Chapter 24

Reed stepped out of the sheriff's office, his mind already buzzing with the tasks ahead. In the aftermath of the battle against the dark forces that had threatened Whispering Pines, the town needed to heal and rebuild.

Reed rolled up his sleeves, ready to tackle the challenge head-on. He coordinated with various town officials and magical beings, organizing cleanup and repair efforts. From mending shattered windows to repairing damaged cobblestone streets, every detail mattered in restoring the town's charming ambiance.

As the day progressed, Reed found himself in a meeting with Cedric, Kade, Celeste, Luna, and other community leaders. They gathered around a large table at the Lone Wolf Café, cups of steaming coffee and plates of Elsie's famous blueberry muffins scattered before them.

"We need a long-term strategy for monitoring and controlling magical activities," Reed stated, his amber eyes scanning the faces of those present. "We can't let something like this happen again."

Cedric nodded, his golden eyes glinting with determination. "Agreed. As mayor, I propose we establish a task force dedicated to detecting and neutralizing magical threats."

Luna leaned forward, her silver-streaked hair cascading over her shoulders. "I can work with Ellie and her guardian magic to create a shield that won't allow anyone who means harm to enter. Black magic won't be able to penetrate and several of us will be warned when such magic is used nearby."

Reed jotted down notes, his mind already forming a plan. "I'll conduct interviews for a new emergency response team. We need both magical and non-magical members to ensure we're prepared for anything."

As the meeting concluded, Reed felt a sense of pride in his community. They had faced an unprecedented challenge and emerged stronger, united in their commitment to protect Whispering Pines.

With a spring in his step, Reed headed home to Ellie. The aroma of sizzling garlic and herbs greeted him as he walked through the door, a smile tugging at his lips. In the kitchen, he found Ellie stirring a pot of his favorite pasta dish, her chestnut hair tied back in a messy bun.

"Smells delicious," Reed murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her neck.

Ellie leaned into his embrace, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "I thought you might be hungry after a long day of saving the town."

They ate dinner on the back porch, the soft chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves providing a soothing soundtrack. As the sun set, Reed twirled Ellie in a playful dance, her laughter mingling with the evening breeze.

Reed pulled out a blanket and they sat to watch the sunset. Before long, Ellie was kissing him, her hands busy on his pants, unzipping.

"Ellie, wait."

She shook her head. "No. It's my turn to show you, Reed."

Ellie pushedReed back on the blanket and yanked on his pants until his thick length sprang free. He was hard and she wanted him in her mouth.

"Ellie, don't."

She met Reed's gaze as she wrapped her lips around the head of his cock.

"God," he groaned.

Ellie took him deeper, letting him slide in and out of her mouth. He twined his fingers into her hair, grasping her curls. His ass came off the blanket as he thrust into her mouth.

Her sex soaked with every groan from him. She loved that he was enjoying what she did. His pleasure made her more than ready to have him inside. She flicked her tongue over the tip of his length, tasting him. He was salty, earthy.

She sucked him deeply again, taking him farther. His groans got louder and deeper. She worked him with her hand, jerking him faster, sucking him tighter. His grip on her hair grew painful and the thrusts he made into her mouth suddenly stopped. He gave a loud roar as he spilled himself into her mouth.

She didn't get a chance to think about his taste. He slipped out of her mouth and sat, tearing at her clothes. She straddled him. He sucked one of her breasts into his mouth, the sensation sending fire shooting to her core.

"Oh god," she mumbled.

He glided his hands all over her as if unable to get enough of her body. He tweaked her other nipple, pinching and pulling, making her squirm. She leaned forward, pressing her breasts into his face. His lips moved over her skin like a hot brand.

He was at her back in a heartbeat, his cock spreading her folds open and gliding in. He filled her so completely, she swore there wasn't a millimeter of space left. Then he reared back and drove forward. Fire raced through her.

She moaned, her body aflame with need.

"No matter how many years go by," he ground out driving in and out of her like a hot branding iron. "You'll always be mine."

"Yes, Reed," she moaned, pushing back into each of his thrusts.

"You were mine first. Always mine," he said on a hard thrust. "Always mine."

He dropped over her, caging her under him.

"Always," she breathed.

He took her faster, harder. He curled an arm around her waist and pressed her back into him. Then he slid that same hand between her legs and pressed at her clit. "I want to feel you tighten around me."

She curled her nails into fists on the blanket and let herself go. Her channel tightened around his length. Claws dug at her hip and fire seared her skin, sending her over the edge. His body tensed, making his movements jerky at the same time she rode the pleasure wave. His thrusts slowed until he stopped completely and pulsed inside her.

He filled her with his seed, the pleasure intensifying for her. They fell onto the blanket still linked. On their sides, they stayed as they were, enjoying each other. Unwilling to cut the moment short.

She swiped a hand over her hip and knew he'd scratched her.

"Reed…did you?"

"Yes, Ellie. You're my mate in every sense of the word."

He'd marked her. Mated her. And she couldn't be happier.

Reed wasglad his house was surrounded by thick trees and no neighbors nearby or they would have had a lot to explain.

Once in their bed, he pulled her close and held her tight. "I can't wait for my parents to see you. They'll be shocked at all that's gone on, but they'll be thrilled you're back."

"Your mother always did have a soft spot for me. She used to slip me extra cookies when I came over to study." Ellie's voice was soft and warm.

Reed chuckled, the memory of his mother always trying to feed Ellie. "She always encouraged me to find you, to give us another chance if you ever came back."

As the moon rose, casting a silvery glow over their bedroom, Reed felt a wave of emotions wash over him. He sat up and reached for his pants on the edge of the bed. Ellie sat up and watched him. His fingers closed around the small velvet box he had been carrying for days.

"These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but amid the chaos and the danger, one thing became crystal clear to me. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

He opened the box, revealing a delicate ring nestled inside. "This was my mother's ring. She gave it to me years ago, telling me to save it for the woman who captured my heart. And that's you, Ellie. It's always been you."

Tears shimmered in Ellie's eyes as she held out her hand, allowing Reed to slip the ring onto her finger. "Yes," she breathed, her voice trembling with joy. "Yes, I'll marry you."

They fell into each other's arms, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. As they parted, Ellie cupped Reed's face, her eyes searching his. "There's something else," she whispered, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her voice. "Reed…we're going to have a baby. I'm pregnant."

Reed's eyes widened, his heart swelling with a love he never knew possible. "A baby? We're having a baby?"

Ellie nodded, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks. "Life has given us a second chance, Reed. A chance to build a family together."

Reed gathered her in his arms, marveling at the incredible turn of events. In the span of a few short weeks, he had rediscovered his soul mate, saved his town, and now, he was going to be a father.

The news of their engagement spread like wildfire through Whispering Pines. When Reed's parents returned from their volunteer work in the Amazon, the couple decided to host a small engagement party at the Lone Wolf Café.

The café buzzed with energy as friends and family gathered to celebrate. Elsie had outdone herself, preparing a feast fit for royalty. Celeste and Kade beamed with pride, thrilled to host such a joyous occasion in their establishment.

As the evening wore on, Reed clinked his glass, drawing everyone's attention. "Ellie and I want to thank you all for being here tonight, for supporting us through the challenges we've faced and for celebrating with us now."

He reached for Ellie's hand, their fingers intertwining. "We also have another announcement to make. We're gonna have a baby!"

The room erupted in cheers and applause, the love and support of their community palpable. Reed's mother rushed forward, tears in her eyes as she embraced Ellie. "I always knew you two were meant to be," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

As the party wound down, Reed and Ellie found a quiet moment together, their hands resting on Ellie's still-flat stomach.

"Our little miracle."

Ellie leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. "I can't wait to start this new chapter with you, Reed. Our family, our life together."