The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (Bella and scott) novel Chapter 99

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

This enforced separation gnawed at me, a relentless ache that refused to fade. A whole day without seeing Bella or our pups felt like an eternity stretching before me. Nancy had insisted it was tradition, a customary practice before the wedding, but I couldn’t shake the heaviness in my heart. Bella had consented to this as well, which only deepened my frustration. If she had voiced her dissent, I could have fought back, but she hadn’t. She wanted this day to unfold with all the right rituals. How could I argue against her wishes?

My Lycan surged within me, a restless force, pacing and agitated. He tugged at my very essence, pulling me toward the cottage as if it were a magnet, a compass needle unwavering in its direction. Every few moments, I found myself turning instinctively toward that familiar place, only to force my feet to remain still. Concentration slipped through my fingers like sand. Conversations around me faded into the background, irrelevant whispers in a world that felt increasingly distant. Time, that cruel trickster, crawled at a snail’s pace, stretching each hour into an unbearable ordeal. One day apart from my mate and our pups felt infinitely longer than the years I had spent without them.

By midday, my patience had frayed to its limit. When Troy casually mentioned that Nancy had reinforced the boundary spells around the cottage, my frustration erupted before I could rein it in. “The moment I marry Bella, I will throw that witch out of my pack!” I declared, my voice laced with a fierce determination.

Troy halted, turning to face me, his expression a mixture of amusement and caution. “You mean the same witch who safeguarded your heirs from every predator imaginable, kept them alive, and pulled you back from the brink of madness?” he countered, raising an eyebrow.

I scowled, raking a hand through my hair in exasperation. I knew my anger wasn’t truly directed at Nancy. She had earned her place here a hundred times over. Yet, my frustration demanded an outlet. I didn’t genuinely want her gone; I just longed to have my family back in my arms. My Lycan growled softly, unimpressed by my excuses. He didn’t care for tradition or spells; he was solely focused on Bella, counting every agonizing second until we could be reunited.

The pack buzzed with an energy I hadn’t witnessed in years. Wolves were working together seamlessly across the grounds, hanging twinkling lights, laying down fresh paths, and adorning the temple with beautiful decorations. Fires crackled to life around the Moon Goddess Temple, each flame placed according to ancient customs that spoke of reverence and celebration.

Watching my people, a warmth blossomed in my chest. They radiated genuine happiness, moving with pride and loyalty. Laughter and excited chatter filled the air, weaving a tapestry of joy that enveloped me. They weren’t merely preparing for a wedding; they were laying the foundation for a future, for heirs who would one day take their place in this legacy. The realization filled me with hope, igniting a spark of happiness within.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, I gazed at it in disbelief. I had come perilously close to losing everything—my mate, my pups, even my own sanity. In the depths of the forest, there had been moments when despair threatened to consume me, when grief and rage clawed at my insides. But Bella had chosen me, time and time again—even when I was at my absolute worst.

My Lycan settled slightly, his agitation easing as the bond between us hummed softly. The weight of that connection grounded me, and I instinctively rubbed my chest, seeking comfort in its presence.

When it was time to dress, Troy took charge, ensuring that I didn’t rip off the black suit in a fit of impatience.

“You’re pacing again,” he remarked, adjusting my bowtie with a practiced hand.

“I’m standing,” I replied through gritted teeth, trying to maintain my composure.

“Standing aggressively,” he shot back, a teasing glint in his eyes.

I shot him a glare, but he merely smirked in return. He continued to chat, joking that I looked more like a warrior preparing for battle than a groom ready for marriage. Despite my irritation, his words helped ease the tension a little. Troy had stood by my side through countless battles, losses, and betrayals. If anyone could be here with me now and treat this moment with the humanity it deserved, it was him.

“She’s here,” my Lycan rumbled softly, an undercurrent of excitement in his voice.

I remained rooted to the spot, my hands trembling despite my best efforts to steady them. I had faced armies without flinching, but this anticipation was a different beast altogether. The world around me faded, narrowing down to the path leading into the sanctum, to the moment when I would finally lay eyes on her again.

Emma and Ryan appeared first, their faces beaming with joy. They scattered petals across the stone floor, their small hands working diligently. Dressed in beautiful shades of pink and blue, they looked impossibly proud, their eyes sparkling with excitement. They turned to me, calling out in unison, “Daddyyy!”

My heart tightened painfully in my chest. Those were my children, my blood, walking toward me, my heirs.

Ryan caught my gaze, grinning from ear to ear, his chest puffed out as if he were the king of the world. Emma twirled playfully, giggling as she clutched the petals in her fingers. The pack looked on, their expressions filled with pure affection for the little ones.

I yearned to step forward, to scoop them up in my arms, to kiss their foreheads and tell them how proud I was. But I held myself back, allowing them their moment, letting them take their rightful places. Yet, my heart felt as though it might burst from the sheer joy of it all.

And then, she appeared.