CHAPTER 130: CHAPTER 130 THE FINAL BLESSING

Victoria

Enzo and Lilith were among the next to approach us, their faces genuinely warm. My relationship with my half-brother had shifted since the confrontation with Marcus Grimwood — the manipulative, selfish Alpha who once treated me like property was gone. In his place stood a man humbled by experience and changed by fatherhood.

"Congratulations, sister,"Enzo said, embracing me gently as though I might break. "The Moon Goddess has truly blessed your union."

Lilith, glowing with maternal pride, hugged me next. "Our children will grow up as true pack-cousins,"she said. "The bonds between our families only grow stronger with each generation."

The celebration lasted three full days, as tradition demanded when an Alpha’s mate conceived. During a quiet moment on the third evening, Enzo approached me, his expression contemplative as he looked toward the Howlthorne territory in the distance.

"Victoria,"he began, his voice unusually hesitant, "Lilith and I have been discussing the future of Howlthorne Pack."

I tightened instinctively.

"Not like that,"he hurried on when he saw my reaction. "We believe your child should inherit leadership of Howlthorne as well as Shadow. It’s your birthright."

I searched his face for any trace of the old Enzo — the one who’d used me as a bargaining chip — and found none.

"That’s generous,"I said carefully, "but unnecessary. Your daughter will make a fine Alpha for Howlthorne someday. Enzo, I trust you and Lilith."

Enzo’s eyes softened. "We’re going to name her Aurora."

I froze. Everyone knew how deeply Enzo had hated Aurora’s betrayal. Unless—

"Yes,"he said quietly. "Luna Elizabeth told me the truth."

Before I could respond, Leo appeared at my side. His protective instinct never let me stray far these days. He gave Enzo a curt, respectful nod, then slid a possessive arm around my waist, anchoring me against him as if to remind us both where I belonged.

"The elders will begin the blessing ceremony soon,"Leo murmured, his thumb tracing small circles against my hip. "You should rest before then, Luna."

As we turned to leave, a collective gasp rippled through the gathering below. A slender figure had appeared at the forest’s edge, ethereal and impossibly beautiful; conversations stalled mid-sentence. My heart stopped as recognition bloomed.

"Mother,"I whispered, gripping Leo’s arm.

He stiffened but did not block my path as I descended the stairs to meet her. Close up I could see how much effort it took for her to hold a physical form—her outline shimmered slightly in the moonlight.

Elizabeth looked at me with sad eyes. "May we speak privately, daughter?"

Leo released my hand with reluctance after I assured him I would be fine. My mother and I stepped into the moonlit garden, away from curious ears.

"You carry a special child,"she said once we were alone, her hand hovering above my belly. "I can sense both wolf and fairy magic intertwined in its essence."

"Mother,"I whispered, emotion constricting my throat. "Where have you been?"

Her form wavered like a candle flame before steadying. "My strength is fading, Victoria. I’ve been in the ancient fairy grove, drawing what power remains to carry me through this last journey."

My chest tightened. "Last?"

She answered softly, patient as always. "I am not truly alive in the ways humans or wolves are. Marcus took only my shell; whatever animates me now is nearly spent. There isn’t much time left that I can stand before you."

Tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them.

"I stayed as long as I could to make sure you found your place in this world,"she said, ghostly fingers brushing my tears away. "Seeing you now—mated to a worthy Alpha, bearing new life, reconciled with your brother’s family—I can finally let my vigil end."

"But I’ve only just found you,"I protested, reaching for her hand and feeling it partially dissolve beneath my touch. "There’s so much I don’t know—so many questions—"

"Which is why I am here now,"Elizabeth said, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "To give you my final blessing, and whatever answers I can, before I return to the forest forever."

For the next hour we sat together. She told me of her love for my father, how Dominic Howlthorne had wandered too deep into fairy territory during a hunt and fallen in love with a world he could never fully belong to. "Your father was a good man at heart,"she insisted. "Flawed, like all men, but he truly loved us. His greatest regret was that he didn’t protect you from Aurora’s influence."

As the moon reached its zenith, Elizabeth placed both hands on my abdomen and whispered ancient words. Golden light flowed from her fingertips into me — warm and familiar, a half-remembered lullaby from childhood when she used to sing me to sleep.

"My final gift to you and your child,"she murmured. "The blessing of the fairy."

When the glow faded, Elizabeth seemed noticeably more translucent, the magic having consumed much of her remaining essence.

"It’s time,"she whispered, rising with effort. "Dominic waits on the other side of the veil. We will watch over you together."

Memories flooded back then — clear, vivid scenes of childhood that had been hazy for years: my mother singing by my bedside while my father watched from the doorway; Elizabeth teaching me to listen to plants while Dominic beamed with pride and called me "his little witch."The three of us, a family, before everything changed.

I wrapped my arms around her fading form and sobbed. "Please—don’t go—"

"I love you, my precious daughter,"she whispered against my hair. "I always have, even when I couldn’t be with you. I’ll be in every forest breeze, every blooming flower. When your child is born, tell them about their fairy grandmother."

Her shape thinned to moonlight and the scent of wildflowers. As the last trace of her vanished, a perfect moonflower unfurled at my feet — her final gift.

Minutes later Leo found me kneeling beside the miraculous blossom, my face streaked with tears but my heart oddly at peace. He drew me into his arms without a word, his wolf sensing exactly what I needed.

"She’s gone,"I whispered into his chest. "But she gave us her blessing."

Leo tightened his embrace, his chin resting lightly on the crown of my head. For a long moment, neither of us spoke—the silence broken only by the night breeze stirring the petals of the moonflower at our feet.

"She gave you her blessing,"he said at last, his voice low and steady, the rumble of his wolf beneath it. "That means you’re not alone, Victoria. Not in this life, not in the one beyond. Every step you take, every breath our child takes—your mother will be there."

I pressed closer, drawing strength from the warmth of his body. "It feels so final,"I whispered. "Like a door closing forever."

Leo tipped my face upward, his thumb brushing away the tears that hadn’t yet dried. His eyes, dark and fierce, softened only for me. "It isn’t final. It’s a promise. She’s given you her love in the only way she can, and she’s trusted me to carry the rest. I’ll never let you forget her. I’ll never let our child grow up not knowing where they come from."

The knot in my chest eased slightly. I nodded, unable to speak, but grateful beyond words.

"Come,"he murmured, standing and offering his hand. "The elders are waiting, and your mother would want you to face them strong—with her blessing in your heart."

Together we returned to the great hall where the pack had gathered. Conversations hushed as we entered, and the elders raised their hands in solemn greeting. The scent of burning sage and the rhythm of ancient drums filled the air. Leo kept his hand firmly at the small of my back, a steady anchor as I stepped into the circle of moonlight prepared for us.