Jaxton’s jaw falls opens, but no sound comes out. A tear appears in the corner of his eye, but he quickly wipes it away. “That’s beautiful, Ansley. She’ll be warrior, just like her namesake.” The huge man’s words are choked with emotion.
“When we said we’d name the baby Joanna if it was a she-wolf, I had hope… but… damn, I wish I would have let you tell mesooner. This calls for a celebration!” Hayden declares, 100% the proud papa.
“Let’s focus on making sure Ansley and Joanna are okay before you go running off celebrating,” Daisy chides, clicking her tongue. Waving the men out of the way, we work together to finish all that delivering a baby entails.
All cleaned up, I look around the room. All of my mates are looking at me with love. Daisy looks prouder of the baby than I am, and I feel like I’m glowing. Then I spot Lucifer, standing behind my mates, leaning against the wall.
“Come meet your grandchild,” I call to my father.
Lucifer smiles and walks closer. He leans down and moves the blanket so he can see her face. “Hello, Joanna. I’m your grandfather. You’re as beautiful as your mother.”
I’m a mother now. The reality finally seems to hit me as I gaze lovingly at my daughter, all my mates around me, along with my best friend and the father I never knew I had. I feel like my heart is going to burst with the love I feel for all of them. Maybe Lucifer’s castle is the best place for us. We’re safe. She’s safe. What more could we ask for?
I spend the rest of the evening in bed with my baby and her father, getting used to nursing her and just gazing at her perfect little face. By morning, I’m feeling considerably better. I nurse Joanna, get used to walking again, and spend some time with Daisy and Lucifer while my mates are doting over the first new member of their pack in centuries.
Despite not feeling like most women would after giving birth, I still wait a week before I return to the tower with Lucifer, andI don’t spend as much time up there. I hate being away from Joanna, even when I know her godmother is looking after her.
“Still nothing?” Lucifer asks, leaning against the wall.
“No,” I say dejectedly, but then I feel a sudden spark in my chest. “Wait, I’ve got something. It’s not close, but it’s a Scion. Wow, I think they’re… far away.”
“That’s progress, daughter,” Lucifer says, pleased. “Don’t try to communicate with them, just keep extending your reach. See what else you can feel.”
I concentrate harder. It’s much easier now that I’m not pregnant. Once I sense one Scion, it’s like the floodgates open. I feel the spark again and again each time a new Scion appears in my sphere of awareness until it’s practically full of them.
“I can sense bear shifters in Canada. A witch coven in Nebraska. Fae… lots of Fae in… Italy? Yes, Italy!” I say, getting more excited. “There are Scions everywhere!”
“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere,” Lucifer proclaims, clearly impressed. “The baby was probably drawing too much from you for you to focus your power.”
“That has to be what was doing it,” I agree. “Okay, I sense more wolves! I have to tell the others! They’re not the last pack!”
“Patience, daughter,” he encourages with a smile. “If you can sense the Scions like that, then you may not even have to leave this tower to talk to your mates. Try it.”
I’m more determined than ever. I close my eyes until I sense my mates. They’re not far, but I can sense they’re sparring, instead of running. That makes me grumble, but I focus on Hayden.
“Hayden, can you hear me?” I ask.
There’s silence for a moment, then he responds. “I hear you, mate. Is everything okay? Is Joanna okay?”
“Yes, she’s fine. I’m fine,” I reply.
“Are you close? I don’t sense you,” he says.
“No, I’m talking to you from Lucifer’s tower. I’m… I’m getting better at this. I can sense other Scions, too. There are other packs!” I report excitedly.
“One day, our daughter will meet them,” he replies. “I’m so proud of you, Ansley. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reply, a smile spreading across my face, because I don’t just hear it, I feel it.
I focus on the rest of my mates, making contact with each of them, and confirming I can communicate, even from here. By the time I open my eyes, I’m trembling with excitement, and Lucifer has never looked prouder.
“See, it was always in you,” Lucifer says, walking over and offering his hand to help me stand up. “That’s enough for today. I’m sure you’re eager to get back to Joanna.”
“Yes, thank you,” I say, then I do something I haven’t done since we met: I hug him. “And thank you for everything you’ve done. Really, I mean that. Thank you, Lucifer.”
“I wish I could have been there for you from the beginning,” he sighs, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Wish I could have been there when your mother got sick, so you weren’t all alone.”
“I had my grandparents,” I say. “They took care of me. Helped me find my place in the world. I miss them. They don’t evenknow they have a great-grandchild now and probably won’t get to meet Joanna for a while.”
