All Chapters of Mated to my Stepfather, claimed by my Stepbrother: Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

Aria’s POV“Sometimes, peace is louder than war. And sometimes, war returns in silence.”I looked straight into Kael’s eyes. He looked right back at me, and then, unexpectedly, we burst into laughter.It wasn’t wild or loud. It was tired, cracked at the edges, and still stained by everything we’d lost. But it was real. For the first time in what felt like ages, we could breathe together without pain clawing at our throats.Kael ran a hand down his face, shaking his head. “This is insane.”“I know,” I said, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. “I should be groveling, or locked in a dungeon, or…”He cut me off gently, “…or holding your son, like you are now.”I looked down. The baby, my baby lay nestled in a soft wrap against my chest. He was so small, so perfect, and yet the source of so much war, betrayal, and heartbreak.“The council will call a meeting,” I said, my voice softening. “Gracie’s mother. Tavin. Me. We need to talk. I need to ask for forgiveness. And we have to decide

Aria’s POVSomething was wrong.The moment I opened my eyes, I knew it. The world tilted in a strange, off-beat rhythm. The walls felt too close, the air too thick, and my stomach churned as though my body no longer belonged to me. I sat up slowly, one trembling hand pressed to my temple, the other gripping the edge of the bed.The morning sun filtered through the curtains in golden slats. Somewhere outside, the sound of training warriors echoed. distant, ordinary. But nothing felt ordinary inside my skin.“Alpha?” a soft knock came at the door. A scout’s voice followed. “The council awaits you in the throne hall.”Right. Today was the meeting.Tavin. Gracie’s mother. The pack council. Lior’s fate.I stood, ignoring the way the floor wobbled under my feet, and dressed carefully, smoothing each wrinkle from my robe as if that could somehow flatten the chaos inside me. My reflection in the mirror looked pale. Tired. But stronger than before. I owed it to Lior to be strong.I owed it to

Aria’s POVThe stars were too quiet tonight.Even the moon seemed to hold her breath as I stepped outside, Kael by my side. My hand rested over my stomach, where the tiniest flicker of life had taken root, soft and new, but already anchoring something deep inside me.Hope.And fear.I had told Kael about the baby… and he had stayed. Held me. Chose me. That should’ve been enough. But nothing in my life has ever come easy, and the moment Tavin mentioned Darren at the border, I knew peace would be short-lived.Darren had been too quiet for too long.He waited just beyond the courtyard gates, flanked by two warriors I didn’t recognize. His posture was rigid, his expression unreadable. But his eyes. they searched for me.Found me.And didn’t look away.“I only want to speak,” Darren said. “I swear on Gracie’s grave, I come with no violence.”Kael growled low beside me, his arm brushing mine in silent warning.“I’ll hear him,” I said, louder than I meant to. “But not alone.”Darren’s gaze f

Aria’s POVThe sun had barely risen when a sharp knock echoed at my door.I sat up slowly, careful with my balance. My hands instinctively rested on my stomach. The healer said I was only a few weeks along, but I swore I could already feel the difference in my body tender, strange, sacred.“Come in,” I said, voice steady.One of the pack’s soldiers stepped into the room, her eyes tense but respectful. “Luna… there’s trouble near the eastern training grounds.”I nodded, already rising from the bed. “What kind of trouble?”“Some of the younger warriors got into a fight. It’s turning heated, and Alpha Kael isn’t back from the border run yet. They won’t listen to anyone else.”I glanced at the mirror. My hair was a mess from sleep, and my eyes still held the haze of dreams, but there was no time for vanity. I pulled my robe over my dress, tied it with a firm knot, and followed Nessa out into the morning.The training grounds were alive with noise when we arrived, growls, shouts, the shuf

Aria’s POVThe morning was quiet. Too quiet.I held my baby close, his tiny body curled against my chest, his breath warm and soft. Kael was still asleep beside us, one arm wrapped protectively around my waist. For the first time in weeks, things felt calm. Safe. Maybe even normal.I didn’t want to move. I wanted to stay in that moment forever.But peace never lasts in our world.Not long after sunrise, the first warning howl echoed through the pack grounds. My body stiffened. Kael was already on his feet by the time I sat up. He looked at me, jaw tight.“That’s not one of ours,” he said.My stomach dropped.Kael leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Stay here. Keep him hidden. Don’t open the door unless it’s me.”“Kael…”“I love you,” he whispered.Then he was gone.I locked the door behind him with shaking hands, pressing my ear against it. Outside, the sounds of chaos came fast, howls, growls, the clash of claws, and cries of pain.My baby started to cry. I tried to quiet him, to hu