Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lucifer
Liam spent five days in the hospital. On the morning of the sixth day, the healer came for a final check and cleared him for discharge.
"The wound's healing beautifully," the healer said, snapping the chart closed. "Werewolf recovery—never ceases to amaze me. Still, take it easy this week. No rough play."
"I will," Liam said from where he sat on the bed. Color had returned to his face, and though he was still pale, life had come back to his eyes. "Thank you."
The healer smiled, packed up, and left.
Elena folded Liam's clothes, tucking the clean ones into a bag. Anya perched on the chair by the bed, legs swinging, clutching her stuffed bear and humming. "Liam's coming home!" She beamed.
Sunlight poured through the window, catching in Elena's hair and turning those strands gold. The way she bent over the bag, the soft curve of her profile in that light—
This was what home felt like.
My phone buzzed. I stepped into the hallway to take Marcus's call.
"Your Majesty, the Elder Council is requesting an emergency session. About the cleanup of the Butcher Squad, and... Luna's status."
I nodded. "Tomorrow. Ten a.m., I'll be there." I hung up.
It was time.
Over the past five days, news of Lina's death and the takedown of the Butcher Squad had spread through all of Silver pine.
The media went wild—praising the Hale family for eliminating a terror that had plagued the kingdom for over a decade, calling me a hero.
But I knew the truth. Elena was the hero.
She'd protected the children. She'd fought beside me. And now I was going to announce to all of Silver pine—she was my mate. She was Reserpine's Luna.
"Lucifer?"
Elena's voice pulled me back. She stood in front of me, bag in hand, worry in her eyes.
"What's wrong? You've been staring at your phone."
I pocketed it and took her hand.
"Nothing." I smiled. "Just... there's an important meeting tomorrow."
She studied me, those amber eyes glinting gold in the light.
"About us?"
I nodded.
"I'm announcing your status," I said, tightening my grip. "Elena, I'm going to make sure everyone knows—you're my mate. You're Reserpine's Luna. And Liam and Anya are my children. Heirs to the Hale family."
Her eyes widened slightly. Her fingers trembled in my palm.
"But... the Elder Council—"
"I'll handle the Elder Council." I cut her off, covering her hand with both of mine. "Elena, I won't let anyone hurt you again. This time, I'm standing with you. The Council, the whole kingdom—anyone who says a word against it can get the hell out."
She looked at me, eyes reddening, lips parting. Then she nodded hard.
"Elena." I leaned down, forehead against hers, only inches between us. I could feel her breath on my lips. "The bond's repaired. You know it. I know it."
"That's because you let me in," I said softly. "Elena, the bond doesn't lie. It healed because you forgave me. Because you're willing to give me a chance."
Her breathing hitched. "Lucifer," she said, leaning into my chest. "That day I told you I wasn't ready..." She looked up, voice even softer. "It was because I was scared."
"I know." I let go of her hand and pulled her into my arms, holding her close. "I know the hurt won't heal overnight. I know you need time to trust me again. But Elena, the bond is repaired. That means even the Moon Goddess approves of us."
She buried her face in my chest, fingers clutching my shirt, smiling. "So now I'm not scared anymore—"
"Mommy," Anya's voice called from behind. Elena jumped back. Anya peeked around the door frame. "Are you gonna say yes to Daddy?"
"Anya—"
Liam's head appeared behind Anya's. Both kids stared at us. Elena laughed helplessly. "You two—"
"Say yes," I said, one hand braced by her face, the other clasping hers, fingers interlaced. "Elena, marry me. A real wedding this time. Not an arrangement. Not a deal. Just you and me. Our family."
She looked at me for a long time.
Then she nodded.
"Okay," she said quietly, smiling softly. "Yes."
Liam hugged Anya. Both kids started clapping.
I pulled Elena tighter and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you," I murmured. "Thank you for believing in me again."
She wrapped her arms around my neck, face nestled in the crook of my shoulder.
The next morning, tension filled the Elder Council chamber.
Seven elders sat around the table, every face grim. When I walked in, they all looked up, eyes full of dissatisfaction and doubt.
"Your Majesty," the Grand Elder said coldly. "We heard about the Butcher Squad. Lina... I never would have guessed she was behind it all."
"Yes," I said, taking my seat at the head, leaning back. "She's dead. The remnants have been cleared out. The cancer that threatened Silver pine for over a decade is finally gone."
A few elders exchanged glances. Their expressions softened slightly.
"That's good news," Elder Ria said. "But Your Majesty, we heard... you brought that woman into the operation? Elena Windsor? The former Luna?"
"Yes."
"And," another elder leaned forward, "we heard that hybrid girl is also your child?"
I tapped my fingers on the armrest twice.
"Not a rumor," I said evenly. "A fact. Elena is my mate. My fated mate. Liam and Anya are both my biological children. I called you here today to announce it."
The room exploded.
"What?"
"Mate? But she's a half-breed!"
"That little girl's your child, too? Impossible!"
"Your Majesty, you've lost your mind!"
"Enough!" My voice wasn't loud, but the Alpha command in it crushed every protest. "This is a fact. I don't need your approval. I called you here to inform you—in three days, I'm holding an official ceremony to announce Elena's status."
The Grand Elder's face turned iron.
"Your Majesty, you're destroying the Hale family's reputation! A half-breed as Luna—what will the pure blood families think of us? You—"
"I'm saving the Hale family," I cut him off, leaning forward, gaze slicing across them all. "What have I been doing all these years? Supporting human businesses, breaking noble monopolies, repealing discriminatory laws against half-breeds—you think that was a whim?"
I stood and walked to the window.
"Look out there." I gestured to the street below. "Relations between humans and werewolves—how much better are they than ten years ago? Half-breeds aren't slaughtered at random anymore. Human merchants are establishing themselves in Silver pine. Street protests and riots—how many fewer are there?"
"That's because of reform." I turned back. "And the Butcher Squad? That was the result of our old, idiotic policies. Lina was a hybrid. Abused from childhood. Discriminated against. So she became a monster. She built an organization to get revenge on every pure blood werewolf."
"If we keep clinging to pure blood supremacy," my voice went cold, "there'll be a second Lina. A third. Silver pine will destroy itself in hatred and blood."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
"But," one elder ventured carefully, "making a half-breed Luna—it's too radical. The other families won't accept it."
"They will," I said, returning to my seat. "Because the humans will support it."
I signaled Marcus. He stepped forward and projected prepared documents onto the big screen.
"Over the years, the human businesses I've supported now hold a third of Reserpine's market share," I said.
"The Commerce Guild, the Merchants' Association, human district councilors—they're all backing Elena.
They say if the Luna is a half-breed, it proves Silver pine is truly changing.
That humans and werewolves can be equals. "
The screen scrolled through letters of support and joint statements from major human enterprises.
"And," I continued, "I've prepared new legislation. Repeal the pure blood Protection Act. Allow half-breeds to inherit family assets. Allow free marriage between humans and werewolves. Eliminate segregation between human and werewolf districts..."
"These laws will be enacted immediately after the ceremony."
The elders' faces grew uglier.
"Your Majesty," the Grand Elder shot to his feet. "You're going to destroy Reserpine's traditions!"
"Traditions?" I sneered. "The ones that made us slaughter each other? That let the Butcher Squad grow? Grand Elder, times have changed. If the Hale family doesn't change, it'll be left behind."
"I object!"
"I object too!"
Several elders voiced their dissent.
"Then you can resign from the Elder Council," I said calmly. "I already have replacements lined up. Silver pine isn't short on werewolves willing to reform."
The Grand Elder glared at me, chest heaving.
"You have three days to decide." I stood. "At the ceremony in three days, I expect to see you there. If you don't come, hand over your elder's badge."
I turned and left. As the door closed, I heard the sound of shattering glass.
Marcus followed me.
"Your Majesty," he said quietly, "isn't this... too radical?"
"No," I said. "Marcus, Silver pine needs change. And my mate will be the symbol of that change."
Marcus paused, then bowed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was overthinking." He looked up, resolve in his eyes. "Silver pine will only get better."
Three days later, the ceremony was held in the great hall of Hale Manor.
I arrived two hours early to oversee every detail.
Crystal chandeliers gleamed. Red and gold carpet stretched from the entrance to the dais. Flowers filled the hall—lilies, roses, and sprigs of Elena's favorite bay leaves. A delicate fragrance hung in the air.
Two chairs sat at the front, draped in gold and silver silk. Behind them hung the Hale family crest—a black wolf howling at the moon.
Guests began to arrive.
Noble werewolves in formal attire, expressions mixed—curious, displeased, watchful. Human merchants came too, in sharp suits, faces bright with excitement and anticipation.
The Elder Council arrived last. Seven elders in traditional robes, faces sour, but at least they came.
"Your Majesty," Marcus approached. "All the guests have arrived. The Luna is ready as well."
I nodded and took a deep breath.
The music started.