When we are one

Chapter 22 Anika

Oopsies.

That was... not entirely planned.

I think to myself as I watch Silvara, in all her silvery glory, pin Grace to the floor like the arrogant mutt she is. I let her take control—and honestly? I don’t regret it.

That damn girl knows exactly how to push my buttons, especially when it comes to Corbin. I saw that little wink she threw at me before she even made her move. Silvara had enough, and so did I.

The entire dining hall is silent. Everyone stares.

Grace squirms, and I can feel the smug pride radiating off Corbin behind me. He’s proud—of me. The part of me that finally didn’t hold back.

Oh, he’s definitely in trouble later though. “Office business,” huh? When did he get time to visit an office, let alone have one? I’ll be digging into that after this.

Still, I know I have to pull Silvara off Grace before she really loses it. I slowly regain control, shifting back to my human form. The shift feels heavier than usual—my body drained, probably from not shifting properly in days.

Corbin is right there behind me with a blanket. Always ready. Always watching. He wraps me up and pulls me to him, his warmth chasing away the exhaustion that settles into my bones.

Grace stands, brushing herself off with her nose turned up like she’s somehow still got pride to cling to. Snobby b***h. She stalks away without another word, but the tremble in her step doesn’t go unnoticed.

I turn to Corbin, arching a brow. He quickly looks away.

Guilty.

Interesting.

The pack gradually resumes what they were doing, conversation picking up like a broken current slowly restoring its flow.

I make my way back to Luna Olivia, still wrapped in the blanket, still trying to calm my heartbeat. My emotions are frayed—high from the shift, low from the fatigue, and somewhere in between... joy.

I glance at Briar across the room. If he knows I’m pregnant, then it wouldn’t surprise me if everyone does. Wolves can smell everything, after all.

I look down at my stomach and smile, just a little, then reach out and take Luna Olivia’s hand.

“I know things have been... chaotic,” I say softly, “but I’m grateful. Truly. To be here. To have Corbin. And to be able to give you your grandbabies.”

Her eyes widen, lips parting, and then tears well in her lashes—real, soft ones, not the kind she shows in battle or politics. She squeezes my hand and places her other over mine.

“Oh, Anika,” she whispers. “You’re a blessing more than you know.”

Luna Olivia’s response makes something swell deep inside me—a warmth, a quiet hope. If anything ever happens to me… I know, I know these babies will be loved, protected, and cherished.

But the moment doesn’t last long.

The “what ifs” creep in like a storm cloud—what if I’m not strong enough? What if the darkness I carry catches up? What if the prophecy is right and I was never meant to stay?

A small tear escapes, slipping silently down my cheek before I can stop it.

But Luna Olivia sees it.

She always sees.

Without a word, she cups my cheek in her hand, her thumb brushing the tear away like it never existed. Her touch is soft, motherly, and somehow stronger than steel.

“Light doesn’t fear the dark, Anika,” she says gently. “It shines through it. You were never meant to hide. And those babies?” Her other hand rests again on mine, on the life growing inside me. “They’re the future. Just like you.”

I don’t have words. Just a shaky nod. But the ache in my chest lightens.

I think for the first time in a long time, I believe her.