43. EPILOGUE ONE

43

EPILOGUE ONE

Kehlani

The entire fight, I found myself fighting my emotions, my thoughts, my cravings. Every moment I wanted to lash out and rage, to give into my wolf. It consumed me until I couldn’t even trust myself around my own mates. I can’t live like this—not when I want to grow old with Victoria and Lawrence.

Not when every time I open my mouth, I disrespect the very pack I’m supposed to be helping.

My mates tell me that it doesn’t matter, that they’ll love me regardless of what happens and I believe them. But I’ve lived with my wolf for so fucking long that it feels impossible to let him go.

And yet, there’s no other choice.

Not after feeling the surge of magic return to the packlands.

Not after seeing the joy on The Luna’s face as she held her child, the link between all of our packs.

Not after seeing Locke return—even in wolf form.

I have no excuse to keep holding onto the last bit of darkness on these packlands.

The clinic is quiet, a stillness in the air that feels heavier than it should. Victoria sits on the chair beside me, her hand gripping mine so tightly it’s almost painful. Lawrence is on my other side, his face stoic but his eyes betraying the storm inside him.

“I can’t fight it anymore,” I say, my voice cracking. The weight of the words nearly crushes me. “I’ve tried, but it’s—it’s stronger than I am.”

Victoria’s lips tremble, tears streaming freely down her face. “Kehlani, you’re stronger than anything in this world. Wolf or no wolf, you’re mine. Always.”

Lawrence places a steady hand on my shoulder, his jaw tight. “She’s right. You don’t have to prove anything to us. We’re with you, no matter what.”

They both lean in to kiss my cheeks, our bond flowing with the love and adoration that it’s always held. I don’t know who I’ll be without my wolf but I will find solace in my mates. Asani steps into the room after having given us a few moments to talk, a small syringe in his hand. “Have you made your choice, Kehlani? There’s no going back after this.”

I’ll never be ready but it’s the only choice left. “Yes, give it to me.”

Asani takes up a seat in front of me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “This will hurt a little bit. Not physically but you will feel the loss. It’s unavoidable.”

I nod again as he swabs a small spot on my arm and then slowly slides the needle deep beneath the skin. Nothing happens after the injection—not at first—and then I feel the magic. It’s sharp and cold, spreading through my veins like ice. It’s not painful, not physically, but the ache in my chest is unbearable.

I close my eyes, focusing on the bond with my wolf, the connection that’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I can feel it weakening, fraying at the edges, and then—

It’s gone.

The light in my eyes dims, the familiar presence of my wolf disappearing into nothingness. It’s like losing a piece of myself, a part of my soul, and the loss is so sharp it takes my breath away. A sob tears from my throat as my mates hold me.

Victoria cups my face in her petite hands as she presses her forehead against mine. “You’re still here,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “You’re still you.”

Lawrence hugs me from the other side, his arms wrapping around me as if to hold me together. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs. “We’ve got you.”

The air changes just slightly as if I really was holding onto the last bit of darkness in the packlands. It’s a weight off my shoulders even if I’m still feeling lost. I murmur a thanks to Asani, knowing that I have much to make up for—much to apologize for. A rumbling sound comes from the hall and then a large black wolf steps into the room.

I swallow nervously, Nepheline’s brother staring at the four of us.

“What is it, Locke?” Asani asks.

No one has had any issue with Locke’s presence or that he has no human form—the opposite of me. I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone. Locke bows his head and then focuses on me. The Sapphire wolves have a place here, Kehlani. For as long as they need it. As for me—I’ve found my home with the Nightshades.”

And just like that, every last worry I had disappears. I’m not sure why I thought we would be pushed out after the darkness left but it was there, a little nasty feeling that I’m glad is gone.

Asani wraps a firm hand around the back of my neck and pulls me close, our foreheads brushing together. “What you and the Sapphire wolves have done for us is more than we can repay. You taught us how to hone the magic, how to embrace it. You brought forth Nepheline’s gifts and Maverick’s crow. And now you have helped eradicate the darkness that once plagued our lands. We thank you more than you could possibly know.”

I lean back, chancing a glance at Victoria, and then look back at Asani. “I want to offer our Betas as a thank you for the packlands and your kindness. There is no obligation but they have been trained since birth to care for an Omega, to choose one, and give themselves wholeheartedly. It would be our honor to continue that with the Nightshades.”

Asani grins, “I see no reason why not. Bring it up in the next council meeting and I’m sure Mateo will accept it. Kehlani, much of your actions were because of the serum. That’s not on you. We all make mistakes. But we learn from them. We grow. You have a beautiful support system. Use it.”

I bow my head, feeling like offering our Betas isn't enough. "And I want to continue bringing back the magic, with the training. The house in the crystal forest may have been lost but our knowledge of how things used to be hasn't. If I may offer that as well." My mates squeeze my hands, both of them bowing their heads as well.

"Consider it done, Kehlani. You are a good Alpha. Don't forget that."

I nod as Asani taps my thigh and then exits the room, Locke following him. We came here to help restore the magic to the packlands. It was my one mission and now that that’s over, I was feeling lost. But the journey isn't yet over. There's still much work to be done.

And I can’t wait to see the packs flourish together— The Luna, the Oraculum, a child from four packs, and the magic that was always meant to be.