Epilogue

SASHA

Three Months Later

T he morning sun streams through the open balcony doors, casting a golden glow over my reflection, and I realize with a flutter of nerves and disbelief that today, I'm marrying the man I once thought was only a dream.

Since moving to Norway, life has been turbulent, messy, and chaotic. I grew up my whole life believing things that weren't true and facing tragedy because of a stranger's greed. It's been months since we eliminated Lilia, yet my mind still goes back to the discovery that she caused so much tragedy for no reason other than greed, for revenge. She chose my mom, like other random mermaids, to exploit and turn into a siren, in turn destroying so many families.

I tense, trying to remind myself that my mother is free of her clutches, though I still lost her to being a wild siren now. And my father is never coming back. As I think that, my wolf stirs inside me as though reminding me that part of him will always be with me.

I'm moving to Norway permanently now, making this my home, and somehow, after everything, I seem to be catching a break and finally getting that perfect-ever-after life.

I lift my gaze to the full-length mirror in front of me. I'm alone in the hotel room, the French doors open to a glorious sunny day, the high balcony overlooking the ocean. The breeze rushes inside as I stare at myself, about to cry.

I'm wearing a stunning dress the color of azure to match my sea. It's covered in crystals, with a long train—electric blue at the top, fading into white as it goes down to my feet. There are patterns of starfish and shells sewn into it with glittery thread. Thin straps crisscross my back, while the front has a low, sweeping neckline and tiny pearly buttons going down my bust that cinch in the dress across down to my waist. From there, the dress opens up, fluttering, revealing my pearlescent white swimsuit underneath, glinting iridescent colors when the sunlight hits it. My legs are completely on show, so wearing no shoes fits the beach theme perfectly.

My diamond necklace and matching earrings glint in the sunlight, and more of them are dotted through my flowing hair, which has been set in waves and perfectly frames my face. I still can't believe I look this amazing. But if I'm going to get married to my true mate, I want to blow him away, to have him never forget this day.

Smiling, I wipe a tear, not wanting to ruin my makeup. I have tiny diamantés along my eyelids and curling upward from my eyes, and my lips are a rosy pink and glistening.

The door suddenly opens, and I turn to find Billie there. Her eyes are beaming at seeing me, and she shuts the door, rushing over.

"Oh my God, Sasha! You look so beautiful. You're giving me goosebumps right now with how stunning you are. Kaden is going to go insane when he sees you. And that dress, wow!"

"It's not too much skin? I rubbed glitter all over my legs for extra shine." I'm laughing nervously now, and she's at my side, hugging me.

"I love you so much," she says.

"I love you more, and I am so excited to be sharing this moment with you. And look at you." I break away, taking in the strapless white lace dress following her stunning curves, the fabric see-through to her bikini underneath. With Billie having gorgeous, almost-white silvery hair, she looks like an angel.

"Are you ready?" she asks, smiling. Her presence calms me.

"I'm so nervous but excited, and I'm trying really hard not to cry."

Billie's suddenly fanning her face. "Don't say that," she says, "I'm already tearing up at seeing how beautiful you are and that you're getting married. But we have to go; everyone's waiting."

"I guess it's happening now."

"Yep, and you make a striking bride."

I take her hand, and we head out of the room. I lean into her, saying, "Thank you for agreeing to walk me down the aisle."

"Of course, you are my family, girl. I am so grateful to be doing this."

Her words fill me with warmth, and I squeeze her hand, feeling the soft tremor of nerves mixing with excitement. The reality of what's about to happen swells inside me, almost overwhelming. Together, we start our journey down the corridor.

We descend the grand staircase of the hotel, my bare feet against the cold marble. As we pass through the lobby, everyone stops to look at us, their smiles warm and encouraging.

Billie squeezes my arm gently, whispering, "They can't take their eyes off you. You're radiant."

I giggle nervously, my cheeks flushing. "I hope I don't trip," I confess, and Billie laughs softly.

"You'll be fine. Just keep breathing," she advises.

We head out the back entrance of the huge hotel, my heart fluttering like a bird in my chest. The large glass doors open directly onto the beach, revealing a breathtaking view of the ocean stretching to the horizon. The sound of waves gently crashing against the shore is captivating, and I take a deep breath of the salty sea air.

As we step onto the sand, a soft breeze tugs at the hem of my dress, and I feel the grains beneath my feet. The path to the altar is lined with delicate flowers. Together with Billie, I walk forward, each step taking me closer to a future I never dared to dream would be mine.

Standing at the edge of the beach, I gaze out at the shimmering crystal-blue water ahead of me. The calm sea stretches into the horizon as I take in the sight before me. A handful of cherished guests—Billie's mates, her adorable twins, colleagues from work, and the friends Kaden and I have made—are gathered on the shore. Dressed in hues of white and blue, they look beautiful, all smiling warmly at me.

The guests are parted, leaving a clear path that leads into the shallow water. The sea is unusually still, almost like a mirror, which isn't surprising when you have a kraken who can influence the ocean. At the end of a circular design of white flowers floating perfectly on the water, anchored in place, stands Kaden, the love of my life.

As we approach, Chowder pops up, floating alongside Eryx. When he sees me, he rushes over, holding a small black box in his hands.

"You're beautiful," he tells me with a wide grin. "And Eryx and I are flying later."

I laugh softly at his excitement and watch as he paddles down the path ahead of me, making his way to Kaden. Waiting with him is Khaos, who agreed to marry us. As part god, he is qualified to be the celebrant, and he stands there in a white suit, barefoot in the ankle-deep water.

I turn my attention to my soon-to-be husband, and my stomach bursts with butterflies from the anticipation. I want to run to him, to feel his arms around me.

Kaden's wearing fitted blue pants to match the color of my dress, and he's shirtless. A necklace made of shells hangs around his neck, accentuating the tattoos that cover his muscular chest, collarbones, and arms. His long hair flutters in the light breeze, and even though I asked him to have his back to me until I arrived, he clearly had no intention of doing that. He's smiling so widely, his eyes gleaming with joy.

Soft music begins, a beautiful melody played by a woman in a flowing white dress seated with a golden harp. The sound drifts through the air, setting the perfect tone. Billie and I walk down the sandy aisle, my legs shaking with excitement and nerves.

The crowd oohs and aahs over Chowder, who waddles closer in a little white vest with a flower pinned to the front. He looks utterly adorable. As he reaches Kaden, Khaos takes the ring box from Chowder, who swims around in the shallow water.

Billie squeezes my hand, whispering, "Ready, gorgeous?"

"I've been ready for so long," I admit, feeling the truth of my words deep in my heart. "I just didn't know it."

I smile at everyone around me. As I step into the water, its cool touch caresses my feet, and my smile stretches as I move toward Kaden. His grin is enormous, those white teeth gleaming, and his eyes glint with barely contained emotion. It's as though he's holding back tears, and it touches me deeply.

The moment I reach his side, he scoops me up, his mouth finding mine instantly. I giggle against his lips, whispering, "This is supposed to come after we marry."

"I can't help it. I was about to die watching you come down here like a goddess. I'm not an emotional man, I'd like to think, but right now, I'm about to bawl my eyes out that I found you."

I kiss him back, lost in the joy of the moment, while Khaos clears his throat, and the crowd chuckles softly.

Sliding back to my feet, I stand beside this huge man who towers over me, who loves me so much that I'm ecstatic. Kaden holds my hand tightly, as if unable to bear even the smallest distance between us. Just then, Chowder pops up, floating between us, a cherished member of our family.

Khaos begins the ceremony, his voice resonant and warm.

"We gather here today to witness the union of Kaden and Sasha, two souls intertwined by fate and love. May their journey together be filled with joy, strength, and endless adventure."

Tears well up in my eyes, happiness overwhelming me. This is the kind of joy I never thought I'd experience.

Kaden squeezes my hand gently, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. As Khaos speaks, the words flow over me like a blessing. I glance up at Kaden, my heart full of love and gratitude. His eyes meet mine, filled with an emotion that takes my breath away. We've been through so much to reach this point, which makes me love him that much more.

Khaos smiles at us both, then nods to Chowder, who offers the rings with a proud little chirp. We each take one from the box, then slip them onto each other's fingers, the circle of gold covered in diamonds a symbol of the endless love we share.

"With these vows and the exchange of rings, I now pronounce you married," Khaos declares, his voice carrying over the sound of the gentle waves. "You may kiss your bride… again."

The crowd laughs while Kaden draws me to him, capturing my lips in a passionate kiss that weakens my knees. The world fades away, leaving only the two of us and the ocean's embrace. Cheers and applause rise from our guests, but all I can feel is the warmth of Kaden's arms and the certainty that this is where I belong.

This is the best day of my entire life.

Hours later, I'm sitting on one of the stone seats that have been set up in the shallow end of the calm sea at a long, transparent table stretching out in front of me, long enough to accommodate everyone. The cool water laps gently around us. Bundles of white and blue flowers run down the center of the table, and food and drinks are flowing, brought out by the hotel staff. Laughter and music fill the air, and I can't remember the last time I've been this happy.

Kaden's hand rests possessively on my thigh. He hasn't stopped touching me since I arrived, and I'm drowning in his love. I can't get enough of it. I feel his eyes on me even as I laugh with Billie, who sits across from me, cradling one of her adorable twins, Dante. His tiny wings flap like he's ready to take off, making those cute baby noises that suddenly have me wanting to hold him.

Then I notice Kaden's gaze shift away from the table, and I follow it to see, standing in the water, the Siren Goddess herself, Asbesta. My mouth drops open at her ethereal beauty and her body-hugging dress of jewels shimmering in the sunlight. Most of the guests notice her presence, too, and a respectful silence falls over the gathering.

"Give me a moment, beautiful," Kaden explains, standing and moving through the knee-high water to meet her. They speak quietly, their conversation private, yet they aren't arguing. It reminds me of the first time I saw them talking in Kaden's underwater cave in the fjord.

Chowder leans closer, drawing my attention to his little, serious face.

"You will have a baby like Dante one day. With wings?" he asks in his adorable, inquisitive manner.

I laugh, and Billie chuckles from across the table.

"Not with wings, Chowder," I say, patting his head.

Chowder tilts his head. "You marry, you have baby? Is that how?"

"Not exactly, but close enough." I grin at his innocence.

A short while later, Kaden returns as the Siren Goddess walks into the sea, vanishing beneath the waves. He sits beside me.

"Everything all right?"

Leaning in, he whispers, "Even better than I thought. I explained that I have found my fated mate and don't plan to leave Norway. That I'm a citizen of the House of Gold and Garnet now. I asked if she'd be open to dual citizenship since I have no intention of not using the ocean."

"And?" I ask, eager to hear more.

"She agreed with the proviso that I visit her House regularly and set up a home there, even if it's just a holiday retreat."

"Oh, I love the sound of that."

"That's what I thought." Hugging me, he kisses me softly, lingering there.

The guests start cheering, and I laugh, breaking our kiss to see them all looking our way.

"You're all going to make me blush the entire day at this rate," I say, and Kaden chuckles.

"Please keep cheering. I need to kiss my new wife a lot."

"Kissing is good. Keeps you happy," Chowder chimes in with perfect timing.

The crowd erupts in laughter. The celebration goes on for hours, and as the sun begins to set, tiki torches are set up along the beach. I never want this day to end.

Standing, I take Kaden's hand. "Come with me. Let's go for a stroll."

Chowder instantly joins us, climbing up on Kaden's shoulder, his tail curling around the back of Kaden's neck. The three of us walk along the water's edge, the gentle waves lapping at our feet.

"I've been thinking about where to take you for our honeymoon," Kaden states.

"Anywhere with you is perfect," I reply, leaning into his side.

As we walk a little farther from the party, I gather my courage and just come straight out with my thoughts.

"I think I might be pregnant."

He freezes, turning to look at me, his eyes wide. "Are you being serious, or is this one of your jokes? Because if it is, it's not funny."

"I'm being real. It's been three months since I last bled, and well… I think I might be. I have to get tested, of course, but I've been thinking about it, and…"

His arms envelop me, and he kisses me fiercely, stopping my rambling. Chowder, perched on Kaden's shoulder, looks between us.

"Do you think there's too much kissing today?"

We laugh, and Kaden ruffles the top of his head.

"This is serious, you know," I say, playfully swatting at him.

"I know. I have wanted a family for as long as I can remember, and I want a small bundle of kids."

"Bundle?" I echo, raising an eyebrow.

He kisses me again. "We'll start with one, but I want the kind of happiness I never had growing up. And I want the same for you and Chowder."

His words touch me deeply. I stare at him, my heart full of bursting love.

"I've never been this happy," I say softly. "You've given me a life I never imagined, Kaden."

"I feel the same way. We've both needed each other more than we realized."

We continue our stroll along the beach, the water cool against our feet.

"I love you, Kaden," I whisper, glancing at him. "I love you, too, Chowder."

"I love you more, Sasha," he replies, his voice filled with emotion.

"And I love you both the mosterest," Chowder coos, sending us both into laughter.

And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of friends and the warmth of love, I know that I've finally found my family.