Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1234 - 145 : We’ve Found Our Light

Chapter 1234: Chapter 145 : We’ve Found Our Light

*Rion*

Eva had a rough recovery after giving birth to baby Lumina. Thankfully, my strong little niece was doing extremely well despite being born prematurely. She still had to spend the first few weeks at the infirmary to ensure that she was growing at a healthy, appropriate rate.

When Jasper, Daphne, and I weren’t working and dealing with the plethora of pack matters, we were at the infirmary with Eva and Lumina. One day, we were told by the healers that Eva was extremely weak but doing slightly better than the day before.

Daphne and I approached Eva’s bed. My little sister looked so small surrounded by thick pillows and blankets. She looked like she was drowning in the soft material. Daphne and I carefully stepped up to her, now wanting to wake her. But as soon as we got close, Eva’s large gray eyes cracked open and she stared at us.

“Daphne,” she murmured, reaching her arm out toward my wife.

Daphne immediately got on her knees next to the bed and took my sister’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Yes, Eva? What is it?”

Eva opened her eyes all the way and pouted, her lower lip poking out. “Get me out of here. Please.”

Daphne’s shoulders sagged a little with relief and sympathy. She smoothed some of Eva’s bangs away from her pale face. “Hopefully soon. The healers told us that you seem a little bit stronger today.”

Eva’s pout just became more pronounced. “Then why won’t they let me leave?”

I rolled my eyes and stepped up behind Daphne so I could tousle Eva’s hair playfully. “Be patient, Eva,” I scolded her lightly, hating to have to play the older brother card but more than willing to if it would help Eva allow herself to heal. “The delivery was very tough on your body, and there’s some internal damage that still hasn’t healed all the way. I hope you’re being good for the healers.”

Eva managed to scowl at me, even though she was still extremely weak. “Of course, I’m being good,” she snapped at me. “I obviously want out of here. Lumina and I just want to be home with our boys.”

“I know,” I said gently, smirking a bit at the attitude she was showing me. That bit of fight in her was evidence that she was feeling at least a little bit better. “Jasper should be coming by soon with Aster and Tarik. I know they’ve all been eager to see how you’re doing.”

Eva smiled softly at the mention of her husband and sons, and right on cue, the two little boys in question came bursting into the room. Their little faces brightened upon seeing their mother, and they immediately threw the upper halves of their bodies up onto the bed.

I grabbed each of their shoulders but didn’t pull them back, using just enough strength to ensure that they wouldn’t crush Eva.

“Gently, boys,” I cautioned them. “Your mom is still healing. You don’t want to hurt her, right?”

“No, Uncle Rion,” they chorused, but they pressed their faces into Eva’s chest.

Eva giggled lightly and stroked their hair. “It’s fine, Rion. I’m doing a lot better today, remember?”

Daphne bit her lip, likely to keep herself from correcting Eva on the exaggeration. She wasn’t doing a lot better, just a little, from what the healers said.

Still, there was no doubt that although they were a bit rambunctious at times, it was good for Eva to see her sons. She seemed to gain even more energy just being close to them. Her face even seemed to have just a shade more of color than it had just a minute before the boys showed up.

Daphne quirked an eyebrow and looked at Aster. “Where’s your dad?”

I grinned a little at that. The boys had been calling Jasper “Papa” upon their arrival in Thorn Forest, and I knew it made both Eva and Jasper ecstatic. I still couldn’t help but smirk over at my best friend when it happened because he tried to hide how emotional it made him to be referred to that way by the boys.

Once again on cue, Jasper came rushing into the room, his eyes wide, but then they narrowed when he saw the boys on the bed with Eva.

He crossed his arms, and Daphne turned her head to hide her amused grin. “Boys?” Jasper intoned.

Aster and Tarik glanced at each other and grimaced before they slipped off the bed and made their way over to Jasper, their heads bowed.

Before Jasper could even start the scolding that he had clearly built up inside of him, Aster looked up at him with wide, apologetic eyes. “Sorry, Papa. We got so excited to see Mama that we took off while you were talking to that guard.”

I openly smirked at my friend, who visibly melted, no match to Aster’s kind nature and puppy dog eyes. He dropped to one knee so he could give the two boys a stern look. “I know you were excited to see Mama, but I need you both to stay close to me at all times. I would hate for anything bad to happen to either of you. You understand that, don’t you?”

“We do, Papa,” Aster answered.

“Sorry, Papa. We understand,” Tarik added in a small voice.

It was obvious even before the little lecture that Jasper wasn’t truly angry at the two. He had been more worried and was now just relieved that they were okay.

He gave each boy a hug and then raised a playful eyebrow. “You said hi to your mama, but did you say hi to your sister yet?”

Aster and Tarik shook their heads before immediately turning and scampering off toward the small bassinet where little Lumina was resting peacefully.

Daphne stood up and came over to me so that Jasper could take her place right by Eva’s bed. He dropped a tender kiss on Eva’s forehead before taking her hand.

“How are you, angel?” Jasper asked, caressing Eva’s cheek lovingly.

“Fine,” Eva said with a tired sigh. “The healers said I’m doing better, but it could still be a few weeks in this place.”

“Much less than at Celestial City,” Jasper reminded her lightly, but his eyebrows were creased with concern.

Eva groaned. “I know,” she relented.

She sighed happily when Jasper cupped her cheek with his hand, leaning into his touch. While watching the two together and the way my sister’s face lit up, I had hope that she would be just fine.

***

A few weeks later, our whole community was talking about baby Lumina. She was already such a little star that we decided a feast should be held in her and Lucian’s honor, to welcome the two new additions to our family. The celebration would also be partially for Eva’s recovery. It had taken a while, far longer than Eva cared for, but she was finally strong enough to help out around the community, which she was extremely ecstatic about.

Tonight, was clearly different from any other celebration we’ve had. Everyone wore more formal attire, and there were more extravagant dishes. The community went all out decorating the outdoor venue with candles and flowers hanging above each table. The more expensive linens were brought out, along with the gold-laden dishes.

As our family arrived, Tarence stood up and raised his arms to get everyone’s attention. “Not long after their return, our Alpha and Beta have blessed us with two new additions. Let us celebrate the births of young Lucian and Lumina tonight as well as the hope for the future they provide us with.”

Our pack roared with applause as Tarence concluded his little speech. We were led to the head table, which was the largest and most intricately decorated. There were even beautiful bassinets for Lucian and Lumina with moon and star patterns etched into the smooth wood.

“This is taking me back to our wedding,” Daphne said as her chair was pulled out for her.

I chuckled and kissed her in agreement once I too was seated. The wedding really hadn’t been all that long ago, but so much had happened since then with the battle against Varge followed by our time in Celestial City and of course, Lucian’s birth.

After the children were fed, we adults watched as they rushed to the dance floor. Rather than actually dance, they started to play, pretending to wield magic and battle one another in a war against good and evil. Our pack members watched the little show the kids put on, their eyes filled with hope and pride.

Several others surrounded Lucian and Lumina, clearly enthralled by the two babies. Jasper was holding Lumina while Daphne held little Lucian. Eva and I watched on proudly as our children were fawned over by our pack brothers and sisters.

“Do you ever have to pinch yourself because you never thought you would get to have this kind of happiness?” Eva suddenly asked, gazing at her husband and daughter lovingly.

I chuckled. “Fairly often, yes,” I said but then I sent her a smirk. “What’s got you feeling all profound anyway?”

Eva rolled her eyes but giggled slightly. “I don’t know really. I was just thinking about the dark pasts you and I harbor and yet, somehow, we both were able to find our light.”

I nodded in agreement, gazing at Daphne and our newborn son with more pride and love than I thought I was ever capable of feeling.

The fussing over Lumina and Lucian soon became happy chatter of the blessings of the new generations thriving after past hardships. Heartwarming conversations filled the space about the hope that our children gave us and how Thorn Forest would thrive under them one day.

The band started to play a slower, more romantic piece and I turned to look at Daphne, who smiled at me and nodded slightly.

I stood up and offered her my hand, which she took so I could pull her to her feet. Eva gave us a knowing look and took Lucian, immediately rocking him gently.

“Did anyone tell you that you look radiant tonight?” I asked Daphne conversationally as we headed to the dance floor.

She blushed a pretty pink, making me want to kiss her badly, but I restrained myself so she could answer. “Just you,” she murmured, but then she smirked. “About a hundred times actually.”

“Only?” I asked with mock surprise. Then, I shook my head as we made it to the middle of the dance floor. “I should apologize then. I really should be telling you every minute. You look absolutely beautiful.”

Daphne just blushed harder, and I wrapped my arms around her. While I was partially teasing and it was a bit of an exaggeration to say that I reminded her of her beauty a hundred times, I was completely serious about the fact. She was wearing a rose-colored gown tonight that hugged her frame perfectly. She looked amazing.

I spun her away from me, mainly so that I could get a better look at her. The skirt of her dress swished around her smooth legs, the material clinging to her curves in the most flattering way. I tugged her back toward me, and we danced in a few slow circles. I let out a long breath as I felt her warmth against me.

I leaned away from Daphne slightly so that I could gaze into her eyes. We beamed at each other, finally feeling as if we were truly home as we were surrounded by the people we loved.