Chapter 134
Auren POV
The pups were born past midnight.
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I was shifted to a private cabin two hours later after they had stitched me and cleaned me up. The pups were still in the nursery at the hospital because Elias was taking extra precaution. I was so exhausted that I closed my eyes thinking I would just rest a little, but when I woke up, it was already morning, and I found myself in Lucien’s arms.
The morning sun spilled gently through the hospital room window. Its golden rays glanced over Lucien’s forehead. I turned my face and kissed him. He stirred awake immediately. “Auren,” he murmured and kissed me back. His lips curled up. “We are parents now.”
I chuckled warmly. “Yes.”
Just then a nurse came in with both our pups. Goddess, I had never been this happy in my life. She gave me one pup while Lucien took the other one. “They need to be fed now, Luna,” she said with a smile, and then with a bow she left.
I nestled my son against my chest and offered him my nipple. He just didn’t know what to do, but eventually, he grabbed it and started suckling. I looked over at my husband who had our daughter who was curled in a swaddle in his lap, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around his pinky finger.
“They’re perfect,” he said, his voice rough with emotions, as he stroked her hair gently. “You’ve made me a father of two pups, Auren. I can’t think of a better day in my life.”
“Whaatt?” I said dramatically. “I thought your best day was when you
married me!”
He looked like he was caught in between me and my pups. He scratched the back of his head and said, “That was the best day, but this is better than that. So-” I smacked him on his chest and he laughed. “But they are just what I had imagined them to be,” he added proudly.
“They really are perfect,” I breathed, looking at them. Thank you, Moon Goddess, for giving us such beautiful pups. And now I could die peacefully. Tears welled in my eyes, but I didn’t let them come out because I knew what Lucien was feeling all these days. He was depressed and if I also started talking about the curse, it would have added to his misery. After our pups were born, he was so happy. How could I take away his happiness?
“We need names,” Lucien said softly, kissing my temple. “And I want you to choose.”
I blinked up at him in surprise. “But-”
He interrupted, shaking his head. “You carried them for nine months. You brought them into this world. I’ll protect them with life, Auren. But their names… that is your honor.”
My gaze drifted to my son first. “Bradley,” I whispered. “My father’s name was Bradley. He was the one who raised me until he could, until he died.”
“Bradley,” Lucien echoed. Then he exhaled as he looked at the ring I had given him during the wedding. It belonged to me.
I turned my gaze toward our daughter. Lucien followed it, as he brushed his thumb over her soft cheek. “And what about her?”
I smiled. “Tamara. After your mother.”
Lucien swallowed hard. She died soon after giving him birth. “I’m sure she would have loved that.”
We remained like that for a while admiring our pups, as the weight of their names settled around us like magic, like chains.
Brad had his fill and was now fast asleep. Some of the milk trickled down his lips. I brushed it with a soft towel and gave him
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Chapter 134
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to Lucien as I took my daughter. I didn’t know how, but we both acted on our instincts, like we were prepared to be in this role. Lucien helped Bradley burp before settling him in his lap. As Bradley slept, his father couldn’t help brushing his soft
hair.
“My heir…” he murmured.
Tamara also had some difficulty in wondering how to suck, but she also eventually found my nipple and started sucking immediately. I chuckled how ferociously my pups suckled. And I was even more surprised by how much hungrier I was. Like it was twice more than what I used to feel when I was pregnant with them.
The nurse brought two cradles for both of them and settled them, covering them with blankets. “The doctor says that you can leave tomorrow morning,” she informed me.
For the rest of the day, council members and other important members of the pack came to meet us, but Lucien didn’t allow anyone to come in and meet us. However, he met them outside the room.
By evening, Lucien stepped out of the room, into the balcony with a pup in each arm–Bradley cradled against his chest, Tamara tucked snugly in the crook of his elbow. I rested inside as I watched him with a hand on my heart. Once again tears welled in my eyes, and this time I let them flow out.
Lucien looked at the pack members who were all standing in the garden of the hospital just below our balcony. “Heirs of the Shadowfang pack!” he said, his voice booming with pride.
Cheers erupted from the crowd below. Warriors roared, omegas clapped and sobbed, the Elders bowed deeply, and the children danced.
“Our Alpha and Luna have brought new life to Shadowfang!” Elder Ryna called.
Lucien lifted both babies gently for all to see. “Bradley and Tamara,” he announced, pride blazing in his eyes. “Children of the moon. Our future.”
And the pack rejoiced. The rest of the night was a blur of music, laughter and reverence. Tarian was so proud and happy for his Alpha that he was also rejoicing with the pack members. “I’m gonna spoil them as hell!” I laughed as he brushed the cheeks of both my pups. “And I am gonna protect them with life.” He looked at Lucien after he said those words, and Lucien swallowed.
Through the bond, I felt his depression all over again. He came to me and wiped my tears. “Don’t cry, love. Everything is going to be fine…” There was no hope in his voice, but only love. Like he was never going to leave me.
The next evening after Elias had declared that I was doing fine, we returned to the manor. Vivi and all other omegas were so excited that there was a huge confusion. All of them were prancing around us to take a look at the pups. I hadn’t seen so much positivity in my life. It was infectious. I couldn’t help laughing as I watched them cooing the babies.
Lucien took both of them to the bedroom where two cradles were already in place.
“I thought you had made a nursery for them,” I teased.
“Hush,” he said, scowling at me playfully. “I won’t leave my pups even for a minute!” He made them lie in the cradles and covered them with fluffy blankets. Then he came to me, and made me lie as well, tucking me in our hand. “Rest, love,” he said. “You won’t lift a finger. I mean it.”
I smiled. “Yes, Alpha.”
That night as we settled with the babies, Vivi came to us. “Alpha Lucien,” she said in a quivering voice. “The Shaman is here to meet you.”
