There was a bright, blinding light. It seemed to be the morning sun, its warmth soothing her soul.
Vione wasn’t alone. Next to her was Usher, always holding her hand. They were talking, laughing, when suddenly a scene made her eyes widen.
“Sylvia, come back! Don’t go too far! Oh, God! Silas, can you go after her?”
Usher pulled Vione into his arms. “Don’t worry, she won’t get lost. They’re smart kids.”
“Usher,” Vione groaned, pressing her lips together and raising her hand to point. “That’s too-”
Vione frowned. Something was holding her hand. Something was stroking the back of her hand, squeezing her fingers. “U-Usher.”
“Vione? Are you awake?”
Usher’s voice echoed in her head, like the buzzing of a thousand bees, driving that beautiful memory from her mind. It made her slightly dizzy and she moaned softly.
“Vione? Can you hear my voice?”
Vione frowned and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Usher’s face, filled with immeasurable relief. “Usher.”
“Oh, thank God,” Usher whispered, kissing her fingers repeatedly. He stroked her head gently. “You’re finally awake.”
Vione frowned in confusion. “Woken up?” she asked, confused, as Usher helped her to sit up, leaning against the headboard. “Has something happened to me?” She paused for a moment, her mind recalling reflexively. “I was at the banquet and then I fainted.” Her eyes widened. “Am I ill? Am I…” She stopped suddenly. She froze. It took a moment for it to sink in. “I’m pregnant.”
Vione put her hand to her belly, feeling a surge of mixed emotions. Her chest rose and fell, overwhelmed by the wave of emotions that had suddenly hit her.
Faintly, but unmistakably, Vione could feel it. Inside her, in her womb, two pure, wonderful warmths had been present for days.
“O-oh.” Vione held her hand to her stomach, her eyes filled with tears. “How could I not feel their presence all this time? Oh, God. Usher.” She looked at Usher with a blurred gaze. “I’m pregnant.”
Usher nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Vione. You’re pregnant, and Scott says you’re healthy. They are strong children, and so are you.” A sincere smile appeared on his face. Then he looked at Vione with deep emotion as he said, “You will be a wonderful mother to them.”
Usher’s words were like droplets of dew, bringing a soothing coolness. The many emotions that had swelled in Vione’s chest-from indescribable happiness to the natural fear she felt at the prospect of this unexpected pregnancy-suddenly subsided.
Vione exhaled. “I hope so,” she whispered with a tearful smile. “I don’t know if I’m ready. Honestly, I never expected to be pregnant so soon.” Her smile widened. “But I’ll do my best.”
Usher reached out and gently clasped Vione’s fingers again, a gesture of the bond they would continue to share, a sign that he would always be by her side. “You are not alone, Vione. We’ll do this together. I will support you. Everyone will support you.”
Warmth and love radiated clearly from Usher’s eyes. Vione could see all these emotions so vividly. Even if she closed her eyes, she could still feel them in her heart. Every detail of Usher’s feelings, no matter how small, she knew, including the realisation that Usher felt exactly the same as she did.
They were both happy. The pregnancy was a blessing that made them think that their lives would change in the future, become more exciting and full of passion. But they couldn’t deny that they were also nervous. They were an Alpha and a Luna, a respected and revered werewolf couple in their pack, but becoming parents was something completely new for both of them.
“You’re right,” Vione said after a moment, squeezing Usher’s fingers gently in return. She nodded. “We’ll do this together. We’ll raise her together.”
Happiness spread even further in the hearts of Vione and Usher. For their conversation was warmly welcomed by their imaginations. It immediately began to stir, creating beautiful fantasies that filled their minds. Soon their lives would no longer be about the two of them, but about the four of them, and who knew-perhaps more pure souls would join them in the future.
Fortunately, Vione and Usher didn’t lose themselves in the daydream. They looked at each other and then burst out laughing, both realising how quickly they had begun to imagine the future.
“We should,” Usher said in between his laughter, occasionally pushing strands of Vione’s hair back from her forehead, “focus on these two for now. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Vione chuckled and, of course, rested her head on Usher’s chest. “You’re right, Usher. We need to concentrate on them first.” She stroked her belly gently, then said amusedly in her heart. We’ll focus on you first, Sylvia and Silas. As for you, Freya and Ingrid, you’ll have to wait a few more years. The private joke tickled her so much that she almost laughed again. Instead, she took a deep breath and tilted her head up, smiling at Usher. “Did you tell our mothers about my pregnancy?”
“I have.” Usher nodded, his eyes twinkling, and there was a hint of amusement there too. “Guess what? They’ve been at the palace for a while. As soon as Fidel told them the news, Garth and Cora picked them up. I’m sure they’re sitting together right now, sipping tea and snacking, their minds filled with worry.”
Vione’s eyes widened. “Oh, really?” She quickly pulled away from Usher’s embrace. Then she saw him nod. “Where are they now? I want to meet them.”
Usher granted Vione’s wish. He told Fidel to call for Jemma and Rowena. In less than ten minutes they were in Usher’s room.
When they arrived, neither Jemma nor Rowena could contain themselves. They rushed to Vione and embraced her warmly and tightly.
Tears of joy flowed. Laughter and words of gratitude could be heard incessantly. Vione could only smile through the tears of emotion that filled her eyes.
“Oh God. I really can’t believe it!” Jemma wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and laughed. “I thought I had died and gone to heaven when Fidel gave me the news of your pregnancy. Oh, Vione.” She stroked Vione’s arm gently. “I’m so happy for you.”
On the other hand, Rowena had never expected that the knowledge of something she already knew could still cause such euphoria. Of course, she had known about Vione’s pregnancy months ago because of Ayla. But when she received the official news, the sudden rush of joy still overwhelmed her.
Rowena had been preparing for this happiness for a long time. From the day Ayla had her vision, she had waited eagerly. She counted the days, waiting for good news from the palace, and when it finally came, no words could describe her joy.
“My dear Vione.” Rowena kissed Vione’s cheeks, one after the other. Her face was already wet with tears. “Tell me if you need anything. I’ll always be here. I’ll stay with you through your pregnancy.”
Vione laughed. It seemed that this pregnancy had brought her so much happiness. She didn’t even have to say anything and Rowena would be by her side.
“You are truly a blessing to the pack, Vione,” Jemma said, gently stroking Vione’s hair. She took a moment to breathe, then looked deep into Vione’s eyes. “I knew you were a blessing, but you’ve brought so much joy, more than I ever imagined.”
Vione’s heart melted. She returned Jemma’s gaze with equal depth. “Oh, Jemma.”
“You have stood by Usher in every moment, in every sorrow. You’ve always given him strength. And with the pack, you’ve given them hope, and now…” Jemma took another breath, this time deeper than before, her chest throbbing with a mix of emotions. “You haven’t just brought happiness to Usher and us. You’ve brought new joy and hope to the pack.” She hugged Vione once more. “Thank you, Vione.”
*