Chapter 349

Nina

The scent of wet earth and crisp morning air greeted us as Enzo and I stepped through the portal and into the werewolf realm. Trees stood like ancient guardians, their leaves shimmering with the morning dew. The world seemed to pause, as if welcoming us back to a place that was as much a part of me as my own skin.

My heartbeat quickened as my father’s mansion stood up ahead. It had felt like ages since I had last been here. In fact, it had been ages. I hadn’t visited since my wedding around the New Year.

“Looks like they changed up the scenery a little,” Enzo said, glancing around. The land surrounding the mansion, once empty and flat, now was laden with sprawling gardens and hedges.

The remnants of the battlefield that this place once was—both metaphorically and literally—were now nowhere to be found. Instead, it was a perfect sanctuary of vibrant colors and sweet smells. It had my mother’s touch all over it, I was sure of it.

As we walked closer, the door burst open, revealing my mother. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she dashed toward us.

“Nina, welcome!” She enveloped me in a hug that felt like home, then turned her gaze towards Enzo. “And Enzo! I’ve missed you both so much.”

Enzo extended his hand, but my mother bypassed it entirely, pulling him into a warm embrace. “You would think he would know by now that we’re not a handshaking sort of family,” she teased, winking at me.

We laughed, the sound filling the air like a familiar melody. “Where’s dad?” I asked, scanning the room behind her.

“He’s in the study, buried in his books as usual,” Mom answered, her eyes twinkling. “But he’ll want to see you, Nina. We all do.”

I could feel Enzo’s eyes on me, and it warmed me from the inside out. We were here, together, and it felt right. My mom led us into the house, the aroma of mahogany wood and incense filling the air. A scent that, although I hadn’t lived here growing up, felt oddly nostalgic. Sometimes, I almost wondered if a little piece of my sister still lived within me, yearning for home.

As we settled into the living room, my father appeared in the doorway. “So, my little girl has come to visit,” he said, his voice tinged with unmistakable joy.

“Dad!” I rushed to him, feeling the strength of his arms as he hugged me tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Missed you too, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head before clapping Enzo firmly on his shoulder. “Enzo, my boy. Did you put on even more muscle, somehow?”

“Muscle? More like fat from eating your daughter’s food,” Enzo grinned, and something unspoken passed between the two men—a quiet, mutual understanding.

It was strange to me, to call this man ‘dad’ after never even knowing he existed for most of my life. But there was a connection between us, one that couldn’t be ignored.

And as I glanced back and forth between him and my mom, I knew that there was a connection between them, too. They were pretending that there wasn’t, but I could tell. It was funny, really, to think about how my mom had gone from a distant, adoptive mother to being involved with my biological father, but I was happy for them.

Then, I heard the creak of a door opening upstairs. My heart skipped a beat. It had to be Tyler. Sure enough, a moment later, he appeared at the top of the stairs, his eyes widening when he saw me.

“Hey, sis!” Tyler practically vaulted down the stairs with a speed I had never seen before, and before I knew it, I was wrapped in a hug so tight it lifted me off my feet.

“Holy shit, Tyler, you’re crushing me!” I gasped, although the truth was I was more elated at his newfound strength rather than bothered by it.

“Sorry,” he said, setting me down but keeping an arm around me. “I just missed you a ton.”

I grinned, giving his arm a squeeze through his shirt. “Talk about muscle,” I said, my eyes darting to my father, who looked proud. “Tyler, since when are you not a twig?”

Tyler smirked, flexing his biceps triumphantly. “It must be something in the water here,” he said.

My mother tsked. “More like the treatments and all that herbal medicine from the witch,” she explained, grinning. “Does he look great, Nina? Why, you’d never think…”

Her voice trailed off. The truth was, Tyler had suffered from a curse for his entire life—a curse which, up until last year, we had thought came from Enzo’s father. But in reality, it was Tyler’s father who laid the curse on him.

But it didn’t matter now. Ever since Tyler and my mom came to join my dad in the werewolf realm, he had improved immensely. I could tell just from looking at him.

“Well,” I said, giving my brother another squeeze, “whatever it is, keep doing it. But don’t do too much, okay? You’re still my little brother, so you’re not allowed to get stronger than me.”

“Sure, whatever,” Tyler grinned.

“Tyler,” my mom chimed in again, “tell her about the cute werewolf girl you met.”

Tyler blushed furiously, his eyes darting towards me. “Mom, stop.”

“Nuh-uh,” I intervened, my curiosity officially piqued. “You’re not getting off that easily. Who is she?”

“Fine, fine. Her name is Angie,” Tyler mumbled, still blushing. “We met at the library. She’s... really cute.”

I giggled, squeezing my brother’s arm. “I definitely have to meet her then. If she captured my brother’s heart, she must be special.”

“I didn’t say she captured my heart,” Tyler protested, but his grin betrayed him.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of joyous moments. Mom cooked up a feast, filling the house with the scent of roasting meat and seasoned vegetables. I helped set the table, all the while glancing at Enzo, who seemed to have been roped into a deep conversation with my dad about ancient werewolf folklore.

Dinner was as delicious as any feast, but I could sense the underlying current of anticipation. I exchanged glances with Enzo, who nodded ever so slightly. It was time.

“Dad, there’s something we want to tell you,” I began, gripping Enzo’s hand under the table for support. “Something important.”

My father set down his fork, his eyes meeting mine. “What is it, Nina?”

I took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “Enzo and I are expecting a baby. I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then my father’s face broke into a grin that could outshine the moon. “A grandchild!” He roared with laughter, standing up to pull both Enzo and me into a crushing hug. “I’m going to be a grandfather!”

“And that’s not all,” I added, pulling away just enough to look into my dad’s eyes. “I’ve also been accepted into medical school, and Enzo has taken his dream job.”

My father looked at me, his eyes brimming with emotion. “You two continue to make me proud every day. A toast is in order!”

Glasses clinked and laughter erupted. My father raised his own glass high, capturing everyone’s attention. “To the newest member of our family, yet to be born but already loved. And to my daughter and Enzo, who have proven that they can capture any dream they set their sights on. I propose a ball this weekend—to celebrate!”

“A ball?” I chuckled. “Dad, you really don’t have to—”

“Nonsense,” he interrupted, his eyes twinkling like the stars above. “It’s not every day a man learns he’s going to be a grandfather and that his daughter is going to be a doctor. These are moments to be celebrated, cherished!”

I looked around at my family—some of the people who meant the most to me in the world—and felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. My parents looked content and excited for the new journey Enzo and I were about to embark upon. Tyler looked healthier and happier than I’d ever seen him before, and even had a budding romance on the horizon.

“Is Angie coming to the ball?” I asked Tyler after dinner, nudging him playfully.

He looked at me, clearly flustered, but then his eyes twinkled with a newfound confidence. “I’ll invite her. You can meet her then.”

Mom laughed, giving Tyler a knowing look as she passed by us. “I guess I’d better add one more to the guest list then.”