20. Epilogue

The picnic area was bustling with life. Everyone had gathered to celebrate our little one's first birthday, with kids running around and laughter filling the air. I looked around and was taken aback by how much this pride had changed just since I arrived.

I was in a bad place then. There was no sugar-coating that, and Asilo gave me the refuge I needed and the wings to grow into the omega I was today. There was nothing I'd change about that time. Every single interaction contributed to my healing. And then when I was ready, the pride opened up to me as more than a stopover on my way to a new life. They gave me the opportunity to give back in a way that was the most rewarding thing I'd ever done… That was until I became a parent.

Asilo had been exactly the pride I needed at the time, but they were so much better now. There had been a sullen veil that hung over us. Sure, omegas left with a much better future than they had a past. But always being surrounded by hurt and recovery wasn't sustainable. We were all getting worn out. None of us saw it at the time, but hindsight was like that.

Morgan finding Gideon brought life into this pride. We saw that we could have a future and follow our calling. And the omegas here? Having an alpha that showed them the best this world had to offer? That made a difference in a way none of us could've seen coming. We'd protected them from alphas, trying to make this place as safe feeling as possible, and it worked for a long time, but it wasn't ideal. Gideon showed us that.

And then one by one, we all found mates, and we grew in not only number but in joy and hope. Asilo today… I was so proud to be a pride member. This was where I truly belonged.

"Cupcake for your thoughts." Jasper came up beside me with two cupcakes, both of which had a swipe of frosting missing off of them.

"Do I want to know?" I grabbed it anyway because… cupcakes. Ralf and Lewis sent them as a first birthday gift, along with the cake. There wasn't much that could have me turning one down.

"Probably not. But on the gross meter it's only a one." We'd developed the gross meter a few months earlier when we had endless rain and were bored. Zero was not gross at all. Five meant there might be bodily fluids involved. And ten? Ten required immediate showers and lots of bleach.

"Cool. I was willing to go up to a seven… because—"

"Cupcakes." Jasper chuckled. "So what were you so deep in thought about?"

I ripped the cupcake in half and turned it into a sandwich with the frosting in the middle. My first bite had me making yummy sounds.

"I was thinking about how the pride has grown." I didn't care that my mouth was full. These were too delicious to stop eating in order to talk.

"It's pretty amazing, when you think about it."

I popped the last of my cupcake in my mouth. "It really is—so is this cupcake. Do you know if the birthday cake is the same flavor?"

The cake was crafted in the shape of the number one, and the twins hadn't asked us what flavor and we didn't specify, so it could be chocolate… vanilla… cherry… anything. The one thing that was for sure was that it was delicious. The cake itself was large enough for everyone, but I loved the cupcake addition. It was going to make things much easier all the way around.

Beckett carried the cake to the center of the pavilion where we all gathered and set it next to a smaller version, the one the twins called a smash cake. Our little guy would get his very own mini version of his cake and attempt to eat it while we took a billion pictures. It was a human trend that managed to migrate over.

Morgan, Gideon, and their two children were already at the pavilion. The couple had been on decoration duty. Morgan said it had been too long since he hosted a first birthday party and he'd love to take it on. I'd enthusiastically agreed. I loved being around my pride and celebrating, but picking out streamers and themes was not my jam.

Kian and Cooper came over with their kids, joining all the rest of the Asilo pride and our guests. Benjamin might've been too young to remember his birthday, but I'd never forget all the support and love that was here to celebrate him.

Kids were running and twirling and laughing and singing. I couldn't help but smile at the joyful chaos.

Beckett had already situated Benjamin in his highchair. He loved to sit there and watch everyone. It was the perfect height to catch all the action. He also loved to push himself up and take a few steps here and there. Pretty soon he was going to full-on run. Not that he stayed still now. Benjamin could crawl like a boss.

His eyes sparkled with curiosity as the cake was set in front of him. He'd had cake before, but this wasn't a small slice on a plate. It was the number one filling up the tray on his highchair and in his favorite color, too.

"It's time," I called out, and everyone came over, bringing their kids with them. The kids were bouncing on the balls of their feet. Cake for Benjamin meant cupcakes for them. "Benjamin, we are so happy to celebrate your first birthday together. Your father and I love you very much."

I had so much more I wanted to say to him, but between his one-year-old language skills, his focus on the cake, and all the kids wanting their own treats—short and sweet was exactly what we needed.

Morgan led us in singing "Happy Birthday."

Benjamin loved being sung to and having the entire pride doing so at once won all of his attention. But the second the singing and clapping stopped, he reached out with one hand and grabbed a handful of cake, smearing it across his face with a delighted grin.

Meanwhile, another helpful toddler held a fork, offering a taste to everyone. "Would you like to try it, Benjamin? It's very good. Here, try it." The toddler waved the fork in his face. When Benjamin paid him no mind, instead grabbing another handful, his helper walked over to Pol who was handing out cupcakes.

"This is even better than the cupcake." I leaned into my mate's side, my slice of the large number one cake nearly eaten.

I'd been craving sweets something fierce lately, and it hit the spot.

"I'll have to grab a cupcake to see if I agree… you know… for science." Beckett kissed the top of my head.

"No one can argue with science." I shrugged.

He kissed my head again and wandered over to snatch himself a cupcake.

After the cake was done and all the kids were back to playing, the adults sat around, just gazing upon the family we had all created. Beckett squeezed my hand.

"Everything all right, love?" he asked.

"It is," I replied. "Everything's good… better than great. It's perfect."

"Surprised you didn't want to have a little wine. I bought you a bottle," Morgan said. He had taken to trying fancy brands of wine lately. Not fancy as in $500 plus, but fancy enough that they hit double digits. I didn't understand the subtleties of wine and what made one good or bad. To me they were pretty much all the same.

I grinned. "Well, I suppose now's as good a time as any to let you know that I'm pretty sure we're going to have another baby." At least I thought I was. I was going to have to see Mortimer to be sure. Part of me was afraid to do so. Last time he told me, and so far, this time he'd either not sensed it or he kept it close to the vest.

Gods, I hoped I was pregnant.

"What?" Morgan asked, a look of surprise on his face.

"Yeah, could you repeat that?" Jasper said, eyes widening.

"A baby," I said. "I think we're having another."

"You are." Mortimer held up a large gift bag. I had assumed it was for Benjamin since it was not only his birthday but also his party. I'd assumed wrong. "I have a party favor for all of our mated pairs."

He reached in and pulled out one small gift bag at a time from the huge one and handed them to each pair.

"Well, open it already." Jonas stepped up behind his mate. "Party favors are meant to be enjoyed."

We each reached in and pulled out… a pregnancy test.

"I don't know if it's the full moon or what, but you guys have been busy." He turned to Gideon. "Speaking of busy, looks like my office is going to be very busy soon. I need some more exam space.

And we all broke into laughter, filled with the love of our mates and family, and wrapped in the warmth of our growing families.

"I love you, alpha mine."

"As I love you, omega mine. As I love you."