Epilogue

“ W hat do you think?” Rory asked his brothers. Four of them had come up this time, and the others would come up next time.

Liam grinned down at Xander. “I think he looks like a monkey.”

“Don’t make me beat you, brother.” Fen’s growl was—mostly—playful. “He’s perfect.”

“He is.” Liam picked Xander up, confident and careful. “A perfect little monkey.”

Dean snort-chuckled. “He’s going to brain you, man.”

“Not while I’m holding his baby.” Liam winked at Rory.

Rory cracked up. He felt like his body was his again, like he could breathe and not have heartburn and he could think. It was amazing.

Dean moved next to Liam to stare down at Xander. “He is kind of…old mannish.”

“He is a wise baby.” Fen stole Xander back. “My wise, sweet, unappreciated pup.”

“He’s wonderful,” Gage said, his smile taking them all in. Rory had been so pleased to see him, because he spent most of his time down at the trading post.

“Thank you, brother.” Rory watched Fen with Xander, his heart so full. “Still shocked that I’m a wolf?”

“A little bit, yes. I’m waiting for Liam to turn into a dragon, personally.”

Liam scoffed. “Just because I need to get up there…”

“It calls to you. Next week.” That was Jameson, who had stepped into the house after a brief knock.

He walked over to Fen, who showed his son, easy, unafraid. “Alpha. Your new pack member.”

“He’s perfect.” Jameson stroked Xander’s cheek. “Welcome home, little one. You have our protection. Forever.”

Tears sprung to Rory’s eyes, and he could see the same mirrored on Fen’s face. The love for each other. The love for the pack. The gratitude to be where they were.

“Thank you, alpha,” Fen said. “You honor us.”

“I love to welcome new pack members.” Jameson grinned at his brothers. “All of them.”

Rory swore, for a second, his brothers’ eyes flashed gold.