Chapter 263
~ NYSSA: EPILOGUE
The bed shifted, a heavy, familiar warmth sinking into the mattress behind me. I didn’t open my eyes. I didn’t need to.
A massive, calloused hand slid under my shirt, resting over the swollen curve of my belly. The contrast was ridiculous—his palm practically covered the entire bump. For a guy who could snap a vampire’s neck with two fingers, his touch was terrifyingly gentle.
“You’re tracking bigger today, little wolf,” Rowan murmured, his voice a low, gravelly vibration against my spine. He leaned down, his breath hot against my bare shoulder. “Stop crowding your mother. She’s already pissed off about the ankles p>
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from snorting.
” He’s talking to the pup again,” my wolf chimed in, her voice a lazy, satisfied purr in the back of my mind.
” Let him. It’s cute when the big bad king acts like a sap p>
“We have a treaty to sign with the western packs later,” Rowan continued, his thumb tracing slow, rhythmic circles over my skin. “But if you kick her ribs like you did yesterday, I’m canceling it. I don’t care if Jeremiah throws a fit. You listen to your mother. She’s the boss. Understand p>
A tiny, distinct thump hit his palm. My heart did a stupid little flip.
Rowan let out a low, rough chuckle. “Smart kid p>
He shifted, pressing his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. Then, he moved up, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my temple before his lips found mine.
I gave up the act, turning into him and deepening the kiss, my hands finding the thick, silver-white hair at the nape of his neck. He groaned into my mouth, pulling me flush against his chest, his skin heating up beneath my touch.
His wall cracked just enough for me to feel the sheer, terrifying depth of how much he loved me.
“Cheater,” I muttered, pulling back just an inch, my chest heaving. “You knew I was awake p>
“You breathe differently when you’re faking it, baby,” he said, those dark eyes gleaming with a rare, relaxed amusement. He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face. “How are you p>
“Starving. And if you make me eat that iron-rich wolf’s bane suppressant mash the doctor ordered, I might actually bite you.” I rolled my eyes, sitting up with a grunt that felt entirely un-Luna-like. “The vampire side wants raw steak, and the human side just wants a damn donut p>
“We’ll get the donuts after the clinic,” Rowan said, helping me swing my legs over the edge of the bed. He didn’t let go of my hand. “Jeremiah can wait p>
The clinic inside the Lycan palace smelled too sterile for my liking. Dr. Brendan was already waiting, setting up the ultrasound machine while Rowan paced the small room like a caged beast.
“Sit down, Rowan. You’re giving me a headache,” I snapped, hopping onto the table.
“I don’t like you being on that table. The hybrid markers in your blood p>
“Are stable,” Dr. Brendan interrupted smoothly, completely unfazed by the Lycan King’s glare. He’d handled Rowan long enough to grow a pair. “I’m applying the gel now p>
The cold gel made me gasp, and instantly, Rowan was at my side, crushing my fingers in his hand. His eyes scanned the black-and-white monitor as Brendan moved the transducer.
“There,” Brendan said, tapping the screen.
I froze. On the monitor, a tiny, perfectly formed shape was moving. A rapid, rhythmic thump-thump-thump filled the room, echoing loudly through the speakers.
“Is that My voice cracked.
I’d heard the heartbeat a thousand times by now and still it floored me every time.
“A healthy heartbeat,” Brendan smiled. “Very strong. Actually, slightly faster than a standard Lycan pup. The hybrid biology seems to be accelerating development, but safely p>
Rowan stared at the screen, his jaw tight, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Through the bond, the sheer awe bleeding through his wall was staggering. He leaned down, pressing his lips hard against my temple.
“A girl,” Rowan whispered, his voice thick. He looked at the monitor, then down at me, his eyes fiercely bright. “We’re having a girl, Nyssa p>
“A little princess to terrorize the pack,” I laughed, a single tear escaping despite my best efforts. “Goddess help us p>
“If you pace any harder, Irina, you’re going to put a hole through the marble,” I groaned, leaning back against the sofa in the sunroom.
Four months had flown by, and I was officially massive. Rowan was at the border dealing with some shit I didn’t understand. He didn’t want to leave, but over the past few weeks he’d become so overbearing that I needed some space.
“I cannot help it,” Irina said, holding Autumn, tightly against her hip. Irina had completely integrated into the pack over the last few months, her skin finally holding a healthy color after years of vampire captivity. “You look… off, Nyssa p>
“I’m fine. Just heartburn,” I lied, rubbing my chest. A strange, cold shiver ran down my spine, followed by a sudden, sharp ache in my lower back.
Aria walked into the room, carrying a tray of tea. Her relationship with Rowan was still a work in progress, but she and I had found a solid rhythm. She set the tray down, her eyes immediately darting to my face.
“Nyssa, your pupils are dilated,” Aria said, dropping to her knees in front of me. “And you’re sweating p>
“It’s just hot in here— fuck! “
A sharp, white-hot contraction gripped my abdomen, so intense it knocked the breath clean out of my lungs. My wolf let out a sharp, panicked yelp inside my head.
“That is not heartburn,” Irina said, her voice dropping all traces of hesitation. She handed Autumn to a nearby maid with rapid-fire commands. “Aria, get the medical team. Now. The baby is coming p>
“But she’s two weeks early!” Aria panicked.
“Hybrid,” I gasped out, grabbing Aria’s wrist. “The doctor said… it would be fast. Ah, shit, it hurts! “