Chapter 403 - HOPE

"She doesn't have a name yet?" Kace was surprised as he also forgot to ask the name of the baby.

"I want named her Serefina junior, but I don't think you will like it." Serefina glanced at the baby, she didn't have any idea what name would suit her, thus it was better to leave this insignificant matter to Kace to think about.

Kace's nose scrunched in pure disgust by her idea. He would totally go against it. What kind of name was that?

Kace was looking at the sleeping baby, her lips slightly opened and her little pointed nose was so small. She was so vulnerable, yet she was the most substantial entity in his life.

Kace wished nothing for her but her happiness, just like how she brought the light in the end of the tunnel of his penitence.

And then Kace remembered this poem, the poem that he heard long time ago…

[Do you believe, in what you see

Do you believe in reality

Do you believe in the sun that's bright

Do you believe in the stars in the night

Do you believe in the birds that fly

Do you believe in clouds and the sky

Do you believe in wind that flows

Do you believe in moon that glows

Do you believe in light

Do you believe the spoken word

Do you believe the things you have heard

Do you believe in the final answer

Do you believe in the swirling dancer

Do you believe in sound and sight

Do you believe in moments bright

Do you believe in taste and touch

Do you believe that much

Do you believe in the soul inside

Do you believe in ecstasy and delight

Do you believe in glory and God

Do you believe in that thought

Do you believe in the sky above

Do you believe in love

Do you believe in the heaven and the earth

Do you believe in death and birth

Do you believe in life

Open your eyes with hope within

Open the door, let light reach in

If you believe, then you will win.]

When Kace watched the baby, that poem echoed in his head. The only poem that he remembered because it questions many things that he wanted to ask.

"Hope." Kace caressed the baby's chubby cheeks and rested his forefinger on her small palm, when the baby curled her fingers around it, the warmth spread in Kace's heart. "Her name is Hope."

His hope…

============== 

At first Serefina disagreed with the name that Kace chose for the baby as it sounded weird, but definitely Kace wouldn't even budge with his decision.

Well, he has his own philosophy for this, as that name meant something for him.

Serefina never knew that the youngest Donovan had this sensitive spot and went all the way to this cheesy name. At least, the witch thought that way because when Kace told Ariana and Alec, they liked the name.

The second problem was; Calleb disagreed with Serefina's decision to take away his mate and raised her all by herself.

It wasn't that Kace didn't trust her to take care of Hope, but with Serefina's personality, he didn't think that his mate would be in good hand…

But the witch argued him back.

Her point was clear. With Kace and Serefina were not together, it would be difficult for them to be found. Especially when Kace needed to move from one place to another, in order to avoid Jedrek's people, who were still looking for his whereabouts, even after decades had passed.

As for Serefina, she was the master of it. She could chant as much spell as she wanted to protect her surroundings or manipulate her smell, so it was almost impossible to trace her.

But, with Kace near her, his presence alone was a disruption for her spell.

In the end, Kace agreed with Serefina's idea to raise his mate with one condition; Serefina would bring his mate to meet him once a year in her birthday until she reached the age of eighteen when she had mature enough.

Though he had to be separated, but this was for her safety.

In the night before Serefina would bring away his mate, Kace let the baby slept in his arms, spending the entire night to keep her safe in his arms.

"Why don't you sleep?" Ariana sat down next to Kace as she smiled at the baby.

"I just want to spend a little more time with her." Kace stated, there was no trace of tiredness on his face as firmly cradled the baby in his strong arms.

"She is so cute. I bet she will be a beauty when she grows up." Ariana caressed the baby's black hair. "I think you want her to grow up quickly." She made a conclusion.

Yet, Kace shook his head. "No. I just want her to live happily, cherish every moment and be healthy."

The sound of the Lycan's voice was very genuine and pure.

As Kace had given her, her name and watched her grew up. Kace would be everything for her. Her brother, her guardian, her protector and everything that she needed.

He would shower her with love.

"Hm, I agree with that…" Ariana nodded. "But, I still can't believe it that you have a mate. I don't know if the moon goddess had lifted the curse from the three of you."

If Ariana didn't watch the way Kace reacted around Hope, she wouldn't believe it, but Kace's overprotectiveness and the way he looked her it confirmed everything.

"Not many people know about this." but now, Alec and Ariana knew about it as well.

"Regardless, I am happy for you." Ariana said sincerely.

"Thank you…" but, before even Kace could give Ariana a proper respond, Serefina had stormed inside the room and with her demanding tone, she said;

"We need to go from here, immediately." Serefina walked over toward Kace and extending her arms, asking for Hope. "Maximus will be here in less than five minutes."