Kael’s POV

Morning finally came, and Raven woke up.

Roman attended to him and brought him over once he was ready. He entered the room with quiet curiosity, already told about the baby.

Eira was awake, resting against the half-reclined bed after a short nap. She had already fed the baby. The moment she saw Raven, her face softened.

"Morning, sweety," she said.

These days, that softness only came out for him. Her affection for Raven knew no bounds.

He walked to the bed, and I helped him climb up beside her. Eira immediately pulled him into her arms, holding him close.

"Gosh... it feels like you’ve been away for so long," she murmured, pressing a kiss to his head. "I missed you terribly."

She pulled back slightly and looked at him. "Did you miss mommy?"

Raven nodded quickly.

A small smile spread across her lips. "You have a baby sister now. Do you want to see her?"

He nodded again, more eagerly this time.

"She’s sleeping in the crib," Eira said, gesturing toward it. "Go see her."

I helped Raven down from the bed and led him to the crib. The moment he saw her, bundled up, her tiny face visible in peaceful sleep, his expression shifted into quiet awe.

I knelt beside him. "You can touch her."

He reached out carefully, his small fingers brushing against her soft cheek. Warmth filled his eyes.

"Her name is Kaya," I told him. "Mommy named her. Do you like it?"

He nodded without looking away.

"She’s your little sister now," I continued. "When you grow up, you have to protect her. Be a good big brother. Will you?"

This time, he looked at me and gave a firm nod.

I smiled. "I know you will."

Just then, Kaya stirred slightly in her sleep, her face scrunching as if disturbed.

"Looks like she doesn’t want to sleep when her brother is here," Eira said softly from the bed. "Bring her to me."

I carefully lifted Kaya and carried her over, placing her gently into Eira’s arms while Raven climbed back onto the bed.

"Do you want to hold your sister?" Eira asked him gently.

Raven looked unsure, his small face conflicted, as if he was not certain whether he was allowed to hold her.

"I’ll help you," I said gently.

I guided him carefully, placing Kaya in his lap, his small hands holding her, at the same time my one hand remained beneath her to support her weight. His movements were cautious, almost hesitant.

But the moment she settled in his arms, he looked at her as if she were something precious beyond words.

And then, without being told, without waiting for instruction, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

It was the first time he had done something like that on his own. Maybe he understood this was the way to show his affection, love and acceptance.

Kaya let out a small sound in response.

"She liked it," Eira said softly, her voice filled with delight.

For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful.

Then Kaya stirred.

Her tiny face twisted, and within seconds, her soft sounds turned into restless cries.

Raven froze, startled, his expression shifting as if he had done something wrong.

"Don’t worry," I said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "She’s just hungry. This is how babies tell us as they can’t talk."

I gently lifted Kaya from his lap. "Let’s give her to mommy so she can feed her."

I handed her over to Eira and helped her settle comfortably with the baby in her arms. Raven stayed where he was, watching closely.

"A baby feeds on its mother’s milk," I explained to him quietly. "You’ve seen how kittens feed from their mother. It’s the same for us."

He nodded, his eyes still fixed on Kaya now quiet and busy filling her stomach.

I didn’t take him away as he needed to know things though he was young.

Eira looked at Raven, her gaze held the sadness and I knew the reason. She looked away to control her emotions.

Lucian entered the room. "Raven’s breakfast is ready."

"You should go with Daddy Lucian," I told him. "Eat first, then come back."

Raven nodded and left with him.

I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Kaya as she fed, her tiny face peaceful. I reached out, gently brushing her cheek. She looked so unaware of everything, her world limited to warmth and hunger.

Then my gaze shifted to Eira. I took her hand in mine.

She looked at me, her eyes already moist.

"I know," I said softly.

"Raven never..." Her voice broke slightly. "I don’t even know what they fed him back then. He was just a baby... just like Kaya..."

"There’s nothing we can change about the past," I said gently. "All we can do is move forward. And look at him now. He’s happy with us."

She lowered her gaze.

"He still hasn’t spoken a word," she whispered.

I shared the same concern, but we could not force him.

"Maybe one day," I said softly, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Or maybe never," she whispered, helpless.

I let out a quiet sigh. "There’s something that might make you feel better."

She looked at me. "What is it?"

"I can communicate with Raven through a mind link," I said, watching her reaction.

Her eyes widened in surprise. He had not even gotten his wolf yet.

"Did he talk to you?" she asked quickly. "Did you hear his voice?"

"Not exactly," I explained. "He responds the same way he does when we speak to him normally. But... I did hear his voice once."

Her gaze fixed on me.

"When we took him to the council, and he was forced to choose between us and Asher. He didn’t want to go with him. He called out to me. He called me daddy. That was the only time I heard him."

"He called you daddy?" A faint smile appeared on her lips, her tear-filled eyes lighting with hope.

I nodded. "I’m telling you this so you know he can speak. We just have to wait."

"I will wait," she said quietly. "We will wait. As long as he speaks someday... that’s enough."

"Now calm down and focus on Kaya," I said gently. "Didn’t the nurse say a mother should be happy while feeding? Your emotions reach her."

She immediately looked down at Kaya. "I’m sorry, baby," she murmured softly. "Mommy isn’t sad, alright? Mommy is very happy to have you."

I couldn’t help but admire Eira for her love towards our kids.

Whatever she had gone through, a mother inside her never changed. Her kids seemed to be everything for her, a reason for everything she was.

For a moment, a thought crossed my mind.

If not for Raven’s existence that forced her to endure everything in the hope of seeing him one day, what would have happened. Maybe we had lost her long back to ever get her back.

Our kids are the blessing from the gods.