"Mom?"
"Are you alright?" Fae Aurora came closer, inspecting my hand with a hint of concern. It bore a slight blister from the salt that had been hurled onto my forearm.
Fae Aurora's sudden creation of an eerie green light, aimed at my arm, elicited a frown from me, accompanied by the chilling touch of a cold wind against my skin.
"Is there pain?" Timothee inquired, moving closer with caution to inspect the state of my hand.
"It stings and itches," I exhaled slowly.
"It will be alright, dear," Fae Aurora's gentle touch graced my cheek. "Shall we return? A grand feast awaits our presence."
Reluctantly, I eventually followed them back to the orphanage.
"Mommy!" Asher's voice trembled as his eyes met mine, a mix of fear and confusion in his gaze. "What's wrong, Mommy?"
A faint smile graced my lips.
"Everything is alright, my dear," I whispered softly.
"But you're injured, Mommy," Sawyer retorted.
"Darling, I'm alright. Merely a scratch, destined to mend within 24 hours." I chuckled and then guided them to quickly enjoy the food already served on the table.
As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my family. Even though they were not related to me by blood, they had become my everything.
"I'm glad we found each other," I said softly.
"I share my gratitude for this moment. The Moon Goddess has orchestrated our gathering," Timothee expressed with fervor.
"I'm serious, Timmy," I whispered, my smile fading as unshed tears welled up, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air between us.
Fae Aurora gently grasped my hand, drawing in a deep breath that seemed to convey reassurance. A soft smile graced her lips. "You possess your father's essence, Barbara."
"What do you mean, mom?" I asked.
With a gentle stroke of my hair, she whispered, "Your courage mirrors your father's."
Another slice of pie silently appeared on my plate.
"Your father's essence," Barbara repeated, her voice barely audible. She remembered the stories, the fragments of memories woven into her childhood. Her father, a man of quiet strength, had left too soon. His absence had carved a hollow space in their lives, a void that even time couldn't fill.
"Courage," Fae Aurora murmured, her eyes distant. "He faced the unknown with unwavering resolve. When the storms raged, he stood firm. And now, my dear, you carry that same flame within you."
Barbara blinked back tears. She had always felt a connection to her father, an invisible thread that bound them across realms. But to hear it spoken aloud, to know that her courage was more than mere coincidence—it was both a burden and a gift.
"Why now?" Barbara's voice trembled. "Why tell me this?"
Fae Aurora's smile held a hint of sadness. "Because the path ahead is treacherous," she said. "The world is changing, and you must be ready. Your father's legacy is not just a memory; it's a beacon. You'll face trials, Barbara, but remember: courage is not the absence of fear. It's the choice to keep going despite it."
Barbara nodded, her resolve hardening. She would honor her father's essence, embrace the courage that flowed through her veins. The slice of pie remained untouched, forgotten in the wake of revelations.
"Daddy," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the window. "I'll make you proud."
Timothee grasped my hand tenderly, placing a gentle kiss on it. "Can we have a heart-to-heart now?"
"What could it be?" I brushed away my tears, our eyes meeting. The boys gazed at Timothee, anticipation written on their faces, waiting for his next words.
"I want our relationship to be more exclusive, Barbara." Timothee's eyes now landed on my corneas without flinching, leaving me tongue-tied without a word to say in response.
"Do you mind?" Timothee continued.
I glanced at Fae Aurora for a moment, a little awkward. Really awkward, because Timothee said this in front of many eyes. I felt my cheeks heat up instantly. Fae Aurora smiled warmly, giving me an encouraging nod. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
"I...I don't know what to say," I finally managed to stammer out, my heart racing in my chest. Timothee's expression softened, his hand reaching out to gently cup my cheek.
"It's okay, Barbara. Take your time," he reassured me, his eyes filled with understanding and patience. And in that moment, surrounded by our friends, I knew that this was the start of something new and special.
"What are you waiting for, Barbara? Don't you both love each other and already have Asher and Sawyer?" Fae Aurora nudged me playfully, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
I couldn't help but laugh at her words, the tension and nervousness slowly dissipating from my body.
"Yes, Timothee. I would love for us to be more exclusive," I said, a smile spreading across my face as Timothee's eyes lit up with happiness.
"So, I'll soon be organizing the mating event that we will hold in the near future," Timothee smiled, squeezing my hand tighter than before.
I nodded and smiled. "I can't wait," I replied, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. In that moment, surrounded by our friends who had become family, I knew that we were truly meant to be together.
"This happy news is a great gift for all of us, Lycan," Dave commented, then raised his glass of berry juice into the air. "Let's toast to this happy news."
As we clinked our glasses together, the room filled with cheers and laughter. The warmth of our friends' support and love enveloped us, making us feel even more grateful for the journey that had brought us to this moment.
I looked into Lycan's eyes and knew that he's being a sincere creature. I no longer see Timothee as a ruthless Lycan as others have talked about. I don't see cruelty in his life; instead, I see a warm side that I can't define with words.
Moreover, which cruel human would be willing to take in abandoned children like them? It takes a big heart and a kind soul like Timothee's to do so.
"Finish your dinner quickly, dear," Fae Aurora said, stroking my hair with a teasing smile on her face.
As I devoured the last bite of my meal, I couldn't help but laugh at Fae Aurora's playful tone. She always had a way of making even mundane tasks like eating dinner entertaining.
I lowered my gaze from Timothee and savored the remaining bit of my dinner. Feeling a bit embarrassed as now all of Timothee's foster children's eyes turned towards me.
"I would be delighted if Luna Barbara truly becomes Timothee's wife," Mara beamed widely and winked at Prilly.
"Indeed, I hope Silver Armor Forest will always be blessed by the moon goddess after your wedding, Lycan," Prilly smiled broadly.
I blushed at their words, feeling both touched and slightly overwhelmed. Timothee, on the other hand, looked like the epitome of calm and collected as he gracefully thanked everyone for their well wishes.
As we all finished our dinner and moved to the living room, Dave couldn't resist teasing us a bit more. "So Luna Barbara, have you started planning your wedding yet?"
"That's not important. But have you already made a special serum for the mating event?" Prilly interrupted before I could even respond.
"Serum?"