Chapter 289: Future Plans

We sat at the edge of the territory, where the forest met the cliffs and the night wind carried the scent of pine and salt. The pack house lights were far behind us, just faint golden dots in the distance. Out here, it felt like the world belonged only to us.

“Lewis,” I said softly, leaning against his shoulder, “when we finally deal with whoever is threatening the pack… let’s build a place in the mountains. Somewhere high. Just ours. We can go there on weekends, on holidays. No meetings. No warriors. Just us. What do you think?”

“Sure,” he replied.

His answer was simple, but his arm tightened around me. That was enough.

“Then I’ll focus on having a baby,” I continued, tracing circles on his palm. “How many do you want? Boys or girls?”

He was quiet for a moment. The wind shifted, brushing his scent over me steady, controlled, Alpha even at rest.

“Either is fine,” he said.

I smiled, thinking he just hadn’t decided. “It doesn’t matter to me either. As long as we raise them well. Strong. Loyal. I don’t want them growing up lost or bitter.”

“Alright.”

“If it’s a boy, I hope he’s like you. Tall. Calm. Commanding without trying. The whole pack will respect him.” I laughed softly. “If it’s a girl, I want her to be fierce like me. I’ll spoil her and still teach her how to fight.”

Just imagining it made my chest warm. Our pups running across the training grounds. Lewis watching them with that quiet pride he never showed in public.

“Lewis, you’ll spoil them too, right?”

Silence.

“Lewis?”

I lifted my head and found him staring into the dark valley, eyes distant, as if listening to something I couldn’t hear. He rarely drifted like that. His instincts were always sharp, always present.

When he noticed me watching, he blinked and looked down. “Sorry, Elena. What did you say?”

I brushed my fingers over his nose. “Where did you go just now?”

He pulled me closer, pressing his forehead to mine. “If I’m not thinking about you, who else would I be thinking about? It’s late. We’ve had a long day. Let’s rest.”

“Okay.” I lifted my arms. “Carry me.”

He didn’t hesitate. He scooped me up easily, like I weighed nothing, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as he walked back toward the house. His heartbeat was strong beneath my ear. Steady. Protective.

“Lewis,” I murmured, “when we’re old, I want you to hold my hand like this. Even when our hair turns gray and our steps slow down.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll travel. Watch the sunrise in different territories. Sit together at sunset.”

“Okay.”

I hesitated before saying the next words. “When we’re old… let me go first.”

His steps slowed.

“Nonsense.”

“I mean it. I’ve already faced death once. If you leave before me, I’ll be alone. Even if the pack surrounds me, it won’t be the same.”

His voice came low, almost carried by the wind. “You won’t be alone. You’ll have the pack. Your mother. Our children. Even if I’m gone, they’ll protect you.”

“It’s not the same,” I whispered. “Promise me you won’t leave before I do.”

He gave a soft, helpless laugh. “You’re twenty. Why are you talking about death? No one controls that. Not even an Alpha. Fate doesn’t bend because we command it.”

I knew he was right. Strength couldn’t stop time. Not even the strongest bloodline could outrun destiny.

Still, deep inside, I wanted forever.

Back at the house, Nicholas and Grant had already returned to their quarters. I went to my mom and said, “Mom, Janice shouldn’t stay alone tonight. Can she sleep with you?”

Riley looked at her mother’s belly carefully. “Will it be uncomfortable? I move a lot when I sleep.”

“It’s fine,” her mother said gently. “It’s safer this way.”

Riley looked at me with gratitude. Lena thanked me too.

There is something beautiful about finding someone you thought you’d lost.

Soon, Lewis and I were alone in the stargazing room at the top of the pack house. The ceiling was all glass, showing the sky like an open field above us. From the round bed, it felt like we were lying directly under the night, with the stars watching.

I curled into his chest. That night, we didn’t rush. We just held each other. His voice was low as he told me old pack legends stories of ancient Alphas and destined mates who found each other across wars and bloodlines.

It felt peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Just as sleep began to pull me under, his phone vibrated again and again on the nightstand.

“Who is that?” I mumbled.

“Did I wake you?” He glanced at the screen.

“Just answer it. Whoever it is won’t stop.”

He picked up. Harlan’s voice exploded through the speaker. “Where did you take Janice?”

Lewis moved the phone slightly away from his ear. “Didn’t she tell you?”

A scoff came from the other end. “She thinks she can ignore me now. Running off without answering my calls. If she’s trying to make me chase her, she’s halfway there.”

Even Lewis rolled his eyes. “With that attitude, you’ll never find a mate. It’s midnight. Some of us have actual lives.”

“C ”

Lewis ended the call without hesitation.

I couldn’t help laughing. “Aren’t you worried he’s panicking?”

“It’s not me who’s panicking,” he said calmly.

“You’re terrible.”

He looked at me, almost defensive. “Elena, I just ”

I silenced him with a kiss.

“I like that you’re ruthless with others,” I whispered against his lips. “But gentle with me.”

His eyes darkened instantly. The air between us shifted, warmer, heavier. “Elena,” he said in a low voice, “if you talk like that, don’t expect to sleep tonight.”

I smiled, looping my arms around his neck.

“Then I won’t sleep,” I murmured. “Stay with me.”

And under the watching stars, wrapped in his strength and the pull of our bond, I chose him again.

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