Epilogue

EPILOGUE

BONES

1 year later

I know exactly what Michael, Sloan's father, sees when he looks at me. He sees someone he suspects is supernatural, a good six or seven inches taller than him, dressed like a biker with a face tattooed as a skull, back of his hands tattooed with bones. I stand straight, refusing to fidget as the silence between us grows. Michael Davis might be completely human without a lick of magic flowing through his veins but right now, he's fucking more intimidating than Reaper in demon form.

It took Sloan a lot of work with Anna Leigh before she asked me to help her find her parents. Even when I found them, it was another month of weekly meetings before Sloan asked me to be with her while she called her mom. It was the first time they'd spoken in almost two decades. Sloan had been terrified her parents would be mad at her. The moment Sloan had said "Hi, mom," Cindy, her mom, had burst into sobs and shouted for her husband. I held a crying and smiling Sloan, in my lap as she spoke to her parents.

Cindy and Michael had never moved in hopes that one day Sloan would come back. They had feared the worst, even if there was never proof of harm coming to Sloan. Their house is a six hour ride from Devil's Haven and I was more than happy to drive her to visit the next day. Cindy hadn't waited for Sloan to come up to the front door when we pulled up along the curb in front of their modest Craftsman style house. She'd run out of the front door, wrapping her daughter up in a tear filled hug.

My outward appearance clearly startled her parents, but Cindy hadn't hesitated for more than a moment before dragging me into the hug as well.

Sloan also got to meet her adopted siblings: Matthew and Lexi. Brother and sister, they are in their early teens, in the system because they'd run away after a life of neglect. Cindy and Michael had explained that they didn't know what had happened to Sloan and hoped that someone had offered her refuge. So they'd decided to do the same.

They'd decided to attend family therapy together, eventually bringing in her new siblings. So far, it seems to be going well since Sloan knows she hasn't been replaced and her new siblings know Cindy and Michael aren't going to kick them out because she's back in their lives.

Now Michael, someone I found I have plenty in common with when it comes to our enjoyment of mechanics, is looking at me with a shrewdness that pierces my very soul. I remind myself I don't need his permission; the small box is already in my pocket.

"And if I said we don't approve?" His eyes are the same blue-green as Sloans. In fact, she takes a lot after her father in looks, but her personality is absolutely similar to her mother.

I glance across the tidy backyard and home garden towards the open French doors leading into their home. Matthew is helping Sloan and Cindy cook while Lexi is gathering the plates. Looking back, I adopt a serious expression.

"I'd still ask her to marry me," I tell him with complete honesty. I could explain fated mates to him, but I'm not sure if they're quite ready for that.

"Why?"

Fuckity fuckity fuck. This man, who can talk faster than I can keep up, has turned into a stone-faced reticent man.

I release a long breath. I've already revealed my heart to Sloan; I can do the same to her father.

"I love her," I start. "I more than love her. Sloan is my everything. She's the sun in my world; a precious treasure I'll always protect. Making her smile, making her laugh, it's all I want to do with the rest of my life. There's nothing I won't do for Sloan. I'll stand by her as she continues healing, continues growing, continues learning to see that she's as worthy and beautiful as a person like I see. Without her, I am nothing. She's truly my other half. "

Michael's stoicism lasts for a long moment after I finish before he cracks. His smiles, a small thing but one filled with years of love, pain, and hope. He looks over my shoulder towards the house before looking back at me.

"You brought our little girl back. She hasn't told us everything that's happened to her and I don't think she ever will. Cindy and I know it was bad, though." He takes a deep breath, his cheeks puffing before letting it out. "We see how happy you make her. How you treat her, like she's strong. You support her rather than coddling her, making her depend on you for everything. So long as you continue to do that, keep loving my daughter the way she deserves, I'll be proud to call you son."

Michael sticks out his hand, and stunned, I shake it. I'd never expected him to think of me as a son.

Before I can let go, he tightens his grip and his voice turns to steel. "I don't know what you are, and frankly I don't care. But regardless of what you are, you hurt that girl and I'll figure out a way to kill you myself. We lost her once and we won't lose her again."

I'd already respected him but that respect grows even more at the man's threat. He must guess I could snap him in two without breaking into a sweat. I'm certain he'd find a way to carry out the threat, though and I nod.

"Food is ready!" Michael calls out as the rest of the family pours out of the kitchen and starts to place platters stacked with food down the center of the picnic table.

My camera sits at the end and I swipe it up, my eyes on my beautiful fated mate. She's laughing at something Lexi said and I raise the camera, capturing the carefree joy on Sloan's face.

Sloan sees me and giggles, coming to my side and sliding an arm around my waist. "Let's take a selfie!"

Michael grabs the camera from me with a wink. "How about I take a couple pictures?" He's already positioning the camera.

"Thanks!" Sloan says then turns to look at me when I slide out of her embrace. Her blue-green eyes are a bit confused but there's no pain or fear of rejection in her eyes.

While I slowly lower myself to my knee, taking out the black velvet box from my pocket, her confusion disappears. Surprise and hope fill our mating bond. I send every bit of love I have for her through it in return.

Her mother and siblings are whispering in excitement, the camera clicking. My world narrows down to the woman I once was ordered to kill. The woman who brought me back from the darkness.

"Sloan, will you--"

"Yes!" she shrieks, throwing herself at me.

"--marry me?" I finish in a laugh before she starts covering my face in sweet kisses.

I have everything I need for the rest of my life right here, in this moment, in my arms. So long as I am with Sloan, I'll never have to live in the shadows again.

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