In the Arms of Family

Four cars were waiting for their arrival at the airport. Luna Elena was a picture of elegance and regal poise as she stood at the edge of the arrival hall. She wore a fitted midi dress under a flowing cape, with a matching headscarf that framed her delicate features and bright blue eyes. As she spotted Darina, her calm expression brightened. Despite wearing heels, she ran to her daughter and enveloped her in a warm hug.

“Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you had a pleasant flight,” she said, giving a slight bow to Kai.

“Luna Elena, please, let’s leave the formalities. We’re family,” Kai replied with a smile, and she hugged him as well.

Darina introduced everyone to her mother, and they all headed out toward the pack grounds. Darina, Kai, and Luna Elena shared one car.

“Sorry the rest of the family couldn’t come to the airport—they’re excited to see you but are busy preparing for the ceremony and handling a few urgent matters.”

“It’s okay. What’s the situation with the rogue attacks?” Darina asked.

Luna Elena sighed. “They’re increasing. Your father will give you more details.”

Darina nodded, and Luna Elena continued, “I’m so proud of Daniel. Tomorrow, he’ll become an Alpha. And I’m happy I’ll finally get to spend more time with your father. You know him—always working. Now he’ll have more time for his mate and his hobbies. I’m also proud of you. In less than a month, it’ll be your Luna ceremony.”

Her eyes grew watery, and she waved her hand near her face to stop the tears.

“It’s okay, Mom.”

“I’m just so happy. Lately, I’ve been so emotional. Maybe it’s the stress from preparing Daniel’s ceremony.”

“I think Mama is just pregnant,” Coral whispered to Darina, who gasped in surprise.

“What happened?” her mother asked, confused.

“As a healer, I’ll have a few suggestions for you later,” Darina replied with a knowing smile.

“Alright. We’re almost there.”

Daniel, Jenna, and Alpha Claus were waiting near the packhouse to greet the group. Daniel and Alpha Claus shook Kai’s hand but still eyed him warily—like all fathers and brothers do. Jenna squealed with joy. Everyone was warmly welcomed and shown to their rooms.

Kai and Darina reached her room, and the omega escorted them quietly left.

Kai glanced around the spacious room—there was a large bed with a white canopy, a dressing table, a bookshelf, a small sofa with a coffee table, and an enormous balcony

“So, where’s the room I’m staying in?” he asked playfully.

“Is my room not to your liking?” Darina teased. “Of course, if you don’t want to share, we can prepare a guest room fit for a prince.”

He stopped her with a kiss. She giggled and responded with one of her own.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll go see my dad in his study before taking a shower.”

She left and made her way to Alpha Claus’s study. As usual, he was buried in paperwork.

“Hello again, my dear. How’s it going? Has he been treating you well?” he asked warmly.

“I want to laugh now when I think about how angry I was when you told me I’d be betrothed to Kai. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“I’m glad. You underestimated your old man. I thought you two would click. He’s a lot like Lucas—and Lucas is a good man. We used to be close friends.”

“I never knew. What happened between you two?”

“Victoria happened. She was the daughter of the Moon Mountain Alpha—ambitious and power-hungry. She was determined to land a strong Alpha at any cost. She once even showed up naked in my bed, but I was only ever interested in my fated mate—your mother. Eventually, the future Alpha of Silverstone, Jacob, got caught in her web. They were serious—almost ready to mark each other—until she hit the jackpot: the Alpha King as her fated mate. She dropped Jacob without a second thought and played the innocent angel for Lucas. I never told Lucas about her past schemes. He was blindly in love with her and wouldn’t have believed me. But she started whispering lies in his ear—that I wanted to dethrone him, among other things. Eventually, he started to believe her, and we drifted apart.”

“That’s quite a story,” Darina said, amazed.

“Be careful with that fox. Never turn your back on her.”

“Yeah, she already gave me quite a warm welcome,” Darina said sarcastically. “Now she’s playing nice. I don’t trust her.”

Alpha Claus nodded.

“How are the rogue attacks?” she asked.

“Increasing. Their goal is still unclear. And we haven’t been able to capture any of them for questioning. It’s like they’re always one step ahead.”

“Maybe you have a mole in the pack?”

“That thought has crossed my mind too. We’re working to find out if it’s true.”

“I’m happy to help—and I’m sure Kai would be as well.”

“Let’s talk more about this after Daniel’s accession. Other guests will start arriving soon, and you know how hectic the next two days will be.”

On the way to her room Darina's pass by her mothers'.

“Mama, Carol and I think you should take a pregnancy test.”

Luna Elena blushed and giggled. “My dear, I’m too old. We tried to give you and Daniel siblings before, but all attempts were unsuccessful.”

“Please, just do it for me. And I should be the first one to know if it’s good news.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing exciting, but I’ll do it just for you since you’re insisting.”

Darina kissed her mother’s cheek and hugged her.

Then she returned to her room, intending to shower and spend time with Kai.

When she walked in, she found him shirtless, freshly showered, napping on her bed. His damp hair, sculpted muscles, sun-kissed skin, slightly parted lips, and soft snoring made him look both sexy and adorably peaceful.

She smiled, took her shower, then dressed in a red shirt dress. Stepping out onto the balcony, she took a moment to enjoy the view.

She was back in her pack, surrounded by family and friends—yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Coral was feeling it, too.