Unmarked

The Vaelthorn Council Chamber was colder this time. The weather was changing the last couple of days and the difference was noticeable in the lower parts of the mansion. The room is lit by braziers and the air thick with unspoken judgment. The Elders sat in their appointed seats, dressed in deep reds and greys, their expressions unreadable as Andrea stepped into the center once more — this time, with Miranda at her side.

But not just at her side. One step behind, head lowered slightly; hands folded in front of her.  A silk mantle draped over her shoulders, stitched with the Vaelthorn crest. All a calculated picture of obedience, one Miranda had curated with the same eye she once used to dominate editorial boards and couture runways.

She was acting and she was brilliant at it.

Late last night they decided it would probably be best of Miranda pretended to follow Andys lead. While the house respected they Omegas, it also respected the Alphas dominance in situations like these.

Andrea moved forward with calm confidence, her presence commanding but respectful. “Council,” she said, voice clear and low, “I come with my Omega, Miranda Priestly, to present her agreed-upon sentence for her prior deception of status.”

Murmurs rippled through the chamber. They looked towards Miranda, but she remained quite. One of the elders leaned forward. “And she understands the gravity of this judgment?” Andrea looked over her shoulder and signaled for Miranda to come forward.

Miranda stepped forward, lowered herself to one knee, and bowed her head.

“I submit to the judgment of the Council,” she said, her voice calm and flawless. “And to the guidance of my Alpha, who speaks in my place.” Even Richard Vaelthorn blinked, a bit stunned at her honesty.

Andrea returned her gaze to the Council. “In light of the fact that Miranda is now bonded, pregnant with a Vaelthorn heir, and residing under our roof, I have proposed — and she has accepted — a sentence of formal rehabilitation.” The lead Elder frowned. “Define ‘rehabilitation’.”

Andrea lifted her chin. “She will remain within the grounds of the Vaelthorn estate for the remainder of her pregnancy under structured observation. She will undergo training in house law, ritual etiquette, Omega ceremonial roles, and ancient customs — as outlined in the Old Codes.” Another Elder leaned forward. “And public access?”

“Restricted,” Andrea said. “No official public appearances without escort and no media contact. Any correspondence must go through me. She will be mentored privately by Elder Lika and reviewed biweekly by the House Scribes.”

“And she agrees to this?” Andrea stepped aside. Miranda rose smoothly, keeping her head slightly bowed. “I do,” she said, her voice even. “I accept the sentence with humility and gratitude. I ask only to be guided — not dismissed.”

A heavy silence followed. Then Richard stood, towering, voice solemn. “I agree that this proposal satisfies the terms required. It preserves the sanctity of the law… while protecting our house.”

He looked to the scribe at his right. “File the paperwork to the Bureau,” he said. “Let them see that we tend to our own.” The scribe bowed and began drafting up the necessary papers.

Richard turned to Andrea one last time. “You’ve done well.” Andrea met his gaze without flinching. “She is mine. And I will not let unnecessary harm befall her.”

Richard’s eyes flicked to Miranda, who stood quiet and still in the shadow of the room. “Then let this be the start of a new beginning.” Andy turned on her heels and Miranda followed suit.

The chamber door shut behind them with a loud bang. Miranda exhaled slowly, standing tall once more. “Well,” she murmured, “that was absolutely miserable.”

Andrea glanced at her, smirking. “You did beautifully.”

“I knelt,” Miranda hissed. “In front of them.” Andrea stepped closer. “And every one of them believed it. That, Miranda, was genius.”

Miranda’s mouth curved into a wicked little smile. “I am rarely anything else.” Andrea reached out and laced their fingers together. “The Bureau will accept it.”

“And if they don’t?” Miranda asked. Andrea looked at her — her Omega, her mate, her future. “Then I’ll burn every damn word they’ve ever written in their stupid laws.”

**-

They decided to go to the library. Miranda wanted to get started with readying some of the books Lika recommended to her. The afternoon sun filtered through the glass veranda, casting soft golden beams over the stone floors. Miranda sat at a small table in the corner of the library, flipping through an ancient Vaelthorn ritual text with the same intense focus she once reserved for seasonal couture lookbooks.

Andrea was a few feet away, half-lounging on a fainting couch, boots kicked off, fingers lazily skimming her phone — until it buzzed with Emily’s name.

She answered immediately.

“Em?”

“Finally!” Emily’s voice was sharp, breathless, and blessedly familiar. “I’ve been calling for two days! Is Miranda alive? Is she being kept in a tower?”

Andy laughed. “Only metaphorical ones. What’s going on?”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Emily’s voice dropped into that tight, brittle tone that always meant things were on fire.

“You need to bring her back.”

Andy sat up straighter. “Emily—”

“I’m serious, Andrea. The budget’s in shambles, the February layout hasn’t even been locked, and the Book—the Book, Andy—looks like someone fed it through a paper shredder and then tried to reassemble it blindfolded.”

Andy blinked. “Okay, slow down—”

“Oh, and did I mention?” Emily snapped. “Irv has been slithering around the offices like the snake he is, holding impromptu meetings and calling himself ‘interim creative director’ like we all didn’t literally witness him crumble under pressure the last time he touched Miranda’s chair.”

Andy’s blood went cold. “He’s what?”

“He says leadership’s unclear,” Emily spat. “That Miranda’s ‘absence’ has created a ‘power vacuum.’”

“Miranda’s on medical leave.” Andy insisted

“He’s trying to replace her.” Emily spat back

Silence fell between them, thick and sharp.

Then Andy stood, voice quiet but deadly. “You were right to call me.”

“I don’t want anyone else in that chair,” Emily said fiercely. “But more importantly—the staff doesn’t want anyone else. They’ve tried. They’ve failed. And now they’re realizing…”

Andy said it with her. “There’s only one Miranda Priestly.”

A pause. Then Emily added, “They need their ice queen. Before the magazine becomes a very expensive bonfire.” Andy dragged a hand through her hair. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Do it soon,” Emily warned. “Because if Irv gets one more inch, he’ll turn Runway into a tech startup and try to make us post ‘relatable fashion TikToks.’”

Andy groaned. “God help us all.”

Emily’s voice softened just slightly. “How is she, though?”

Andy smiled faintly. “It took her a while to bounce back to be honest. But I think she finally is settling into a new normal. So I’d say she is stronger than ever.”

“Good,” Emily muttered. “Then it’s time to remind the world who she is.”

They say there goodbyes before Andy hangs up the phone. She decides to go downstairs to get Miranda and herself some coffee before delivering her some potentially bad news.

When she got back upstairs she hesitated in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee. Miranda looked up immediately, and Andy could feel the flicker of tension behind her eyes.

“You’re holding back bad news aren’t you,” Miranda said flatly. “Speak.”

Andy smiled faintly and stepped inside, setting a cup down on the table.

“Emily called.”

Miranda arched a brow. “And?”

“And… Runway is in freefall.”

Miranda blinked, then sighed and leaned back with a quiet, elegant groan. “I leave for a couple of weeks and they forget how to tie their shoes.”

Andy crouched in front of her, taking one of her hands gently.

“There’s more.” Miranda looked down at her, eyes narrowing.

Andy exhaled. “Irv’s making moves. Calling himself ‘interim creative director.’ Holding meetings. Rewriting hierarchy. Emily said he’s testing the waters.”

Miranda’s entire body stilled. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not,” Andy said. “And Emily’s right — the team is lost. They don’t want Irv. They want you. The Book’s a mess. Budgets are sliding. Content’s behind.”

Miranda sat forward slowly, eyes blazing now. “And what, exactly, does this man think gives him the right to crawl back into my seat like a snake?”

Andy smiled — just slightly. “Apparently, your ‘unclear status’.”

Miranda scoffed. “I am a Omega, not dead.”

“I told Emily we’d talk about you returning first, before making any rash decisions.”

Miranda stood, smoothing down the front of her robe, pacing now. “He thinks he can just… slide into my space while I’m mandated to learn how to properly bow to a statue?”

“You’ve done more than that,” Andy said gently. “You’ve come to know  our ne world. We are dealing with your sentencing. And you’ve already started up your ‘rehabilitation’.”

Miranda turned to face her, eyes sharp as razors. “I think it is about time I remind a few fashion interns who the hell I am.” Andy stood as well. “Then let’s plan your return.”

Miranda tilted her head. “A quiet return?”

Andy smirked. “Oh, no. A storm, but first we have to talk to the girls.  And we still need to await the Bureaus answer.”

Miranda smiled slowly, dangerously. “I want this to reach every headline out there.”

“I’ll start prepping the car.” Miranda stepped close, her tone lower, eyes gleaming. “And I want my Book. Not his version. Mine. Delivered.”

Andy leaned in, brushing a kiss against Miranda’s forehead. “Yes, ma’am.” Miranda exhaled, centering herself. “Let’s go melt some ice,” she said. “And remind them it was always mine to freeze.”

**-

After their talk they decided there was no use in delaying the inevitable. So later that day they packed the necessary things and got moving. The Council had agreed with Andrea to led them go back to Runway while they still waited on the Bureau to answer their proposed punishment. It would give them a change to get there affairs in other before shit hit the fan.

The town car rolled to a quiet stop outside Miranda’s townhouse. Andrea had offered to drive — a small thing, but Miranda hadn’t missed the protective weight behind it. The same way she hadn’t missed the subtle way Andrea’s hand had never left hers since they left the estate.

Miranda took a look at the townhouse, it felt unreal going back to Runway. But first—home. Or at least, the last place she’d called that before everything had changed. Miranda adjusted the collar of her deep grey coat, her expression unreadable as they made there way up the concrete stairs towards the front door. Andrea stood beside her and took her hand carefully  “They haven’t seen me since the arrest” she said, voice low. “They must have been so scared.”

Andrea nodded, voice gentle. “That’s why it is important to reassure them that you are completely okay now, that there I nothing for them to worry about.

“They’re teenagers, Andrea,” Miranda murmured. “They’re made of eye-rolls and can smell a lie from a mile away.”

“That is why we tell them everything now. No half-truths.”

Andrea smiled. “And you’re made of sarcasm and wits—and just a dash of existential crisis for flavor. I think you’ll survive them.”  Miranda had to laugh at that. She turned towards the  door but it opened before she could knock.

Caroline stood there, red-cheeked and startled. Her mouth opened and closed. Behind her, Cassidy leaned against the stair rail, arms crossed — guarded.

“Mum?” Caroline said, voice thin. Miranda didn’t speak for a second. Then she stepped forward.

“I’m alright,” she said gently. “I’m here.”

Caroline launched forward first, hugging her tightly, face buried in Miranda’s coat. Cassidy came slower — but when she reached her mother, she didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around her too.

Andrea watched them silently from the steps. When they finally pulled apart, Caroline looked between the two women. “You smell different,” she said suddenly, narrowing her eyes at Andrea. “Stronger.”

Miranda gave a small, tight smile. “Because things… have changed.”

They led the girls trough the hallway into the den where they all sat down.  Andrea sat beside Miranda on the couch while the girls curled into opposite armchairs, still watching with wary curiosity.

“You’re not in trouble anymore?” Cassidy asked.

“The charges are… handled,” Miranda said carefully. “I’m under private judgment now. The Council—”

“What council?” Caroline asked, cutting in. “What is going on?”

Andy feeling the tension in the room rising thought it might be best to provide everyone with some nice warm drinks. “This is going to be a long conversation, how about I make us some tea.” Andy stood from the couch, gave Miranda a kiss on the cheek and walked to the kitchen. She could hear Miranda trying and failing to make small talk with the girls while she is making tea.

When she gets back she could see the girls are getting more frustrated by the second due to the lack of answers. Andy places down the tray with cups on the small coffee table and proceeds to hand everyone there cup.

Now sitting in front of them, each with a cup of herbal tea and matching skeptical expressions. “Okay,” Caroline said slowly, “this is either going to be really cool… or absolutely insane.”

Cassidy nodded. “Probably both.” Miranda exhaled through her nose, a faint smile flickering at her lips. “That’s fair.” Andy chuckled softly. “It’s definitely leaning toward insanity.” Miranda gave her a elbow In the side before she sat a bit straighter, setting her tea aside, suddenly very much Miranda Priestly again — not the expectant Omega, or the political figure, or the woman in recovery — but their mother.

“There are a few things we want to talk to you about,” she began. “Things you deserve to know.” Cassidy arched a brow. “More secrets?”

“No,” Miranda said, gently but firmly. “No more secrets. Not from you.” She paused, then reached over and took Andy’s hand.

“As you know, your mother,” Andy said, “was nearly taken by the Bureau, she spend a day in jail but I was ultimately able to get her out.”

Caroline tilted her head. “Okay…”

Miranda folded her hands in her lap. “When the Bureau took me, it wasn’t a misunderstanding. They came with intent. They had proof — forged documents, falsified status, decades of… misrepresentation.”

Cassidy frowned. “They were going to charge you?”

“Yes,” Miranda said, meeting her gaze directly. “And I would have faced full sentencing if Andrea hadn’t intervened.” The girls turned to Andrea, whose posture stiffened slightly.

Miranda continued. “She didn’t just argue with them. She invoked an ancient right — one that the Bureau couldn’t challenge.” Andy continued. “But there was however…some fallout.”

Andrea cleared her throat, then spoke carefully. “My family — the Vaelthorns — are… old. One of the original Alpha bloodlines. Our laws predate the Bureau. And when I bonded with your mother, that protection extended to her.”

Caroline’s eyes widened. “You’re royalty?”

Andrea chuckled softly. “Not royalty. Just… very hard to argue with legally.”

Cassidy blinked. “So you pulled her out of prison using your name?”

Andrea nodded. “Yes. And then I took responsibility for her sentence. Her punishment would than be decided by our Council instead of the Bureau. They decided rehabilitation with a form of house arrest would be best. In the end the whole political ballet — all of that was to keep her out of a prison cell.”

Caroline looked at Miranda, stunned. “And you let her?”

Miranda’s lips twitched. “I chose her. That’s different.”

Caroline shook her head “You are lying to yourself if you think this was a choice! You didn’t choose anything, our life was perfect before she came along!”

“Caroline! I thought you were happy for me to have found someone.”

“Yeah well… That was before the whole lack of fight thing you have going on right now!”

Miranda looked at Caroline with and stern look. Dead silence filled the room

Andrea cleared her throat “There’s one more thing,” she said softly. “And it’s… something big.”

Miranda looked at her, then at the girls. Her voice softened, almost trembled. “I’m pregnant.”

The silence stretched. Cassidy blinked. Caroline stared.

Then, at the same time:

“Wait—what?!”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!! You’re insane, absolutely bonkers.”

With that she stormed upstairs. “Caroline!” Miranda yelled after her but the slam of the door confirmed she was definitely not coming back down.

“I think it is best that you go talk to her alone for a minute, I kind of get where she is coming from.”

“Your right,” Miranda said softly, already turning. “This one’s on me.”

Andy looked at Cassidy who was still frozen in place “How about you and I go walk around the block with Patty? Or do you hate me too?” Cassidy gave a sad smile “I don’t hate you and I don’t think Caroline does either.”

They put on there coats and went outside, while Miranda made her way upstairs.

**-

She went to Caroline bedroom door and knocked only once. “Caroline…” no answer.

Miranda tried again, gentler. “Darling, may I come in?”

A beat.

“Go away!” It sounded like she was crying

“Come on darling, don’t leave me standing here please.” The lack of an answers made her believe it was alright to go in. Miranda opened the door and made her way to the bed where Caroline was laying on her stomach face buried deep in the pillow.

Miranda placed a hand on her back and began to softly rub up and down. “You’re allowed to be angry.”

I’m not just angry,” Caroline snapped, looking up. “I’m confused. And you’re acting like this is normal—like we’re all just going to step into some magical family dynasty.”

Miranda winced, but said nothing.

Caroline continued, her voice rising. “You used to laugh at these people, Mom. You hated their rules. You never bowed to anyone. You made everyone bow to you.”

Miranda turned a bit and sat on the edge of the bed, just out of reach. “I haven’t forgotten who I was.” Caroline looked at her, expression sharp. “But you’ve changed. And it feels like you’re just… accepting it. Like you’re delusional, living on some stupid pink cloud.”

Miranda exhaled. And then — gently — she nodded.

“You’re right.”

Caroline blinked. “Wait, what?”

“You’re right,” Miranda repeated. “This is insane. And fast. And overwhelming. And if I were you, I would be furious too. Because this—” she gestured vaguely, “—isn’t the mother you’ve always known. Not quite.”

Caroline looked away, jaw tight.

“I didn’t plan this,” Miranda said. “Not the bond. Not the rules, Not the babies or the politics. I certainly didn’t plan to be part of an Ancient family or be brought before the courts.”

Despite herself, Caroline huffed.

Miranda continued, softer now. “But when they took me, when I was sitting alone in that holding cell, I realized something. I’ve spent my whole life surviving. Fighting. Pushing through locked doors because no one would open them for an Omega who refused to be small.”

Her voice dipped.

“And then someone came who didn’t need me to shrink… but offered to stand with me anyway.”

Caroline turned toward her slowly.

“I’m not saying it’s all perfect,” Miranda said. “Andrea and I still need to talk. We have so much to talk about. What this bond means. What I’m still allowed to want in this world. And maybe even if we need to fight for some real change.”

She looked her daughter directly in the eye.

“I’m not giving up the version of myself who terrified boardrooms and raised you with iron in her voice. But I am letting myself become someone who doesn’t have to carry the world alone anymore.”

Caroline was quiet for a long time. Then she asked, “So… you’re not just giving in to the bond? To her?”

“No,” Miranda said. “But I’m giving in to the possibility of true happiness and belonging.” Silence. Not quite peace — but understanding flickering in her eyes.

After a moment, Miranda reached out, palm up between them. Caroline hesitated. And then placed her hand in hers.

“I’m scared, that everything will change and not for the better” Caroline admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

Miranda squeezed her fingers. “So am I, but I hope you know you and your sister are the most important people in my life.”

Caroline looked at her before diving forwards and hugging Miranda tight. Another pause followed before Coroline Finlay said. “…Do we at least get to help name the babies?”

Miranda laughed— truly, fully. “Off course you do.”

Miranda hugged her tighter and held her for wat felt like hours. They heard the front door open signaling Cassidy’s and Andys return.

“Lets go finish out talk alright?” Caroline nodded together they got up from the bed and made there way downstairs. As the make there way down they see Cassidy and Andy were hanging up there coats in the closet. Miranda walks over to Cassidy and places her hand softly on top of her head, she didn’t  have to say anything the gesture was enough.

The next 2 hours were spend talking about everything that happened and still needed to happen. That is also when the conversation came on the subject of the girls themselves.

“Which brings us to you two,” Miranda said.

Cassidy narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Andrea sat forward slightly. “As you two were not born into the  Vaelthorn family, you can’t inherit that title. I want you to know that it is not something decided, it’s by bloodline law forbidden. But there’s something else — something sacred — that you can take on. That is if you want it.”

 Caroline leaned in. “What is it?”

Miranda spoke slowly, with a kind of reverence. “It’s called Vyr’haelen. It means ‘shield-born.’ It’s a position of honor. A warrior, sworn to protect the legacy of the bloodline. You wouldn’t be outsiders. You’d be… guardians.

Cassidy stared. “Like knights?”

Andrea smiled. “Exactly like knights.”

Miranda looked at them — her daughters, there all grow up, watching her not as a perfect figure, but as something more real now.

“You can decide to join one of our academies, its almost like a normal university. You still be able to study business or arts for example, but in addition  you can choose to learn more about ancient times.” she said softly. “Learn the laws, the history, the bond rituals. Most children from elite and old families attend there. There is a lot the modernized world has seem to forgotten. Also why we think it is important for you to join.’’

Caroline was quiet for a long moment. “So we wouldn’t be pushed aside.”

“Never,” Miranda said, fierce and sure. “You would be just as important as these babies will be. With your own titles. Your own place in this family.”

Cassidy rubbed her thumb along the edge of the sofa cushion, then looked at Andrea.

“We need to think about it.”

“Of course,” Miranda said, brushing a hand through her daughters’ hair as she stood. “No pressure. No expectation. The choice is completely up to you.”

**-

After what felt like a life time they finally made there way to Runway. Roy opened the door and as they step outside the lack of press was surprising. Nobody knew Miranda would make a surprise entrance today so nobody was there to hassle them with unnecessary questions. They made there way inside, Mirandas heels clacking against the marble floor of the lobby. Whispers and stunned faces accompanied them all the way to the elevators.

Before Andy could press the button for the 20^th floor, Miranda already pressed the one for the 18^th. Andy looked at her with a confused face “There is someone who deserves out attention first don’t you think.”