Epilogue

Gavin Kinkaid reported to his Alpha’s office the next day. Sam had asked to have a private word with Gavin, which wasn’t unusual lately, though when Gavin had first come back from overseas, he’d felt like persona non grata for a good long while within the Clan. He’d opted to become a soldier of fortune rather than join the United States military like so many other warriors from the Clan had done. There was a proud tradition of serving—particularly in the Navy SEAL Teams—but Gavin had known that path wasn’t for him.

His mother was a magic user with a bit of foresight, and a tiny touch of that had passed down to Gavin. He’d known from a young age that to best serve his Clan he was going to have to forge his own path in the military. He needed broader contacts than the Clan already had through the regular Navy channels. He needed to make alliances with people much farther afield and on a slightly less ordered path than the rest of the Kinkaids.

Only recently had the Alpha come to realize that Gavin had contacts and skills that were unique among his people. Only recently had Sam started to utilize Gavin’s unique gifts. As a result, Gavin was moving swiftly up the hierarchy within the Clan, and that might put some of the old-timers’ noses out of joint, but ultimately, it was best for the Clan. That’s all that Gavin really cared about.

He wasn’t in this for personal gain. He hadn’t forged his own path for self-aggrandizement or glory. He’d done it because it had been what the Clan needed him to do, even if they hadn’t realized it at the time. They might never realize it, which made Gavin sad sometimes, but as long as Sam realized what Gavin could do for the rest of them, that’s really all that mattered. More and more, it looked like Sam was figuring it out, much to Gavin’s relief.

He could maneuver many people, but not the all-powerful king of all lions. If Sam didn’t come to the realization on his own, Gavin certainly wasn’t going to be able to bash him over the head with it. As it was, it looked like Sam was as astute as his reputation, and Gavin was coming to know the Alpha better with every passing day.

Gavin had spent a lot of time away from the Clan, living and working in foreign lands. He was back now, though, at the start of the real war against evil. As soon as he’d heard rumors of Elspeth’s return to this realm, he’d known it was time to go home. They would need him.

“Thanks for coming,” the Alpha said as they both sat down in Sam’s office. “I’ve got a job for you.”

*

Thanks for reading Peacemaker . If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.