Epilogue

POPPY

One Year Later

W arrick escorts me downstairs like I’m made of glass, every step slower than the last one. Despite his sweet, protective intentions, I try to hide my impatience, but he’s starting to get on my nerves.

“Warrick, I love you very much, but if you don’t speed this up, I’m going to have to go without you,” I tell him honestly. “I have too much to do before Sadie and Circe come over tonight, and I’d like to get into the underground cells at some point today.”

My mate stops fully and stares at me balefully, unimpressed by me rushing him along.

“You have to slow down, Poppy. You heard what the doctor said!”

Gritting my teeth, I look at my fitness watch impatiently, noting that my blood pressure only rises when I get into these silly arguments with one of my mates.

“He said that I am pregnant with triplets, so I should act accordingly, not walk like a hundred-year-old human man.”

Warrick is not amused.

“You know, if you just brought the prisoners upstairs, we wouldn’t have this problem,” I remind him sweetly.

Warrick balks at the suggestion. “No,” he says flatly, more determined now than before. “At least not until after the babies are born. We’ve already upgraded the underground cells at your request.”

I stifle a sigh and breathe, remembering what the doctor said; I need to pick my battles, and at least I’m making some progress on the prisoner front. The renovations in the underground cells have advanced leaps and bounds since I moved in. The prisoners have normal cells and aren’t being treated like animals anymore. But there are still ways to go on both ends. My mates don’t trust them, and I know they are misguided, clinging to an outdated belief system. But we’ll get there eventually, I’m sure.

Tavric grins happily to see me, like always, particularly when I bring his favorite sandwiches in a picnic basket.

“I’ll be back to get you in an hour,” Warrick warns. He points a finger at Tavric, who is freshly shaven today and wearing clean clothes. He doesn’t resemble the same shifter I’d met a year ago, the extra weight on his face changing his entire appearance. “Don’t try anything stupid.”

“Warrick,” I sigh, but the prisoner nods vehemently in agreement.

“Oh, no, Alpha! I won’t! I promise!”

Warrick nods at the guards. “Stay close to her. If anything happens to the Luna or my children…”

He doesn’t need to finish his sentence. The threat is clear.

The door closes, and I’m left with Tavric, who eagerly reaches for his sandwiches, determined to munch them down.

“Have you given anymore thought to what we discussed last time, Tavric?” I ask hopefully. “If you give me the names of some more of the rebels, I could get you moved to a better location.”

“Oh, maybe…” he hems, and I stifle a sigh. The conversation always goes the same way.

“Tavric, my father isn’t coming back to rule. None of the ancient packs are. That way of life is over—it’s been over for centuries.” My voice softens, the weight of the past pressing against me. “My father didn’t survive to see his vision through because he was wrong.” I pause, the next words heavier than the ones before. “And my mother… I only learned a year ago that she shared his fate for standing by him. They both paid the price for clinging to a world that no longer exists. The world moved on, and so must we.”

“You’re here, ruling now, Luna,” he says bluntly. A twinge of hope sparks inside me for the first time since we started these sessions.

“Yes,” I agree slowly. “I am, but with the triads, the Apex Alphas. I am their Luna. In a different system.”

Tavric frowns slightly, as if digesting the information.

“You understand the difference, don’t you, Tavric?” I ask, my pulse quickening. “My ancestors are no longer the rulers. We have a different form of government now.”

He purses his lips and studies my face. “But why?”

“Because the triads are stronger and more effective. We run things more efficiently this way.”

“We should go back to the way things were hundreds of years ago,” Tavric grumbles.

Tilting my head to the side, I lean forward, reaching for his hands. “Why? Why do we always have to fight change? It’s not always a bad thing. Look at how much you’ve changed in a year. Is this so bad?”

He looks down at himself, a small frown forming over his brow.

“But…” he trails off again and thinks about my words. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I repeat. “What does that mean?”

“I’ll give you the names.”

“W-what?” I sputter, my eyes popping. “Yeah?”

“Okay,” he agrees again.

My head whips toward the guard, blood rushing in my ears. “Get me a pen and paper!” I urge them. “Hurry up!”

My mates and I gather around the list of rebels’ names, shaking our heads in disbelief. Hands splayed over the slight swell of my womb, I feel the babies stirring gently, as if they’re sharing in our collective excitement.

“Do you believe this list is accurate?” Malachi asks skeptically, and I nod.

“I really do,” I tell him honestly. “I think he finally understands that we’re not the enemy, and that my father was not some kind of prophet.”

“Then let’s go get the rest of the rebels,” Malachi growls.

I reach out to stop him, placing a hand on his arm softly. “Let’s go at this more peacefully this time,” I beg him. Asher nods in agreement as Warrick watches us, unspeaking. “Force and violence haven’t gotten us anywhere so far. Let’s see if we can’t approach this with a bit of compassion first.”

Malachi’s eyes lock on mine, and he nods. “You’re right—as always.”

One of the house servants knocks on the office door.

“Sadie and Circe have arrived for supper,” she tells us, ending our meeting.

“Thank you,” I say, hurrying out to meet my mom and best friend in the grand foyer.

Circe embraces me tightly as Sadie hands me a bag full of sage and crystals for the baby’s nursery.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten everything I’ve taught you,” my adoptive mother chides me as I lead them through the huge estate. “Don’t forget to cleanse the house before the triplets’ arrival.”

“I thought I’d have you come back and do it yourself,” I tell her truthfully. “Although I would much prefer if you were here full time to do it constantly.”

I seat them in the front room as the servants fuss with drinks and snacks, Circe eying them in wonderment. She’s visited before, but she can’t seem to get used to being waited on.

“I told you I’d come back and help when they arrive,” Sadie reminds me, and Circe nods in agreement.

“Me too,” my best friend agrees. “All you have to do is say the word, and I’m here.”

“And you’re always welcome here,” Warrick announces from the doorway. “I hope you both know that.”

Sadie and Circe beam at him as he wanders toward the couch to sit with me, Asher, and Malachi on his heels. Like a queen, I sit between them, flanked as they flock around me, handing me a cup of herbal tea and fixing me a plate.

I catch the glimmer of happy envy in Circe’s eyes and relief in Sadie’s. They had both been worried for me when I’d stayed, but now they know I’m safe, cared for, loved.

For the first time in my life, I know my place and where I belong.

I am Poppy, Apex Luna, sitting among my Apex Alpha mates, carrying their children.

It has been a long and windy road, but I am finally, and most definitely, home.

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Fate throws me into the path of Gabe, the alpha of the Steel River pack, who is battling his own demons and the ticking clock to find a mate.

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He knows it. I know it.

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My world comes crashing down around me. Now, I must fight, not just for my freedom, but for a future I choose, challenging everything and everyone that stands in my way.

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