving skills rather than their ability to navigate manufactured scares. Adults clustered around food booths and craft stations, their conversations warm with the kind of intimacy that came from genuine community.
"I should probably head home soon," Kaia said, though she made no move to get up. "Dr. Martinez said to rest as much as possible these last few days."
"Five more minutes," Elias negotiated, not ready to break the spell of this perfect evening. "Let me just hold you and watch our town celebrate the night that brought us together."
"Our daughter's going to have quite the origin story," Kaia mused, her hand tracing lazy circles on her belly. "Born on the anniversary of the night her parents saved each other from ancient nightmares."
"Born into a community that will protect her from any nightmares that might come after." Elias looked out over Moonmirror Lake, where the first stars were beginning to reflect on the still surface. "Born knowing she belongs somewhere, that she's wanted and loved and cherished exactly as she is."
Through their bond, he felt Kaia's surge of emotion—gratitude and love and bone-deep contentment that matched his own.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?"
"For seeing something worth saving when you pulled me from that lake. For giving me a family, a home, a purpose I never knew I was searching for." She turned to meet his eyes, violet depths shining with unshed tears of happiness. "For loving me enough to follow me into hell and stubborn enough to drag me back to the light."
