Chapter 25
937 Words
Astrid’s POV
Astrid had been quiet the entire time, her eyes fixed on Caspian as he recounted Elara’s journey on how she met Easton in the human world, how fear and fate collided, how love crossed realms. When he finally fell silent, the crackling fire between them was the only sound in the room.
Astrid exhaled slowly, her expression softening.
“Caspian…” she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. “I knew Elara was strong, but I never imagined she carried all of that alone.”
Her gaze drifted toward the window, where moonlight spilled into the room.
“A human mate. A billionaire who had no idea what she was. That must have terrified her.”
There was admiration in her voice, it was deep, sincere. “And yet she still chose him.”
She looked back at Caspian, eyes shimmering with emotion.
“She’s braver than she realizes. To love someone who could reject her for something she couldn’t change… that takes a kind of courage most wolves never learn.”
A small smile touched Astrid’s lips as she thought of Easton.
“And him… he didn’t run. He kept coming back to her, even without understanding why. That’s powerful.”
Caspian nodded, but Astrid wasn’t done.
“I think,” she whispered, “that’s the kind of love the Moon Goddess smiles on. Pure. Unplanned. Strong enough to bend worlds.”
Her voice turned gentle, almost playful. “And their daughter… Maya. She’s going to be something extraordinary.”
Astrid leaned closer to Caspian, resting her head lightly against his shoulder.
“I’m glad you told me,” she said softly. “It’s beautiful. Their story… it gives me hope.”
Caspian slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
“As it should,” he murmured.
Astrid closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his presence settle in her heart.
“Because if love like that exists,” she whispered, “then maybe ours is just beginning.”
Caspian leaned back, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as Astrid rested against him.
“You want to hear another one?” he asked softly. “Alright… I’ll tell you how Lyria met her mate.”
Astrid’s eyes lit up immediately.
Caspian exhaled, his expression turning nostalgic.
“Lyria was always the wild one. The stubborn one. The one who swore she’d never let the Moon Goddess choose her fate. She wanted to travel, train warriors, live free, anything except be tied to a mate.”
He shook his head, amused.
“So of course, fate chose the worst possible time to intervene.”
Astrid tilted her head, listening closely.
“It happened during a storm,” Caspian continued. “She had gone out alone, again to scout the northern borders. Rain pouring, lightning everywhere. She sensed rogues nearby and tried to fight them off, but one of them had silver blades. She was wounded… badly.”
His jaw tightened at the memory.
“And then he showed up,” he said. “Darian.”
Astrid blinked. “Her mate?”
“Yes.” Caspian nodded. “A lone wolf. Powerful. Quiet. The kind who carries storms inside him. He’d been traveling through our territory on purpose—he felt the bond before he ever saw her.”
Caspian’s voice softened.
“He found her bleeding in the rain, surrounded by rogues. Tho she had fought and killed many of them, but they were just too much and one of them hurt her with a silver blade, she wasn’t expecting it.
He tore through them like nothing. Lyria told me later she didn’t know what shocked her more, if it was the fact he fought like a demon… or the way he looked at her after.”
Astrid smiled gently. She knew they loved each other so much.
Caspian continued, “She tried to push him away, even while she was half-conscious. Told him she didn’t need a mate, didn’t need saving.”
He chuckled. “But Darian just wrapped his coat around her, lifted her into his arms and said, ‘Too bad. The Goddess gave you to me.’”
Astrid laughed softly. “She must have hated that.”
“Oh, she did,” Caspian said. “She fought him the entire time. Snapped at him. Argued with him. But he never raised his voice. Never let go. And when she healed, she realized something she never expected”
He looked straight into Astrid’s eyes.
“she felt safe with him. For the first time in her life.”
Astrid’s expression softened, her voice low. “That’s beautiful, Caspian.”
Caspian gave a small nod.
“They balance each other. Her fire. His calm. And even now, years later… he still watches her like she’s the only star in the sky worth following.”
Astrid’s heart fluttered, warmth blooming in her chest.
“I love that,” she whispered. “Your family… they love deeply.”
Caspian smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“We all do,” he murmured. “Some of us… more than we’re ready to admit. They even have a daughter now, she’s a year old, her name is Anna. Did you know Mira’s second son and Lydia’s mate are namesake”
“Wow, I had no idea, it’s so lovely, I would like to meet their kids someday.”
“You would meet them, soon.”
His gaze lingered on her, and Astrid felt her breath catch.
Because she knew he wasn’t just talking about Lyria anymore.
- Writer
