The Lycan’s Curse
Epilogue

Larissa

I smile as the doors open ahead of us, the royal page moving out to announce us. Minette and Kai are on the balcony already, each holding one of our sons. Well, his hand in Orion's case at the moment at least. He's more independent at five than our second son Atlas Kai is at three. Usually, it's only with me that he's even the slightest bit a baby with, and that's usually to get at his father-in a loving, teasing way.

Cassius' father, Rockwell, is not in attendance just as he wasn't for Atlas' announcement. He is no longer invited to royal events, despite being the king's father. He no longer lives in the palace as well, not since he came after Orion and me when our boy was just four months old. Orion had yet to fully grow into his looks, was more a squishy little nugget than resembling his father as he does now, and Rockwell still believed that he was not of Rawlings blood.

He didn't know that far from being the weak wolf I was when we met, my Lycan was stronger than even Cassius' was, especially when my child was threatened. I had him thrown across the room before Kai arrived, detaining him until other guards could arrive overhearing the threats that he shouted at us. With their testimony at the hearing, we were able to ban Rockwell from being part of the royal family and keep him from the palace.

It perked Minette right up and no one questioned why she didn't go with her mate after they saw her with Orion. There was no doubt that she would give up anything for him, let alone Cassius and me. She's enjoying herself far more, especially with her new companion-a lioness that had run from her pride rather than be forced to mate with a male whose touch she could not stand.

Kai is still my guard, but mostly he's guard to the kids knowing I can take care of myself quite well. He's Granddad to them and Dad to me-and Cassius. Cassius has even dropped the formality with Minette and started calling her Mom rather than Mother. There were tears in her eyes the first time he called her that and she admitted to how much she'd resented the other, how it reminded her that her son could not love her because of his father.

Cassius now ensures that his emotions are first and foremost in his actions with us, going so far as to locate what happened to my mother. I was right in thinking she'd died because she rejected her bonded mate without a formal split to the bond. Very rarely can it be done, and even more rarely on fated mates, but she didn't even attempt it. She died the year before my father did, which explains his decline in that year well.

My aunt sent me a letter when she realized that I was queen, apologizing for her actions, that she didn't understand them, and I accepted the apology. We haven't seen her, or my cousins, and I have no intention of doing so, just as I have no intention of returning to the Wellston Pack ever again. They accepted the first group back as they were all well behaved during their confinement, but it will be years before the others can even begin to find freedom.

Noah's death was carried out and a year ago the strangest dream came to me one night as I laid in Cassius' arms, his bare skin touching mine after hours of pleasure. I felt a tug on my heart and watched as a new baby boy was born, a new wolf shifter, and I smiled because I recognized his soul. The stars had granted him another life and this one I'm sure will be far greater than his last.

That dream had me talking my mate into trying for another child and now here we are, with

our own.

A soft coo from the baby in my arms draws my attention down and I can't help but smile seeing my beautiful little girl there with her fingers reaching for me. As with Atlas, she's two days old now when we're introducing her.

Cassius insisted that we take our time after Atlas was born as there was not a festivity already in progress, but I didn't mind in the least. Everyone knows already that the bulletin that a royal announcement would be made today meant that we have had our third child, but no one knows she's a girl.

"Presenting their Royal Majesties, King Cassius and Queen Larissa," Dominic states and Cassius leads us forward. Ember is wearing the same outfit the boys did when we made their announcements and in deference to the warm May weather, this time I'm wearing a short- sleeved blush pink dress, keeping with the color scheme from the boys' announcements.

"Welcome everyone," Cassius says, his hand resting on my back. "We are pleased to announce the birth of our child, a special child," he adds with a glance back at our little girl. "The first in the Rawlings Royal Line, our daughter, Princess Ember Minette."

The shocks are numerous amongst the crowd but not surprising. When Cassius says the first in the Rawlings family, he means it. Never before has a daughter been born into it, not one since our creation.

We were both shocked when she came out, but I couldn't begin to wish she were a boy. Neither could her daddy. He adores her as much as me and it's easy to see how dragons could be so protective and possessive of their daughters, because I can see all of that in Cassius.

Today's announcement lasts a bit longer than the others, solely because the crowd can't quite believe we truly have a daughter. Cassius is insistent that it is my doing, no amount of teasing him that it is he, that ultimately determines what our child is helps, he still insists that I wouldn't allow any but a female s***m to fertilize that egg.

When we're finally back in our suite, the boys playing happily as Ember and I rest on the couch, I almost can't believe the changes in my life or that this is my life.

"What's wrong?" Cassius asks, moving over to us instantly as I blink away the tears. He lifts me onto his lap, holding us both as close as possible. "What upset you, little wolf?"

"Not upset, so happy and amazed. Look at us Cassius, these three miracles we can call ours, when I never thought I might even..."

"Oh, my mate, don't cry. Not even tears of joy," he whispers, his lips pressing into my forehead. "You know we can't stand your tears, must destroy whatever causes them."

"You'd never be able to destroy my joy. Even when you swore you could never return my feelings you still insisted that I came first. You gave me pleasure when you could feel none for yourself without hesitation. You stole my heart and gave me the greatest joy anyone could have-a life filled with love. Adding in our children...we are perfect as we are."

"You will agree to the three we have, being it?" Cassius says in surprise. He'd suggested it while I was carrying Ember, even though I had no complications, no true need for bedrest to get us through the final days.

It wasn't because he didn't want any more, didn't want any more interruptions or nights where he didn't come first. It was purely because he did not want to risk anything happening the next time to tear me from him.

"For now, at least, yes. We can raise our babies as they are for a bit, then decide where our future is taking us," I suggest, laughing when Cassius rains kisses over my face and neck.

It pulls the boys' attention to us, and they are almost instantly in our arms as well, enjoying the attention and affection that we share for them. They bask in the love that he can feel and show towards them, just as much as I do.

If there's anything I know for certain, it's that our little Lycans will never grow up the way we did. They'll never feel anything but our love, no matter if we're strict in other ways. All I want is for them to grow up and become strong and independent, ruling with love first in their hearts and with what is right for all people. Their father is setting the perfect example for that, and it's incredible to watch.