Chapter 106: Wild Celebration

Lilia POV

During the traditional Evenhide feast blessing performed by Azandra, Kyon, and Tulaska, Lilia stood smiling, even though her feet felt like lead weights. 

Azandra said she was at least a month and a half along in her pregnancy, and she'd just been through a trial of fire and blood. No wonder her body felt the pregnancy more than usual. Had it been this way three years ago when she was pregnant? She couldn't remember. From Azandra's and Kyon's bonding to Jiro becoming Crimsontail Alpha to taking down Hades twice, she'd certainly been through her share of excitement while she carried the triplets. 

But Hades/Melisande had experimented on her the way he had Cyran and Naomi. That changed things. Azandra assured her shifter babies in the womb could handle an earthquake, and this baby or babies had witch blood, too. Still, Lilia couldn't help shivering.

Wild applause and howls from the shifters and the crackling of the Evenhide feast bonfire jolted Lilia out of her brooding. She put on her Luna smile, knowing that feasting, family, fun, frolic, and friendship had to be the ultimate cure for her aching feet and the dark memories.

She should be happy. Everyone was safe. They hadn't even lost her father and Marieke, who were sitting pretty beside her as members of the pack while Jude and Ravyn sat beside Dane. From the way Daxius held Marieke's hand, he felt content with his life for the first time since his ordeal began. 

Lilia now had something she never expected–two fathers, and two mothers. She didn't know Marieke well enough yet to feel anything but odd about calling her "Mother," even though Marieke insisted. Really? Couldn't the woman wait?

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones or the emotional upheaval of the last month.

Dane stood to welcome the gathering. "Pack brothers and sisters, honored royal and witch circle guests, we feast tonight! We welcome our family the Blackthorns as well as Head Mage Pascalline from the royal court in Lugdunum. We welcome the Chalices from the Wildefell Witch Circle. We welcome leaders from packs we don't get to see very often, such as Alpha Caden Wolfbane from the Wolfspeaker Pack and Alpha Raef Vulcan from the Freeclaw Pack."

The two leaders, who didn't get along but knew better than to start anything in Evenhide territory, acknowledged Dane with a nod.

Dane continued, "But tonight, we celebrate bondings and family. Alpha Jude, Luna Ravyn, as a newly mated pair, you two are glowing tonight, even eclipsing my beautiful mate and Luna, Lilia–who's carrying yet another Cresta heir or heirs! Truly, we have as many reasons to celebrate as there are stars in the heavens."

The gathering erupted in raucous cheers. William, sitting between his mother and Jiro, loudly cheered. Dane's face lit up at the sight of the boy. The gathering noticed, and Kyon stood, raising his glass. "To our new family as well," he said, his eyes on the Blackthorns. "Welcome home, Alpha Talon, Luna Kelara, and Alpha-to-be William!"

Talon stood with Kelara at the same time Jude and Ravyn stood. It was hard to tell which royal pair got the biggest applause. "Thank you," Talon shouted. "Our family is never going to be parted from our pack again!"

William lifted his glass of milk, smiling. From where she stood, Lilia could see he had Kyon's and Azandra's little Primrose on his lap. Nothing would endear him more to the pack than seeing him dote on one of the pups. He'd be an amazing big brother to his sibling in a few months' time. Another Alpha's child in the world, another shifter. This one had mage and human blood.

That was what this evening was all about. The future of the pack. Lilia's hands went to her belly. It wasn't like the watermelon-sized baby bump that Kelara Blackthorn had, but Lilia could see herself becoming a little rounder. 

After wrapping up his speeches for the night, Dane noticed, and subtly rested his hand on her belly. Leaning in, he whispered, "I love how big and round you got last time. I've been yearning to see you that way again. I can't wait to pamper and spoil you."

Around her, family togetherness reigned. The packs had all been through such a tense time. Pure agony. The least Lilia could do was smile and enjoy herself.

"I can't wait for that either," she whispered.

Dane leaned in and kissed her, resulting in cries of "Awwwws" from the guests.

Lilia turned to Marieke. "More Krichinda bread … Mother?"

* * * * *

Ravyn POV

Hearing Lilia say that to Marieke only made Ravyn prouder of her daughter. Truthfully, Marieke shouldn't have forced the issue, but Marieke and Daxius had lived as man and wife in all but name for over two decades. The peace on her former husband's face was worth any momentary awkwardness. And luckily, Ravyn and Daxius had produced a daughter who knew how to do the right thing.

If she'd found Daxius five years ago, Ravyn might have been a raving maniac. Thank the Goddesses, and thank the shifters, that she'd learned to embrace the goodness and the pain of her life as it unfolded, and the journey rewarded her. 

The conversation and laughter flowed around her, adding more enjoyment to the delicious feast they'd all labored so hard to make as a family and pack. 

Jude's hand found hers under the table as Bram's elbow jostled him. Bram animatedly gestured as he talked to Mali and Eamon, describing the events on the island and in the human royal palace. He whispered, "My aim is to get Bram mated next."

Ravyn chuckled. "Too bad Talon's sister is taken and prefers women in any case."

Watching Florinda and Alicia chat with Cyran and Naomi, Jude smirked wolfishly. "Oh, there are plenty of other potential mates out there, but that would have been nice. Florinda can more than keep up with Bram. You look ravishing tonight, by the way. I'm the envy of every man here."

She grinned, feeling a surge of heat and affection. "Flatterer." 

He leaned in and nibbled on her ear, whispering, "Not just pretty words. I want to steal you away for a moment after working all day together and being surrounded by family and crowds."

Mischievous, she excused herself as people got up to dance around the bonfire. Patch, Dirge, and the other Crestas had worn Kyon down with pleas for him and Ransome to play their lutes, and for Azandra to sing while everyone danced.

After carrying the entire pack on his gigantic shoulders for weeks, Kyon only made a token protest and settled in to make music with his father-in-law and mate.

Moving away from the dancers, Ravyn and Jude strolled together on the greenbelt that stretched from Mt. Alder to New Moon City. The beauty of nature, the crisp air, the din of the festivities, Jude's warm hand in hers, and the smell of the bonfire mixed with the grass all created a feast for the senses. 

"I want shifters everywhere to feel what I feel tonight," Jude said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You by my side, family and pack clustered so tightly around me I almost can't move without bumping into someone, and a great future unfolding."

Ravyn took his arm, lowering her voice. "It seems our threats toward the hotheads in the pack have been effective. All is calm. Everyone's enjoying themselves. The Blackthorns are a sensation."

Turning to surround her with his body, Jude held her hands and pressed close to her as they stood in the wide open green space. "They are, but I don't want to share this moment with anyone else."

Ravyn gasped as his lips trailed kisses down her neck, and his hand pushed down the violet fabric of her dress robes, exposing her bare shoulder for him to lavish attention on. 

"Jude …"

"Indulge me, sweet one," he whispered, kissing her bare skin and grazing it with his fangs. "I want to give you a taste of what's in store for you later tonight."

Heat and pleasure bloomed at his touch, and Ravyn closed her eyes.

Fortunately, her danger sense poked at her, and her eyes flew open. "Something's wrong," she hissed.

Groaning, Jude clutched her close. "Leave it alone."

The warning bells rang louder in her mind. "I can't."

She felt the shift inside him as he, too, picked up on the threat. Releasing her, he lifted his head, trying to scent danger. "The Blackthorns," he growled. 

Ravyn followed him when he took off at a run, both of them making tracks back toward the feast. Wolf speed and witch agility made short work of the distance. Before long, they came upon a hideous sight.

Far enough away from the feast to avoid attention, over a dozen shifters circled Talon and Kelara, harassing them. William clutched both Flufftail the bunny and Kyon's Fairmont, protecting them, making the meanest, nastiest face a little boy could at his attackers.

As Ravyn got closer, she could swear the bunny in William's arms was giving the bullies a fierce look. Bunnies were a lot tougher and more powerful than people gave them credit for. And this one happened to be a familiar, bonded to the whole family.

Jude's teeth sharpened, and Ravyn saw the deadly look in his eyes. "They couldn't leave the pups alone?" he growled.

Ravyn's stomach twisted when she heard the harassers' words, filthy, horrible, disgusting words. 

"Half-breeds. Go back to the humans."

"You're poisoning our wolf blood. Leave."

"We'll take the Cresta pup. Her blood is all wolf."

"LEAVE HER ALONE," William shouted. "Don't touch her."

Hissing, the leader of the bullies took a step towards William. "Pathetic mutt."

Kelara whirled on the nearest bully. "Get the h*ll away from my son."

"Or be prepared to fight," Talon growled. "And be warned. I won't lose."

Ravyn's purple energy bolt knocked one of the rogues down like a dead tree in a strong wind. Jude's voice rang out. "STOP THIS! Get out of here or face the ultimate consequences."