Epilogue

They moved me to a normal ward after they cleaned me and my daughter up. It turned out the life Selene took in exchange for mine was my child's. She took the life of someone dear to me. It wasn't Maya; it wasn't Melody. Neither was it Carter. The little angel in my arms somehow managed to take away my worries. She was beautiful with unusual silver colored hair and blue eyes. A replica of her father's original form.

Mavros wiped my tears. "Will you ever stop crying?"

"In some minutes," I sniffled. "Maybe."

I did not know if I was crying because of the bundle of joy in my arms or because of the emotional pain they caused me.

"It's okay." Mavros kissed me. "You shouldn't shed tears that are not tears of joy, alright?"

I nodded. "I won't cry anymore."

Right then, the father of my little girl walked into the room dressed in all white. He and his brother shared a look as though they were silently communicating. When their little staring contest was over, Aspro sat on a chair beside his brother.

"She's beautiful." He said, eyes glistening with tears. "Just like you."

"I haven't named her."

"And I don't have a name planned." He admitted, wiping at his tears.

"I have one." We both turned to Mavros who shrugged. "What? She's my daughter, too."

Aspro smirked. "Let's hear it."

"Caidyn."

"Caidyn," it had a nice ring to it. "Alpha Caidyn. I like it"

"I like it, too." Aspro high-fived his brother.

"Do you two have a surname?" I had never heard of a god having a surname, so I wanted to be sure.

"No." Mavros answered.

"She can use your surname." Aspro suggested. "It's fine."

"Caidyn Romero, it is."

"Caidyn Romero." They repeated in unison, smiling from ear to ear.

My brief moment of happiness disappeared when Maya and the others came into the room. My anger rose at the sight of my sister, best friend and gamma male. In Melody's arm was Dimitri. Logan and Red stood side by side, while Drake stood behind them.

"What are you doing here, Maya?" I shifted my eyes to Melody and Carter. "You two. Why did you come here?"

"We came to see you and the twins."

Pain stabbed at my heart.

"There is only one child." I did not bother to hide my anger. "One died. Her life was exchanged for mine. You have nothing to worry about. You can leave."

"We wronged you, V." Maya hung her head in shame. "We should have had your back because I know that no matter what happens, you always have ours. It was wrong of us to treat you like we did. It's just that we were afraid."

"You didn't have to act like I was invisible, for goodness's sake. I am your little sister, Maya. You are supposed to stand by me even if the entire world leaves me." I darted my eyes to Melody. "And you. You claim to be my best friend, but we've seen who you truly are. You even stopped me from carrying Dimitri because you assumed my bad luck would affect him." She flinched, but I carried on. "Carter, I don't even know what to say to you. Just leave. The three of you. Please."

"V," Mavros ran his hand up and down my arm. "People make mistakes. It's what makes them human. You shouldn't turn them away because of what they did. Remember that no matter what happens, they are still your family. Nothing can ever change that."

"They hurt me." I hated how my voice cracked. "For weeks, they acted as though I had a contagious disease. It's not fair to me."

"We're sorry for how we behaved, V." Mel said, moving from side to side as Dimitri wanted to cry.

Carter did not meet my eyes as he spoke. "Please find a place in your heart to forgive us."

"I-"

"Valeria, please forgive them. If not for anything, but for my sake. Remember that without family, we are nothing. Take care of my niece, okay? Until we meet again, Valeria. Goodbye."

"Hey," Aspro tapped my leg. "Earth to Valeria."

"Huh?"

"You spaced out." Mavros informed me. "You were going to say something."

"Yeah." I swallowed. "Maya, Melody, and Carter, despite everything, you're family. I won't hold a grudge against you because of that sole reason because I know that my father and brother would not, so I forgive you."

"Really?" Maya put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying.

"Yes."

"Thank you so, so much." Mel handed Dimitri to Carter before coming to give me a side hug. "Thank you."

"This is sweet and all, but I'd like to know the name of this gorgeous baby." Drake gently pushed Maya and Melody aside. He took Caidyn from me. "What's her name?"

I spoke with pride. "Caidyn Romero."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Red linked arms with Logan. "I love it."

Mavros grinned. "I know, right? I think I have a knack for naming children."

"You and V should try for another child." Logan casually suggested.

"No way."

"I like the idea."

I and Mavros looked at each other and everyone in the room laughed. Labor was not something I'd like to go through so soon. Perhaps in three years' time. For now, all I wanted was to be surrounded by the people who made my day better.

"Can I carry her just once before I go?" Aspro asked, standing up.

"Um, sure." Drake handed Caidyn to her father.

He stared at her for the longest time. I wanted to know what was running through his head. Why would he want to leave his daughter behind?

"V, I won't be around to help you raise her." He announced, his eyes never leaving Caidyn's face. "I have to return to Alynthi."

"Why?" His twin inquired. "Why won't you stay? She's your daughter."

"She's yours, too. You said so."

"I know I said so, but still. She needs to have her biological father around."

"We are one, Mavros. I am you and you are me." he gave Caidyn to Mavros. "Treat her like you would your own child. Please." He clasped his hand and when he opened it, a silver necklace with a star which had colors that resembled yin and yang. Half of the star was black and the other was white. "Give it to her when she turns twenty-one."

I took the necklace from him. It was beautiful.

"Please take good care of her."

"Aspro, is something wrong?" I asked, worried. "Why are you acting like this?"

"I don't belong here."

"Who told you that?"

He smiled. "I am a god, Valeria. I belong in Alynthi. Not here. Don't worry about me. Nothing is wrong."

"But-"

"Remember your promise to me."

"I'll keep it."

"Thank you." He fixed his eyes on Caidyn for some seconds as if he was capturing her in his heart. "Brother, I'll see you in Alynthi."

Mavros nodded. "She's in good hands."

"I know."

Without another word, he disappeared. The atmosphere suddenly became an air of sadness.

"So, when are we expecting the second child?" Logan swung an arm around Drake's shoulder. There was silence. "Y'all thought I was joking when I said we needed another one?"

"You're going to have to wait for three years."

"What?" Mavros frowned. "Three whole years?"

"Yes. Pregnancy sucks."

"I hear you." Mel agreed, "The only good side is the joy it brings at the end."

Fact.

The sadness suddenly vanished and we were smiling again. Looking at them now, I realized Zayne was right. Without family, we were nothing. They could make you sad and they also had the power to make you happy. In my case, they were the cause of my euphoria.

THE END




AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you very much for reading till the end. I appreciate it.

If you liked it, please tell me what your favorite part was. Also, if you feel adjustments should be made, please let me know where.

Lots of love,

Christina.


BOOK 3 {NEMESIS} will be up real soon.