Epilogue

Onyx

My fists clench as I stare at the security system’s back end controls. It’s almost perfect, but a couple of components aren’t doing what I want. Considering I am updating three outdated systems and merging all the controls, it’s a miracle that most of it’s working.

Pushing my chair back, I stalk out of the cold office. I don’t mind Ferris’s taste in dark marble, so we haven’t made any updates to this room yet.

I can hear Ember singing along to alt rock that is older than she is as she works on the family room. My feet slow in the doorway, admiring the sight. Hair now a vivid purple and tied up in a messy bun, Ember’s hips sway as she drags a paintbrush down the built-in bookcases that span one side of the room. The bright white is covered by a sweep of dark emerald. Previously, the shelves were lined with expensive but soulless decor items. Soon it’ll be actual books and a rather impressive record collection, all currently stacked across the two sofas while she paints.

Piece by piece, she’s transforming this house into her own style - dark, rich, and colorful. I love it. It’s cozy and feels like home.

Hands going to her waist, I lean down and kiss below her ear. She leans into my touch. “Hey, ready for a break?” I ask.

My hopes of luring her back to bed are dashed when she turns and says, “Yeah, I’m almost done here. Then we should go check on how everyone’s doing today.”

Sighing, I make myself useful, cleaning up her painting supplies as she touches up the edges.

Ten minutes later, she’s picking dots of paint off her wrists and forearms while we step off the porch and survey our pack.

The cafeteria boasts a bakery case of treats, along with an updated kitchen in the back. Bracken Creek’s chef, Crickett, has been training the two cooks to prepare food with seasonings and flavor. Meals have been steadily improving.

In the training building opposite, my father stands with his arms crossed, surveying the wolves sparring. He’s teaching them to disable instead of harm, preparing the pack for any future conflicts we hope never come. A younger man and woman follow Fisher as he works - our replacement trainers. As a mated pair, they will both be Deltas, once Fisher is satisfied with their abilities.

Other wolves bustle around, completing various projects. Marigold stands in the center, giving out instructions and directing movements. One of the houses is being converted to a school. There’s no teacher yet. There also aren't any children, but we want to be ready. A nearby empty house is being gutted so it can become a health clinic. We also need to acquire a healer, but perhaps Marigold’s brother Indigo could take the position someday.

I hug Ember around the shoulders and give her a squeeze. “Look at everything you’ve accomplished.”

“It’ll be good when it’s all done,” she mutters, her gaze tracking the work going on around us.

As we wander forward, she points out two houses now sport wreaths on their front doors, and someone has even painted their front door a cheery yellow. The renovations at the house have inspired pack members to start personalizing their homes.

“Hey, I had an idea,” she says, scuffing her feet along the dirt. “What if we took that empty house on the end and turned it into a rec center?”

“Yeah?”

“We could put in pool tables,” she continues, “maybe some arcade games. One room could be a movie theater.”

“That’s brilliant,” I say, kissing her temple. “Everyone already loves you, but imagine how much they’ll love their Alpha after you give them a whole game house . ”

She laughs softly, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.

“So are we going to the inter-pack gathering tonight?” she asks, a vulnerable look in her eyes.

“Yeah, I think we should. It’ll be a chance to see your other brother,” I say, pulling her closer. Her shoulders rise and drop in a sigh.

“I guess I need to change out of these painting clothes,” she says. “Should I dress up for this party?”

“I love you in anything and nothing at all,” I growl, hesitant to release my hold on her. But if we are going to the event, I’ve got work to get finished.

Ember

I cling to Onyx’s hand as we arrive at the party in an old pack car. Eventually I’ll buy him a nice vehicle worthy of an Alpha. Maybe a sports car. Jasper can help. I’d like to see the two of them car shopping together.

Wolves from every pack mingle in the Valley Pack’s central lawn. Onyx leads us toward the circle of Bracken Creek wolves. Marigold sits on Jasper’s lap, and Hazel stands behind Slate with her arms draped over his shoulders, one hand playing with his dark curls.

Cedar stands and thumps his twin on the back. “How’s it going?”

Onyx’s smile is proud. “Great. I think everyone is taking to our changes faster than we hoped. ”

“That’s wonderful,” Hazel says, darting around Slate and throwing her arms around me. I’m getting used to hugs, and I even hug her back. As she pulls away, I see her wiping at her eyes before she plops into Slate’s lap. His arms band around her waist, pulling her tight against him.

“I can’t believe you guys are Alphas,” Marigold says dreamily, cocking her head. “Seems surreal.”

“You’re telling me,” I mutter. Onyx sits and pulls me down across his thighs. My breathing slows to match his, soothing me.

“Well, now that we’re all here, there was something we wanted to share,” Hazel says, clapping her hands together.

My eyes narrow at the nervousness in her voice. Slate’s expression is smug. What on earth? Onyx and Cedar seem as puzzled as I am, but Marigold’s hands cover her mouth, her eyes going wide.

“Are you serious?” Marigold squeaks. I’m definitely missing something.

Hazel’s lip quivers, her mouth curving into a watery smile, but she nods. Marigold launches herself off Jasper’s lap and squeezes her best friend around the shoulders.

“Okay, what the hell, guys?” Onyx asks.

Jasper’s expression shifts from confusion to surprise. “Are you pregnant?”

My mouth falls open.

“Yeah, we are having a pup. Maybe two,” Slate announces. My hands come up to keep my mouth falling open, mimicking Marigold’s reaction .

My little nephew or niece. And a new Heir for the Bracken Creek Pack.

“Congratulations,” Cedar says, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him.

“You guys! A little Hazel, or a little Slate if we’re unlucky!” Onyx says, teasing his best friend. Slate shoves him half-heartedly.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” I say quietly. Hazel turns, taking my hand in hers.

“Thank you. They’re coming into a safer world because of you. I know you’re going to be an auntie, but I’d like it if you and Onyx were also godparents.”

“Godparents?” I ask, blinking.

Hazel nods. “It’s something my family does. Someone else to care for them and help guide them.”

“We’d be honored,” I manage to say, feeling tears burn in my own eyes.

“You too, Marigold,” Hazel says. Her best friend squeals and bounces on the balls of her feet. I step back, tucking myself into Onyx’s side, safe from flailing arms and being wrangled into group hugs.

Word of Hazel’s pregnancy spreads outside of our group in minutes, with dozens of shifters around with excellent hearing. A line of well-wishers forms, and Onyx suggests we get a drink.

Wandering around the outskirts of the gathering, I notice my mate has a shit-eating grin forming on his face.

“Oh, no,” I say, scowling at him. “What are you thinking about doing?”

“Nothing,” he says .

A moment later, he’s tugging me behind the nearest building. It’s the darkest corner of the party, and thankfully devoid of horny couples making out. For the moment, at least.

“Wow, you take me to such nice places,” I say.

“Maybe I just like it when girls are mean to me,” he says, his voice caressing me. He leans against the wall with a devilish grin. The chill in the air nips at my feverish skin, and I step closer.

“You’re such an idiot,” I murmur, smothering my laugh by closing my lips over his neck.

“Yet you love me,” he says, tipping his head to the side with a dramatic sigh.

“Why is that again?” I tease.

With a smirk, Onyx scoops me up, hands against my ass, and turns us until I’m pressed against the rough wood. His chest is solid, his grip stable.

He kisses me until I’ve forgotten where we are and what my own name is. The party continues on without us, and I don’t care. I’ve got everything I need right here.

Finally Onyx pauses, sucking in air. “Let’s go home,” he says. Without waiting for my agreement, he grabs my hand and leads me toward our vehicle.

Digging in my heels, I pull him to a stop. “Hey, it’s a nice night out. Do you want to run instead?”

His eyes light up.

Stowing our clothing in the truck, we turn toward the forest. Black fur sweeps down my arms as I shift, and suddenly the forest is brighter. Night creatures scurry away as our paws grip the earth, propelling us into the trees.

The moonlight filters through branches as Onyx chases me northward, toward our home. Through our mate bond, I can feel adoration, desire, and playfulness as he snaps at my tail. As we cross the border, I slow. The trees are denser here in this corner of our territory, and I know patrol has the night off.

Halting, I glance over my shoulder at the dark gray wolf a few steps behind me. He cocks his head in a silent question. Closing my eyes, I reach for my human side, and let the shift change me back. When I open my eyes, Onyx stands just a few inches away, his hair mussed.

With a sweet smile, I reach up and run my fingers through his hair to untangle it. The intensity in his gaze takes my breath away.

“I’ve been thinking about getting you alone in the forest again,” he rasps, lifting a hand to brush along my neck and push my hair over my shoulder. My whole body shivers.

“I had a feeling,” I say, excitement rising as he closes the distance between us. His desire warms me through our mating bond, meeting my own.

“Did I mention purple is my new favorite color?” he murmurs before his mouth closes over my skin. My laugh is cut off by the feel of his teeth nipping the sensitive spot under my jaw.

The night’s chill prickles along my back and his body heats my front, his handing rove down my ribs to my bare ass. We’re wild things in the night, a tangle of limbs and unending kisses flowing into each other. Promises whispered against heated skin and soft moans mingle in the air. He is mine and I am his, and when we’re done, we can return to the home we claimed together.