Two Weeks Later
The celebration was in full swing.
It wasn't anything grand or formal, just pack members gathered in the main clearing, music playing from someone's portable speaker, children running wild while adults laughed and talked. A celebration of life, of peace, of the twins' official naming ceremony that had happened that afternoon.
I stood near the food tables, watching it all with a content smile. The twins were upstairs napping, finally worn out after being passed around all day during the ceremony. Melantha had insisted on putting them down herself, giving Lucian and me a chance to actually enjoy the party.
"You need to relax," Lucian said, appearing at my side with two cups of punch. "They're fine. My mother has raised children before, you know."
"I know," I said, accepting the cup. "I just feel weird not having them close."
"That's called being a new parent," he teased, wrapping an arm around my waist. "You'll get used to it. Eventually. Maybe."
