Twice Mated: Another Chance Against Family

(Clarissa’s POV) Golden chandeliers bathed the ballroom in warm light. Laughter and music swirled around us as I spun in wide circles, Inza and Idalie’s small hands tight in mine. Finn toddled behind on stubby legs, nearly tripping with every eager step. “Faster, Rissa! Faster!” Inza squealed. I laughed and picked up the pace until we all collapsed in a breathless, giggling heap on the cool marble. Finn crawled straight into my lap, wrapping sticky arms around my neck. “Don’t tell the others,” he whispered, pressing a sticky kiss to my cheek, “but you’re my favourite sister.”Deep dimples creased my cheeks as I hugged him close. “Your secret is safe with me, little wolf.” For a moment, my heart swelled with genuine joy. These moments - the laughter, the sticky kisses, the unconditional love - truly helped me stay grounded. I was lucky. And yet, even as I smiled, that familiar hollow ache stirred quietly in my chest, a space nothing seemed able to fill. At the head table, Mother watched us with soft emerald eyes. Her deep green gown caught the light as she smiled - the kind that always loosened the knot between my shoulder blades. I carried a now-sleeping Finn over to her. She pulled us both into a hug, resting her chin on my head. “Daddy still couldn’t make it?” I asked quietly. “He’s holding the border against the Silver Dusk,” she murmured, careful not to wake him. “We’ll make it safe for Finn… for all of you. It’s what we must do.” Her gaze drifted toward Jacob Harlan, then back to me with gentle hope. “I just hope you won’t have to shoulder it alone.” “Mummy…” I groaned, dragging out the word. “He was watching you again tonight,” she said, a playful lilt in her voice. “That boy lights up whenever you walk into a room.” “He’s… nice,” I offered. She tapped my nose. “Nice is a start, peach. You deserve someone who sees how brightly you shine.” She pressed her forehead to mine. “You held this family together tonight. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” “I love you, Mummy.” “I love you more than anything in this world.” She took Finn from my arms. “I’ll put him down. Go enjoy the rest of your night.” Then, with a mischievous grin, she called across the room, “Jacob! Rissa hasn’t tried the honey-glazed pastries yet!” “Mummy!” I hissed, cheeks burning. She winked and vanished into the crowd. I caught Grandmother Eleanor’s piercing green eyes on me from across the room. My stomach tightened. But Jacob was already weaving toward me, so I slipped into the throng of guests before he could close the distance. The rest of the evening passed in a beautiful blur of rich food, lively music, and joyful chaos. I danced until my feet ached, laughed until my stomach hurt. I didn’t know what I did to deserve this version of reality, but I won’t question it - surrounded by a family that adored me and a pack that looked to us for strength and me. As the evening light faded into dusk, the lively energy of the night slowly faded into soft murmurs and tired laughter By the time the last guests trickled out and the musicians packed away their instruments, the grand ballroom felt quieter, the golden lights dimmer. Inza and Idalie had finally tired themselves out and were sound asleep on a nearby sofa, their small bodies curled together like puppies. I looked down at them, a warm smile tugging at my lips despite the growing heaviness in my chest. “Peach,” Mum called softly from across the room, “your grandmother and I will meet you upstairs. Let me walk the last guests out, okay?” I raised my hand with what little strength I had left and gave her a thumbs-up. I forced myself off the sofa, my legs protesting, and gently lifted Inza and Idalie into my arms. Their warm, trusting weight pressed against me as I carried them down the long hallway toward their rooms. In the quiet corridor between our chambers, I paused, drew a slow breath, and rolled my aching shoulders. I dragged my tired legs toward my own room and stopped outside the door, jaw tight. Take deep breaths. Let Grandmother make the lecture quick. I pushed the door open. Vanessa - my mother - already sat on the edge of my bed. Grandmother Eleanor stood by the window, regal as ever. The orange sunset still lingered outside. “Please shut the door behind you,” Eleanor said. The moment the latch clicked, she spoke a single sharp word. The air thickened, then went utterly still. All distant sounds from the halls vanished. The cool moonlight glow beyond the window dimmed, as if the room had been sealed inside a marble. I unzipped my gown, kicked off my heels, and slid beneath the covers. Mother helped pull the blankets up around me, her fingers smoothing my long ginger hair away from my face with familiar gentleness. “Thank you again for tonight,” she whispered. “Seeing you with the little ones… it means everything.” Eleanor remained watchful. “How is your training with Jacob progressing?” “It’s… coming along,” I said carefully. Mother squeezed my hand. “Our magic has always been tricky. You’ll master it in time.” Eleanor’s gaze sharpened. “And you’ve kept it to yourself?” I nodded. She made a small, satisfied sound. Mother kissed my forehead. “Sleep well, peach.” She paused at the door, then poked her head back in with a bright smile. “Good night!” “Good night, Mummy.” Eleanor lingered a moment longer. “Training resumes tomorrow. Rest. Good night, Clarissa.” “Good night, Grandma. Sleep well….” The door clicked shut. The smile dropped. Silence crushed me. I stared at the ceiling until the warmth bled out, leaving only ice behind my ribs. “Sleep well… Till the day I make you draw your last breath. The way you made Daniel and me draw ours.”