When we are one

Chapter 21 Corbin

As Anika lays curled beside me, the soft rise and fall of her breath steadying, I sit up and turn toward her, unable to resist the magnetic pull of her body—even now, when the chaos has quieted. My eyes fall to the gentle curve of her stomach, still flat, but alive with meaning.

My fingers trace slow circles around her belly button, reverent. There’s life in here. Two lives.

If you’d asked me a week ago, I would’ve thought this was crazy. Hell, a month ago, I didn’t even believe in fate. Now I’m lying in bed next to a woman who carries not just my heart—but my children.

I bend down and press a kiss to her stomach, and warmth floods my chest.

“Hi, you two,” I murmur quietly, my lips ghosting against her skin. “It’s your daddy. I already love you both more than anything. I promise you—I’ll protect you, always.”

Behind me, I feel the shift in Anika’s breathing. I glance up and find her smiling, her eyes soft with something more than love—something sacred.

I kiss a slow trail up her body, worshipping every inch, until I reach her lips. She meets me there, her mouth melting into mine with that same fire, that same forever.

When we part, I rest my forehead against hers. My heart is thundering, but it’s not fear anymore. It’s purpose.

“She’s my future,” I think. “Our future.”

I take her hand in mine, interlocking our fingers. My voice is rough, but steady.

“Anika… we need to complete the Luna ceremony. Mother’s planned it for the next full moon.”

Her eyes widen, not with fear this time—but gravity.

“I know things feel like they’re moving fast, but we don’t have time to wait anymore. You’re already mine in every way that counts—but the pack needs to see it. They need to see you for who you truly are.”

She nods softly, brushing her thumb across the back of my hand.

“And until then,” I continue, voice firmer, “I want us to meet with the witch. If there’s any magic, any protection she can offer… I want to know. You’re carrying my children. I will not let the past repeat itself. I won’t lose you.”

Anika exhales, her gaze steady, fierce.

“You won’t,” she whispers. “You have me. All of me.”

And in that moment, I feel the mate bond pulse—slow, deep, and eternal. We’re not just bound. We’re building something that no darkness can steal.

Not this time.

We get out of bed Anika slips my shirt over her bare skin, and the way it hangs off her shoulders nearly undoes me. It’s oversized on her petite frame, brushing the tops of her thighs, and gods, she’s never looked more beautiful—or more mine.

She catches the look I give her, cheeks flushing, and I can tell we’re both thinking the same thing. But we don’t have time. Not now.

I offer her my hand, and we head downstairs.

The pack house is buzzing, alive with chatter. Most are here, minus those on patrol. Dinner must be close, and I can already smell roasted meat and herbs wafting from the kitchen.

My father sits at the head table, and beside him is Briar. I shoot him a look, and he gets the message—he’s still very much on my s**t list.

Anika releases my hand and drifts toward my mother, instantly lighting up the room like she always does. Even the pack members who haven’t spoken to her yet can’t seem to look away.

She’s their future Luna—and whether they realize it yet or not, she’s born for it.

Of course, Grace pretends not to notice, playing her usual role as the most oblivious, entitled brat in the room.

“Corbin,” she purrs, sauntering toward me with that sly smirk. “You’ve been avoiding me since our last meeting in the office.” She winks, loud enough for a few heads to turn.

I feel the mate bond flare—hard. Anika stiffens. I don’t even have to look at her to know that Silvara is awake and livid.

“Grace,” I say sharply, “respect me as your Alpha. And back off.”

She scoffs. “Please. You didn’t seem to mind when I did that thing with my—”

Ezra growls, loud and possessive, the sound rumbling through my chest like thunder. But before I can rein him in—

There’s a flash of silver light.

And then Silvara is there, fully shifted, standing in the center of the dining hall in all her radiant glory. The room falls dead silent.

Moon goddess, she is stunning. Her silver coat gleams like starlight, her eyes glowing white-blue like the night sky itself. She pins Grace to the ground with a growl that echoes like an ancient war cry. She is divine fury. Beautiful. Terrifying.

Nobody moves.

Grace squirms beneath her, fear finally reaching her face.

“Enough,” Silvara snarls, her voice like wind through crystal. “Touch what is mine again and you will bleed for it.”

I take a slow breath, watching Anika’s body tremble—not from fear, but from the sheer weight of her wolf’s emergence.

This... This is her power. Not the untrained girl we first met. Not the rogue. But the Luna. The goddess-blooded force who will burn the world for what she loves.

And she’s mine.