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39. EPILOGUE TWO

Chapter thirty-nine

REID

Down the hall, Ethan stirs in his nest, mumbling something about flowers and guest lists. I glance toward the sound, a smile tugging at my lips. He’s been so wrapped up in wedding plans over the last week, he’s probably dreaming about place settings. It’s ridiculous and adorable and so very him. There isn’t even a date yet and he still hasn’t figured out who he wants to marry. Legally, he can only choose one but his singular focus is everything but that at the moment.

At least he’s resting. Dr. Bardin mentioned that his heat might show up now that everything has settled, mostly anyway.

Because now Detective Rourke is sitting on the couch, bringing me news about my ex-pack.

The court documents are fanned out on the coffee table, stark white paper and black ink spelling out every ugly truth I’ve spent months trying to ignore. I’m perched on the edge of the couch, stiff as a board, my hands clenching my knees. Beside me, Zana radiates calm, one leg crossed elegantly over the other as she always does. She leans a little closer, rubbing her arm against mine to give me a little comfort. It isn’t helping.

Across from us, Detective Rourke is laughing at me, probably because I look like I’ve seen a ghost. Which, honestly, isn’t far from the truth. He came an hour ago to hand Zana some information, my Alpha telling me that I’d want to hear about the update.

“Wait.” My voice cracks as I point to the papers. “How did no one know about this? How did I not know?”

Rourke’s grin widens, his teeth flashing. “The Wilhelms have a lot of damn money, kid. You’d be surprised what you can cover up when you’ve got deep enough pockets and your hands in every pot.”

Zana’s hand slips around my shoulder, her touch firm but reassuring as she pulls me closer into her side. “Not anymore,” she says smugly. “The moment I filed the lawsuit, they lost their right to pack Beta contracts. Permanently.”

I blink at her, trying to process the enormity of what she’s saying. “What about... the actual lawsuit, though? What was the outcome?” I’ve purposefully avoided any information about the Wilhelms, going so far as to change my number and make my socials friends only.

Rourke leans forward, elbows on his knees, his grin dimming. “Found two more victims. Betas, like you working for the Wilhelms, a similar nightmare. Turns out they’re mated into the same pack now. Zana hasn’t had the chance to reach out yet.”

Two more. My chest tightens. I stare at the papers again, the words blurring. I’ve spent so long trying to forget everything that happened, pretending it was just some terrible chapter I could close forever. But now… Knowing I wasn’t the only one? It’s like a punch to the gut and a lifeline all at once.

Zana’s thumb strokes over my shoulder. “The lawsuit’s been extended to include them,” she says softly. “They deserve to have a voice, too.”

I turn to look at her, my Alpha, and I’m struck again by how much strength she carries in that slim frame. “You’re incredible,” I say, awe lacing every word.

Her lips quirk up into a small, knowing smile. “I know.”

The corner of my mouth twitches, and despite everything, a small laugh escapes. But then the gravity of it all crashes down again and I straighten, looking between them. “So… what happens now?”

Rourke leans back, his arms spreading across the top of the couch like he’s perfectly at ease with the chaos he’s dropping into my lap. “Lyle Wilhelm? Already in jail. Dumbass tried to forge another contract. Claimed Hailey was too much to handle with her upcoming heat. Said they needed ‘extra hands.’” He makes air quotes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Of course he did,” I mutter, my stomach churning. I glance at Zana, but she doesn’t seem surprised, just disgusted.

“Jackson?” I ask, the name burning in my throat.

Rourke’s mouth twists, his amusement fading. “Jackson’s scrambling to keep his business alive. Most of the accusations hit him square in the jaw, but he’s not behind bars. Yet.”

“Why didn’t anyone reach out to me?” The question bursts out of me before I can stop it, anger and confusion twisting in my chest. “The Wilhelms knew what happened. Why didn’t they—”

Zana’s hand on my shoulder tightens and Rourke nods toward her. “Because your Alpha has been protecting you from day one. She got a protective order as soon as she could. Legally, they can’t come within a mile of you, let alone contact you.”

I blink, stunned, and then I laugh, a sharp, disbelieving sound. I turn to Zana, grinning despite everything. “You really do love me, huh?”

She chuckles, pressing a quick kiss to the side of my head. “You know I do. But this isn’t over, Reid. It’s a long road ahead—interviews, court appearances. It’s going to be a lot. But…” She pauses, tilting her head to meet my gaze. “If you’re up for it, I think those other two Betas could use someone who understands what they’ve been through. Someone like you.”

My breath catches. I look at her, then at Rourke, then back to the documents scattered across the table. The thought of reliving any of it makes my skin crawl. But… if it means helping someone else—someone like me—then maybe it’s worth it.

I nod, my resolve hardening. “I’m in.”

Rourke smirks, raising an eyebrow. “You sure? No takebacks.”

“Yeah,” I say firmly, meeting his gaze. “I’m sure. If I can help, I want to.” I reach up to my shoulder and squeeze Zana’s hand, letting her know that I’m 100% on board.

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