Lewis looked away after I said I wanted a baby.
His jaw tightened like he was holding back a lot more than words. Then he spoke in that calm Alpha tone that didn’t leave room for argunts.
"The person behind all of this hasn’t been found," he said. "We’re still in danger. So let’s not talk about pregnancy for now."
"Alright," I replied.
I knew he was right. I really did.
But my chest still sank a little, like sothing soft inside had been pressed down. I swallowed it, smiled like I was fine, and told myself not to be childish. Still... the disappointnt stayed, quiet and stubborn.
The next few days in that small town passed too fast.
It was peaceful there. No etings. No blood-scent on the wind. No pack politics. Just sunlight, simple food, and my mom’s gentle voice in the house. I wanted to stay longer, to sit with her and help her through her pregnancy.
But Lewis and I couldn’t.
With who we were what we carried in our blood and the weight of our bond we couldn’t hide in quiet places for long. Trouble always found us. And the pack needed its Alpha.
The night before we left, Mom pulled aside.
Her hands were warm when she held mine. Her eyes looked tired but bright, like she was trying to morize my face.
"Elena," she whispered, "my daughter has returned... right?"
My throat tightened.
I nodded, then told her the truth.
Not every detail. Not the parts that would sound like madness to anyone who hadn’t lived it. But enough for her to understand why Riley felt familiar, why her presence made the house feel complete again.
To be honest, I was still worried.
I kept watching Riley in small monts when she stared off too long, when her smile faded too quickly, when she touched her chest like she was checking if her heart was still there. I had been terrified that her spirit would feel... loose. Like mine had once felt. Like it could slip.
But nothing had gone wrong.
Maybe it was because her return happened differently from mine. She hadn’t wandered for months the way I had. She hadn’t built a separate mind that fought the body she entered.
She had co back recently. Only a month.
Or maybe... maybe my soul had already fused so tightly with this life that it made it easier for hers to settle too.
I didn’t fully understand the supernatural rules. I only understood one thing:
Tomorrow was never promised.
So I chose to hold the present with both hands.
Mom smiled softly after I finished. "She’s always been sensitive," she said. "But now she seems brighter. Stronger. I’m relieved."
"She won’t do anything foolish again," I said quickly. My voice shook, but I forced it steady. "Before, she thought life was over. She was too fragile, too alone in her pain. But she’s grown. She’s seen what loss really costs. This ti she’ll live a good life. A real one."
Mom’s eyes glistened.
I continued, quietly, "Sotis children have to grow wings in a storm. And parents... parents have to let go."
She squeezed my hand. "Thank you, Elena. You’ve taught us so much."
I hugged her tightly, breathing in that familiar scent that made feel like a child again. "You’ve given love too," I whispered. "When you go into labor, I’ll try my best to co back."
"Alright," she said, patting my back gently.
The next morning, Grant woke up early and made a huge breakfast.
Most of it was Riley’s favorite food.
He tried to act casual, like it was no big deal, but I could see the way he kept glancing at her, like he was scared she would vanish again if he blinked too long.
Riley seed to sense it too. Her eyes kept drifting to Mom’s belly, to Grant’s hands, to the kitchen, like she was trying to lock every detail into her mory.
Real parents always know.
Even when they pretend they don’t.
This ti, Grant arranged for us to leave by helicopter. The sound of it beat through the morning air like a giant heart.
Mom stood at the door, smiling through the heaviness in her eyes. She turned to Lewis. "I’m counting on you to take care of my daughter."
Lewis nodded. "Don’t worry, Lena."
I gave Mom a bright smile, even though my throat burned. "Don’t worry, Mom."
Then Mom turned to Riley. Her voice softened even more.
"Janice, I really like you," she said, gentle but firm, like she was refusing to let go. "If you have ti, co visit. Soon you’ll have a little brother or sister. I’m sure they’ll be excited to et their big sister."
Riley’s eyes went red imdiately, but she tried to hold it in.
"Okay," she whispered. "Just... be careful when you go to the bathroom at night. Your belly is bigger now."
"Mm-hmm," Mom humd.
"Your appetite isn’t great, but you have to eat more for the baby."
"Alright."
"But don’t overeat," Riley added quickly, wiping her face like she wasn’t crying. "I heard if the baby gets too big, delivery can be hard. But... it’s fine. Even if you need surgery, just... just be safe."
Mom reached out and stroked Riley’s hair. "Sweetheart, you take care of yourself too. You have my number. If you ever feel wronged, you call . Promise?"
Riley’s voice was barely there. "I understand."
I could see her holding herself together with pure will. So I stepped in before she broke.
"Let’s go," I said softly.
Riley took my hand. Her palm was cold.
Grant had already boarded ahead, because he was going to escort us to the airport. He didn’t do dramatic goodbyes. He couldn’t. Not yet.
As we walked away, I felt Mom’s eyes on our backs.
Riley leaned close to and whispered, "Don’t look back."
I tried.
I really did.
But right before she stepped into the helicopter, Riley turned.
And when her eyes t Lena’s when she saw Mom standing there, fighting tears sothing in Riley shattered.
She let go of my hand.
Tears stread down her face as she ran back.
She slowed at the last few steps, like she didn’t want to scare her, then wrapped her arms around Mom carefully.
"I’m sorry, Mom," Riley sobbed.
Lena held her like she’d been waiting her whole life to do it again. "Silly girl," she whispered. "How could I bla you?"
Her hand moved over Riley’s hair, soothing, steady. "Having you back is the best gift the heavens could give ."
Riley cried harder.
Mom kissed her temple. "Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be behind you. You just keep walking forward."
I stood there watching, and my own tears fell.
Mom had recognized her instantly. The mont Riley ca ho, Mom’s heart knew.
But when I first returned... my parents hadn’t known .
Not my face. Not my voice. Not my soul.
For one sharp second, I envied Riley so much it hurt.
Lewis’s arms slipped around from behind. His chest pressed to my back, warm and solid.
"You still have ," he murmured.
I nodded, wiping my cheeks. "Mm-hmm. Having you is enough."
We boarded, and through the glass I saw Grant rubbing his eyes quickly. The mont he noticed watching, he put on his sunglasses like he wasn’t falling apart.
"The sun is bright today," he said gruffly.
"It is," I replied, letting him have his pride.
Riley stayed with Mom a few more minutes before she finally walked toward us again.
This ti her steps were firr.
Like she had decided to live.
Grant drove us to the airport, but he couldn’t co with us. He had to return and stay by Lena’s side until delivery. So this was where he had to let go.
Before Riley entered security, Grant handed her a small bag.
His movents were awkward, like he didn’t know what to do with his hands. "I made raspberry jam," he said. "Next ti, I’ll make orange too."
Riley looked at him, and sothing gentle passed between them. Understanding.
She took the bag. "I forgot to tell you," she said softly. "Besides orange jam... I also like honey grapefruit tea."
Grant answered too fast. "Then I’ll raise bees and plant grapefruit trees."
Riley let out a small laugh.
Then she swallowed, her eyes shining.
"Alright, Dad."
Grant froze like she had struck him.
His lips parted. His eyes went red behind the sunglasses. "W-what did you call ?"
Riley blinked, embarrassed. "Dad."
He shook his head quickly. "No... say it again."
Her voice trembled. "Dad."
Grant pulled her into his arms like he was afraid the world would steal her again. His shoulders shook.
"I’m sorry," he choked. "I’m so sorry. I wasn’t a good father. I lost you... I lost your mom... I "
Riley patted his back, comforting him even while crying. "Even if you’re a bad dad," she whispered through tears, "you’re still my dad. I’ve never blad you."
A grown man crying in the middle of a busy airport.
And nobody around us mattered.
Riley held him until his breathing steadied.
"Take good care of Mom," she said.
"I will," Grant promised, voice rough. "I won’t hurt her again."
He pulled back and wiped Riley’s tears with his thumb, gentle. "If anything happens, you call . Let make up for it."
"Alright."
He hesitated, then said quietly, "Riley... you were never the problem. I was. From now on, live the life you want. Don’t hide your light for anyone. My daughter is the best."
Riley nodded. "Mm-hmm."
She had waited years to hear that.
When it was ti to board, Riley turned back one last ti. "Dad, I’m going."
"Call when you get to Jaford," he said imdiately.
"I will."
On the plane, Riley finally exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for years. She leaned toward and whispered, "Elena... I feel like I’m dreaming."
"Then let’s keep dreaming," I whispered back. "The rest of your dreams will be good ones."
Her phone buzzed.
She opened it and froze.
A huge transfer had hit her account.
Eighty-eight point two million.
Then another notification.
And another.
And another.
Ten more.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "He... he sent eight hundred million..."
I stared, then laughed softly to lighten the mood. "I’m tired of saying I envy you."
Riley sniffed and tried to smile. "I’ll split it with you."
"No," I said quickly. "He already gave so much. I’m fine."
My phone beeped.
I looked down.
Sa notifications.
Sa amounts.
Not a penny less.
Riley’s lips trembled as she smiled at . "Not envious anymore?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "He’s rich and too soft-hearted. No wonder it’s easy to trick him. Next ti, ask for more, so when he’s older, nobody will scam him with fake miracle health products."
Riley hooked her arm through mine like she used to when we were kids. "Alright."
And for the first ti, it didn’t feel like we were surviving.
It felt like we were finally going ho.
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