Song: soft barbie piano music by Minnz Piano

In a warm house located within the Moon Warriors Pack, Luna Venus decided that this was to be her last pregnancy. She'd had enough.

The sweet honey of the burning candle filled her small room with a saccharine scent like no other. Gone now was her pounding headache that, to no surprise, was given to her by none other than her own little monsters.

Yes, her sweet, lovely, loud mouthed children were such amazing monsters. Monsters that now had too much energy because someone gave them candy before dinner.

Stupid Leo.

Luna Venus sighed, pressing a hand to her bulging stomach. For the millionth time today her unborn daughter was pressing down on her bladder like it was a damn toy. How she hadn't sprung a leak yet and pissed the bed like a pup was beyond her. There was never a moment where her little one eased up on the bladder torture. Her favorite time to play, Let's Make Mommy Pee a Waterfall, was late at night when Luna Venus finally got comfy in bed.

Leo liked to laugh but she didn't see what was so damn funny.

And to think, it had only been five months. She still had another four to go plus delivery.

Knowing Tallulah, she didn't see those last four months going by any easier either. None of her five previous pregnancies had successfully prepared her for the hell she endured with this one.

Tallulah was intent on making her mother's pregnancy as "memorable" as she could.

If Luna Venus wasn't peeing then she was eating. If she wasn't eating then she was being moody. And if those two things weren't an option then she was probably sleeping.

Eat, sleep, pee, and be moody.

That was her life now along with the nine other children she and Alpha Leo had over the years.

Add to that her new aversion to her favorite tea, Luna Venus was adamant that this was her last pregnancy. She couldn't wait for this one to get the hell out so she could have her pastries and tea without getting nauseous.

"Good job! Now, try and knock me down this time."

After relieving herself again, Luna Venus stood by her bedroom window. Peeling the sheer curtain back, she was greeted with the sight of her sparring husband and oldest son.

Alpha Leo's chest, damp with sweat and covered with battle scars, made her yearn for his touch. Damn him and her horny pregnancy hormones. A cocky feeling that she knew wasn't her own made its way into her body and she rolled her eyes in response. Stupid Mate bond.

Like what you see, Blue Eyes?

Always.

Luna Venus smirked, watching with pride as LJ dodged his fathers half-hearted swipe. The lanky 14 year old was alive with unmatched energy as he meticulously wove in and out of Alpha Leo's attacks. Whereas Alpha Leo relied on his sheer strength and heavy punches to fight. Young LJ preferred cool intellect and quick feet as opposed to a full strategy of brawn.

LJ's shaggy silver hair fell over his startling blue eyes. Dodging another of Alpha Leo's blows, the young wolf quickly doubled back. His speed was almost untraceable as he caught his opponent off guard and tripped him.

A goofy smile lined his thick lips as he watched his Alpha get a face full of dirt. The lines at the edges of his eyes crinkled just like Alpha Leo's eyes did when he was genuinely happy. If it wasn't for LJ's mocha skin, blue eyes, and silver hair, he'd have been the perfect copy of his namesake.

Leo Junior may have favored his mother in strategy. But, it was his father that encompassed how he carried and presented himself.

"Good!" Alpha Leo beamed, his aged face covered with sweat and dirt. His snow white beauty, although marred by the dark soil, was the most handsome sight to behold. There was nothing sexier to Luna Venus than watching her Mate be an amazing father to their children.

LJ helped his father up, giddy with laughter at the sight of his disheveled Alpha. At 14 years old the young Alpha-to-be already matched his father in height at a little over six feet tall. With his mothers intelligence and fathers strength, Sir LJ fit his role as future Alpha well.

"I wanna go next!"

LJ grinned at his little sister, beckoning her over with a flick of the wrist. The silly little she-wolf bounded over with a head of 4C silver hair. They shined like little curls of moonlight underneath the evening sun.

The two men growled playfully, pushing the young 11 year old between the two of them with little force. Violet Ava responded with her own small snarl before hurling herself at her big brother. Only three years his junior, Violet Ava was as tom boy as they came and just as vivacious as her big brother.

Wherever LJ went, Violet Ava was guaranteed to be nearby. Earning herself the nickname of Shadow, the two brought pride to their fathers warm heart. He coveted their relationship and how much it was like the one he had with his own sister, Ava.

Violet Ava's brown eyes lit up with glee as she fought with her brother and father. Luna Venus shook her head at the sight, already knowing that this week's laundry load would be a big one.

Her sweet little Warrior, in all her ways of excellence, could do anything except for stay clean!

Luna Venus left her post by the window to tidy up her other son's room while she had the peace and quiet to do so. The triplets, August, Nico, and Isaiah were passed off onto Gamma Pride and his sons for the day. She was beyond grateful for the break from her rowdiest bunch as she picked up their toys and made their beds.

At nine years old the three of them were quickly becoming quite the trio of mischief. Which, honestly, came as no surprise seeing as how their favorite uncle was fucking Pride. Those four were as thick as thieves. Had been ever since Pride goaded the three of them into cursing for their very first words.

The triplets shouting fuck during dinner was not how Alpha Leo and Luna Venus thought the night would go.

A sense of relief washed over her as she finished her work. The triplets' room no longer looked like a tornado ran through it. When they came back, however, it would be a different story.

She'd deal with that headache later.

Luna Venus knocked gently on the closed bedroom door before her. She waited patiently as her soft boy pulled himself out of the world of fiction and opened the door for her.

"Hey you." Viktor smiled up at his mother, leaning into the hand that cupped his pale cheek. "Still reading?"

Yeah.

"Which book are you reading this time?"

The one that Auntie Syrena got me.

The one with Mermaids.

Luna Venus cooed at her mute son. A fondness that she only ever felt for him overcame her as she admired the short seven year old.

Viktor was the quietest of her rambunctious bunch in more ways than one. Unlike his siblings, Viktor was more interested in fading into the background than taking center stage. Whereas his older siblings preferred attention, young Viktor valued silence.

There was rarely a moment where he wasn't reading alone or gardening with his grandmother. The little blue eyed wolf preferred solitude to company. He liked to be alone.

Although, he did have a soft spot for three people that could annoy him whenever they wanted.

The first and most important one of all, was Momma. No one understood Viktor better than his own mother. He was quite certain that she was his favorite person in the whole wide world.

And that was saying something.

He loved Dad and his siblings too. But, even with that in mind, he was easily overwhelmed by all of them when they got together. Their hopes of him one day speaking were loud and clear. They meant well, sure.

However, the mute wolf had little tolerance for their own desires. He was content with pointing at things and using mind linking to communicate. Viktor didn't know why he didn't want to speak, nor did any of the Healers.

For him, that was ok.

It was ok for Momma too.

Luna Venus knew Viktor best out of all her children. She knew that when he was ready, he would speak in his own time. She wasn't going to push him.

So for now, she was content with enjoying his sweet voice in her head and following his silent orders. They understood each other that way.

The other two were his uncle's adopted children. Alex and Aro Pridesong were a patient pair. They'd grown fond of Viktor after having been taken in by their adopted father four years ago. At 11 years old the Hybrid brothers were the center of Gamma Pride's whole world.

Luna Venus wished happiness for him and over a decade later he found it in two little boys that were just like him. Hybrid's of both wolf and magickal lineage.

He showed them all the love that their biological parents couldn't. Gamma Pride was the doting father that no one saw coming. Alpha Leo and Luna Venus couldn't have been more proud of him.

"That's good. Maybe when she comes back from her vacation you two can talk about it," she suggested. Viktor lit up, shaking his little head so quickly that his messy silver hair became a blur. Luna Venus laughed at her pup, pressing a quick kiss to his smooth cheek. "I'll tell Auntie Mera to send her by when she comes back, ok?"

Ok!

"You can read one more chapter but then you gotta come down and help your sisters set the table. Deal?"

Deal.

Luna Venus silently thanked the Gods that at least one of her pups was obedient before departing to get Eli. There was a little pep in her step as she entered the baby blue nursery to find her little three year old awake. Never one to wait for his mother, the youngest Brightdoom was crawling in his wooden crib looking for a way to escape. Wisps of silver obscured his vision as he babbled baby talk she pretended to understand.

The young pup yipped with glee as Luna Venus lifted him from his prison and into her arms. He drooled all over her midnight blue dress as she padded downstairs and into the kitchen. The yummy scent of spaghetti filled her nose. She smiled at the combined efforts of her two adopted daughters.

"That smells good."

"Tastes good too," Cece chirped. The strawberry blonde Hybrid held out a spoon of red sauce for her mother to taste. The teasing green of her Siren eyes lured Luna Venus in as she moved to taste the sauce. A look of pure triumph overcame her doll-like face as she took in Luna Venus's happy expression. "You like it?"

"I love it."

The tall beauty spooned a small amount into Eli's mouth and giggled as he spit most of it onto Luna Venus's dress. Her lovely voice told him to eat with less of a mess and he dutifully complied.

Cecelia Brightdoom-Heartsong, at 17 years old, was the oldest of their nine, soon to be ten, kids. The tall Hybrid of both Werewolf and Siren heritage had been in their family since she was five years old. Abandoned at their Pack's borders as a young pup, it was Alpha Leo that chose to bring her into their growing family.

She was his little girl.

It was for that reason why he was having the hardest time with the young men and women of his Pack lusting after his baby. He was, in all honesty, a little too overprotective of her.

"Momma," Rose whispered, "Cece has a dateee."

"Oh?" Luna Venus wiped Eli's chin with the fabric of her dress while eyeing her other daughter. It wasn't that Rose necessarily lied a lot. But she did tend to spin some colorful tales that amused herself more than others.

Not that anyone was surprised.

This one hung out with Pride a lot too.

Her large grey eyes widened as she ratted out her big sister like it was nobody's business. The young she-wolf was, like her sister, another Hybrid adopted into their little clan. With an unknown Warlock father and a mother that died in childbirth, Rose Brightdoom-Heartsong was adopted at birth.

Now, the short girl that detested long hair and preferred a brown pixie cut, was the biggest gossip here. There wasn't a thing that happened in this Pack that she didn't know about.

"Did you tell your dad?"

Cece's pale cheeks colored red immediately making the answer as clear as day.

"Please don't tell him, Momma! Please. Just, let me go on a date with Jason first and then I'll tell Dad. I promise!" Cece jut her bottom lip out into a pout as she begged her mother for lenience.

Luna Venus faked a sigh as she rolled her eyes in faux exasperation. She was going to give in, she knew she would. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to miss the opportunity to tease her child for a little longer. She uttered the dreaded, We'll see, and turned her attention back to her babbling Eli.

He didn't make any sense but she encouraged him nonetheless.

Right on time Viktor came to help Rose set the table. She watched her three children with tenderness as they worked together to finish up.

There was Cece, playing big sister, as she reminded Rose of her magick lesson with Uncle Pride later. She cheered Viktor on as he flung spaghetti noodles at the wall until they stuck. Luna Venus adored the way his little mouth curled upwards into a small smile at his oldest sister's praise.

The two girls discussed Uncle Reign and Uncle Ryan's visit coming up next week. They were both upset that it was postponed due to baby Skylar's fever. However, the excitement of meeting their newest cousin quickly overcame the disappointment.

Not even the fact that their least favorite cousin was coming could dampen their good mood. For reasons still unknown, the two of them were always annoyed by the Beta's older son, Flo. His presence alone was enough to set off a competition of who could roll their eyes the most between the two girls. Almost a decade later and not one adult knew why.

Children were confusing.

Luna Venus watched in blissful harmony as the rest of her rowdy pups filed in. The once quiet house was alive with the shouts of excited children and clattering plates. Each of them fought for their Momma's attention, bouncing on the dirty balls of their feet with zest.

Fifteen years ago she prayed that she was doing the right thing. And, fifteen years later, she could now say that the price she paid was definitely worth it.

Leo and her had more love than some people ever got to experience. They were blessed. Reign and Pride got the happy lives they deserved and somewhere out there, so did Sky, Flora, and Jack.

Fifteen years ago when Luna Venus sacrificed her connection to the Moon Goddess for the sake of her family...

It was by far the hardest thing she ever had to do in her entire life. Giving up not only her own power but the power of future generations wasn't an easy decision to make. Letting go of the very thing that made a Luna a Luna in her family nearly crushed her soul.

Not many knew this, but there was a time of suicidal depression that lasted for many years. There was once a time where the woman who helped everyone else couldn't even help herself.

Warm arms wrapped around her pregnant belly. She smiled to herself as the safe scent of Old Spice and lavender surrounded her and little Eli.

She was home within these arms.

Yes, there was a time where she lost everything; including herself. There was a time where she hated herself for robbing her future children of their rightful gifts. There was no Luna power to pass onto them. She herself couldn't protect her Pack the way the leaders before her had.

With the gift of the Moon Goddess gone and their connection severed, Luna Venus was lost for a long time. Guilt, self loathing, and every dirty emotion in the book lived within her for so long.

She almost lost herself completely.

How was it then that she managed to get out of such a dark hole? Well, that was quite a long story.

One that could be told another time.

For now, all she wanted to focus on was this growing mess of spaghetti children and her Mate's surprise kiss.

"Everything alright, Blue Eyes?"

Luna Venus looked into his cocoa brown eyes. They looked upon her as if she was the most beautiful person in the world. This was something that he had no shame in admitting himself. He did think that she was the most beautiful person in the world.

Inside and out.

Their children squealed with disgust as she met his petal soft lips with a kiss of her own. "Everything is perfect."

In a warm house located within the Moon Warriors Pack, Luna Venus fell in love all over again while admiring her one true Mate.

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QOTD: How do you think Venus was able to recover from such a heavy loss? What did you think of everyone's ending? What are your thoughts on the book overall?