Epilogue

EPILOGUE

O ne year later, the town of Misty Vale was almost unrecognizable to Alena. It buzzed with a newfound energy. The change that had come was nothing short of remarkable.

In the heart of town, the Misty Vale Nature Center was taking shape, with Alena at the helm. Zane's adventure tourism business, "Vale Excursions," had already begun to garner a reputation amongst both thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, offering everything from guided hikes and rock-climbing excursions in the summer to extreme skiing and ice climbing in winter, all initially led by Zane himself.

Across the street, the community center that she had learned Striker and Audrey had long dreamed of was nearing completion as well. From what she knew, it was more than just a big room for the old folks to play bingo. Apparently, it had state-of-the-art facilities with multimedia capabilities as well. Audrey had plans to have one wing as a sort of daycare and early childhood development center. They planned to use the rest for everything, from afterschool programs to community game and movie nights.

Pretty cool.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting a golden glow over the valley, Alena and Zane made their way to Archer's, where a group of dragons and bears alike planned to celebrate the anniversary of their alliance.

It's hard to believe it's been a year since all that happened.

They entered the big double red doors, and all eyes were on her. She was used to it by now, of course. In her arms, she cradled their baby.

"There's the little munchkin!" Archer crowed, bounding over to greet his sister and brother-in-law. "Let me see my niece!"

Alena laughed, carefully transferring the baby into her brother's waiting arms. "Careful, she's a feisty one. Must get it from her bear side."

Zane snorted, his eyes twinkling with mirth as he gazed down at her. "Please, we all know dragons are the spirited ones. She gets that from me."

The group chuckled, watching Archer cooing and fussing over the infant. Abi skipped over, Rainbow clutched to her chest.

"Hi, baby Aria!" she chirped, gently patting the baby's head, brushing her little shock of dark hair to one side. "Rainbow says you're gonna be super special, just like me!"

Ruby smiled, wrapping an arm around her daughter. "Of course she will, sweetie. With parents like Alena and Zane, how could she not be?"

Just then, the rest of the dragon contingent arrived. Amelia and Audrey came in, Nora instantly running over to play with Abi. Nora raised her recently acquired stuffed dragon to say hello to Abi's Rainbow.

"Hello, George!" Abi said in the voice she put on when she had Rainbow speak.

"George the Dragon?" Zane raised an eyebrow at his brother's mate.

"Why not?" Amelia replied.

"Right, why not." Turning to Audrey, Zane asked, "So how's the community center coming along?"

"Well, the daycare part is going to be open next month!"

"That's amazing. Seems you guys have been working on that forever!"

"Hey, it takes some time to see a dream become reality, you know?" Audrey said.

"Don't we know it," Zane sighed, putting an arm around Alena.

As the friends settled into the easy banter and laughter that had become their new normal, Dice arrived, accompanied by a young woman.

"Jane!" Amelia called out to her friend. "So glad you could make it!"

"You know I'm not gonna miss happy hour," the woman said as she gave Amelia an embrace.

Dice chuckled, shaking his head. "I've learned to expect the unexpected with this one. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

Striker and Smith, now the best of friends, rushed over to clap Dice on the back and prod him with questions about his latest designs. Of course he still didn't know that, if they got one, they would then go directly to Kiki to get it leveled up with some magical effects.

The biker had been so successful, it seemed, that word was, he was going full time as Misty Vale's resident ink master.

The night wore on—tales were told, and toasts were made, each one a celebration of the love and unity that had brought them all together.

Zane stood, raising his glass high.

"To Misty Vale," he declared, his voice ringing with emotion. "To the place that brought us together, tested our strength, and taught us the true meaning of family. May we never forget the power of love to conquer even the deepest of divides."

"To Misty Vale!" the group echoed, their voices joining as one.

Alena leaned into Zane's side, baby Aria cradled between them. She thought back to the long, winding road that had led them here—the heartache and the joy, the challenges and the triumphs. Every step, every sacrifice, every leap of faith.

In the end, love had been the answer. Love for each other, for their families, for the town that had shaped them. And with that love as their guide, Alena knew they could weather any storm.

With the laughter and chatter swelling around her, Alena closed her eyes, savoring the moment. This was where she belonged. With her mate, her daughter, and the extended family she'd found along the way.

In the distance, a lone wolf howled, its song carried in the wind. Abi perked up, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Did you hear that? Rainbow says the wolves are happy, too! They're celebrating with us!"

The adults exchanged amused glances, but Alena just smiled. After all they'd been through, who was she to question the wisdom of a stuffed unicorn? If Abi said the wolves were joining in their joy, then they were.

Zane pressed a kiss to Alena's temple, his eyes soft with adoration. "Happy anniversary, my love. Here's to many more years of changing the world, one adventure at a time."

Alena turned in his arms, capturing his lips in a sweet kiss. "I couldn't have said it better myself. I love you, Zane Livingstone. Forever and always."

The party continued into the night, the stars twinkling overhead, and Alena marveled at the incredible journey that had brought them all to this moment. Bears and dragons, bikers and fae, all united by the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship.

It was the start of a new chapter, a new adventure. And Alena couldn't wait to see where it would lead them next. With Zane by her side, and their miracle baby nestled in her arms, she knew anything was possible.

Fate had brought them together, and destiny would keep them strong. Always and forever, in the heart of Misty Vale.

Thank you for reading the last story in the Misty Vale Shifters series! If you loved it then check out Fae Crossing...

Welcome to Fae Crossing, a little town full of secrets…

Trouble seems to follow half-fae barkeep Bloom Havenshaw wherever she goes. This time it comes knocking in the form of a bad news patron. But when her enchanted bar goes a little above and beyond in handling the threat, the local law is called in.

Dragon shifter lawman Dax Carlyle is still stinging from the last time he had to deal with his ex, and is in no mood to face her again. But when duty calls, he has no choice but to step up to the plate.

Sparks fly immediately as it is apparent their chemistry is still hot as sin.

But even as Dax begins to investigate the patron and his chaotic ways, new dangers begin to arise around every corner, and soon it is apparent that the threat they face might not only destroy them and all they love, but potentially the very town itself.

Can Dax and Bloom overcome their distrust and their own demons before the town is torn asunder? Or are they destined to be destroyed before they even have a chance to rekindle their fire?

Here is a brief preview...

"Shouldn't you be out frolicking in the forest or something?" Bloom said as she set a screwdriver on the bar for Tam as she sat in her usual spot at the bar. "Or maybe there's some moon ritual to cleanse your aura?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Tam shot back, with mock annoyance. "Tonight this is my path," she said, as she lifted the drink to her lips. After a little sip, she added, "I think I've done enough this week to connect to my fae roots, thank you very much."

"I'm sure you have," Bloom said, giving her a wink and a half smile. "You know I just like to raze you," she then said as she pulled away to attend to the rest of the newly arrived regulars clamoring for their favorite drinks. It was still early, but Thursday nights got pretty hopping. It was her favorite night. Crowded enough for good business, but not so crowded she couldn't connect with her peeps. And as the proprietor of what was arguably the central hub of Fae Crossing, The Fair Folk Bar, better known as "The Tree", she had lots of peeps to connect with.

"Bloom, my dear! And how are you on this fine, fine spring evening?"

It was Dewey, a gentleman of about sixty and one of her regulars.

"Can't complain in the slightest, my good man," she called, already preparing a dry martini for him. For whatever reason, she always fell into mock high-borne speech with him.

Actually, come to think of it, it was hardly for no reason. He was full-fae after all, and in that sense, certainly more high-born than herself, though he wasn't the type to even register something like that.

"And if I may ask after the tomatoes, my good man?"

"You most certainly may. All of my garden is coming in quite nicely. If you are lucky, I may bring you some green beans soon enough."

"I shall look forward to the day," she said as she scanned the growing crowd. It was quickly filling up.

Oh shit. Nilsa had said they might swing by. And here they are.

"Councilman Cliffwyn, um… Nilsa, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Hello, Bloom. What, I don't get the title, but he does?" the fae woman retorted in a friendly enough voice.

"Oh. No, I meant…"

But the woman quickly interrupted her, "Please, are you kidding? Of course, call me Nilsa. That's the least I can do to honor your father."

Bloom felt the familiar stab of pain in her gut. Actually, over time it had become more of a dull ache.

"And please," said the man, "Call me Finch. Like she said, your father is sorely missed. And I think it's about time we got on a first name basis."

"And to what do I owe this honor?"

Humans, fae, and shifter; all were welcome here, even if for the most part, this was a fae watering hole.

For some crazy reason, shifters don't seem to gravitate to drinking inside a literal tree–Shocker. Of course they had the Grizzly Den down the road, but still it seemed a plenty of shifters still liked to come and hang out here, so they weren't that rare a sight in the fae haunt. Variety is the spice of life.

"Believe it or not, but no real reason, I haven't been in, really, since a while back when your father hosted a few informal council meetings here. I'm sorry I haven't made myself more known to the famous Tree bar. I guess I should consider myself lucky that it let me in!" he laughed.

"Well, glad to have you, then, Finch. And thank you, it's nice to know my father is still remembered."

"Still remembered? Are you kidding? Of course, he is. And I want you to know that we haven't given up…" he started.

Bloom looked around. Things were already picking up. And she really didn't want to go there right now.

"Of course. Thank you, Councilman… Finch. What can I get for you guys?"

With that, she took their order. And narrowly escaped another uncomfortable walk down painful-memory lane.

She served them up their drinks and as they made their way to a table off in the quieter dining area, she went back to surveying the main bar room.

The clientele tonight was mostly Fae, with the majority being friendly faces she often saw around town. Friendly faces? Were they, though? They weren't un friendly.

"Guinness, Please," she heard called over the bar .

It was Rocky Clark, the local reporter.

Too bad he's no Clark Kent, though.

What do you care anyhow?

It was true, she had more or less given up in that department.

Still, he was a good guy. Fae, but not militantly so. He tended to be relatively fair in his coverage in the Herald. The Enchanted Edition, of course. He handled it all, humans too, but the supernaturals got the additional section.

"Lively crowd tonight," Tam commented as Wendy poured Rocky's stout.

"Yes, ma'am. Everyone blowing off steam as per usual. Come one, come all to the world famous Tree bar!"

"World famous, really?" Tam said, "I knew it was a big deal, of course," she added.

Sometimes, Bloom forgot just how new Tam was to the Magical realms. She made her look like an old soul by comparison. That was probably why she felt so comfortable with her. She didn't have to pretend she fit in with Tam.

"World famous-ish amongst the fae, and probably a lot of other magical beings, at least. Yeah, we're a big deal. Right, Ash?" She said that last part out to the room in no particular direction, addressing the spirit that enchanted the Tree itself.

The lights flickered a little in seeming acknowledgment.

"Wow. It is so cool that you have your own enchanted bar as a home!" Tam gushed.

"Well, it's not like I had a whole lot of say in the matter. My mom just plopped me here back when I was ten. ‘Hey, meet your dad! By the way, you have a dad. Oh, and he's Fae…oh, and magic's real. Bye now."

"That must have been crazy hard," Tam said. "I mean, I thought it was hard for me realizing I was half-fae as an adult. "But to be ripped out of your old life at ten, and with your mom dying and everything and coming here!"

"Jeez, you make it sound so tragic. Can we talk about something else?"

"What? Oh, sorry, Bloom, I didn't know it still bothered you!"

"It usually doesn't. It was twenty years ago. I guess I'm just having a moment. Honestly, that kind of stuff never totally leaves you, I don't think. You have any deep fae wisdom for me?"

She interrupted their conversation for a moment as she served up Rocky's Guinness, after having let it settle for the prescribed few minutes.

"Thanks, Bloom!" he called as he plucked it up and disappeared into the crowd.

She made a note on his tab.

"Wisdom? Not sure I'd put it like that, but yeah" she said. Tam paused for just a second before she seemed to hit on a thought. "June says that sometimes we have to go deep into the darkness to really appreciate the light." She waited expectantly, apparently to see if this particular bit of wisdom was helpful for Bloom.

"Oh yeah, is that what June says?" I'm not impressed. She'd had enough of the darkness for a lifetime, thank you very much.

She removed a few empties off the bar and wiped it down in anticipation of the next wave.

Tam seemed to scramble for a second. "I know I haven't had to deal with the same stuff you have, Bloom. First your mother and then what happened with your dad." She paused again, as if to be sure it was okay to proceed. "But there is always hope, you know? Anyhow, she has really helped me. Without her, I don't know how I'd have made the transition and embraced being a half fae. I feel like I am really finding myself here in Fae Crossing. I'm sure it doesn't hurt being right on top of one of the most powerful energy vortexes in the fae realms, of course."

Bloom stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Growing up in Fae Crossing, since the age of ten at least, she was used to the hard core spiritual fae that flocked there. The place was a kind of mecca for the Light Fae. Everyone has their path, I guess. It seemed to be helping Tam at least.

"That's great, Tam. Thanks for the tip."

In truth, she envied Tam. She had only been here a year, and yet she already seemed to have more of a sense of belonging in Fae Crossing than Bloom has established in twenty years.

She was just about to ask her about her new job working with the witches at their shop, Curiouser and Curiouser, but Tam spoke first.

"You see any good prospects?" Tam said as she scanned the crowd with a glint in her eye.

She just leveled her with a look. "No. And even if I did, I certainly wouldn't entertain the thought of scoping one out in my own bar."

God, what was it with tonight? She was pretty sure she had covered about all her sore spots already. Truth was she wasn't looking to scope out any man anywhere. Men were not her strong suit. She had the bar. That was enough.

Keep telling yourself that, Bloom.

But she put on her smile again. "I'm not interested, Tam. I've got a good thing going with this business and I'm not looking to screw it up by bringing a man into the picture. Been there, done that. No, thank you."

For a moment it seemed that was enough for Tam to get the message. "It's just that, you're so pretty, and..."

Time for the big guns. One strategic death stare was enough. It stopped Tam mid-sentence. "Okay, I get it. Just sayin'," she said as she turned on her heel. "I'm going to go mingle."

"Love ya, Tam," she said, blowing her a kiss.

She couldn't blame Tam, not really, and she hoped the death stare wasn't too much. Her last shit show attempt at a relationship had pre-dated her friendship with Tam so she couldn't really understand. And she had no interest in bringing Tam up to speed. No, she'd had enough of men. Didn't even seem to matter, Fae or shifter. No, thanks.

Definitely not shifter.

She literally shook her whole body to clear out all the old garbage that was threatening to surface.

Deep breath.

She breathed out.

Turning the page.

Her life circumstances struck her as ironic on more than one occasion. Here she was, the proprietor of the town hub, and yet she was probably the loneliest person in the room. At least that's what she told herself. I guess I have them pretty well fooled , she thought sadly as she surveyed the bar.

Still, she tried to remember that she had it pretty good. Fae Crossing was a special place. All were welcome there. If they had a tourist bureau, she thought that's what it would say on the brochures. Fae Crossing, where everyone is welcome.

It was a nice idea. But the reality was often far from that lofty ideal. She shook her head as Marius sidled up to the bar.

"The usual, love," he called.

Right, one scotch on the rocks.

"Coming up," she called as she set to make the drink.

All were welcome but that didn't mean they were one big happy family. To say Fae and shifters were a natural fit was more than a stretch. More like oil and water. Facts. As she got a rocks glass down, she refocused. Don't go down that road, Bloom . It had already been five years, which seemed impossible. But it had been. It still hurt as much today as when it had first happened. Back to the task at hand.

"Scotch on the rocks." She poured in a few fingers and pushed it across the bar to him...