The Lunar Queen Chapter 98

Lyric POV

When I wake up the next morning I feel sparks down my legs and across my stomach. Warmth immediately spreads through the bond and relief hits me so hard my eyes almost sting. He came back. He came to bed last night. Not just to the room. To me. I move to get up and his grip tightens.

“5 more minutes” He says half asleep.

His voice is rough with sleep and deeper than usual, and after everything between us the simple touch of him holding me close again makes my chest ache.

“Cole I have to pee and my boobs are leaking” I giggle.

His hand moves up my stomach and he pinches my nipple and a soft moan escapes my lips.

Heat instantly curls low in my stomach and Nova practically purrs in my head at the attention from our mate.

I laugh “Your squirting milk everywhere silly” I say laughing.

“ugh fine but come back” he says moving his arm and leg off me.

The second his body leaves mine I feel the absence immediately.

I run into the bathroom and pee before running into the nursery and grabbing the pump. When I get back in the room Cole is sitting up in the bed checking his phone.

His expression is calmer than last night but there’s still distance there. Careful distance.

He looks up at me as I step inside. “Come sit with me” he says.

Not an order. Not cold. Just tired.

I sit at the end of the bed but he pulls me to sit back to chest between his legs.

The second his arms wrap around me some of the tightness in my chest eases. Even upset with me, he still holds me like I belong there.

Before he can say anything I blurt out “I summoned Mason yesterday at the cemetery” I say quickly.

The words rush out before I can lose my nerve.

He sighs heavily as if he was holding his breath.

Not angry. Not explosive. Somehow that almost feels worse because I can tell he expected it already.

“Thank you. I won’t say this is fixed and I’m over it because I’m not but I don’t like when we are not speaking” he says

The honesty in his voice makes fresh guilt stab through me.

“I’m sorry for going to begin with Cole “ I say turning to face him.

“I never want you to feel like I didn’t choose you. I never want you to question our bond or how much I love you. I never want you to question if you can trust me” I say tears falling down my face.

Because the thought of him doubting that destroys me more than him being angry ever could.

He reaches out and wipes my tears.

His touch is gentle despite everything and Nova melts instantly under the affection.

“We agreed you wouldn’t shut me out especially when it came to him and you didn’t do that, you shut me out and then kept it from me. That can’t happen anymore princess” he says softly.

There’s no yelling now. Just hurt. Raw and exhausted and real.

“are you still mad at me?” I ask low.

He runs his hands over his face. “I am but I won’t ignore you or block you, I just need time to process my feelings. You really hurt me princess and that isn’t going to be fixed with one conversation” He says.

The words hurt but there’s relief tangled into the pain because at least he’s talking to me again. At least he still wants to try.

Just then the pups start crying.

The sharp cries instantly cut through the heaviness in the room.

I move to get off the bed and he scoops me up.

I squeal softly in surprise and his lips twitch for the first time since our fight.

“We aren’t good but I love you my Queen” he says kissing me deeply as if he was starving.

The kiss steals the air from my lungs. Apology. Frustration. Love. Hurt. It’s all there at once and the bond flares hot between us.

He carries me into the nursery and sets me down on the rocking chair. I unhook the pump from my breasts and hand him a bottle. We change their diapers and he helps me get settled with Adonis and Eloise in the rocking chair and he grabs Zachariah.

The domestic normalcy of it feels strangely emotional after yesterday. Like we’re finding our way back to each other one small moment at a time.

“I want to send the messengers to the other kingdoms today so we can move forward with the council. We also need to reach out to the Fae King and the Vampire King” I say.

“Okay we can do that after breakfast” he says

His tone shifts naturally back into king mode and for the first time since the argument we almost feel like ourselves again.

“Lyric, Winter and Iris are both in labor and they are crying for you” Lydia links me.

I scream out loud and the pups jump in my arms.

Adonis immediately starts fussing while Eloise’s tiny face scrunches up in confusion.

“oh mommy is sorry my loves” I say rocking them.

“You okay princess?” Cole asks.

Concern instantly flashes across his face and something warm settles in my chest at how quickly he reacts to me.

I grin “Winter and Iris are in labor, they are calling for me” I say.

He smiles “Go, I will have Rhea come and help me get the pups ready” he says.

The ease of the moment catches me off guard after all the tension between us.

He puts Zachariah in his crib and grabs Eloise from me, I stand and put Adonis in his crib and give Cole a kiss and rush out of the nursery still in my robe.

And since our fight, the bond between us doesn’t feel broken. Bruised maybe. Tender. But not broken.

When I get to the pack hospital Winter and Iris are in the same room. Dominic and Elias are pacing the room.

The entire room feels chaotic but happy at the same time. Nurses moving around quickly, contractions coming one after another, Dominic looking two seconds away from passing out while Elias looks like he’s trying not to laugh at him.

“Good morning everyone, let’s have some babies” I say smiling.

“You look better from yesterday” Winter says.

Even through obvious pain her eyes narrow on me knowingly and I immediately know exactly what she means.

I roll my eyes and laugh at her “Even while in labor you notice shit” I say shaking my head.

“That’s my job as the best friend, now distract me” she says.

I sigh “Fine, we talked this morning it didn’t fix everything but we’re speaking and we are going to try” I say.

The second the words leave my mouth some of the tension in Winter’s shoulders eases.

“Did you tell him?” She questions

“Yes I told him” I say.

I don’t miss the relieved glance Dominic and Elias exchange next to her.

“He will be down soon, he’s getting the pups ready for Leah” I say.

Lydia walks in to check them she walks to Winter first “Oh Winter you are ready to push” she says before her eyes glaze over and Dr Stewart walks in. Lydia walks to check Iris “You are ready to your highness” She says to Iris.

Four more nurses walk in and two walk to Winter and two to Iris. “Okay both of you on the next contraction you are going to push” Lydia says.

The room instantly shifts from playful to intense.

About 30 minutes later cries fill the room.

The sound immediately softens everything. Relief crashes through the room so fast it’s almost tangible.

Winter gave birth to a baby boy who looks just like Dominic with the same grey eyes as Winter. Iris delivered a beautiful baby girl who looks like mom with the same blue eyes that all the Blackwood pups have.

Dominic looks completely wrecked emotionally holding his son while Elias stares at his daughter like she personally hung the moon.

“They are beautiful, I need names” I say.

Dominic hands me the baby the moment I take him Nova pushes forward and my eyes glow purple.

Warmth rushes through me the second I hold him. Strong. Bright. Peaceful.

“Caelum” I say smiling Dominic and Winter repeat the name out loud.

“I love it” She says

“Why Caelum?” Dominic asks

“That’s just the name that popped in my head when I held him, like it just fit” I reply.

Almost like the Moon Goddess whispered it directly into my soul.

“We both agreed her name should be Lyrica” Iris says and my head snaps to them.

“You want to name her after me?” I ask voice cracking slightly.

Emotion clogs my throat instantly.

Iris smiles “Of course you inspire me sister and you have been through so much who better than you” She says.

The tears fall just as the familiar sparks dance across my skin the second Cole grabs my hand, warm and comforting despite the tears still falling down my face.

“You okay princess?” Coles asks wiping my tears and kissing my cheek lightly.

The bond flares instantly at his touch and despite everything between us, comfort settles in my chest automatically.

“They named their daughter after me” I say.

He smiles “who better than her aunt” He says.

The softness in his voice makes my chest ache because even hurt, he still treats me gently.

I lightly slap his arm and he smiles warmly at me. “Okay you four enjoy your bundles, Dominic we have a meeting in my office after breakfast” Cole says. "Okay I will be there" he replies

“Ready?” He asks looking down at me.

The question feels loaded somehow. Not just about leaving. About us.

I nod and then look down at myself “Can I go put actual clothes on?” I ask.

His eyes flash to Zeus “Need help?” He asks smirking.

Heat curls low in my stomach instantly at the look in his eyes. The first real teasing look he’s given me since our fight.

“I sure do Alpha” I say turning and walking out of the room.

I can practically feel his eyes on me as I walk away.

But we don’t get far before Cole gets a link.

His entire expression shifts immediately back into Alpha mode.

“I’m sorry princess I have to go to the border, meet you at breakfast? And raincheck?” he asks.

I cup his cheek “Of course my King” I say getting on my tip toes and kissing him before he turns and runs out the hospital.

The kiss is quick but lingering enough to promise we’re still finding our way back to each other.

“I wonder what that is about” Nova says.

“Hopefully nothing bad” I reply.

But deep down unease twists in my stomach because peace never seems to last long for us.