Five years later.
" Are you excited, baby," I asked my daughter. She turned away from the mirror and gave me a wide smile.
" Of course! Nana is coming!" she squealed. Mom went on an expedition and has been traveling for six months. My kids miss her a lot, even though they Skype every day. She spoiled them with gifts and trips. That's one of the reasons they longed for her.
" Stand up, I want to see your dress,"
She stood and twirled, " Mama, do you like my Rupenzel dress?"
" I do, my darling,"
The Rupenzel dress was lovely on her, it took Stan months to design it as she wanted, and Elara was hands-on as well. My daughter loved designing, and creating. In her short life on earth, she has walked many times on top kid's runway by prominent designers.
For Elara's fifth birthday, we threw a huge princess party in the garden so all her friends would attend.
She was smiling from ear to ear, and when we reached the garden, everyone shouted Happy Birthday and all her friends surrounded her, talking to her warmly. Elara was popular, and people gravitated towards her.
I was watching them with a smile when I heard arguing. It was my husband and son.
" I'm not wearing that costume!" Khai growled.
" Everyone is in a costume except you!"
" And they look ridiculous. I didn't want to come here, I am supposed to be skating!" he shouted. The two argued back and forth. My kids had different personalities while Elara was a social butterfly, and just loved being around people and parties, Khai, not so much. He loved a few things and hated parties, even his own. He loved skating and fighting. He mostly interacted with his three best friends.
" What is it?" I asked, going to them.
" He doesn't want to wear his costume," Rhaegar snarled. The two boys glared at each other, and I smiled, they truly resembled in their appearance! Jet black hair, ocean blue eyes, and sharp features.
" I don't want to look like a clown, and Mom, you promised I wouldn't attend," he pouted. I stroked his hair.
" It's your little sister's party. You're staying," I was adamant. He growled and walked away, his father right on his heels.
" Mom! Tell him to leave me alone! He's obsessed with me!"
I chuckled while Rhaegar fumed,
" Khai!"
Layth and Kaley arrived at the party, followed by their son, Archer. He was scowling, I was sure he hated his prince costume.
The kids were having such a lovely time at the party. The men were chatting, drinking, and having a good time in another space while the moms were drinking wine. Halsey didn't have anything to do today, so she joined us.
" How's Zuriel?" I asked. I haven't been seeing him around lately.
" Moody, he hates me," she answered sadly, drinking her wine.
" That's not true, it's just a phase, that age is difficult," Laika said softly.
Zuriel is the best fighter among his peers and has received honors in competitions. However, his temper can't be easily tamed, especially now that he is in his early teen years, and it's worrying. If his true identity is revealed to the committee ... It might lead to death. The committee was a group of different supernatural leaders, they protected peace in the realm.
Rhaegar has been training Zuriel in fighting and controlling his emotions, but having two powerful counterparts who always want to dominate isn't painless.
" He's angry all the time and just hates everyone, the world," Halsey sighed. I put my hand on top of hers.
Laika and Kaley talked about their kids, and what it was like being a mom of boys, the only one who couldn't relate was Azura, she was busy drinking, and only talking about her upcoming wedding to Zac,
Cat and Abby joined us at last, they were busy entertaining the kids.
" Where's Kiyana?" I asked.
" Busy sleeping somewhere, ever since she got pregnant, she sleeps everywhere! Even the hallway, poor woman," Azura frowned, and I laughed, indeed, being a human and carrying twin wolves of beta blood must be difficult, but Nate's love and attention on her has been unwavering, so it's good.
I noticed that Elara was missing from the party.
" Excuse me, ladies, I'll be back,"
I stood up and searched for Elara, but I couldn't find her,
" Khai!" I called my son. " Where's your sister,"
He searched a bit with his eyes before shrugging.
" I saw her a moment ago- Oh, yes, she was talking to Zuriel,"
He said and went back to his friends. I followed Elara to where Khai pointed me to. She was standing under a huge tree in a secluded area and facing up.
" You're not locked in a tower, so why are you wearing that?" I heard Zuriel's voice from the tree. He seemed irritated at my baby, and Elara smiled.
" I can't ever leave the pack, isn't it the same thing?" she said in a sweet voice, frowning a little.
" Why would you want to leave?" he asked in a monotone. Was that kid ever happy? I wondered.
" To go for an adventure, every princess goes on one," Elara answered.
" You wouldn't last a second out of this pack," he sneered.
" I would. I am strong and brave!" she was confident, and I smiled.
" You're weak and frail, most girls are,"
" Not me! Dad said I'm strong, like him," she grinned. Zuriel jumped from the tree abruptly, coming so close to her face. I held my breath, wanting to go to them but I couldn't move, and my wolf was calmly watching. She was confident he wouldn't hurt her and was only trying to spook her into running.
" See, I'm not scared," Elara smiled at him. Zuriel exhaled, smoke puffing from his mouth, and he lowered his head so he was on eye level with her. His eyes started to glow, a deeper violet color before they went blood red, and then completely dark. Elara still didn't move away in fear of him. I covered my mouth as his face slowly contorted, and his skin was replaced by black shiny black.
" And now?" His voice was deep and dangerous. Elara raised her hand and touched his scaled part in awe, her little fingers tracing the scales with a soft smile on her lips.
" I'm still not scared..." She whispered. Zuriel was in shock and couldn't react at this point. His eyes went back to normal, and his breath shuddered, looking at the little girl. He wasn't prepared when she jumped on her tiptoes and kissed his scaled face.
" It's cute!" she exclaimed before turning and running back to the party. Zuriel stood there, perplexed, and an emotion I couldn't pinpoint appeared in his eyes. He touched his scales and inhaled a few times. He was gone in a flash. He moved at great speed.
I went to the party, still intrigued about what I witnessed between Elara and Zuriel. I didn't dwell much on it though.
The party ended in a few hours, and we took our kids to bed. Rhaegar suddenly carried me to our bedroom. I giggle as he rushes there, and throws me on the bed.
" Rhaegar!"
He hovered over me and softly kissed my lips. He got off me, and extended his hand, I raised an eyebrow,
" Aren't you changing for bed?"
I took his hand and helped me change into my pajamas. We lay in bed, facing each other. He looked satisfied, and I was too.
" Thank the moon goddess it was my car you got into that day," his voice was a whisper.
" I'm glad I ended up in that car trunk,"
He hugged me tightly in his arms, and I buried my face in his chest, he was caressing my skin softly. Our wolves were close, and our emotions were raw. Everything was right.
" I love you, Rhaegar Silvius," I whispered to him. He kissed my head.
" I love you more than I could put into words," he told me.