Epilogue

Epilogue

T he morning sun was just creeping over the eastern horizon as Rémy turned his face first toward the sun and then to watch the beautiful she-wolf who would, in a matter of moments, take her vows to him. Vows which at this point were immaterial. Piper had always been his and had remained so even through the hell he had put her through. Piper who had stood at his side to help him avenge the men who had died with him on a botched mission. Piper who had joined with him to defeat the Darkness and ensure the safety of his family and all of those at Rivière Du Loup.

The sun's dazzling light was no comparison to the countenance that surrounded his fated mate. Piper who was easily the most seductive, sensual, intelligent, courageous and complex individual he'd ever known.

It didn't matter that his home would no longer be Rivière Du Loup. She might be taking his name and joining his family, but he was becoming part of her pack and would one day rule there as alpha. His home, from this point forward, would always be with her and the vast plains of Wolf Meadow. Piper and her happiness were what was most important. And even though she had told him that she would forsake everything she held dear to follow him, he knew that she lived and breathed her family's ranch.

Rémy looked out over those who had come to celebrate his bonding with Piper. Their parents and packs, of course, as well as those who had stood with them against Ramon DeMoncada—Dylan and Skylar, Oliver and Roz, Griffin and Maddie, Marco and Catherine, Declan and Ava and James and Shea. There was also those they referred to as the west coast contingent—Linc and Grace, Damian and Kinzie, Hudson and Shasta, Ethan and Marissa, Jamie and Whitney, Daniel and Char as well as Dax and Chelsea.

But they were there mostly for their parents. The packs involved had a loose affiliation that had become a powerful alliance. But for Piper and Rémy, it was those with whom they'd grown up and a powerful sorceress who was mate to James and Shea's son. In addition to Travis and Skylar, the rest were all here as well—Jed and Kat, Simon and Mariah, and Bran and Renata.

All and all, both of the plantations and the townhouse in the French Quarter that comprised the New Orleans holdings of the Gautiers were filled to the brim—as much with laughter and love as with people. His mother and Riley had gone all out and spared no expense in planning the bonding ceremony between he and Piper. More than once he'd had to remind her that they had had their own celebration at their isolated cabin hidden behind the waterfall amidst the hills at Wolf Meadow both before and after they had defeated the evil once known as the Darkness.

Piper joined him in front of Mawmaw Chantal who had agreed to officiate at their nuptials.

Both mothers had insisted that they spend last night apart from each other as it was considered bad luck to see one's mate on your bonding day before the ceremony, thus it being held in the early morning. It was a stupid tradition and one he vowed they would not impose on their own offspring.

Rémy could feel as well as hear the soft purr of her call to him as she made her way down the aisle. She was at once provocative, beguiling and sensual. She was deliberately making him wait—teasing and enticing him as payback for his acquiescing to their mothers' request. Let her play her games. Once he got her naked, she would be reminded who was the dominant partner in their pairing.

"Hello, my gorgeous mate. I missed you this morning," she said, taking his face in her hands and kissing him deeply.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to wait to do that until after all the words have been said?" called her older brother Travis as all the people in attendance laughed.

"Fuck off, Travis," retorted Piper before she squeaked as Rémy's hand connected with her backside.

"Language, Cowgirl," he rumbled in a voice that was only marginally stern. "I missed you too. That whole absence makes the heart grow fonder thing is utter bullshit."

"Maybe so, but it does seem to have made the cock grow harder," she said, rubbing herself against him.