The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 305: Chapter 305

Catrina's POV:
“Pancakes or waffles?”
Rowan’s voice, a low rumble that sent a familiar shiver down my spine, a warmth spreading through my limbs, a reminder of the love we’d shared, the life we were rebuilding, echoed through the small kitchen of the Magnus Packhouse.
It had been a month since I’d returned from the spirit realm, a month since I’d held Lucas in my arms again, a month since Rowan and I had… begun again.
A new beginning, a second chance, a rewritten destiny.
But it wasn’t easy.
The time I’d lost, the memories that were mine alone to carry, the knowledge of the sacrifices we’d both made, the darkness we’d both faced – it was a weight that hung heavy between us, a shadow that lingered, a constant reminder of the fragility of our happiness, the uncertainty of our future.
“Waffles!” Lucas shouted, his small voice filled with a childish enthusiasm that made me smile, a genuine smile, the kind I hadn’t felt in what seemed like a lifetime.
He sat at the kitchen table, his dark hair tousled, his amber eyes shining with a mix of mischief and a newfound joy, a reminder of the love that had endured, the bond that had been reforged, the family we were becoming.
He’d accepted me, Lucas, though it hadn’t been easy.
The initial wariness, the confusion, the fear of being abandoned again, had slowly given way to a cautious acceptance, a tentative trust, a growing love that warmed my heart, a connection that was blossoming, a bond that was stronger than ever.
He still called they grandparents mama and dada a reminder of the five years they’d been his world, the family he’d known, the love that had sustained him.
But he was also calling me “Mama” now, his voice no longer hesitant, but filled with a warmth, a love, that made my wolf purr, a gentle melody of joy and gratitude.
And he was… warming up to Rowan.
It was a slow process, a careful dance of stolen glances and tentative touches, of bedtime stories and playful wrestling matches, of a father’s love reaching out, trying to bridge the gap that time and magic and sacrifice had created, the memories Lucas didn’t possess, the bond they were both fighting to reclaim.
“Waffles it is, then,” Rowan said, his gaze meeting mine, his amber eyes filled with a warmth that made my heart ache.
He winked, a playful gesture, a reminder of the carefree Alpha I’d once known, the mate I’d loved, the man I was falling in love with all over again.
But there was also a sadness in his eyes, a shadow that lingered, a reminder of the darkness he’d faced, the sacrifices he’d made, the life he’d almost lost.
“Coming right up, little man.”
He turned back to the stove, his movements fluid, graceful, the muscles in his arms flexing as he poured the batter onto the hot griddle.
The scent of vanilla and cinnamon, a sweet, familiar aroma that mingled with his own scent, pine and leather, filled the kitchen, a comforting presence, a reminder of the home we were creating, the family we were becoming.
I watched him, my heart pounding with a mix of love and a fierce protectiveness.
He was different, Rowan, changed by his journey into the spirit realm, by the sacrifice he’d made, by the five years he’d lost.
The carefree Alpha heir was gone, replaced by a man who was older, wiser, more… grounded.
His amber eyes, though still filled with the same fire, the same passion, now held a depth, a wisdom, a sadness that both intrigued and scared me.
It’s the spirit realm, Catrina, my wolf whispered, her voice a soft rumble in my chest. It… it changes you. It… it makes you… see things… differently.
I knew she was right.
I’d seen it in myself, the way Lyra’s power, her ancient magic, had changed me, transformed me, given me a strength, a connection to the spirit world, that I was still trying to understand, to control.
And I saw it in Rowan.
A quiet strength, a fierce protectiveness, a deep, abiding love that radiated outward, touching not just me and Lucas, but the entire pack.
He was a different kind of Alpha, a leader who led with compassion, with empathy, with a wisdom that came from having faced the darkness and emerged stronger, more determined.
He was the Alpha the Magnus pack needed, he deserved to be. The mate I had almost lost.
But the memory of his spectral form, the ghostly echo of the love we’d shared in the spirit realm, the knowledge that he’d been willing to sacrifice everything for me, to erase himself, to rewrite our destiny… it was a weight I couldn’t shake, a shadow that lingered, a constant reminder of the fragility of our happiness, the uncertainty of our future.
He’s not the same, Catrina. He’s… changed.
My wolf’s voice, a soft whisper, a mix of fear and a longing I couldn't ignore, echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the darkness we’d faced, the battle we’d fought, the love we were trying to reclaim.
“Mama?” Lucas’s voice, a sweet, familiar melody, pulled me back from the swirling vortex of my thoughts, the memories that haunted me, the shadows that danced in the corners of my eyes.
“Can… can I have… chocolate chips? On my waffles?”
I smiled, a genuine smile, the kind that reached my eyes, a warmth spreading through my limbs.
“Of course, sweetheart,” I said, my voice a gentle caress, ruffling his dark hair, his scent, a mix of lavender and vanilla, a sweet, familiar aroma that filled my senses, a reminder of the love that had endured, the bond we were reclaiming. “Anything for my… little wolf.”
Rowan placed a plate of golden waffles, piled high with whipped cream and chocolate chips, in front of Lucas.
“There you go, little man,” he said, his gaze meeting the boy’s, a warm smile, a father’s love. “One… all-American… breakfast… coming right up.”
Lucas grinned, his amber eyes shining, and dug into his breakfast with gusto.
“He’s growing fast, Cat,” Rowan said, his gaze meeting mine, his words a soft murmur, a shared observation, a hint of the wonder, the awe, that we both felt, watching our son, the life we’d created, the future we were building.
“He’s… he’s going to be a… a big, strong… Alpha. Just like… his father.”
His words, a casual compliment, a father’s pride, sparked a warmth in my heart, a flicker of hope, a reminder of the love we shared, the destiny we were embracing.
“Or… maybe… powerful… ” I said, my voice a gentle tease, a playful challenge, my gaze holding his, a shared secret, a reminder of the power that flowed through my veins, Lyra’s magic, the Silver Wolf’s essence, a force that even Damien’s darkness couldn’t extinguish. “Just like… his mother.”
Rowan laughed, he reached across the table, his hand covering mine, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me, a warmth that spread through my limbs, a reminder of the bond we shared, a love that defied everything.
“He’ll be… whatever he wants to be, Catrina,” he said, his voice a soft caress, his gaze intense, his words a promise, a hope for a future where our son could choose his own path, forge his own destiny, free from the shadows of the past, the darkness that had almost consumed us all.
And as we sat there, watching Lucas eat his waffles, his laughter echoing through the small kitchen, a symphony of joy and innocence, a melody of hope, I felt a sense of peace, a contentment, a happiness I hadn’t dared to dream of.
We were a family.
Finally, as we should always had to be…