Epilogue

Epilogue

The following spring…

A content Baptiste lounged on the back patio, relaxing with a beer. Much had happened since he’d taken over the Pack. For one, the compound had the totems blocking the Mother removed so she could talk to her favorite paladin. Two, the Pack learned real quick he wasn’t his uncle. He abolished all kinds of old rules relating to arranged marriages to preserve bloodlines. Part of his amends to Diandra. Some of the Pack didn’t agree and left, but they were outnumbered by those who journeyed to find and join the pack with the progressive Alpha who carried a piece of their god.

The voice of the Garou hadn’t been heard since that eventful night when they’d finally become one whole being. It hadn’t changed Baptiste much. He remained mostly the same but for his raunchier sense of humor. It led to him saying things like, “Bend over a little bit more,” to his mate who wore some very short, shorts.

Daphne cast him a glare over her shoulder. “You know, instead of ogling my butt, you could be helping.”

He spread his hands and grinned. “We both know I have a hairy thumb.”

“But you can wield a shovel,” she groused.

“I would offer but the last time I asked if you needed help you threatened to cut off my balls.” Apparently, offering to carry in groceries was a crime. “Besides, you were the one who said you wanted a garden.”

“I do. There is something very satisfying about nurturing a seed until it grows and blossoms into a living thing.”

“If you say so. I think I’ll stick to growling at people and running around on the full moon.”

“Don’t forget peeing on things,” she reminded.

“Very important,” he agreed solemnly.

“Pee on my garden and I will rip it off though,” she sweetly promised.

To which he laughed. “I will let the Pack know.”

“Oh, speaking of seeds, I’m going to need your help with one.” She rose and dusted off her hands.

“I thought we just agreed the garden was your thing.”

“Well, since you’re the one who planted this one, I kind of figured you’d want a hand in cultivating it,” she said with a coy smile.

It took him a second and then his jaw dropped. His gaze went to her belly. His brain misfired before he stammered, “You’re pregnant?”

“Don’t look so surprised. It was bound to happen given how often we have sex.” She grabbed his hand and placed it on her abdomen. “Oh, and as a thank you from the Mother, she’s blessed my womb with twins.”

“Twins…” He suddenly felt faint and wavered on his feet.

His not-so-gentle mate slapped him.

He blinked.

She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

He laughed. A thing he thought he’d never do again until he found someone who showed him that even after adversity it was okay to live and love again.

He grabbed her around the waist and swung her until she gasped, “You’re going to wear my lunch if you don’t stop.”

A good enough reason to set her on her feet and give her a long kiss. “I love you, Psycho.” More than he could have ever imagined.

Being Daphne, she sassed, “I love you more, my beast. Now feed me. The babies are hungry.”

* * *

In the next state over…

In the months since Marissa’s return from her sojourn in Nexus, her Cryptid Authority office transformed. Given the previous boss’s misdoings with Circe, management had been replaced. Ralph had also finally been fired and last she heard, worked as a security guard for some auto parts place.

Since they were short-staffed, Marissa had been working solo, which she enjoyed. No one to mess up her car or get in her way. Alas, when she accidentally destroys some private property while securing a cryptid, her new boss suddenly decides she needs a babysitter. His name? Koda Whiteclaw. A CA celebrity super-agent and go-to problem solver, who also happens to be an attractive man with a tanned complexion, grayish-white hair, and a body to drool over.

Seduction will have to wait, though, as they’ll be entangled in a mystery that will threaten her life while also shedding light on her mysterious past.

Read all about Marissa’s adventure—and romance!—in Earth’s Secret.