Epilogue

Dion

The lingering scent of sweat and desire hung heavy in the air, a tantalizing reminder of the pleasures of the night before. With a languid stretch, I rose from the bed, feeling the warmth of the sheets cling to my skin before reluctantly releasing their hold.

My muscles rippled beneath my skin as I moved. I should be tired after pleasuring two—no. I looked back and remembered there was a third body beneath the sheets. They didn"t stir. I"d satisfied them all. Many times over.

Energy coursed through my veins in the sunlight. I didn"t feel an ounce of tiredness. I felt ravenous. Like none of the hunger inside me was slaked.

The panther within me stirred eagerly, its instincts sharp and alert, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Except there were no challenges.

There was peace in the realm. There was no one to fight. But there was danger lurking in the corner, eager to catch up to me in the light of day.

My time was running out. The day that would mark the end was finally on the calendar. A big red circle drawn around it.

I"d tried to delay the inevitable, to stall Oz and Stella"s wedding for as long as possible. But now, with the date fast approaching, I could no longer ignore the truth. The day my friend would be happily shackled, the manacles would fall down on me as well.

The day I"d met my best friend was the day I"d had the vision. My fated mate would be in attendance at his mating ceremony.

Luckily, I still had a week before my fate was sealed. And I planned to make use of every moment. Fuck every willing body I hadn"t gotten around to, and a few who had given me the highest pleasure. Because I knew there would be no fighting it when I saw her. I would become something I couldn"t fathom: a one-woman man.

I gave myself a full body shake. It did nothing to free me from the inevitability of my fate. And so I prepared for the day ahead.

Leaving the comfort of my bedchamber, I stepped into the expansive closet that housed my wardrobe. Each garment was meticulously chosen to accentuate my physique.

I selected a fitted white shirt. White was my best color. It showed off my golden skin tone and hair. The shirt"s fabric clung to my strong chest and broad shoulders, emphasizing the contours of my physique. Paired with tailored trousers that skimmed over my narrow hips, the ensemble created a silhouette that would draw women to me.

Not that my title didn"t already do that.

As I dressed, I took pleasure in the way the fabric molded to my body, accentuating my finer points and drawing attention to the attributes that had captivated so many before. I knew the effect my appearance had on others, the way women"s eyes lingered on my form, drawn to the promise of strength and sensuality that radiated from me.

Making my way down to breakfast, I found Stella and Oz seated closely together. I pressed a kiss to Stella"s forehead in greeting. As expected, Oz emitted a low growl in response to the display of affection, his territorial instincts flaring at my actions.

"Stop teasing him," Stella warned, but she was all smiles.

Stella was devoted to Oz, preparing to marry him, yet I couldn"t resist riling my best friend, especially when it came to matters of the heart. And Stella was as much mine as she was his. She had quickly become one of my favorite people to engage with, her genuine friendship a rare and cherished bond.

I just hoped she"d remember that bond when she discovered that it was one of her closest friends who was fated to be my mate. For now, I relished in the warmth of our friendship, hoping that it would endure even in the face of such profound revelations.

"I have to head out," she said, dabbing a cloth at the corner of her mouth.

"Where are you off to?" I asked as I piled my plate. "Last minute dress alterations? A bouquet debacle?"

"No, I"m headed to the portal to pick up a friend."

The serving fork clattered to the serving dish. The ticking clock on the wall sounded like bombs going off in my head. The walls in the expansive dining area felt like they were closing off.

"You"re picking up a friend?" I managed to ask, though my throat felt constricted. The wedding was still a week off. Guests shouldn"t be arriving for days. I was supposed to have days.

"My friend Niamh. You"re going to love her."

Get ready for Niamh and Dion"s story in "Reveal Me."