Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Daniel

O ne year later…

Armani and Payson hang from Todd's fur in their bear forms. When Lewis told me Todd was bigger as a bear, I almost didn't believe him. Lewis wasn't lying. Todd is absolutely massive. Ansel lumbers along next to him, also in his bear form. In comparison to Todd, his fur is shiny. Like he regularly conditions it. I certainly wouldn't be surprised. My pebble hangs from the magical necklace that's now larger to accommodate his animal form, the pink cherry blossom at the center the only splash of color on his white body.

Jade and Jordan waddle next to Lewis and me in their fuzzy gray penguin forms. They can take their human forms now, but like most toddler shifters, they prefer their animal forms. Lewis titters at them because they're not keeping up.

All around us bears with metal bands on their right arms are walking to the patch of land by the North Slope where they hold the Summer Follies. We didn't go last year because Armani and Payson were too small. Lewis and Todd took Jade and Jordan, though. Lewis told me he wants his children to embrace the power of their bear form.

I want that for Armani and Payson too.

Bears approach Todd and Ansel, rubbing necks with them and snorting. I haven't seen most of our friends in their bear form, so I don't know who they are. That's what today is about, understanding the part of my mate that I don't get to see often in our everyday lives.

On the top of a great hill, the snow is still thick. Bears are gathered around, watching two bears bigger than Todd circle around the top, glaring at each other. One bear takes a swipe at the other, and the left side of his face blooms red. At first it was hard for me to understand why polar bear shifters let their children watch fights like this, but Ansel explained that a lot of alpha teenagers forget their strength and don't maintain control over their rages. The Summer Folly is a reminder of the damage their bear forms can cause.

The bears in the ring all have brands on the back of their paws. They're the riggers I grew up with—the bears who were sent to the North Slope because of their rages. They don't have any metal bands because a branded polar bear shifter isn't allowed to claim a Band Mate.

In addition to the fight there are huge bonfires with cooking meat, and a smaller hill where cubs are sliding down in groups on the traditional sleds they've been using at the Summer Folly for centuries.

I may have done some research online.

The polar bear shifters are divided down the center, and only mingle with other bears on their respective side. I'm proud to see my mate rub necks with bears on both sides before settling down at the base of the mountain. Armani and Payson jump off Todd to cuddle into Ansel's glossy white fur.

I waddle to them, and Ansel hooks a paw around me and pulls me close. I close my eyes and burrow my beak into his neck.

Maybe I should feel self-conscious amongst all these bears. I don't. Moira joins us, her fur as shiny as Ansel's. I give her the best hug I can manage with my stubby little wings. She doesn't laugh at me. She simply drags her tongue along my head in greeting. Cynthia, Ansel's alpha mother, nods to me and rubs necks with Ansel, scooping up Armani with her huge mouth, and placing them on her back.

In some ways, it's a relief that we can't talk. It makes it impossible for Moira and Cynthia to argue. All we can do is cuddle and watch the raw power of a polar bear's rage war above us.

Tomorrow I'll have to chase around little cubs who are still learning that they can't claw up the furniture, while their dad designs lacy things for the new lingerie shop he opened three months ago. After I sold my Emperor Fine Foods, I've had the chance to do what I always wanted to do with my life: raise my babies.

Moira scoops up Payson and follows the woman she's Blood Bonded to across the snow. They walk side-by-side with their treasured grandcubs clinging to their backs. Ansel and I plan to have more children, and when we do, they won't be related to both of us by blood, but I still respect the bond I see before me as something that's a part of the culture I'm now a part of.

At the center of Ansel's chest is a single fleck of glitter. I peck at it gently to show Ansel. He looks down and lets out a dramatic huff.

I wonder if we'll ever truly be rid of it, or if we'll still be finding sparkles when Armani and Payson graduate from college. In some ways, it feels right.

Our family is magic.