Chapter 188

Olivia

The soft glow from the nightlight cast a gentle light across the room, painting gentle shadows on the walls. There they were, two tiny cribs beside our bed, each holding a life more precious than words could describe. I couldn't help but gaze at them endlessly, lost in the wonder of Elliot and Aurora.

Beside me, Nathan seemed equally entranced, his strong hand intertwined with mine. “It’s surreal, isn’t it?” he whispered, his voice laced with disbelief.

‘So very surreal,” I echoed, squeezing his hand gently. “It feels like just yesterday I was laughing about the idea of parenthood, and now... here they are.”

Nathan turned to face me, the golden flecks in his eyes shimmering. “I know we said we’d take things slow, Liv... and I still stand by that. But seeing them, it’s hard not to imagine a future together, as a family.”

I nodded, searching his face. “I feel the same, Nathan. Our lives have changed in ways I never imagined. But whatever happens, I promise to stick by you. We’ll face all the challenges together.”

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I promise the same. Even though I wasn’t there from the start, I want to be there for every step now.”

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from future birthdays to potential school dilemmas. It was easy, comfortable, but as the hours drew on, I found myself growing more curious.

“Nathan,” I began, hesitating slightly, “did you ever... I mean, when I was pregnant... did you ever feel my wolf?”

He looked taken aback by the question, eyebrows knitting in thought. “You mean, like a scent or connection?”

I nodded. “Something like that.”

A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, and he cleared his throat. “Sometimes, when I was close, I would catch a scent. Something...warm, comforting, familiar. I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Do you think... do you think we could be... fated mates?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

Nathan suddenly sat up, his face unreadable in the dim light. “Liv, I... I’m not sure. I’ve never put much stock in legends and fate, but with everything that’s happened... I don’t know.”

His cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his obvious embarrassment. “Aw, are you blushing, Mr. Tough Wolf?”

He shot me a mock-glare, trying to hide his embarrassment. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

I smirked, leaning closer. “But you love me anyway.”

His grin faded into a playful scowl. “Love is a strong word.”

I feigned shock. “So you don’t love me?”

“That's not what I said!”

“What were you saying, then?” I asked. “Are you afraid to really say it? That you… love me?”

Nathan’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “I’m not afraid of anything,” he replied. “Not monsters, not fatherhood, not fated mates, not… that.”

“Say it, then,” I said, folding my arms across my chest. “Tell me you love me.”

At my words, both of our eyes widened. It seemed as though my words took even me by surprise. Maybe I had gotten a little too confident after my near-death experience.

He let out a sigh of mock exasperation. “You’re really not letting this go, are you?” he asked, although his voice took on a gentler and softer cadence.

I shook my head, a playful smirk forming on my lips. “Nope. Not until you admit that you might just be a little bit smitten with me.”

He gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the motion. “Smitten? Who even uses that word anymore?”

“I do,” I replied with a haughty tone, “when I’m talking about a certain someone who can’t admit his feelings.”

Nathan let out a chuckle, the sound deep and resonating. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

I nodded emphatically. “Oh, absolutely. Seeing Mr. Tough Guy squirm? It’s the highlight of my day.”

He rolled his eyes but continued the banter. “Alright, let’s say, hypothetically, that we are fated mates. Doesn’t that mean that you’re just as smitten with me as I supposedly am with you?”

I pretended to ponder for a moment. “Well, if we’re talking hypothetically... then yes, I suppose so.”

His expression softened, his playful facade crumbling to reveal a hint of vulnerability. “And if we’re talking... not so hypothetically?”

I felt a warmth spread across my cheeks, the weight of his gaze and the intensity of the moment pressing down on me. “Then... I guess we would have to see, wouldn’t we?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Olivia, I—”

But before he could finish, a soft cry from the crib interrupted him. We both turned, our previous conversation momentarily forgotten as we focused on the baby’s needs.

Nathan and I exchanged glances, trying hard to suppress our laughter. “Guess someone’s not a fan of our bickering,” I said, smiling.

As the cries of the twins grew louder, Nathan and I both sprang into action, momentarily setting aside our banter. Each of us took one child, hoping our combined efforts would quickly calm the upset.

I watched with a smile as Nathan gently cradled Aurora, speaking soft, reassuring words to her.

There was a clear connection, a unique bond forming between them. Nathan seemed particularly drawn to Aurora, a sight that melted my heart every time I witnessed it. It was in the gentle way he caressed her cheeks, the slight lullabies he would hum, and the attentive care he gave to her every need.

“Remember that time you promised to take them to your cabin? To let them poke the honeycombs?” I whispered, trying not to disrupt the soothing atmosphere.

Nathan’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he replied in a low voice, “I haven’t forgotten. Soon, when they’re old enough to appreciate it. Can you imagine little Elliot poking at the honey with those tiny fingers?”

I looked down at Elliot, snug in his bumblebee onesie, his little hands balled into fists, his tiny features relaxed as he drifted back to sleep. Next to him, Aurora looked adorable in her honeycomb-themed outfit. I felt a surge of emotion. Our little family, born out of unexpected circumstances, was everything I hadn't known I needed.

As I cradled Elliot, I opened my mouth to voice the feelings that threatened to overflow. I wanted to tell Nathan how deeply I cherished him, how every moment with him felt special, how much I... loved him.

But just then, I noticed Nathan move closer to the window, Aurora cradled in his arms. He pointed towards the night sky.

“See that, Aurora?” he murmured, bouncing her gently in one arm. “That’s the moon. The Moon Goddess helped me when you were being born, so I could find the right medicine. And now, she’s looking down on you. See?”

In response, Aurora cooed quietly.

The sight of the strong, brooding man, sharing such an intimate moment with our daughter, struck me with its sheer beauty. The words caught in my throat, and I found myself unable to break the spell.

There would be another time for declarations.

Right now, watching Nathan with Aurora, seeing the love in his eyes, feeling the peace of our little family all together—it was everything.

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To be continued......

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