Heirs, 54

(POV: Nicollas)

"Well, there's only one witch on Earth," she states. "But the plans didn't work out." She takes a deep breath. "They discarded me when I was four years old, and I ended up in this pack. At sixteen, I shifted for the first time, and that's when I found Nic." She looks at me and smiles. "My creator kidnapped me, he wanted to use me as a weapon, he enchanted me and forced me to fight against the wolves, but during the battle, I got hurt and almost got killed. I think he felt compassion and saved me. Going against all the evil he wanted to do through me, I'm grateful because on the day he saved my life, he also saved the lives of my pups that I didn't even know I was expecting."

"So he saved me and Lucca too?" Luan comments.

"You, Lucca, and Renata," she says, looking at her son.

"Renata?" Lucca speaks up. "What do you mean, who is Renata?"

"I got pregnant with triplets," Lina explains. "On the day you were born, my little girl was kidnapped by that cursed vampire, and by the way, she was the assistant of the witch who created me. But he sort of regretted everything and gave up on all the revenge, but she continued for petty reasons."

"And where is this Renata?" Luca asks. "Man, we have a little sister," he says happily.

"Right here by your side," I reply, and I see tears welling up in my pup's eyes.

"Wait," he says confused. "But isn't this Lena?"

"I... I lied to yous, gave a false name. I was raised by Scarllet, and she lied to me my whole life. She wanted revenge... I betrayed yous... But I didn't know who you really were... Forgive me..." she says, crying.

"Hey," Luan approaches his sister. "Don't cry, it's not your fault, we've been so close all this time," he comments. "I've always felt a brotherly affection for you, and now it's explained why. Can I have a hug?" he asks.

"Me too," Lucca says, and then the three of them embrace. Lina and I sigh happily. "I never imagined I would have a little sister," he says, joyfully.

"Thank you for not rejecting me," Renata says, moved.

"We're a family," I remind her. "We would never reject you."

"Never," the boys agree.

"Now I'm no longer the youngest," Lucca says playfully.

"Actually," I get his attention. "You are still the youngest, Lucca. Renata is the second oldest."

"Oh no, seriously?" Lucca says, incredulous.

"Oh, little brother, you'll always be the baby," Luan says, and we start to laugh.

"Mom," Renata refers to Lina for the first time, and I see my wolf shedding more tears. "I need to tell you something important."

"Daughter, I've waited for you so long," they embrace. "You can say whatever you want," my wolf kisses her daughter's head.

"Can we leave if you prefer, sister?" Luan says and winks.

"You can stay, brother," she says with a shrug.

"Let's just go get our mates so Mom can meet them," Lucca says and then leaves with his brother, leaving us alone.

(POV: Lina)

I watch my children leave the room happily to fetch their mates, and I look at my daughter with emotion.

"I've waited for you for so long," I stroke her delicate face. "I love you so much, my daughter, ever since you came here, a part of my heart recognized you, but there was no way to be sure."

"Have you really forgiven me?" she asks, concerned.

"There's nothing to forgive." I take her hands and kiss each one. "Let's just move forward."

"Yes," Nic agrees, hugging her from the side.

"I'm so happy to have a family," she says joyfully. "I only feel sorry for Scarllet, she raised me with care."

"Let's leave that woman to rest in the depths of hell, where she belongs," I say angrily just thinking about her. Nic looks at me with reproach. "I'm sorry, daughter," I say, feeling the weight of my words. "I didn't mean to be insensitive."

"It's okay," she says, shrugging, and I sigh in relief.

"We're back," Luan says excitedly, entering with Lucca. "Mom," he calls me. "Meet my mate, Lucia," the girl enters with flushed cheeks.

"Cut it out, Lu," I request, "I carried you in my arms, girl, there's no need for so much shame and formality," I say, and Lucia smiles.

"Hello, Lina, I'm very happy to see you well."

"My dear," I approach and hug her. "You're very welcome to the family; I know you'll be very happy together. Milly and Lukky have raised a splendid daughter."

"Now, Mom," Lucca gets my attention. "Meet the most beautiful girl in the world, the owner of my world," he says all romantically. "Isabella." This is a somewhat unexpected couple, and the shy girl who enters is nowhere near our outgoing Isabella.

"Hi," she says softly. "It's so good to see you well."

"Welcome to the family, my dear," I pull her into a hug. "I only get beautiful daughters-in-law," I say, and they both smile. "You guys were quite early," I observe. "Found your mates before the age."

"That's very cool," Luan says, kissing the top of his beloved's head.

"I have something to tell," Renata reminds.

"Something still bothers you?" I ask, concerned. "We've talked already, and you know you don't need to feel guilty about anything; you were a victim just like the rest of us."

"It's not that," she says nervously. "I kind of," she bites her lip. "I found my mate too."

"Good heavens," I comment. "You guys are so young," I observe their wrists and notice the markings of their mates. I look at Renata's wrist and see nothing. "Is he from this pack? How did you meet?"

"But that cheeky guy sure likes sticking his tongue in her mouth," Nic says, annoyed.

"Dad," Renata says embarrassed. "He's not from this pack," she seems so nervous, and I don't understand this behavior. "I met him on a mountain when I was coming to this pack; I had an accident while climbing, and he saved me. I thought he was very handsome right away; I never stopped thinking about him, little did I know we were destined."

"What an interesting story," I comment.

"He lives alone in the mountains, and he's the one who killed Scarllet when she wanted to kill me, so he saved my life three times already," she says admiringly.

"I need to thank him very much then," I say happily. "Is he still here?"

"Yes," she replies somewhat hesitantly.

"Then go get him; I really want to meet him," I request.

She hurriedly leaves the room, and everyone sits down to wait for her. I walk over to the armchair by the window and sit down to look at the stars in the sky; tonight it's quite bright.

Moments later, my daughter returns. She's so beautiful that she doesn't even look like she came out of me. Her black hair like mine and her green eyes like her father's make her look stunning.

"Mom, please, have an open mind," she asks, and I look at her without understanding.

"Why do you say that?" Suddenly, a man I thought I'd never see again in my life appears by her side. "What is he doing here?" I ask, getting up.