Epilogue

“You ready?” Corey asked.

Hallie cupped her cheeks. “I was freaking born ready!”

Her eyes were glowing green and she smelled like fur, but Corey didn’t think she was close to a Change. She was just excited about today.

Corey totally understood. “Get out carefully. I’ll get the train.”

Hallie poured out of the back seat of Ace’s truck and Corey followed, gathering her train so it wouldn’t drag on the sidewalk.

Tomorrow, Damon had planned an enormous party at his mansion for Gunner and Hallie’s wedding reception, as well as the official signings of the members of the Fastlanders, and all of Damon’s Mountains were invited. Today was a smaller-scale event, but most important.

Today was Hallie’s wedding day.

Ace was already out of the truck, checking his pockets.

“Rings?” Corey asked.

“Got them.”

“I can’t tie a tie,” Owen complained at the front of the truck.

“Just chuck it, man. I’m not wearing a tie either,” Ace said. He grabbed the tie and threw it in the truck, and Owen looked relieved. “I watched like fourteen videos on how to do it, but it’s rocket science.”

“Gunner won’t be looking at you, dipshit,” Captain jabbed from where he was jogging up from his own truck.

“Why are you wearing a cowboy hat?” Owen asked.

“Because I fucking want to,” Captain said, and pushed him hard as he passed. Owen nearly went down to the ground, and barely recovered.

Middle fingers were exchanged, and by the time they were climbing the steps of the courthouse, Corey and Hallie were cracking up.

“How are you feeling?” Ace asked from where he walked beside her.

“Happy,” she admitted.

“Truth,” he said through a grin. He was wearing a dark suit with a light blue shirt underneath to match her dress. He’d shaved today, and looked tall and strong and so handsome.

“You look stunning,” he said as he held the door for her and Hallie. He’d told her that two times already. He was so sweet to her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, sneaking a quick kiss before she passed completely.

Inside, she let Hallie’s train down and fluffed it out.

Gunner was at the end of the hallway, glowing bi-colored eyes trained on Hallie. He huffed a breath. Corey had never seen such emotion on the bear shifter’s face before.

Hallie’s shoulders were shaking, and Corey knew her cousin was losing it in the best way. She rushed to take pictures of both of them with the camera on her phone. “Owen and Captain, take a ton of pictures,” she demanded as she walked with Hallie.

“God, you’re bossy,” Owen muttered, scrambling to get his phone out of his pocket.

Hallie met up with Gunner at the end of the hallway, and he asked her, “Are you ready?”

“I am,” Hallie said thickly.

“You look so…” Gunner’s eyes were full of his heart. “You’re beautiful, Hallie.”

Well, now Corey was already crying.

She was in heels, so Ace offered her an arm through the doorway into the room where they were having the ceremony. A few people were already in there. Gunner’s parents, Haydan and Cassie Walker, were there, and Damon Daye stood off to the side in a black suit, his hands clasped formally in front of him. There was also another familiar face there.

She recognized him from that night at the bar. Wreck. His face was void of emotion, and he stood next to Damon Daye. He caught Corey’s eye and nodded slightly.

She still had no clue what his shifter animal was, but he was here, and that counted for something. He’d shown up on a big day for the Alpha of the Fastlanders.

As she took her place beside Hallie, she was overwhelmed with the moment. She looked around at the people who had shown up for such an intimate moment. These were her cousin’s people. They were her people.

A soft purring growl emanated from her chest, and Ace brushed her back. “I’m okay. Just happy,” she whispered.

He nodded and stood back, clasped his hands in front of himself as the marriage officiant began.

That was just Ace. Solid. Sensitive to her needs, but he would bleed a motherfucker if they crossed a line. He was understanding, and kind, and strong. Dominant when she needed it, and tender when she slipped.

No one here knew it, but this morning she had given him a bagel. It might seem silly to most, but to them, it meant everything. It was a declaration. He’d given her the necklace she was wearing. It matched his, with the same pendant, but smaller.

Oh sure, she would probably have to replace the chain a dozen times, but that was okay.

She was his and he was hers, and someday, this would be them claiming each other.

Today was Hallie and Gunner’s day, but Corey was confident in the man who stood with her, supporting their friends. Supporting their family. Their Crew.

Tomorrow they would party in Damon’s Mountains, but for today?

Today they were bonding and celebrating Hallie becoming the mate of the Alpha. The wife of Gunner. The Second of the Fastlanders. The partner in all the chaos and triumph and joy and heartache.

After today, it felt like they were solid.

Like they would officially be the Fastlanders.

As the wedding officiant spoke, she turned again to Ace, and smiled up at him.

His eyes had already been on her. Always on her.

I like you,she mouthed.

His slow smile grew. Love you too, he mouthed back.