Chapter 202

Chapter 202
Nolan POV
The drive to Moonstone had become almost routine now the familiar stretch of forest roads, the steady hum of tires over gravel, the faint ache of anticipation that started somewhere in my chest and grew stronger the closer!
got.
I told myself I was coming for the meeting. For diplomacy. For stability between the packs.
But I knew better.
The truth was, every mile that brought me nearer to Ellie’s little apartment brought me nearer to something I hadn’t realized I was starving for – belonging
That was the only word that I could put to the feeling I had when I saw the twins.
It was a soul-deep feeling that this is where I belong, with them.
Lance was waiting when I arrived, leaning casually against the railing outside Ellie’s door. He looked as if he’d just stepped out of some careless dream: sleeves rolled up, expression light, the faintest grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I wasn’t even sure why he was in Moonstone already. I hadn’t asked. When I’d called him last night, I wasn’t even really sure why.
I was anxious at the prospect of seeing the boys. It was ridiculous, I knew, but I couldn’t shake the feeling, Lance had been a part of their lives from the beginning. The phone call had started with me asking if there was anything I should be aware of and ended with Lance agreeing to meet me at Ellie’s apartment.
I was grateful to see him, even if I couldn’t quite bring myself to admit it.
“You’re late,” Lance said.
“You’re early,” I countered, arching a brow.
“I like to make a good impression.”
I gave him a look. “You’ve already met them.”
“True,” Lance said easily. “But I’m excited to see how you handle this. Seeing you as
a dad is going to be something else.”
Despite myself, I smirked. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”
Lance grinned, then knocked on the door.
When Ellie opened it, the air shifted.
She looked different here, surrounded by warmth and light and the faint, sweet smell of the boys’ things. Her hair was pulled back loosely, a few strands falling into her
face, and there was a calmness in her eyes that made my heart twist.
It was obvious that she was comfortable here – that she felt safe. It wasn’t
something that I had seen from Ellie often, and the thought sent a sour frisson of guilt through me.
“Hey,” she said, smiling politely. “Come in.”
I stepped inside, trying not to stare. The apartment was small but bright – books stacked on the table, toys scattered across the floor, the faint sound of the twins babbling from the next room. It felt lived-in. Safe.
1/2
Chapter 202
Home.
+25 Bonus
Lance moved easily through the space, clearly at ease. He crouched near the play mat where the boys were sitting, letting them grab at his fingers, laughing when lan managed to pull a button loose from his shirt.
“You’ve gotten stronger,” Lance told the baby, mock-scowling. “You planning to challenge me for my title already?”
lan squealed in delight.
I stood by the edge of the rug for a long moment, watching. My throat felt tight.
This was a side of my little brother that I’d never seen. It seemed so natural to him, and something about seeing him so happy and playful made me freeze.
Ellie caught my expression and smiled softly. “They’ve been excited all morning. I think they knew you were coming.”
I knelt slowly, careful not to startle them. “Hey, little ones, I murmured, my voice gentler than I’d expected. Miss me?”
August looked up at me with wide eyes, then crawled forward and reached for me. I froze.
Ellie watched quietly, her expression undreadable, as I gathered the baby into my arms. I moved awkwardly at first uncertain, careful – but the moment August relaxed against my chest, my entire body seemed to ease.
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Lance glanced over and smiled faintly. “You’re a natural.”
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Feels like I’m learning to breathe again.”
“Babies’ll do that to you,” Lance said.
I looked down at the tiny face pressed against my shoulder, the dark hair so much
like my own. The baby’s weight was warm, grounding. For the first time in years, the world felt still.
For a second, I thought that I was going to cry.
I glanced at Ellie, who was sitting cross-legged on the rug, smiling softly as lan clapped his hands.
“You’ve done an incredible job with them,” I said.
Ellie’s cheeks flushed. “I’ve had help. Cassian, Rae, Claire
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