***Claire's POV***

"What are we up to today?" I asked Jackson.

He rubbed the side of his face, gently scratching his morning stubble.

"The guys have a little paperwork to go thru. What were your plans today?" He asked.

"I want to talk to Aubrey. I think she is having a rough time." I pouted.

"It's to be expected." He whispered.

"Hopefully, we can bring her some peace." I pleaded.

"I'm glad to see you two on good terms." He relieved.

"Baby, we are best friends now. Persephone showed me things I would never have believed. I can't wrap my head around why Aubrey is who she is, but I'm grateful for her." I explained.

"She is definitely an Angel." He declared.

"I used to be jealous of how you worshipped her. But, now I understand. I can't imagine anyone coming thru what she has and being as pure as she is. She is a Queen." I guaranteed.

"Claire, you are amazing. Persephone has blessed me beyond words with every one in my life. You, my love, are my greatest blessing." Jax kissed me.

"Ditto!" I whispered.

It's true, I was jealous. Funny how jealousy works, it allows your insecurities to warp your perceptions. It weaves fear and doubts and laces your vision with false revelations.

Had I not spent time witnessing the truth, I would have robbed myself of the greatest gift a being could behold. Aubrey! She is pure and raw and magnificent. She balances out the darkness. Her blinding love brings joy and she nurtures those blessed to be in her presence. I'm proud to be her Beta Female.

<<<<<<<<

I went to living room where Luce and Abi were reading.

"Gamma, Delta?" I addressed.

"What's up Beta?" Abi giggled.

"I'm worried about our Luna." I admitted.

"Me too." Both ladies whispered.

"I think I upset her yesterday when I brought up babies. I thought she would be excited to talk about a family with Alpha." Luce whimpered.

"Yeah, I realized that she got sad after that convo. But, I don't understand." Abi mussed.

"I think we need to spend the day with Aubrey. I think we all need to help her." I confessed.

"Help her with what tho?" Luce asked.

"I'm sure your answers will be found." I breathed.

I knew why Aubrey was upset. Albeit, I wasn't completely sure exactly what it was. But, I got the gist. It's not my story to tell.

We went to The Alpha suite to round up our Luna.

I knocked before hearing "come in" and found Aubrey grabbing her purse.

"Aubrey, can we spend the day with you?" We asked.

"I may not be good company." She confessed.

"We just want to be here for you." Luce promised.

"Okay. I need to go to town. Then we can grab lunch." Aubrey offered.

"Anything you want." Abi comforted.

***Aubrey's POV***

The girls decided to come with me today. I appreciated the company. I love them each, wholeheartedly.

We took Jax' Silverado. I was excited, since I loved his truck. Black on Black with chrome 24" rims, it was sleek and sounded like a finely tuned machine. We blasted rap music thru his Delphi system and sang wildly thru town.

Once we bought the flowers, we stopped at a diner and ate burgers and fries and milkshakes. I was shocked at the amount of food four ladies could consume.

We stopped at a few other shops and picked up some steaks from a butcher's shop. Bryan would be grilling tonight.

Once we got home, I let the girls know I was going to the garden.

***Luce POV***

We hadn't really discussed anything of consequence today. But, I felt it unnecessary as Aubrey seemed to be enjoying our day. Soon we returned home and Aubrey excused herself to the garden, flowers in hand.

"I'm going to the garden with Aubrey." I informed the girls.

"We will come too." Claire said with a small frown.

As we made our way to Aubrey, I took in the gorgeous stone statue Aubrey was kneeling in front of. A six foot tall Angel.

We quietly followed, as not to disturb her. Something felt ominous in the garden. I felt the need to stay silent.

As we approached, Aubrey caught our scents and turned.

"You can come here, there is someone I want you to meet." Aubrey whispered with tears in her eyes.

I looked around, scanning our surroundings, but no one was there.

Once we reached Aubrey we stood beside her and Claire bent down behind her and wrapped her arms around Aubrey's neck.

"This is my mom, on the right. My baby, Ellie on the left." Aubrey pointed.

To say I was confused was an understatement.

"Aubrey, I don't mean to pry. But, um" I started as I got tongue tied.

"Before I was transformed by Persephone into a wolf, I had Ellie. She was born sleeping." Aubrey started.

The thick air of sorrow in her voice made my heart clinch. She was suffering. No doubt, my innocent comments had caused grief I didn't understand.

"I'm sorry, Aubear." I whispered. "I didn't know."

***Abi's POV***

"I hadn't told you, it's not your fault." Aubrey comforted Luce.

My mind was whirling. I felt incredible grief fill me. I needed the story but, I felt bad asking.

We knelt down with Aubrey and sat beside her.

"Aubrey, I don't mean to be intrusive, but could you tell us your story?" I asked.

We sat in the garden for hours as Aubrey told us a brief version of her whole life. She explained the roles our men had played in her life and how Claire had seen it second hand thru the great fountain.

I couldn't believe our Luna had been thru so much. Fate had been very cruel.

"Finding Darius and all of you has been my saving grace." Aubrey whispered at the end of her story.

"Will you want children now?" I asked.

"I do, but I'm scared." Aubrey revealed.

"Explain please." Luce requested.

"I'm scared that I will never again carry a baby to term. I'm scared that I can't have kids. I'm scared that I will disappoint my love. I feel guilty to be so happy, when my angel never took her first breath." Aubrey began.

Tears welled in our eyes as we listened to Aubrey's fears. We silently rubbed small circles on her hands, her back and even kissed her head too many times to count.

We were so involved in comforting our Luna we didn't notice the four additional heartbeats that had joined.

***Darius POV***

We walked up on the four girls. Aubrey was expressing her fears and the ladies were crying at her discomfort.

"Parvulus" I whispered as I knelt in front of my love.

She looked down at her lap and I lifted her chin so I could look into her eyes.

"We can have babies if you would like. But, if you choose not to, I understand. However, I could never be disappointed with you." I cooed.

"I want babies, with you. But, I'm so scared." Aubrey sobbed.

"Your fears are valid. But, you should know, Royal babies have an extremely low mortality rate." Bryan promised.

"Ellie wouldn't want you to be unhappy. If she would be anything like you, she would be happy to know that you were happy." Jax encouraged.

"Aubrey, you deserve everything that is good and whole in this world. Any child would be richly blessed to have you as their sweet mommy. It would be a disservice to this world for you not to share that part of you." Ethan explained.

You could see as a weight visibly lifted from Aubrey's heart.

I was shocked to know that this is what had been troubling my little kitten. She shouldn't worry. Her human world was distraught, but her new world would not be. She was enchanted. There is no doubt Persephone was aware of how she viewed things. I'm sure The Moon Goddess had secured our futures without risk of repeat.

We spent a while in the garden. Eventually, per Aubrey's usual, tears of sorrow turned to tears of laughter. She was unnaturally funny. Soon we started up the grill, the only place safe for Bryan to cook, and prepared for dinner.

***Persephone's POV***

"Aubrey is worried about so much. I am so happy that she has such beautiful souls surrounding her." I explained to the four other Deities as we watched her moments in the garden.

"Are we able to insure that her future won't hold those fates?" Katerina questioned.

"Now that she is our chosen one, we can. Fate doesn't play the hand in our world" Mekhal promised with a bright smile.

"That is wonderful. I don't wish for Aubrey to ever feel that pain again." Katerina confided.

"Our angel has seen the last of those days." Alejandro granted while comforting Katerina.

"This life will bring much more fulfillment than her last. This I can guarantee." Serriphina assured.

With Serriphina's declaration, we could rest comfortable. Aubrey was truly in for many surprises. Her world would be more than she could ever imagine.

<<<<<<<<<

***Aubrey's POV***

"Thank you guys, for today. For every day." I spoke to my new family.

"Anytime" Claire promised.

"I won't have so many bad days. I assure you."

"Just promise to talk to us instead of holding it inside." Luce encouraged.

"I promise. I'm so used to handling everything alone. It's hard to remember I no longer have to." I smiled.

"We are here to remind you. Don't worry. We got you boo." Bryan laughed.

"Oh god." I giggled.

"What day is our Ceremony?" I asked the boys.

"Saturday!" Darius confirmed.

"Eeeeek" all us ladies squealed.

I was excited to finally become an official part of my pack. I already felt such strong connections to each one of them. It's a large pack. But, it's an incredible family.

Darius walked beside me kissing my neck. I love the feeling of his lips on my skin. Each touch sent tingles of electricity thru my body.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" He questioned me.

"I'm perfect." I kissed his cheek.

"Yes you are!" He promised.

"You are biased." I laughed.

We spent the evening eating yummy steak and baked potatoes. Then we went on a run. I really enjoyed being in wolf form. Amare loved spending time with Ultor. She relished in the comfort of her mate in any form. Ultor was always so gentle and caring just like Darius.

I finally witnessed Luce and Abi's wolves. As expected, they were equally as majestic as their human sides.

Observing Jax, Ethan and Bryan with their mates in wolf form, it was incredible. There is something different to the bonds you form to your beasts.

After our run, we showered and settled into the cinema room to watch movies and relax. This life was so beautiful. I could easily imagine all our children, curled into our sides watching movies and bonding.

My fears may have been at the forefront of my mind the past couple days, but suddenly I was more excited than worried to begin a family.

"I love you Darius." I confessed while snuggling into his side.

"I love you angel." He agreed.

"I can't wait to start a family." I whispered as I kissed his neck.

"Whenever you are ready, my love. No rush. We have forever." He promised.

"Forever!" I sighed.

It's amazing how when life is good, forever has a positive connotation. I remember all the times in my human life when forever was a promise I wished would not come true. Those days are behind me.

I am truly living my best life. My world has completely been altered in the most amazing of ways.

Thank you Persephone. Thank you! This life is the most precious gift I could have received.