Dominic's POV
I had faced wars. Led my pack through bloodshed. Torn down anyone who dared threaten what was mine.
But nothing nothing compared to the moment I held my son for the first time.
He was small, fragile, his tiny fingers curling slightly against the blanket wrapped around him. Yet, despite his size, I could already feel the strength in him. The fire of an Alpha. My heir.
Ashen lay exhausted on the hospital bed, his face pale but his eyes locked onto our pup. Despite everything he had been through, he reached out for him with trembling fingers.
I lowered myself beside him, carefully placing our son in his arms. The moment their skin touched, something inside Ashen changed. His breath hitched, his body going still as he cradled our child against his chest.
"He's so small," Ashen whispered, brushing his thumb over our son's soft cheek.
I smiled, pressing a kiss to Ashen's temple. "Yeah. But he's strong. Just like you."
Ashen looked up at me, something unspoken passing between us. Love. Trust. The kind of bond that had been forged through fire and pain.
I reached out, running my hand through Ashen's damp hair before resting it gently over the pup's tiny back.
"We should name him," I said softly.
Ashen bit his lip, glancing down at the baby. "Do you have something in mind?"
I exhaled slowly, my gaze lingering on the life we had created. A future we never expected but now couldn't live without.
"Luca," I murmured.
Ashen looked up, surprised. "Luca?"
I nodded. "It means 'bringer of light.' And that's what he is. Our light."
Ashen's lips trembled, and after a moment, he nodded. "Luca," he whispered. "It's perfect."
Our son. Luca Varen.
The future of our pack.
—
Weeks Later At Home
Ashen was exhausted. He'd barely slept between feeding Luca and trying to act like he was fine. But I knew him. I saw the dark circles under his eyes, the way he swayed slightly when he stood for too long.
Which was why I was currently standing in front of him, arms crossed, my patience running very thin.
"Ashen," I said, my voice low. "Get on the damn bed."
Ashen groaned, rolling his eyes. "Dominic, I—"
"—Need rest," I cut him off. "Now, get your ass in bed before I put you there."
Ashen huffed but didn't argue when I guided him toward the bed. He carefully lay down, and the moment his head hit the pillow, I could already see the tension in his body ease.
I sat beside him, running my fingers through his hair, watching as his lashes fluttered slightly.
"You don't have to do everything alone anymore," I murmured. "You have me, Ashen. You have this pack. You have us."
He looked up at me, his expression softer than I had ever seen it. "I know," he whispered. "I'm trying."
I leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead. "I'll be here every step of the way."
I glanced at the crib beside the bed, where Luca slept peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling.
My mate. My son.
My world.
I would burn kingdoms for them. Slaughter anyone who dared to harm them.
I would give them everything.
And I would protect them—always.
The End.