Chapter 38: Chapter 38

SELENE

The warmth of the morning sun seeped through the windows of the pack house, golden light casting soft shadows along the wooden floors. I stretched beneath the sheets, my muscles sore but pleasantly so, the reminder of last night still thrumming beneath my skin. Lux’s scent lingered on me, a mix of pine, smoke, and something distinctly him—a scent that now felt like home.

I turned my head to find him already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching me. His blue eyes traced over me slowly, taking in every inch of me with a quiet intensity.

“You should rest,” he murmured, his fingers brushing the curve of my hip.

I smirked, shifting to press my lips to his jaw. “So should you.”

His lips quirked slightly, but there was something else beneath the amusement. Something deeper. “The pack is waiting,” he reminded me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We have work to do.”

And just like that, reality settled in.

The battle had left scars—on our land, on our people. We had won, but at a cost, as there always was. There were few wolves to bury, thank the gods, but there were still families to mourn with, security to reinforce. I couldn’t afford to spend all day tangled up in him, no matter how tempting the thought was.

Sighing, I sat up, stretching my limbs as I pulled on the fresh clothes Lux had laid out for me. He followed suit, slipping into dark slacks and a crisp shirt, the fabric molding to his broad frame. Even battered and healing, he moved with effortless dominance, the kind of presence that demanded respect without a single word.

Outside, the pack was already gathered. Some were cleaning the remnants of the battlefield, burning the bodies of the fallen hunters. Others prepared to head out on patrol, speaking in hushed tones as they armed themselves, their eyes still haunted by last night’s fight, ready to reinforce the borders and ensure no more threats lingered.

I moved to help, dragging a crate of supplies toward the infirmary, but as I bent down, a sharp wave of nausea crashed over me. My stomach twisted violently. I barely had time to turn before I doubled over, emptying the contents of my stomach into the dirt.

A hand was on my back instantly—warm, steady, grounding.

“Selene.” Lux’s voice was low, laced with concern.

I wiped my mouth, inhaling shakily before turning to face him. His brows were furrowed, his jaw tight.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, straightening.

His eyes darkened. “You just threw up.”

“It’s probably just the adrenaline wearing off,” I tried to reassure him, forcing a weak smile. “First real battle and all. My body’s just adjusting.”

Lux didn’t look convinced. He studied me, his gaze sharp, unwavering. “You were injured?”

“No, I swear,” I insisted. “I would know if something was wrong.”

His frown deepened. “See the pack doctor.”

I groaned. “Lux—”

“Now.”

The command left no room for argument.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Fine. But only so you’ll stop looking at me like I’m dying.”

Lux grunted but didn’t argue. Instead, he placed a hand at the small of my back, guiding me toward the infirmary. His touch was firm, protective, as if he thought I might disappear if he let go.

Inside, the scent of herbs and antiseptic clung to the air. Wolves rested on cots, some still bandaged from last night’s fight. Dr. Lillian glanced up as we entered, her gaze flicking between me and Lux.

“Alpha, Luna,” she greeted. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s sick,” Lux answered before I could speak.

I shot him a glare. “I’m not ~sick~. I just—” I hesitated. “I threw up. Once.”

Dr. Lillian’s eyes narrowed slightly as she gestured for me to sit. “Nausea, dizziness, anything else?”

I shook my head. “No dizziness. Just the nausea. But like I told him”—I shot Lux another look—“it’s probably just stress. Or maybe something I ate.”

Lillian hummed thoughtfully, moving toward the shelves where she kept her medicinal supplies. “Let’s check anyway.”

Lux leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk. I rolled my eyes but let Lillian work, answering her questions, enduring her prodding, letting her press cool fingers to my wrist to measure my pulse.

Then—she paused.

A flicker of something crossed her face.

She set the stethoscope down slowly, her expression unreadable as she turned back to me.

“Selene,” she said carefully, “when was your last heat cycle?”

My stomach dropped.

I blinked at her. “I—” I swallowed. “I don’t know.”

Lillian’s eyes softened.

Lux stiffened.

My heartbeat picked up. “Wait—no. That’s not—I mean, it couldn’t be—”

Lillian exhaled, setting a gentle hand on my arm.

“Selene,” she said softly, “you’re pregnant.”

Silence.

My breath hitched. The room spun slightly. I felt like the floor had been yanked from beneath me.

I turned to Lux, my heart hammering.

He wasn’t breathing.

His entire body was frozen, his jaw locked so tight I thought he might shatter. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, his shoulders tense.

He looked like he had been struck by lightning.

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

Pregnant.

With his child.

Oh gods.

My alpha inhaled sharply. And then, as if something in him snapped—he moved, fast, and before I could process it, he was in front of me, kneeling between my legs, hands gripping my thighs, forehead pressing to my stomach.

My throat tightened.

~He was shaking~.

I had seen Luxury Theron in many ways—ruthless, calculating, merciless. I had seen him command armies, rip throats from enemies, and walk away without a second thought. But this?

This was ~different~.

He lifted his head, steel-blue eyes locking onto mine, dark with something raw, something primal.

“You’re carrying my pup,” he whispered.

I nodded, still reeling from the revelation myself.

A sharp exhale left his lips, and then—his hands were on me, gripping my waist, sliding up to cradle my face with uncharacteristic gentleness.

“You need to be checked,” he said, his voice tightening.

I blinked. “Lux, I feel fine—”

His nostrils flared. “You were in a battle. You fought.” His fingers flexed slightly, his frustration clear. “I should have kept you out of it.”

I frowned. “I chose to fight. You know that.”

His jaw clenched.

But this wasn’t about me anymore.

It was about the life inside me.

I realized it then—how afraid he was. Not for himself, not even for me, but for the tiny, growing piece of us that neither of us had known existed until now.

He was terrified of losing our pup.

I exhaled slowly, wrapping my fingers around his wrists, grounding him. “I’ll get checked,” I murmured, offering him what little reassurance I could. “Just to be safe.”

His grip on me tightened for a fraction of a second, then—he nodded once. “Good.” The man turned sharply to Dr. Lillian. “Check her. Thoroughly.”

Dr. Lillian didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Alpha.”

She gestured for me to lie back on the examination table, and I sighed, doing as I was told. Lux stayed right beside me, fingers still brushing my arm as Lillian prepped her tools. The cool press of gel against my stomach made me shiver, but I forced myself to stay still as she guided the small wand over my skin.

The machine hummed softly. A quiet, steady rhythm filled the room, and I swore Lux stopped breathing altogether.

Then—Lillian’s brows furrowed slightly.

“What?” Lux demanded immediately, his voice sharp, like he was ready to tear the answer from her throat.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she adjusted the wand, her lips pressing into a thin line as she studied the monitor.

I swallowed, heart hammering. “Lillian?”

A moment passed before she finally exhaled, her eyes flicking between us.

“Selene,” she said carefully, her voice steady, measured. “I need you to breathe, all right?”

A cold knot formed in my stomach. “Why?”

She turned the screen toward us.

Two small, distinct heartbeats echoed through the infirmary.

~Two~.

The realization hit me like a lightning strike.

Lux stiffened beside me.

Lillian’s voice was soft but unwavering. “You’re carrying twins.”

Silence.

My breath stilled, my vision swimming slightly as I stared at the flickering movements on the screen.

Twins.

I turned my head to Lux, my heart slamming against my ribs.

His gaze locked onto the monitor, his eyes wide with something unreadable. His hand had tightened around mine, his grip trembling.

He didn’t speak.

Didn’t move.

Didn’t even blink.

I squeezed his fingers gently. “Lux…”

He inhaled sharply, his chest rising in a ragged breath. His hands shifted, moving over my stomach with aching reverence, his touch featherlight, almost hesitant.

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke.

“Two?”

Lillian nodded. “Two strong, healthy pups.”

Lux exhaled sharply, shaking his head like he was still trying to process the words.

His entire frame was shaking.

Then—he ~laughed~.

A low, disbelieving sound. A mixture of awe, relief, and something else—something deeper, more profound.

He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against my belly, his breath warm against my skin.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, my own heart pounding wildly.

“We’re having twins,” I whispered, still struggling to comprehend it myself.

Lux swallowed hard, lifting his head slightly. His gaze burned into mine, intense and unyielding. “You’re carrying my pups,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “Two of them.”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

A beat of silence.

Then—his grip tightened, his entire body curling around me as he buried his face in my neck.

“My luna,” he murmured, voice raw, reverent. His lips brushed against my skin, lingering. “You’ve given me more than I ever deserved.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I blinked them away, holding him closer.

He wasn’t just overwhelmed.

He was completely, irrevocably ruined by this.

By ~us~.

By the knowledge that inside me, our ~future~ was growing.

Dr. Lillian gave us a moment before clearing her throat. “I’ll prescribe some vitamins and recommend light activity. No stress, no strain. You’ll need to come in regularly so we can monitor the pregnancy, especially given how unique your shift was.”

Lux barely acknowledged her, his entire focus still locked on me. On ~us~.

I exhaled softly, pressing a hand to his cheek, guiding his gaze back to mine. “Are you okay?”

His lips twitched, just slightly. “You’re the one carrying ~twins~, and you’re asking if ~I’m~ okay?”

I smiled. “Yes.”

He shook his head, a quiet chuckle escaping him, but his expression sobered quickly. He cupped my face between his hands, thumbs tracing slow circles over my skin.

“I will protect you,” he murmured, steel and certainty lacing every word. “You and ~our~ pups. Nothing will touch you, Selene. Not ever.”

My throat tightened, emotions pressing hard against my ribs.

I believed him.

With everything in me, I believed him.

Because this wasn’t just about ~me~ anymore.

This was about ~them~.

Our future. Our family.

And whatever came next—we would face it together.

End of Book