Epilogue

EPILOGUE

A year later

W hen Kael pulls into the parking lot of the venue, my eyes zero in on the billboard above the door:

Live tonight! Raelynn Dawson and the Wildclaws

"Oh, god," I whisper, while my stomach does a triple somersault.

"You okay, honey?" Kael takes my hand and kisses it.

I've performed to crowds of sixty thousand before, but I swear I've never been more excitable and nervous in my life.

"Just an epic case of butterflies," I say.

"C'mere." Kael unfastens my seatbelt and gathers me up in his arms. I press my head against his big chest and listen to the beloved rumble of his breathing. He hugs me tight, and bit by bit, the tension pours out of my body.

"You're going to be amazing, you know that?"

"What if… what if someone recognizes me? What if I overperform?"

He chuckles, because we've talked about this a hundred times before. But like the patient guy he is, I know he'll discuss it with me as many times as I need.

"Even your father wouldn't recognize you now."

I grin. A whole year of eating hearty bear food, and I've got curves. And I love them so hard. I love that my boobs have filled out and my ass is round, instead of flat. I've also quit straightening my hair, and it's all wild and curly. I'm real tan, too, after spending so much time outdoors in the wilderness. I look nothing at all like Luna Vey—who is on an extended hiatus from performing. Instead, I'm Raelynn Dawson, country singer. I took Kael's last name during our official mating ceremony, and it felt so symbolic as I stepped away from my old life. Tonight, I'll be performing with Kael's cousin Elsa and her mate Lachlan—or the Wildclaws as they're known.

"And just be yourself, sweetheart," Kael continues. "Don't worry about overperforming. Just think about our little baby, snoozing in your belly." Gently, he lays his hand on my stomach. I grin at the reminder of our cub. I'm not showing yet, but I'm pretty sure I felt the first flutter of movement this morning. Kael says it's a boy, and we've already got a shortlist of names.

There's a bang on the window and we look up. Three familiar faces are squished against the glass. I give a little shriek and leap out of the car, throwing my arms out.

A second later, my brother-in-law, Ryker, his mate, Gracie, and their adorable little daughter, Kate, are fighting to hug me first.

"I thought you couldn't make it tonight!" I gasp out, as Kate squeezes my ribs like the little bear cub she is.

"No way were we going to miss your opening night, sis," Ryker says, laying his arm around my shoulders. "I just called in a few favors with my boss and he gave us a ride in his client's 'copter. And…" He pauses dramatically. "Guess who else we picked up on the way?"

"Who?" I look around wildly.

"Rae-Rae!" comes a familiar voice, and two handsome young guys step out from behind a tree, laughing.

A scream bursts out of my lips. "Jason!" I fling my arms around my bestie and hug him tight. "And you must be Eliott," I say to the suave man beside him.

"Great to finally meet you, Rae-Rae." He pulls me into a warm hug.

Jason's new boyfriend. So many things have changed for the two of us in the past year. When I took a break from being Luna Vey, Jason decided to quit hiding his sexuality. And, guess what? The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and his career is taking off. The media can't get enough of his "authenticity", and he and Eliott's adorable couple photos are all over Insta.

"Look at you, you look fantastic." Jason's eyes shine with affection as he takes me in.

"Living our best lives," I say.

He clicks his tongue. "You betcha."

I take a step back. "Guys, I'm so glad you're all here! Even if I'm as nervous as heck. Now, I've gotta go get ready."

I blow them a kiss, and Kael grabs my hand and leads me through the venue to a small changing room.

I frown. "Where are the others?"

"Warming up in the Green Room."

"I should go join them?—"

Kael grasps my hips and backs me up against a counter top.

"I just need you for two minutes."

"What for?"

"I think I know what'll calm you down." He gives me a wicked look, then he cups my face and kisses me long and deep. A shiver runs through me. A whole year together, and I want my gorgeous mate more than ever.

His hands and mouth move skillfully over my body, setting me alight.

When he pushes my thighs apart, I'm ready for him. He slides my panties to the side, and I unzip his pants, freeing his huge cock.

He pushes into me, and I let out a moan as he fills me right up. He's always so much to take, but so freaking good.

"Two minutes," he growls, thrusting into me.

"Two minutes, tops," I gasp out, as tingles spill through my body.

Kael is right. I do feel a lot calmer when I wait at the side of the stage ten minutes later. My cheeks are flushed, euphoria is running through my veins, and I am ready . Elsa, Lachlan and I exchange big grins. We love jamming together, and I know they're as excited as I am to be performing together in public for the first time.

A big round of applause and cheering greets us as we stride out. The place is barely half full—well, who's heard of Raelynn Dawson? But I don't care. All that matters to me is the front row, which is full of all my friends and new family. My found family, as I like to call them. My eyes blur with tears as I take them all in.

And in the midst of them, towering over everyone else, is Kael.

"I love you, baby," he mouths. "You got this."

My heart lights up as I take a deep breath, grab the mike, and sing—to all the audience, but mainly to Kael, my mate. My love.

THE END