Epilogue

EPILOGUE

That Autumn…

W ynter lifted his gaze to his alpha, reciting the ancient rites surrounded by their entire family. They trailed the white paint across their bare chests, marking one another claimed before a massive tentful of people. An occasional chill breeze raced through, hinting that cooler weather would soon follow the warmth of the late September afternoon. It made the gauzy curtains tied back to the tent's poles float upwards, dancing on the current.

When the ceremony was over and they'd been presented to the near fifty attendees as legal fated mates, a delighted roar came from the crowd. They clapped and whistled, everyone there knowing how difficult their journey back to one another had been.

Wynter couldn't contain his smile the entire day. As the party commenced and the music began, children ran and played in the nearby field, which had mysteriously sprouted an array of different colored wild mums mixed among the tall grasses. Cav had claimed he didn't know why, but Wynter had already found more seeds in the shed behind the farmhouse. He chose not to tell his alpha of his find and possibly ruin the magic of the sweet gesture.

They'd had to cut some of the flowers back, sadly, to have room for the tent, paths, and festivities, but only what they had to. The inside of the tent was much more elegant than Wynter had imagined, the walls and gauzy sheer drapes at the doorways a shining white silk, not rough canvas or plastic. Above, the thing even had multiple crystal chandeliers hanging and spreading light around the round tables set up.

Each of the six large tables had an assortment of fall flowers, mini pumpkins and leaves, as well as a few seasonally colored roses from Wilder and Avery's garden mixed in. Other than the catering and erecting the tent, Wynter and his family had set the rest up themselves. Even Vaughn had arrived and sullenly helped a time or two, though he'd kept his distance from Wynter.

Wynter caught Vaughn's eye as he made his way around the tent and thanked everyone for coming. As soon as he neared, Vaughn disappeared, clearly not ready to talk yet. Three months had passed and Wynter had hoped time might help, but it hadn't.

At least he came.

Even with that concern, the hours passed with much merriment. The music was perfect, and the dancefloor stayed active. The food was delicious, and most went back through the buffet line for seconds and thirds. Wynter, though, barely had time to eat. He was much too enamored with his mate and barely wanted to leave the man's side—and only did so to dance with his son, his brothers, Auggie, and his grandsons.

Once the dark had set deep and more candles had been added to all the tables, the little ones were sent off to sleep in the farmhouse with Alberto keeping watch. Wynter clung to his mate as they swayed to another slow song they'd requested themselves, surrounded by other couples filling the dance floor. After another couple of hours, folks came to say their goodbyes and offer another congratulations. The crowd eventually thinned until it was mostly immediate family left besides the caterers clearing away the buffet and tables.

"That was an amazing night," Avery said, clinging to Wilder's side as they collected just outside the tent to say goodnight. "This place… the decorations… the family. It was all absolutely beautiful." He hiccupped. "Oh, I think I had a little too much champagne." He leaned in closer to Wilder and looked up at his alpha, batting his eyelashes.

Wilder pressed a kiss to Avery's forehead.

"I guess we know who's getting lucky tonight," Rohan said to Wilder.

"Don't," Wynter said, pressing his face into Cav's chest for a second. "We don't need to know that."

"They have a kid. You know they have," Rohan said.

"There's knowing… and there's knowing," Wynter said. "Passive versus active. Two completely different things."

"As if we don't know you and…" Wilder said, trailing off as his eyes widened. "No, you're absolutely right. They are two different things, and I'm sorry I went there."

Both Cav and Wynter chuckled.

Gray approached them with Auggie at his side, concern on his face. "Has anyone seen Lake? I've barely seen him all night, and now I can't find him."

"The last time I saw him was when he walked through the buffet line," Wilder said. "A few hours ago."

Avery eyed Auggie. "When's the last time you saw your brother?"

Auggie shrugged, leaning his head against Avery's shoulder. "I'm tired."

"We need to make sure Lake's okay before we can go to bed," Wilder said.

"Fucking Lake," Auggie muttered under his breath, but Wynter thought he might be the only one who heard him since the others didn't make a protest.

"Let's fan out and find him," Cavanaugh said.

All seven spread out, searching for Lake. Of course, it was Wynter who stumbled into him in the back of a car, his lips attached to another man's. Wynter spun away, not interested in being the one to break that up before he realized who the other man was. He spun back, marched to the car, and whipped open the door.

"Vaughn?!" Wynter asked, blinking.

The pair broke apart. Lake's face grew dark before he jumped out of the car and stalked off. Vaughn scowled at Wynter before climbing out of the backseat and staggering a step or two.

"You're drunk," Wynter said to Vaughn.

"I am," Vaughn slurred. "I had to be to get through this bullshit."

"You didn't have to come. I invited you because you're my son and I wanted you here, but if it was too much, you could've declined," Wynter snapped. "What were you doing with that boy?"

"That boy," Vaughn parroted. " Is my mate."

As soon as the words came out of Vaughn's lips, Wynter wasn't sure which of them looked more shocked. Vaughn blinked a few times. "No… I didn't say that. He's not my mate. I'm drunk. Don't listen to me."

"Mate or not, he's too young," Wynter said, feeling suddenly overprotective of Avery's brother.

"I know!" Vaughn roared.

Wynter searched his son's face and sensed Vaughn truly was struggling.

"I've been keeping my distance for well over a year. He was only sixteen the night I met him. I tried avoiding him tonight, too, but he wouldn't listen and demanded I kiss him. I know I shouldn't have, but I gave in." Vaughn eyed him. "All we did was kiss."

"Would it have stayed at that if I hadn't opened that door?"

"He's not you," Vaughn slurred. "Lake's almost nineteen so he's not a child."

"You're ten years older and should know better. Especially when it's Wilder's mate's brother. The two of you are just getting things ironed out. You don't need something else that blows that up."

Vaughn leaned back against the car. "Why do you think I'm doing my damnedest to keep my distance? Go yell at Lake, not me."

"Oh, Vaughn," Wynter muttered.

"Don't," Vaughn said. "Don't make me out to be like Dad. I've been trying to do the right thing—even if I got it a little wrong tonight."

"Lake's returning to school after this weekend," Wynter said. "He'll be far away in the Western Provinces soon so you'll have nothing to worry about."

"That's too far," Vaughn muttered. "Who's watching over him?"

"He's in an exchange program and staying with another family there."

"Are they good people?" Vaughn asked. "Are they treating him right?"

"From what I hear, yes, but it's only been a few weeks."

Vaughn frowned. "They better take care of him."

"I'm sure they will."

Vaughn observed Wynter, anger still simmering in his eyes.

Cavanaugh appeared from the shadows and moved closer to Wynter. "We all good here?"

"Yes, your precious mate is perfectly fine," Vaughn snapped.

"Good thing," Cavanaugh said, one arm draped around Wynter. "Maybe we should get you sobered up, Vaughn."

"Fuck you, Cavanaugh. You're not my dad."

"I'm not trying to be," Cavanaugh said. "But maybe you could use a little help."

"I don't want your help. Back off or get my fist in the middle of that ugly fucking face."

"Ugly?" Wynter murmured, collecting Cavanaugh's chin in his hand. "He's gorgeous."

"He looks like beat-to-hell Wilder," Vaughn snapped.

"Technically, Wilder looks like him," Wynter said.

"Whatever," Vaughn slurred. "You can all go to hell." He began walking toward a car, digging in his pocket.

"No sir," Cavanaugh said, rushing over to snatch Vaughn's keys from his hand.

Vaughn belted Cavanaugh in the face seconds before Wilder and Rohan appeared and dragged him off.

"What the fuck, Vaughn?" Wilder demanded.

Cavanaugh nursed his chin and handed the keys to Wilder. "Your very drunk brother was about to get behind the wheel. He wasn't pleased I took these."

"Vaughn?!" Wilder roared, taking the keys from Cavanaugh's outstretched hand.

"I was just going to go to sleep," Vaughn argued. "I can't sleep in the farmhouse tonight."

"Why can't you?" Wilder asked.

"He just can't. Maybe you can take Vaughn into town and get him a room for the night? Please?" Wynter asked, eyeing Wilder. "I don't think he needs to be here."

Wilder frowned, clearly confused. Wynter didn't want to embarrass Vaughn by clearing Wilder's questions. "Rohan and I can go dump him somewhere safe." He handed the keys to Rohan as they led Vaughn away. "Can you follow behind so he has the rental in the morning?"

"Sure thing," Rohan said.

Once the pair were fair enough away, Cavanaugh asked a question in hushed tones. "Why don't you want Vaughn to spend the night here?"

"I just found him kissing Lake," Wynter whispered.

"Lake?" Cavanaugh asked.

"Vaughn claims Lake's his mate," Wynter said on a sigh. "He said he's been trying to keep his distance for some time, but Lake confronted him tonight. They don't need to be in the same house tonight, not with Vaughn drunk."

"Good call. I swear, this family and its drama," Cavanaugh said dragging him closer.

Wynter smiled up at his mate. "Too late for regrets."

Cavanaugh grinned. "Good thing I don't have any."

"Hey, Cav?"

Both Wynter and Cavanaugh's heads whipped in Wilder's direction. Wynter wasn't completely sure if it had been Cav… or Dad … that Wilder said.

Wynter fought a smile, sensing Cavanaugh's chest puffing out.

"Yes?" Cavanaugh asked.

"Thanks for stopping Vaughn before he did something stupid," Wilder said.

Cav shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal."

"It was," Wilder said.

"Just my two cents, but I really do think he might've only been going to sleep out there," Wynter said. "Don't be too rough on him."

"Why do you think that?" Wilder asked.

Wynter hedged. "I just do."

"Does it have anything to do with Lake storming past us, cursing your name?" Wilder asked.

Wynter sighed. "Possibly."

Wilder took a step closer. "Where did you find Lake?"

"You'll have to ask Lake that," Wynter said.

"Or should I ask Vaughn?" Wilder asked.

Wynter met his son's knowing gaze.

Wilder said nothing, just sighed and shook his head. After he scrubbed his face with both hands, he looked between them. "I won't keep you any longer. I know you want some alone time, but I need to say something, if you don't mind?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Wynter said.

Wilder's gaze flicked between them. "I don't think too many men can say they witnessed their father and papa's joining ceremony, so I suppose I'm pretty lucky for getting to be here tonight." He gave Wynter a big hug. "Congratulations, Papa."

Wynter squeezed his son. "Thank you, Wilder."

Wilder pulled back and turned to Cavanaugh. "Congratulations… Dad."

Wynter's gaze whipped to Wilder and then his alpha. Cavanaugh's chest rose and fell, eyes glittering with emotion. Wynter couldn't help the smile that spread across his face or the welcome sting of tears to his eyes.

"I'd say I'm doubly blessed today," Cavanaugh whispered. "Son."

The pair hugged, and Wynter struggled to hold back the tears. He wiped away the one that escaped.

Wilder eyed Wynter. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

"Happy tears," Wynter whispered before hugging Wilder again. "You don't know how much it means to me to see you finally having a relationship with your father."

Wilder's jaw tightened, and he pressed a thumb to the corner of his eye. "Stop it before I get all weepy, too." He laughed, taking a few backward steps away from them. "Don't you two have somewhere better to be than standing out in the field with me?"

"I suppose so." Cavanaugh swept Wynter into his arms. "Our cabin awaits, my omega."

Wynter smiled up at his mate. "Let's get a move on, then, my alpha ."

Cavanaugh grinned. "I love you, Wynter Cavanaugh."

"Say it again."

Cavanaugh's smile turned bemused. "Which part?"

"All of it. The love me part and my new last name," Wynter replied.

"I love you, Wynter Cavanaugh."

"Yeah, that's the good stuff," Wynter said before kissing his alpha's very kissable mouth. "But I'm sorry to say that I don't love you."

One of Cavanaugh's brows rose.

"Well, I do… but love just doesn't seem like a big enough word for what I feel for you. I adore you," Wynter murmured. "I am devoted to you."

Cavanaugh chuckled as he began crossing the field toward Trout's truck that would take them higher onto the mountain and to their empty cabin. "I think I approve."

"Well, since words are your thing, I wanted to make sure I picked the right ones. It only seemed fitting."

Cavanaugh opened the rusty driver's door and sat him on the bench seat behind the wheel. After sliding Wynter over, he climbed in, too. He leaned over and stole a kiss before starting the engine. "Just so you're sure—I'm devoted to you, as well, my sweet, precious omega."

"Sweet?" Wynter asked. "Now the shit's getting a little thick in here."

Cavanaugh roared with laughter. Once he calmed, he held Wynter's gaze with a wide smile. "You have your moments when you're sweet."

"Remember that as you're hauling four of my suitcases to the airport tomorrow afternoon."

"Four?" Cavanaugh asked. "I barely filled one and a carryon."

"Well, you knew what you were getting when you asked me to be yours."

Cavanaugh chuckled. "I did."

"Hey, if you have room, I have a pair of shoes I wanted to bring but couldn't fit in my suitcases."

Cavanaugh scrubbed his face with both hands.

Wynter kissed his mate's lips as soon as they were visible. "I'll make it all worth your while. Just get me up to the cabin as fast as you can."

Cavanaugh rushed to start the engine and throw it into gear. "Your wish is my command."

"Remember that tomorrow," Wynter whispered before snuggling close in the crook of his mate's arm.