Chapter 177
[ 1,053 words ]
Chapter 178
Xavier
473
The pack house had never looked like this before. Not for any Alpha ceremony, not for a victory feast, not even for a wedding. Tonight wasn’t about warriors or politics or bloody battles; it was about one small girl whose smile had the power to break down every wall we’d built around ourselves. A princess deserved her castle, and damn it, we were going to give her one. Haiden was directing a pair of omegas in the corner, making sure the balloon arch held steady over the double doors. They were pearly pink and lavender, woven with thin silver ribbons that shimmered whenever they caught the light. The banner stretched across the wall read “Welcome Home, Princess Macey” in letters so glittery I could already hear her squealing. I tugged on the fairy lights strung along the beams overhead, stepping back to make sure the glow was soft enough to feel magical without blinding anyone. “Not bad,” I muttered, mostly
to myself.
“Not bad?” Haiden’s voice cut in, sharp as always, but there was a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That’s the understatement of the year. We’re about to host the biggest princess adoption party the Underworld, or the mortal world, for that matter, has ever seen. ”
I laughed under my breath. “And you’re loving every second of it, admit it p>
He didn’t deny it. Just kept adjusting the balloons until they were perfectly symmetrical, typical Haiden.
The long oak table in the center of the room had been transformed. Instead of the usual rugged dining setup, it was draped in a cloth of pale pink silk. A runner of white lace stretched down the middle, scattered with crystal bowls of sugared almonds, trays of cupcakes frosted with swirls of purple and gold, and vases of roses enchanted to sparkle faintly. At the far end, the cake sat on a pedestal, a three–tiered masterpiece covered in lavender fondant, edged with edible pearls, and topped with a crown made of spun sugar.
“She’s going to lose her mind when she sees that,” I said, nodding toward the cake.
Haiden smirked, arms crossed. “She deserves it p>
An omega hurried past us, carrying a tray of sparkling drinks that fizzed with enchanted bubbles. Another trailed behind with a stack of tiaras we’d picked up from the market earlier that day, Gold, silver, even one shaped like little black flames for the dramatic flair Macey would inevitably insist upon.
“Set those on the side table, ” I told them, and the omega obeyed, bowing her head.
The smell of sugar and butter drifted from the kitchen, where more omegas worked tirelessly on plates of cookies shaped like crowns and castles. The sound of laughter filtered through as they argued over whether the frosting should be pink or purple. I didn’t care which, as long as Macey got to shove a handful in her mouth and laugh until her cheeks hurt. Haiden came to stand beside me, both of us surveying the room like generals before a battle. Only this time, the stakes weren’t blood and territory; they were a little girl’s happiness.
“You know,” I said quietly, “if someone told me a year ago that we’d be here decorating for a party like this, I would’ve laughed in their face p>
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Chapter 178
Haiden snorted. “Same. But look at us now p>
“Yeah.” My chest tightened, in the good way. “She’s ours now. Official. No more uncertainty p>
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Haiden’s gaze softened, his usual steel giving way to something almost tender. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this until it was here. Until she was here p>
I didn’t answer right away. My eyes traced the banner, the cake, the tiaras lined up like treasure. For all our lives, we’d been defined by war, by violence, by the need to survive. Now… now we got to be defined by love. By family.
“You think she’s going to like the throne?” I asked, tilting my head toward the corner.
Haiden followed my gaze. The carpenters had worked fast, building a small wooden chair that we’d enchanted into looking like a throne. White paint gleamed against the soft pink cushion, and golden vines curled up its legs, shimmering faintly. A rug of faux fur lay beneath it, just waiting for Macey to plop down and demand her court
kneel before her.
Haiden’s grin turned mischievous. “Like it? She’s going to make us bow every morning from now until eternity p>
I barked out a laugh. “And we’ll do it, won’t we p>
“Every damn time p>
We just stood there, letting the silence stretch. The air buzzed with magic, not the dark, dangerous kind we were used to, but something lighter. Hopeful.
“You ever think about how much our lives have changed?” I asked finally.
Haiden hummed low in his throat. “All the time. I used to think fighting was the only thing I was good at. But then Envy came in and started making this family for us p>
I swallowed hard, his words echoing my own thoughts. “Yeah. She’s done that for all of us p>
“Macey’s going to have the kind of life she never thought possible,” he said firmly, like a vow. “And we’re going to
make sure of it p>
Before I could reply, the kitchen door swung open again and one of the omegas peeked out. “The crowns are ready for the guests, and the music charm is set. Do you want the musicians to start playing before or after Macey
arrives p>
Haiden glanced at me. I raised a brow.
“After,” he decided. “She should have her moment. A proper entrance p>
The omega nodded and disappeared.
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I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms. “She’s going to walk into this room, see all of it, and probably cry p>
“Good,” Haiden said, lips quirking. “She deserves to be overwhelmed with love p>
And damn if he wasn’t right. This wasn’t about strategy or defence. It was about joy. About giving a little girl her happily–ever–after. And when Macey came down those stairs, dressed in whatever gown she’d picked, I knew the
sight of her smile would be worth every battle we’d ever fought. This, this was a victory that mattered.
Chanter Commonto
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