There is something peaceful about Araphyra. It soothes my soul and my mind being here. My first night, I slept better than I have in months. Since my birthday, really. I used to sleep great next to Richie, well, when we’d finally get around to sleeping. I’m lying in bed, thinking about Richie. I rub my stomach, feeling my little guy move around. “I’m sorry your father isn’t here to watch you grow. I know he wants to be a part of your life, little guy. It’s just not the right time for him or me. But we had some really good times and one of those was when we made you. And I can’t wait to meet you.” I finally get up and get ready for the day. I need to take care of business here so I can get home. I need to start planning a life for me and my son. I should contact Cohen and see if he still needs an acting Luna. I think I’m pretty good at the job. When I get to the dining room where we met for lunch yesterday, I see my friend. “LILY!” I rush to her and hug her. “Oh my goddess, Emlyn!

I wake in what looks like a hospital room. It takes me a moment to remember why I’m here. As soon as I do, my hands go to my stomach. “Emlyn!” Cayd says. He was sitting beside my bed. “How’s Leander?” I ask, terrified I did something to my son. “My grandfather?” Cayd asks, frowning. “Do I need to get the doctor? Is something wrong with your head?” “No, Cayd. Leander is what I’ve decided to call my son.” His smile is huge. “You’re naming your son after my grandfather?” “Yes, is he okay?” I ask impatiently. “Yeah, yeah, he is. Morrigan protected him from whatever the fuck it was that you did.” “What do you mean?” “You were glowing, Em. Like from the inside out and when you blasted that power, light shot out from every finger, every toe, your eyes, your ears, your mouth pretty much everywhere.” “Whoa.” “Yeah, whoa. How do you feel?” “Tired. Did it work? “Yeah, it worked. Aolis and Ailduin were impressed. And because it was their power, the light fae weren’t impacted, only the

The Angel’s Trumpet didn’t work. Well, at least not like it was supposed to. Araphyra’s glass walls have a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors swirling around them. But with the Angel’s Trumpet and my “trip” as Aolis called it, the colors were much bolder, and it was like I was looking into a forest in the walls with birds flying around and deer leaping around in the fake forest. While I had one heck of a couple of hours, my Guardian bond was still in effect. Over the next week, we found a couple other references for ways to break the Guardian bond, but I was beginning to think that maybe those ways worked for forced bonds, but not fated bonds. The Moon Goddess was never meant to be overridden in her decisions. I spoke to Cohen, and he is thrilled to have me as his acting Luna. I told him that I was very close to delivering Leander, and I was going to see if Ailduin and Anastasia would be willing to have me stay and deliver my son here, coming to join his pack afterward. They had been t

Aolis blinks when he sees me. “Richard?” “I have to see her Aolis. I have to be here for his birth. Please. I know she’s close. Please don’t keep me from her.” He nods to his men, and they let me go. “I will leave it up to her. If she asks me to remove you, I will do so using whatever force is necessary. Are we clear, Alpha?” “Yes. I just….” “This way.” He interrupts me and gestures down the hall. I’m rushing to the door where I can smell her, my son, Cayd and Lily. I burst through the door, seeing my brother and Lily standing as guard in front of my mate. My mate who is holding our son in her arms. “Richie.” Goddess, it feels so good to hear that name from her mouth. Aolis steps in behind me and I prepare myself to be turned away. “Emlyn, I wanted to be here for his birth. I’m sorry I didn’t make it in time. But I am only allowed to stay if you permit it. Will you allow me to meet my son?” My heart is in my eyes as I wait for her verdict and if I’ll be allowed to meet my son

‘Why did you have to scare our son?’ Finley snarls at me as I pace in the bedroom that I’ve been given during my stay. I don’t know where Emlyn is staying, but it’s not here. I can’t smell her anywhere nearby. ‘I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t like the idea of anyone else being in our mate’s bedroom.’ ‘Yeah, well, our mate isn’t exactly going to let us in her bedroom. I’d rather have Cayd there then no one. At least then we know they are protected and safe.’ I stop pacing, thinking about what Finley just said. Maybe we can’t get into her bedroom, but we can still guard our mate and son. I open our door slightly before stripping and shifting. Finley walks out the door, before grabbing the doorknob in his mouth and pulling the door closed behind us. He lifts his nose up in the air and catches her scent. We travel through the halls of Araphyra, ignoring the looks we’re getting from the elves that live here. When I find her room, I sniff. Cayd is gone. Finley lays down on the floor in