Chapter 0452

Newcomers still arrive at our borders, though not as often as before. We never turn away those in need. Our medical team stands ready to assist anyone injured or ill.

After wrapping up my duties, I scoop up Sebastian, and we head toward the pack hospital. I’m unsure if Seraphina will discharge my mate tonight or keep her until morning. Either way, we’re prepared. The bassinet waits in our room for Isla, while the nursery holds Sebastian’s crib. By the time Isla transitions to the crib, Sebastian will be ready for his toddler bed—delivering next week. His current obsession? Dinosaurs. His room reflects that.

When we enter, my mate is awake, nursing our daughter. Her gaze lifts to me, the love for Isla shifting to me before settling on our son.

"How’s my little warrior?" she asks Sebastian.

"Mama. Mama." He reaches for her, squirming in my arms.

"Hold on, champ. Mom’s feeding your sister. Want to meet her?"

"Yeth," he says, his toddler lisp adorable.

I settle him beside Isolde at Isla’s feet. "Remember what I told you, son?"

His intelligent eyes meet mine, wheels turning. "We protect Mom and Isla with our lives. Right?"

He grins, recalling our talk. "Yeth."

"That’s what strong Alphas do."

Isolde snorts. "Sebastian, meet your sister. But fair warning—she’s no delicate flower. She’s an Alpha female, just like me. Cross her, and she’ll knock you flat."

"Can you say ‘Isla’?" I prompt.

"Ih-la."

Isolde and I exchange amused glances. "Close enough," she murmurs as Isla finishes nursing.

She passes Isla to me for burping while adjusting her clothes. Sebastian stares, mesmerized by his sister.

Once Isla burps, I ask, "Want to hold her?"

Sebastian extends his arms. I carefully place Isla in them, her head tilted toward Isolde for support. Isolde steadies Sebastian’s hands.

"You’re already the best big brother," she praises. He beams.

Seraphina enters, clipboard in hand. "Afternoon, Alpha. Hey, Sebastian. What do you think of your sister?"

"Ih-la," he announces.

"Exactly. Isla. Clever little Alpha, aren’t you?"

"Yeth," he replies solemnly.

Seraphina smiles before addressing us. "Heard the news? Evelyn just went into labor." She’d conceived her third child around the same time Isolde did.

Isolde’s brows rise. "How many kids does that make for the three packs’ Alpha families now?"

"Let’s see," I tally. "Sebastian and Seraphina have four. Adrian and Evelyn will have three. Plus our two. That’s nine." I smirk. "We’re lagging. Time to catch up."

She laughs, eyes glinting. "Maybe give me a day or two, Alpha." Her tone sends a jolt straight to my groin. This woman—she knows exactly what she does to me.

Seraphina chuckles. "At least a day or two. Your Luna needs to heal. But if you promise to behave, she can go home tonight."

"I’ll promise anything if it means sleeping beside my mate," I say.

That night, I curl around Isolde, listening to Isla’s soft breaths in the bassinet and Sebastian’s snores through the baby monitor.

I soak in the sounds of my family—safe, together—before sleep claims me.