Rian's POV
"Have you thought about children?" Luca asks one evening.
I nearly drop my coffee. "What?"
"Children. Kids. You know, small humans—or wolves?" He's nervous, fidgeting. "Is that something you want?"
"I... haven't thought about it." Lie. I've thought about it constantly. "Do you want kids?"
"Maybe? Eventually?" He sits beside me. "I see you with the pack pups. You're good with them. Natural."
"That's different from raising our own."
"I know. But—" He takes a breath. "I want a family with you, Rian. Not now, but someday. Is that crazy?"
My heart stutters. "Not crazy. Perfect."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." I pull him into my lap. "I want everything with you, Luca. Marriage, family, forever. But only when you're ready."
"I'm not ready now," he admits. "But knowing you want it too..."
"I want it. Want to see you hold our child. Watch you be an amazing parent." I kiss his forehead. "Want to build a complete life together."
"We already have a complete life."
"Then I want to expand it. Make it even better." I cup his face. "But there's no rush. We have forever."
"Forever," he agrees, kissing me softly.
That night, making love is different—tender, meaningful, full of future promises.
"Someday," I murmur against his skin. "Someday we'll have everything."
"We already do," he gasps. "We have each other."
"Then we'll have more." I kiss him deeply. "More love, more family, more happiness."
Later, wrapped together in the dark, he traces my chest.
"Rian?"
"Mm?"
"Thank you for wanting a future with me. A real future."
"Always, baby. Always."
The next day, watching him laugh with pack pups, I imagine our own children—his smile, my eyes, perfect combination of us both.
"Thinking about kids?" Damon asks, noticing my expression.
"Maybe."
"You'd be good parents. Both of you." He grins. "The pups already adore your Luna."
They do. Luca's natural with them—patient, playful, loving.
"We're not rushing," I say.
"But you're planning."
"Eventually."
"Good. The pack would love Luna's children. Especially if they have his art talent and your strength."
That evening, I pull Luca into our room.
"What's this about?" he asks, laughing.
"Just need you." I kiss him thoroughly. "Need to hold you. Love you."
"You're sappy today."
"Thinking about our future. Makes me emotional." I rest my forehead against his. "I love you, Luca. Everything we are, everything we'll become."
"I love you too." He kisses me softly. "Now show me exactly how much."
I do. Repeatedly. Until we're both breathless and complete.
Later, drowsy and satisfied, he murmurs, "Best life ever."
"Agreed."
"Even with the kidnapping start?"
"Especially with that. Led me to you."
He laughs sleepily. "You're ridiculous."
"You love me anyway."
"Always."