52. Epilogue #1 Worlds Best Dad

The fundraiser happens to be the funniest thing ever. Despite their previous reluctance, everyone—including Connor—is fully invested by now. It clearly helps everyone's confidence to see so many guests interested and intrigued by them. Some of the younger women in particular flock to Levi, who is very obviously single and doesn't mind the attention.

The fashion show is held in the school's sports hall which they usually use for events. The kids went all out with their organization, and I feel proud that Charlie was a part of this.

There are a lot of guests from various packs but also a lot of humans, parents of students, and their friends.

Some moms eye Dante hungrily as he walks over the catwalk, but he ignores them, and I personally find it so cute. I don't feel threatened by them. He is mine, and I agree with them that he is hot. Meanwhile, I can hear some of Charlie's male schoolmates whisper a bit.

"Charlie," one of them mutters. "This is your aunt!?"

"Yes," Charlie says, annoyed.

"Wow! Does she have a boyfriend?"

I almost die inwardly at this question. Do I look like a predator who would lust after teenage boys? Charlie seems annoyed too. "She is married!" She points at Dante. "To that guy."

"Oh fuck," one boy mutters. "Then I have no chance."

His second name must be delusional, Nefeli mutters. He looks like he is fourteen. He wouldn't even win against a stone for me.

Gazing around, I notice how Livia has fun too. She is modeling a tight red dress, earning her some admiring gazes as well. Meanwhile, Richard looks unusually jealous.

This was a fantastic idea, Livia links me. Please thank your niece for including me, Beta Ella.

I see what you mean. I grin. I think Richie is ready to commit.

Livia smiles, turning on her heels and winking at Richard before leaving the catwalk. Richie looks a bit surprised by the bold way she gave him attention, looking around with a mixture of awkward anxiety but also pride when some other guys throw invisible daggers at him.

Charlie and her friends who are the main organizers of the event are standing with Marius now. This whole fundraiser is mostly to support his project after all. He is currently building his second shelter. The first one is for homeless teenagers. The second one is particularly for victims of abuse of all ages—the goal is to make this a safe place for werewolves who are abused by their mates, parents, or a ranked member. Marius has a lot of support and lots of powerful allies. The hope is that once the word gets spread, our fellow wolves in danger will know this is a safe place for them.

He has recently been meeting a lot with Silas and Marcellus, the three of them wanting to work together from now on.

Liam told me a while back that it wasn't about the money, that he and Alpha Elden could have donated a generous sum. He said he wanted the kids to do something meaningful, to know that they can pull something like this off and help. I assume that's not all of his reason. He wants to make sure that Marius's project gets as much publicity as possible.

It's a win-win for everyone involved.

Once the fashion show is wrapped up, there is a buffet for everyone. I feel a bit tired like I do a lot recently. Morning sickness has kicked in, too, and it's only a matter of time before Dante finds out. I want to make the announcement special for him, though.

There are only three people I told already because I needed their help. Two are Annie and Dave, the other is Charlie. I want her to be involved early on so she won't feel excluded. I want her to know she has a special place in our lives. My strategy paid off because after the initial shock and her being wary, she started to help me and make plans for our future. She is so excited to be an older sister.

"Please, let's never do that again," Dante says when we finally return from the long day at school.

"Don't pretend like you didn't have fun." I chuckle.

"You are right, it was incredible," he says. "But also, incredibly exhausting."

"Charlie and her friends did really well," I say, taking his hand and leading him to our apartment.

"Talking about Charlie, where is she?"

"She is with Annie," I say. "Helping her with Aurora and Asteria. Felix and Dario are visiting, and they are planning a video night with their friends."

"Oh." He smirks. "Are we alone?"

"Yes." I smile, taking his hand and squeezing it. "Come. I need to show you something."

He eyes me curiously but nods and follows me. I lead him to the room I use as my private office. I decided to turn it into our child's room and either share Dante's office with him or use the one I have in the packhouse. Before we can enter, though, I hand him a box. It's a treasure box that Charlie and Dave found in an antique shop. Charlie and I filled it together.

"What's this?" Dante asks curiously.

"Open it," I say.

He looks at me curiously before opening the box, revealing a carefully picked set of items. There is a pair of the tiniest shoes in it, a baby rattle, the ultrasound I did when I suspected I was pregnant, and a T-shirt for Dante.

"World's Best Dad," he reads, staring at everything before he looks at me. Then back at the box and to the door. He opens it, switching on the light, his eyes widening.

Dave, Annie, Charlie, and I spent days buying everything, and last night when Dante was on patrol, we made sure to set everything up, knowing that he would be too busy with work and the fundraiser to notice what we were doing. I drew two murals on the wall: one side is a family of wolves with an owl watching over them, and the other side is a family of potatoes—Charlie's request. There is a small baby bed and basic furniture. "I just bought the basics," I say. "I… I wanted to do everything else together with you." I pause. "I… I am pregnant, in case that wasn't obvious."

Dante just keeps staring at the room and the box in his hand.

"Please say something," I beg.

He turns around, puts the box aside, then pulls me into his arms. He is crying, but I can feel the joy through our bond. "I am so happy," he whispers into my hair before drawing back. Tears are in his eyes. "So happy! Goddess, Ella! This is a miracle." To my surprise and joy, he laughs. "I am going to be a dad! Fuck, yes!"

I smile. "I was scared you would say you aren't ready."

"I don't think I am ready, but at the same time, I am," he says, resting his hand on my stomach. "It doesn't make sense, does it?" He bends his head to whisper towards my stomach. "But I promise I will protect you and your mom, little potato!" He stands up abruptly. "Goddess, I forgot to ask if it's a boy or a girl. Do you know already?"

"Nefeli knows. She can tell. Pretty cool, huh?" I say.

"Well, she is one awesome wolf. We know that already?" he says softly.

"Do you want to know? I don't know it either. I wanted to hear it with you."

He contemplates my offer, then takes my hand. "Yes," he says.

I take a shaky breath, listening to what my wolf is telling me, then I look at Dante with a smile. "Looks like Charlie will get a little brother."