The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman novel Chapter 325

~Leo~

After our wedding, Amelia and I embarked on a journey to Cains Island the very next day. It was a place close to her heart, a destination she had always wanted to visit. I chose this beautiful island as the perfect setting for our honeymoon. For two blissful weeks, we resided in a charming resort where every moment was filled with love and joy.

I made a solemn vow to myself each morning, determined not to let anything go wrong. My love for Amelia was all-encompassing, devoid of doubt or fear. I had committed myself completely, and every word spoken during our wedding was sincere and heartfelt.

With Yuri and the Stepanovs no longer posing a threat, we returned to our normal lives. Amelia and I shared unforgettable moments together. Her carefree nature and unwavering trust made it nearly impossible for anyone else to come between us. Her infectious humour added a touch of lightness to our days.

The growing bump on her belly served as a constant reminder that our little family would soon expand. Upon our return to Mountain, we decided to personally prepare the baby nursery, utilising Max's former room.

Alexei had graciously returned Hill Valley to Max, reuniting their members in Mountain and the people that remained Hill Valley. When I saw Max again, I noticed a change in him. The melancholy and hopelessness had vanished, and he radiated the same happiness and optimism as before the fated mate ordeal. He shared his dreams for the future, frequently visiting to lend a helping hand.

Kyle remained steadfast. His pack members returned to their land, and he became an improved version of himself. The East was no longer just a region; it had transformed into a tight-knit community. Everyone willingly extended a helping hand, erasing the boundaries between packs. The Stepanov situation had forged an unbreakable bond between the alphas in the area.

Our meetings were no longer tedious and obligatory; they became enjoyable reunions. Everything fell into place harmoniously. Most importantly, we had all grown stronger through our experiences.

As the Lord of the East, despite Sylvester's prediction that it would be a mere title, my responsibilities were substantial. I found myself fulfilling all the duties expected of a Lord. Eventually, I relocated my office to our home so that I could be readily available to assist Amelia whenever she needed me.

I had vowed never to prioritise anyone or anything above her, and I remained true to my promise. Casper handled most of my guests in the office, while only urgent and significant matters were attended to in my private residence. I intended to keep it that way, unburdening myself to ensure I could be fully present when our babies entered the world. My desire was to be there for every step of the journey, forging an unbreakable bond as we built a strong and loving family together.

Our pack house overflowed with cherished memories, and our dear friends graced its threshold regularly. However, as Avery and Katya's pregnancies progressed, the visits dwindled, replaced by eager anticipation for the day of their deliveries. Amelia, understandably nervous, found solace in Gezel's presence as she had come to stay and offer her support.

My parents stood by our side, their long-awaited retirement trip postponed until after the birth of their beloved grandchildren. In our conversations, I implored them to stay connected, and they, in turn, promised more. They vowed to visit every three months, ensuring I would always know their whereabouts. Somehow, everything fell perfectly into place.

Meanwhile, Alexei and Clay flourished in the western territory. They dedicated months to rooting out terrorists and extremists, and their efforts bore fruit. Erik, a remarkable leader, impeccably represented the West.

To our delight, Gezel and Erik's relationship blossomed further, removing any doubt about its future. Their union would be a blissful one, sealed under the enchantment of the upcoming Blue Moon. As for the Sullivans, they relocated to the South, assisting Devin in rebuilding the pack since many of the packs now had new alphas. Some of these new alphas were actual Stepanovs, esteemed members of the ten families that had come to our aid during the Gad crisis. Devin welcomed their support. While the Stepanovs may not have held the title of alpha, they were leaders in their own right.

Pridewood was restored, and its inhabitants found new homes to settle into. We erected a memorial to honour those who lost their lives, including Alpha Michael, who displayed incredible bravery. Witnessing the South's plight made us realise that Alpha Michael's choices were not foolish; he had either joined forces with Yuri or met his demise. He remained loyal until his last breath. A day was designated in the South to commemorate the fallen of Pridewood and their courageous and devoted alpha.

A month after our own wedding, Andrew and Mirabel exchanged vows, and Timothy graciously passed the torch of leadership to Andrew, allowing him to assume his role in Brentwood. Although Andrew had initially desired to be closer to his cousins in the West, love and destiny guided him to my domain. He settled with joy, content to visit the West instead. His happiness with Mirabel brought me immense delight. I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of Timothy's attempt to arrange a marriage between me and Her. How amusing it seemed now.

Nelson found himself in the western lands, surrounded by his cousins and other brothers. Yuri, a wicked and heartless man, showed no mercy even to his sons. Two of them paid with their lives for defying him. It was clear why Nelson fled, desperate to save himself.

But now, the evil man was gone, no longer a threat. Sylvester ensured that Yuri suffered every day, inflicting agonising pain upon him. Yuri begged for release, but Sylvester made sure his torment was slow and unforgettable. He, too, was no longer among us. Larry, too, had received the mercy of death, a wish granted to him.

Joan, imprisoned, remained uncertain of her future. Given the circumstances, I knew she would rot away in there. Leah had tried to find sympathy for her mother, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Now, as I'm about to become a father, I comprehend the gravity of Joan's crimes.

So much could have gone awry, and to think that it all stemmed from money troubles was absurd.

Erik kept Sean and some of the captured alphas alive, subjecting them to experiments. While some perished intentionally at Erik's hands, others were left devoid of their wolf companions, rendered harmless. Eventually, they would likely meet their end, as Erik never ran out of projects and experiments.

Stephanie and Jake sought solace in Grizlo, building a new life filled with happiness. Jake's wolf had yet to return, but we held onto hope that one day it would. Nevertheless, it didn't dampen their spirits. They retired and relished in the joy of life. During our visit to Grizlo, we encountered Donald, Jake's son, and Mikail Milton, his nephew. Their contentment was evident, and it brought us great pleasure. Meanwhile, Alexei diligently worked to develop Brighton, just as he had done for other places in Gad. The residents were immensely grateful for his efforts.

Old books containing the history of the Stepanov lineage were now accessible in libraries, and the tale of their bloodline was taught openly in schools. It was no longer a forbidden secret. Truly, things had turned out remarkably well, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being alive to witness it all.

Avery, the brave soul, was the first to bring forth new life, blessed with twins this time. Their son was named Alexander, while their daughter was affectionately named Eleanor. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented us from being by their side, as Amelia's due date was approaching. Nonetheless, we sent our heartfelt love across the distance. Later, it was Katya's turn to deliver her precious baby. It made perfect sense since she was already pregnant when they arrived in the East.

Katya, too, was blessed with twins, two darling boys named Henry and Logan. We eagerly sent our love and patiently awaited the arrival of our own children. I was consumed with nerves, and the news of Katya's delivery only heightened Amelia's anxiety. She had countless questions, particularly about how our little ones would look. I refrained from speculating, but deep down, I couldn't help but imagine they might resemble their beautiful mother.

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. In the early hours of the morning, Amelia's labour pains began. I promptly contacted the hospital, informing them that we were on our way. Hurrying to fetch the car, I prepared to drive her to the medical facility. With contractions occurring every fifteen minutes, we had enough time for the journey. Both of us were bubbling with excitement. Amelia managed to smile and even let out a few laughs as she practised her breathing exercises. Her eyes shimmered with tears of joy, revealing her profound eagerness to meet our little ones.