*Daphne*
“How long are you here?” I asked, leading Eva to the nursery.
“We have a couple of weeks. At least, if things go the way they have been.”
I frowned. “What does that an?”
“Oh my!” Eva gasped and rushed into the nursery. My girls sat up in their shared crib and smiled as Eva approached. “They are gorgeous.”
Without a mont’s pause, she scooped them into her arms and snuggled them both.
I smiled at seeing Eva so at ease. The twins really seed to like her, too.
“Ayla has the lighter hair and Selena has hazel eyes,” I said. I ca up next to Eva and took Selena into my arms, bouncing her lightly.
Eva snuggled closer to Ayla and rubbed her nose on the baby’s pudgy cheek.
“They seem to be doing really well, all things considered,” Eva comnted. She tilted her head from side to side, studying my girls.
“I think they are just fine... regardless of what Rion had to do.” I hugged Selena a little tighter. She giggled and tugged at the ends of my hair.
“Probably. However, Blood Magic is... volatile. You should tread carefully,” she warned, a slight frown tugging at her lips.
“It was a necessity at the ti, but we do have our concerns. Do you know... if there’s anything we should be worried about?”
Eva sighed and set Ayla back in her crib. “I can’t say for sure, but I can do so research and let you know what I find out. We both know it was done to save the girls.”
“Thank you, Eva. Anything you can find out would help put at ease.”
She chuckled humorlessly. “I hope so.”
We got Jasper and Eva set up in the guest room for the night, and Rion and I headed off to bed. Rion was a lot more animated now that Jasper and Eva were here.
“I know Eva still has responsibilities at the palace, but I think I have a way to encourage her to co back here when she’s free,” he told as he pulled the covers back on the bed.
I finished brushing my hair and slid in beside him. “What’s your idea?”
“I want to officially make Jasper my Beta. He’s the only man for the job, and this pack needs soone to help with structure and organization. He’ll be great at that.”
“Yeah.” I sighed and rested my head on Rion’s chest.
He put his arms around , and it was exactly how I liked to end every day.
“Do you have any objections? As my Luna, you do get to tell if you agree with that choice or not.” He kissed the top of my head.
“I don’t disagree, but I don’t want you to do sothing that forces Eva and Jasper apart. She’ll have to return to the palace soon and finish her rehabilitation. Jasper will be stuck here.”
“Don’t worry. I already thought of that. We still have a lot of work to do here. If Jasper has to go on leave regularly to go to the palace, we can take advantage of that. He can keep an eye on things in the Dark Realm and field our resource requests if we need anything.”
I smiled and nuzzled against his strong, wall-like chest. “You have thought of everything, then.”
“Yup. And then Eva will have a ho and family waiting for her when she’s released from the palace. It is everything she’s ever wanted.” Rion sighed and I imagined a big smile on his face as he settled down for bed.
It ward my heart, knowing that he and Eva were getting everything they never had as kids. I was so proud of him for how he’d turned his life around, and now we had the chance to raise our kids in a beautiful world.
***
I wasn’t surprised when Jasper accepted the role of Beta. Eva seed happy about it too, even though it ant they would be spending so ti apart.
We set up a gathering and formal announcent to introduce Jasper as Beta for all of Thorn Forest.
The whole pack gathered behind the pack mansion, and we had so drinks and appetizers set out. The energy was warm and welcoming. People mingled and chatted. Rion even broke out the good wine to spoil everyone in attendance.
The mood was very happy and uplifting. We’d co a long way since the scuffles in the street, it seed.
“This is so exciting,” one of the won told . She took my hands. “It’s been so long since we’ve felt like a real pack. Now we’ll have a Beta and everything.”
I hugged her and smiled. “I’m so happy that Rion and I can provide stability for Thorn Forest.”
Partway through the night, Rion tapped his glass with a knife and called attention to himself and Jasper.
“Welco everyone,” he started. “I know we’ve had a few rough starts, but I’m glad to see everyone here tonight with smiles on their faces. It is with great pride and honor that I announce the new Thorn Forest Beta–my good friend, Jasper.”
Everyone clapped as Jasper joined Rion up front. “It is my pleasure and honor to be here. I know I will serve Thorn Forest to the best of my abilities. I’m eager to make this a ho and a safe place for all of you and for my love.” He held his arm out to Eva.
People clapped again, but I noticed there was a lot less enthusiasm behind it this ti.
A few of the vampires even shot Eva so dirty looks. They must have heard about her past, I thought. Rion and I would have to convince them that she wasn’t a threat anymore.
“I’m asking you all to please welco Jasper as the new Beta and welco my sister, Eva,” Rion finished.
There were a few scoffs and more dirty looks.
Beside , Eva took a shaking breath. She turned sharply and headed to the edge of the yard like she was going to the front of the house.
I shot a glare at the vampires and they all looked away from , pretending they didn’t know what I was upset about.
I caught up to Eva. She was sticking to the shadows, her back to , her breathing heavy.
“Eva,” I reached out to her and touched her shoulder.
She gasped and jerked away from . “What!?” She rounded on , eyes bright with anger.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t an to startle you.”
“No, Daphne, I’m sorry. I’m just... on edge.”
“I noticed that. If it’s because of those vampires....”
“No, it isn’t because of them.” She shook her head.
Jasper joined us in the shadows and put his arm around Eva. “What’s going on? You took off so quickly.”
“I just needed so air.” Eva leaned against Jasper, and I could see how much he ant to her.
“Is everything okay?” Rion joined us by the house, a concerned look in his eyes.
“Fine,” Eva grumbled darkly.
“That doesn’t sound fine. What’s going on?”
“Things in the Dark Realm are... not great,” Jasper admitted. “Despite the Guardian’s best efforts, the unrest continues, and there are rumors of war.”
“War?” I gasped and covered my mouth. “With who?”
“Lycaon anarchists,” Jasper explained. “They seem hell bent on overthrowing the monarchy.”
My heart sank. I’d hoped with ti things would improve. It didn’t seem to be moving in that direction.
“Is there anything more the Guardians can do?” Rion asked.
“They’ve done all they can.” Jasper shrugged.
“It’s my fault,” Eva muttered.
“That’s not possible,” Rion defended her quickly.
“I still haven’t learned to control my powers and because of that, the Dark Realm is at risk.”
“Rion’s right, Eva. That’s not your fault,” Jasper said.
“Maybe not, but I need to learn to control my powers so that I can keep order in the Dark Realm. I know that I can stop a war if I have to. I just... need to trust myself, like Joline says.”
“You’ll get there Eva. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself,” Jasper hugged her and kissed her forehead.
“We can talk about this more later. Daphne and I have to get back to our pack.” Rion looped his arm through mine.
“That’s okay, brother, I’m feeling a lot better.”
The four of us headed back to the lit venue. I still saw so pack mbers giving Eva mistrustful looks. I made a ntal note that Rion and I would have to work to build their trust in Eva while she studied at the palace. That way, when she was able to co live with us, they’d welco her with open arms.
When we rejoined the party, a couple of concerned vampires ca up to .
“Alpha, Luna, may we speak with you, in private?”
“Yes, of course.” Rion and I took them into the mansion, and we all sat together in the living room.
“We have so concerns.” The oldest of the vampires said. He had deep, sunken eyes, like he’d seen too much.
“About Eva?” Rion asked.
The three of them nodded in unison.
“We know her reputation and her past. We have seen so of her destruction.”
“I understand. I can assure you that Eva is working hard to control her powers. She won’t be causing any more destruction and she will beco a powerful ally. She’ll earn it, I promise,” Rion assured.
“Besides, I’ll be here.” Jasper entered the living room.
“My apologies, Beta Jasper.” The oldest vampire stood and bowed his head.
Jasper waved him off. “I understand your concerns. We’ve all shared them. But Daphne, Rion, and I have seen her progress. She will earn your trust, and I will be here should anything get out of hand.”
The vampires seed satisfied and they went back outside to rejoin the party. Rion and Jasper left too.
I went to check on the twins and their babysitter. They both slept soundly, and the older woman in a rocking chair was reading a book. She was dozing too and didn’t even notice when I ca in.
I stood over the crib and watched my daughters sleep.
When I left the nursery, I found Eva waiting for in the hallway, a sad look in her eyes.
“Eva, is sothing wrong?”
She shrugged and sighed heavily. “I don’t know if I can do this, Daphne.”
“Do what?” I put my hands on Eva’s shoulders.
“Those vampires are out for blood, my blood. They’ll never trust , and I was a fool to think they would.”
“You know that’s not true. You won over my parents. I’m sure you can win over the pack.”
She just shook her head and looked away from . I felt bad for Eva. She had gone through so much to win her freedom with my parents and gain their trust, and now she had to do it all over again.
“You don’t deserve this, Eva. Rion knows it, I know it, and Jasper knows it. The others will know it in ti.”
“Why are you so nice to , Daphne? After everything I’ve done, why do you keep supporting and fighting for ?” She licked her lips slowly and I saw the glistening of tears in her eyes.
“Because you’re family. Rion and I promised you a ho and a loving family. That includes the community of a pack. I’ll never stop fighting to fulfill that promise. Neither will Rion.”
She smiled lightly and nodded. Sniffling, Eva wiped a stray tear away.
“Thank you, Daphne. Knowing that you and Rion are here for ... I’ll keep fighting to prove the pack can trust , too.”
I watched her head down the hall to her room. Eva deserved a chance at a new beginning after everything she’d been through, and I was determined to see it through.
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