Epilogue

Lillian

One week later…

Tonight is the night of the full moon, and the night I’ll make Lucian officially mine. When he said we had a lot to do over this week, he wasn’t kidding.

The next day, after waking up, we had to address the pack. That night we held the official alpha ceremony, so we stepped up as the alpha pair together, even though I had already claimed them.

Everyone loves Lucian, and it has been a smooth transition surprisingly, though a certain few have been distant.

Mostly it’s those who were extremely close to Corbin’s family, like the betas and a few others. Maybe ten in all.

As for Corbin, I allowed him to stay for now. Though he has tormented me, I’m not stooping to his level. Well, not exactly. He is the resident maid for the pack and cleans houses. Lucian and I both want him dead, or as a goat. That was our first option, but I decided to be the bigger person and make him the maid.

It’s only fair, right?

Emmeline went to the realm she and her sister created. She profusely apologized, but I’m still processing it all. I think she has been gone for six days, and I still am not sure what to think. They wreaked havoc for everyone, but now we can move on and heal.

Grandmother is enjoying her new company. Lucian’s parents are just what she needs, and they seem to enjoy her sassy demeanor. It also gives me a peace of mind that she has someone there all the time to watch out for her.

Logan fits right in with the pack and is now helping us as Lucian’s beta, though sometimes he is rather reluctant. I’m not sure why he sometimes wants to be by himself or hangs back because he does great as the beta, but something is haunting him. Lucian fears it may get worse before it gets better, but I don’t know him enough yet to pass judgment.

The rest of the pack has fallen in line. Most of the time, they avoid me, and I am fine with that.

I straighten my ivory dress one last time as I check everything. Grandmother knocks on the door. “I have something for you.”

My mother’s red cloak lies in her arms.

“But it was so bloody.”

“We washed it until it all came out. It’s just fine and will look so lovely on you.” Tears line her eyes as she hands it to me. “Also, Lucian has one more surprise for you.”

“A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

Her hands cover her mouth as tears roll down her cheeks. “Come on in.”

In walks a man and woman. I don’t recognize them at first, then everything clicks. “Mom? Dad?”

Mom blinks her eyes as she fights back tears. “Honey, we’re so happy to see you.”

Dad gets choked up as he walks over to hug me. “We’ve missed you so much.”

“But how? You were dead. All this time, I was told you were dead and thrown into the woods.”

Dad pulls back, trying to clear his throat. “We were thrown into the woods and taken to the Night Walkers after getting a suppressant for you. Lucian found us and made sure we were taken care of until a time like this would come to pass. Oddly though, neither of us remembers being here until a few days ago. It’s like a veil lifted over our eyes and we finally remembered who we were.”

Mom walks forward and hugs me as well. "We wanted to come right away, but held off for a day or so to gather everything, so we can move here. Lucian came, though, to the edge of the woods and explained everything. We will never be able to repay him for what he has done and helped keep you safe.”

After all this time, my parents have been in a village next to ours and are alive. Tears roll down my face as I look at both of them. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Wolves howl as the ceremony is ready to begin. Dad offers me his arm. “Are you ready to have your ceremony?”

I smile as I take his arm and head out of the room. “Yes, I’ve been waiting for a long time for this moment. Today, I’ll officially be mated to my beast, the big bad wolf.”

Dad chuckles. “What kind of nickname is that?”

“Oh, dad. If only you knew.”

He leads me to the field where the ceremony is being held. Lucian’s eyes widen as he spies me coming down the makeshift aisle.

Everyone glances over at me as we walk between them and finally dad gives me away to Lucian.

“Take care of her like you have all these years.”

Lucian smiles. “I wouldn’t dream of any other way.”

As he takes my hand, Grandmother moves in front of us with a sly smile. “I’m presiding over this. We gather here today to witness our alpha’s mating ceremony. They have already claimed each other, and it is visible on their throats. Are there any objections?”

Crickets chirp in the background as everyone grows quiet. I keep waiting for someone to try to stop us, but nothing happens.

“Good, no objections. You two are officially mated.”

I laugh at how quick she does this. “Did you put her up to this, Lucian?”

He waggles his brows. “Maybe. I told you a week was going to feel like forever, and I didn’t know if I could wait that long, so maybe I did. You can punish me later for it.”

Before I can protest, he reaches forward and throws me over his shoulder. I land against his back and gently run my hands down his shirt. “Lucian! What are you doing?”

“You are finally mine and I’m taking off with you before anything else happens. We are not giving anyone any time to do a single thing to interrupt us. I’ve waited entirely too long for this moment and you are mine.”

“Lucian, what about the rest of the ceremony?” I ask as he breaks out at a full run toward some unknown destination.

“They can party without us. I have waited two hundred years for you and tonight you are mine.”

I laugh as his hand collides with my backside. The nerve of this man, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.

“I like this cape. Maybe you should keep it on, and you can be my little red riding hood.”

He sits me down outside of what has become our home over the last week. The alpha house still doesn’t feel like home, even though we have all new furniture and have scrubbed everything to get out the smells. “Well, I’ll be that if you’ll be my big bad wolf.”

We both look over at it at the same time. It has a very foreboding presence that neither of us enjoy.

Lucian leans down, kissing my lips gently. “Always. I know it’s what you call me, anyway. About that house, can we just not live here? I’d rather be at this house, even if it is a little small. We’ll just have to build on or something.”

I chuckle. “Yes, we can stay here. You claimed the bed already, and it smells just like you.”

He laughs in response. “Everything is going to smell like me after tonight, if it doesn’t already.”

Oh, how I love this man.