They came.
Garrett and Isolde arrived first, bringing three others from their small community. Then Thorne, the vampire who had once thrown a glass at Lyra's head and later become one of their staunchest allies. Sera, the wolf who had been cast out by her pack and found a new family. Helena, of course, with her notebooks and her ancient texts. Mira, who had reconciled with Kael after the betrayal that wasn't really a betrayal.
Cassius came. Aldric came. They stood on opposite sides of the living room, old enemies who had learned to share space.
By the ninth month, the house on the cliff held fifteen people. Wolves and vampires, living together in a space that had been built for two.
It was crowded. Chaotic. Beautiful.
Lyra moved through it all with a grace that belied her condition. She talked to everyone, listened to their stories, made them feel seen. Kael watched her and marveled at the person she had become—the person she had always been, finally allowed to exist.
One night, Garrett found him on the widow's walk.
"She's remarkable," Garrett said.
"I know."
"When I first met you, I thought you were naive. Two people thinking they could change centuries of hatred with love." He paused. "I was wrong. You're not naive. You're just stubborn enough to make it work."
"Stubborn is what we have."
Garrett nodded. "The others are talking. About what comes after. When the child is born, everything changes. The old rules don't apply anymore."
"Good. The old rules were killing us."
Garrett was quiet for a moment. Then he extended his hand. "Whatever comes, I'm with you."
Kael shook it. "Welcome to the family."