All Chapters of Forbidden: My Stepbrother, My Mate: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Days turned into weeks. The Academy situation settled into the background. Life returned to normal routines. Maya continued training. I managed Luna duties. Kyle also handled Alpha responsibilities.The full moon ceremony came and went successfully. The new pack members integrated well. Territory disputes resolved peacefully. Everything seemed to fall into place like it was meant to.Maya's ninth birthday approached. I started planning a celebration. Something special to mark this year. One of her last birthdays before the Academy."What kind of cake do you want?" I asked her."Chocolate with vanilla frosting.""Done. What about decorations?""Can we have a wolf theme?""Of course."I ordered decorations online. Wolf balloons, wolf banners, wolf everything. Maya would love it. I also ordered custom party favors and planned games for her friends.Sarah helped me organize the guest list. Maya wanted her entire class invited plus her pack friends. The party was growing bigger than I'd an

Ella.Later, after Maya went to bed, Kyle told me about their conversation."I told her I was terrified when she was born. Afraid I'd fail her as a father.""What did she say?""That I'm the best father ever. That she'll be a good Alpha because we taught her how."Tears filled my eyes. "She said that?""Word for word.""Our daughter is amazing.""She gets it from her mother.""And her father.""We make a good team.""The best team."September arrived. Maya started fourth grade. Her teacher, Mrs. Brown, called us after the first week."Maya is reading at a seventh-grade level," she said. "And her mathematical reasoning surpasses most middle schoolers I've taught.""Is that a problem?" Kyle asked."Not a problem. Just remarkable. I wanted to discuss advanced placement options."We met with Mrs. Brown the following week. She suggested moving Maya to fifth grade for certain subjects. Math and English particularly."Would that be too much pressure?" I asked."I don't think so. Maya handles

Ella.Sophie bounced with energy. Her side of the room was already decorated. Posters, photos, colorful bedding. Maya's side was bare, waiting. The room was bigger than I'd expected. Two desks. Two closets. Two beds. A shared window overlooked the gardens."We can arrange the furniture however you want," Sophie said. "And there's storage under the beds. And the closet is pretty big. And we share a bathroom with the girls next door but they're really nice."Sophie barely paused for breath. Maya smiled, caught up in her enthusiasm. Some of the tension left her shoulders.Kyle and I helped Maya unpack. Hung clothes in the closet. Made the bed. Arranged books on shelves. Set up her desk with school supplies and her laptop. Each item found its place. Sophie chattered the entire time. About classes, teachers, training schedules, meal times, weekend activities. Maya listened, asking occasional questions. They were already falling into an easy rhythm."What's your specialty?" Sophie asked."

Kyle. "Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!""Hey, sweetheart! How are you?" Ella asked, putting her on speaker."Great! Classes are amazing. Combat training is intense but I'm keeping up. And Sophie and I are best friends now.""That's wonderful.""How are you guys? Are you okay without me?"I smiled. "We're adjusting. Missing you like crazy, but adjusting.""Good. I was worried you'd be sad forever.""We'll always miss you. But we're proud of you. And we're staying busy."Maya chatted for twenty minutes. About classes, friends, teachers, training exercises. She sounded happy. Confident. Exactly where she needed to be.Her combat instructor was pushing her hard. Her strategy classes challenged her mind. Her roommate Sophie had become like a sister. Everything we'd hoped for."I have to go. Study group in ten minutes. Love you both!""Love you too, baby."The call ended. Ella and I looked at each other."She's thriving," Ella said."She is.""I'm so proud of her.""Me too."The calls became routine. Tw

Ella. Maya turned eleven. Still excelling at the Academy. Still making us proud with every phone call.She video-called on her birthday. "Thanks for the present! The new training gear is perfect.""Your father picked it out.""Tell him thank you. I love it."Kyle's thirtieth birthday arrived in March. We celebrated with family. He looked at me across the table, love shining in his eyes."Best decade of my life," he said."Mine too."We'd been together for eleven years. Bonded for ten. Our relationship was stronger than ever.I was approaching twenty-nine. More confident than I'd ever been. More fulfilled. More myself.The Luna Counsel Initiative had expanded to twenty packs across four continents. My second book was in final edits. My speaking calendar was booked solid for the next year.Kyle's pack development programs were setting new standards. Other Alphas requested consultations. He served on multiple boards, including the Werewolf Academy."You're doing incredible work," I told