Extra Chapter 30 – The Symbol of a New Family(POV Rhydian)
The chisel bit into the wood with a quiet crack, small curls of shavings falling to the stone floor at my feet. I worked slowly, methodically, my hands steady despite the weight of what I was creating.
It had been days since the thought had first come to me. Days of watching Luna cradle our daughter, of feeling the shift in my heart every time I looked at them. Once, my life had been defined by war, by duty, by the expectations of a bloodline that had never allowed for softness.
Now, I had something different.
Something more.
The old sigil of my family had always been a lone wolf—strong, untamed, a beast that roamed the darkness alone. It was the mark of warriors, of kings who ruled not through love, but through fear.
That was not who I was anymore.
Not who I wanted to be.
And so, I carved.
The candle beside me flickered, the dim glow casting long shadows over the stone walls of my private chamber. I was alone here—Luna had fallen asleep hours ago, exhausted after another long day of tending to our daughter. I had kissed her forehead before slipping away, knowing this was something I needed to finish before the night was over.
The new crest was taking shape beneath my hands. No longer just a wolf, but a trio—two figures standing together, their heads turned toward a smaller one between them. A family. A pack.
A new beginning.
I paused, exhaling slowly as I ran my fingers over the smooth surface. It was not just a crest. It was a promise.
The sun had barely begun to rise when I returned to our chambers.
Luna was still asleep, curled on her side, one hand resting protectively over our daughter. Her hair spilled across the pillow in soft waves, the golden light catching in strands of silver. She looked peaceful, but I knew how deep her exhaustion ran.
She had fought for this life just as much as I had.
I stepped closer, careful not to wake them. Our daughter's tiny fingers twitched in her sleep, her lips parted as she dreamed.
My chest ached at the sight of them.
I had once been a man of war, a creature forged in blood and fire. I had never believed I was meant for anything else.
And yet, here I was.
I knelt beside the bed, setting the carved emblem on the table beside Luna's hand. Then, softly, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep.
"Rhydian?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
I smiled. "I have something for you."
She blinked, pushing herself up slightly. Her gaze fell to the wooden carving, her breath catching as she took in the details. She traced a finger over the intertwined figures, her eyes shining with something I couldn't quite name.
"This is…" She looked up at me, emotion thick in her voice. "You made this?"
I nodded. "It's our new crest. A symbol of our family."
She swallowed, her fingers tightening around the edges. "Rhydian, this is…" She exhaled shakily, searching for words. "This means everything."
I cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her cheek. "So do you."
She leaned into my touch, closing her eyes for a brief moment before looking at me again. "You're sure about this? Changing your family's symbol?"
"I've never been more sure of anything." My voice was steady, certain. "For too long, I carried the weight of a name built on war. But we've built something different, Luna. Something stronger."
She blinked rapidly, as if trying to hold back tears. "You've really accepted this, haven't you?"
I knew what she meant.
Not just the kingdom. Not just fatherhood.
But us.
I nodded. "I have."
She smiled then, soft and full of love, and I knew—this was home.
Not the castle. Not the throne.
Luna. Our daughter.
They were my home.
And I would protect them with everything I had.