29. Epilogue

AURORA

29

Six months later…

Iwipe the sweat from my brow, grinning as I listen to Alice's latest joke. The carnival lights flicker around us, casting long shadows across the fairground as we close down the food stand.

"I swear, if I have to smell another corn dog, I might just lose it," Lily groans, tossing a trash bag into the bin.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Oh, come on, you know you love it."

"She's right," Alice chimes in, her eyes twinkling. "I've seen you sneak a bite when you think no one's looking."

"How dare you. I don't eat that stuff." She holds a hand to her chest, a smirk on her lips.

Lily's mock outrage sends us into fits of giggles.

Folding up the last of the tablecloths, I can't help but marvel at how natural this all feels now. Nine months ago, I never could have imagined myself here, surrounded by the whimsical chaos of carnival life. And now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. Gage has given me true freedom beyond anything I could have imagined. When he took me to get justice and end my father's life, it was a turning point for me. I only wish there was some way to give him the same release, but the man responsible for his darkness is already dead.

However, after much encouragement, I've gotten him to draw more. His sketch of me was so good, and he has an amazing talent—one that Tyson is getting him to use in making banners for the carnival.

And Dan and Charlotte have already visited us a couple of times. I keep in touch with them weekly, and although I miss them so much, I've found two amazing friends, Lily and Alice.

"Earth to Aurora," Alice waves her hand before my face. "You zoning out on us again?"

I blink, realizing I'd gotten lost in thought. "Sorry, just... taking it all in, you know?"

Lily's expression softens. "Still can't believe you're one of us carnies now, huh?"

"Sometimes," I admit, looking around at the twinkling lights and colorful tents. "But I wouldn't change it for the world."

As we finish cleaning up, the sounds of the carnival winding down for the night surround us. The distant laughter of stragglers, the creaking of rides being shut off, and the muffled music from the last few game booths have become a comforting symphony to me.

"Race you to the trailers?" Alice suggests.

"You're on," Lily and I chorus, and we take off running, our laughter echoing through the night air.

I race toward the trailers, my heart light with laughter. The carnival's dying sounds fade behind me as I run, my feet pounding against the packed earth. Suddenly, a pair of massive hands grab me from behind. Before I can scream, one clamps over my mouth, silencing me instantly.

My body tenses, adrenaline flooding my system. I watch helplessly as Lily and Alice disappear into the night, oblivious. Fear grips me as I realize I'm alone, at the mercy of whoever has me in their grasp.

But then I catch his scent—that unmistakable mix of musk, grease, and something uniquely him. Gage. My racing heart slows a fraction.

I struggle against his iron grip, more out of instinct than a genuine desire to escape. His breath is hot against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. Despite the fear, I feel a familiar thrill building inside me.

He drags me backward, away from the lights and into the shadows between trailers.

Gage's grip on me loosens, and his lips brush against my ear. "Run, little one," he growls, his voice muffled by the mask. "Run, and don't look back."

My heart pounds in my chest as he releases me, and I stumble forward, my legs shaking with adrenaline. I glance back over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of his hulking form, the skull mask glinting in the moonlight. A thrill runs through me, and I take off into the woods, my feet carrying me over the uneven ground.

The trees close around me, their branches reaching out like grasping hands. Gage's heavy footsteps thud in the distance behind me.

I weave through the trees, my breath coming in short gasps. The night air is cool against my skin, and the adrenaline floods my veins.

Breaking through into a clearing, the moonlight filters down through the canopy. I pause momentarily, my chest heaving, and listen for any sign of Gage. The woods are silent, except for the distant sounds of the carnival and my heart pounding.

Suddenly, a twig snaps behind me, and I whirl around, my eyes wide. Gage emerges from the shadows, his massive form looming over me. I back up, my lips parting.

He stalks toward me with predatory movements, his eyes glinting behind the mask. He closes the distance between us, his hands coming up to grab me, forcing me to take another step back.

Instantly, I realize my mistake when I'm hoisted into the air by my legs, hanging from a rope attached to a tree upside down. Shit. I can't believe I fell for this again. It's not the first time he's used a trap on me.

Gage got creative a few months ago. I think he got tips from Cade. Lily mentioned Cade has always loved trapping her. And Gage enjoys using a rope snare to catch me.

"Caught you," he rumbles, stalking toward me while I'm suspended upside down by the rope.

The mask hides his expression, but I can see the dark hunger in his blue eyes. My heart races as he reaches out, hands running down my sides possessively.

His large hands grip my thighs as he steps closer, his hips pressing against my face. I close my eyes, my breath quickening. His touch is rough, sending sparks of pleasure through me.

"You know what happens when I catch you," he murmurs. "You're mine."

His fingers dig into my flesh, and I moan, unable to hold back. Suddenly, he unzips his pants, and his hard cock slaps against my cheek, and a shiver runs through me. I want him, crave the release only he can give me.

"Open wide, little one," he growls, his hand fisting in my hair.

Opening my mouth wide, I accept the huge, thick length of him right into the back of my throat. In this position, he has unrestricted access, and I love it. He uses me, taking his pleasure from my mouth and throat. And I'm helpless, upside down, and restrained, reduced to a plaything.

His thrusts become more insistent, his grip on my hair tightening. I moan around him, my eyes squeezing shut as I focus on the feeling of him dominating me.

"That's it, take it," he grits out, his voice hoarse with need. "Feel how hard you make me, how much I want to claim every inch of you."

I whimper, unable to respond as his cock fills my mouth. My throat constricts around him, and he growls, his hips stuttering as he seeks his own release.

He pulls out abruptly, leaving me gasping for breath. And then he tears at my panties, my skirt around my hips from being hung upside down. I feel his tongue against my most sensitive spot. My back arches instinctively, my body craving more, but I'm restrained.

Being trapped and restrained heightens the sensations. The thrill of helplessness, of being at his mercy, pushes me closer to the edge.

"Open wide," he demands.

Opening my mouth, he enters my throat again, and I relax, taking him deep. I've improved at this, learning to suppress my gag reflex over the past months.

Gage's tongue flicks faster over my clit until I'm seeing stars. The pleasure builds and builds, coiling tighter and tighter within me. His cock slides in and out of my mouth as I lose control, screaming my release into the night.

My body shakes with the force of my orgasm. Through blurry eyes, I see Gage move away. He kicks off his pants and then takes out his knife, cutting me free from the snare.

I tumble to the ground, landing painfully in a heap.

But there's no time to recover, as Gage is on me instantly. I see the flash of steel in the moonlight, and then I feel the sting of the knife as it slices through my clothing, shredding my skirt and panties.

He looms over me, his eyes glittering with dark intentions, and then his hands are on my throat, squeezing just enough to send sparks of pleasure through me. My back hits the forest floor, and I feel the roughness of the terrain bite into my skin.

His thick cock teases my entrance, and I tilt my hips toward him, silently inviting him to take what he wants. I want him to know that I'm his and that I crave his dominance and power.

As if sensing my thoughts, he growls and slams into me, claiming me in one brutal thrust. I cry out, my body shaking at the force of his possession.

I cry out as Gage's thick cock stretches me to my limits. I can feel him, hard and relentless, filling me. He grabs my hair harshly, taking my mouth in a bruising kiss, our tongues tangling in a savage dance of dominance.

I struggle beneath him, not in protest, but to get closer, to feel more of him. He breaks the kiss, trailing his lips down my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin. His hands move to my wrists, pinning them above my head, holding me captive as his hips move in a relentless rhythm.

"Please—harder," I gasp, arching my back to meet his thrusts. I want him to take me with all the savage intensity that I know he's capable of.

He obliges, his movements becoming wilder, more untamed. I can feel the force of his thrusts in the pit of my stomach, the head of his cock nudging at my deepest core with each stroke. His grip on my wrists tightens, reminding me of his strength, his power over me.

The rough forest floor scrapes my back with each brutal thrust.

Gage leans down, his breath hot against my ear. "You're mine," he snarls, his voice thick with desire. "All mine."

I nod frantically, my eyes squeezed shut. "Yes, yours. Please, harder."

He lets out a guttural sound between a growl and a groan, and his pace becomes even more frenzied. I can feel the blood pounding in my veins, my body on the edge of something explosive.

His thrusts become sharper and more urgent, and I know he's close, too. I bite my lip, willing to hold on, wanting to come with him. His fingers dig into my flesh, leaving marks I know will be there tomorrow, reminders of this moment.

And then, with a final, brutal thrust, he reaches his peak, his body tensing as he fills me with his release. My orgasm follows, ripping through me with an intensity that steals my breath.

For a moment, we're both still, our bodies entangled, our hearts pounding in unison. I can feel his breath hot against my neck, his chest heaving against mine.

Slowly, he collapses onto me, his full weight pressing me into the ground. My arms wrap around him, holding him close as I enjoy his closeness.

"Aurora," he breathes, his voice rough and filled with emotions I can't quite name.

I tighten my hold on him, burying my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. "I know," I whisper. "I'm here."

Gage rolls to his side, bringing me with him. Our bodies are still connected. The cool night air sends a shiver through me, and he pulls me closer, his arms tightening protectively around me.

We lie in the forest's quiet, our hearts slowing, our bodies still joined. I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my chest, his breath gentle on my skin.

I know this quiet won't last. Our time together is always punctuated by explosions of intensity, but I'll savor these peaceful moments while they last. I know the darkness is never far away—for either of us. But for now, in this quiet, intimate space, it's just the two of us, tangled together, free from the haunting shadows of our pasts.

I lie in Gage's arms, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. The surrounding forest is quiet, except for the gentle leaves rustling in the night breeze. I trace my fingers along the scars on his chest, feeling the raised lines that tell the story of his past.

"I love you," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "Every part of you. The darkness, the light, everything in between."

He tightens his grip on me, his lips brushing against my forehead. "I love you too, Aurora. More than I ever thought possible."

We've come so far since that first encounter at the carnival. The path hasn't been easy, filled with moments of fear, doubt, and pain. But we've faced our demons together, learning to embrace our darkness while nurturing the light within each other.

"You know," I say, propping myself up on my elbow to look into his eyes, "I never thought I'd find someone who understands me the way you do. Who accepts all the broken pieces of me."

Gage's hand cups my cheek, his thumb gently stroking my skin. "We're healing each other, little one. In our own twisted way."

I laugh softly, nodding in agreement. "It's not conventional, but it works for us. You've taught me to embrace my desires, to find strength in vulnerability."

"And you've shown me I'm capable of love," he replies, his voice thick with emotion. "That I'm not just a monster."

I kiss him, pouring all my love and acceptance into the gesture. When we part, I rest my forehead against his.

"We're both a little monstrous," I admit with a small smile. "But we're perfect for each other. You make me feel alive, Gage. You challenge, excite, and make me feel safe, even amid danger."

His arms wrap around me, pulling me flush against his chest. He doesn't speak, but his eyes speak a thousand words.

We lie there, tangled together, our bodies and souls intertwined. The carnival, with its lights and noise, seems a world away. Here, at this moment, it's just us—two broken people finding wholeness in each other's arms.

Thank you for reading Carnival Monster! Did you enjoy it? If so check out my other books, including Carnival Nightmare which is Lily & Cade's story.