Epilogue

Wren

"Mama, look! I did it!"

The excited squeal of a child's voice echoed through the sun-dappled forest clearing. Wren looked up from where she was arranging a picnic blanket, a smile blooming on her face as she watched her son, Ash, proudly holding up a small, crudely woven flower crown.

"That's wonderful, Sweetheart!" Wren called back, her heart swelling with pride. At two years old, Ash was a bundle of energy and curiosity, his silver-white hair—a perfect blend of his parents' coloring—glinting in the late afternoon sunlight.

Wren settled back on the blanket, one hand resting on her swollen belly. Their second child was due in just a few short weeks. As she watched Ash toddle over, his chubby legs carrying him as fast as they could, she marveled at how much her life had changed in the past five years.

Gone was the lonely, bitter rogue waitress she'd once been. In her place was a woman who had found her place in the world—as a mate, a mother, and a Luna of the White Moon pack.

Ash plopped down beside her, his little face scrunched up in concentration as he carefully placed the flower crown on her head. "Pretty Mama," he declared, looking pleased with himself.

Wren laughed, pulling him into her arms and peppering his face with kisses. "Thank you, my little wolf," she said. "It's beautiful."

As Ash snuggled into her side, his small hand coming to rest on her belly, Wren's mind drifted back to the early days of their return to White Moon territory. She remembered how nervous she'd been, wondering if the pack would accept a former rogue as their Luna.

But Articus had been right by her side every step of the way, his unwavering support giving her the strength she needed. The pack had welcomed her with open arms, many of them touched by her story and impressed by her resilience.

Juniper, in particular, had become a close friend and confidante. The witch had taken Wren under her wing, teaching her about pack dynamics and the responsibilities of an Alpha female. With Juniper's guidance and Articus' love, Wren had grown into her role, finding a sense of purpose she'd never known before.

"When's Papa coming?" Ash asked, pulling Wren from her reverie.

She smiled down at her son, running a hand through his silky hair. "Soon, little one. He just had to finish up some pack business."

As if summoned by their conversation, a rustle in the nearby bushes announced Articus' arrival. Ash's face lit up, and he scrambled to his feet. "Papa!" he cried, launching himself at Articus as the Alpha emerged from the tree line.

Articus caught his son mid-leap, swinging him up into the air with a laugh that echoed through the clearing. "There's my little warrior!" he exclaimed, settling Ash on his hip. "Have you been taking good care of your mama while I was gone?"

Ash nodded enthusiastically. "I made her a crown, see?" He pointed to the slightly lopsided arrangement of wildflowers perched atop Wren's head.

Articus's eyes softened as he took in the sight of his mate. "You're right, Son. She looks beautiful."

Wren felt a blush creep up her cheeks, even after all these years. The way Articus looked at her never failed to make her heart skip a beat. She held out a hand, and he helped her to her feet, pulling her close and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"How are my girls doing?" he asked, his free hand coming to rest on her belly. The sonogram had told them they would be having a girl this time.

Wren smiled, leaning into his touch. "We're good. Though your daughter seems to think my bladder is her personal trampoline."

Articus chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "That's my girl. Strong and spirited, just like her mama."

They settled down on the picnic blanket, Ash immediately diving into the basket of food Wren had packed. As they ate, Articus filled them in on the pack meeting he'd just come from.

"The alliance with Cassius's pack is going well," he said between bites of sandwich. "We've had fewer snatchings since we started coordinating our patrols, and Linus and his cohorts’ operation has been destroyed."

Wren nodded, a sense of satisfaction warming her chest. The improved relations between the two sides of the mountain had been a joint project of hers and Articus'. It was slow going, centuries of mistrust and misunderstanding not easily overcome, but they were making progress.

"Uncle Cassius coming soon?" Ash piped up, his mouth full of apples.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Sweetie," Wren gently admonished. "And yes, Uncle Cassius will be visiting for the full moon next week."

Ash's face lit up. Despite his gruff exterior, Cassius had a soft spot for his 'nephew', often bringing him little gifts from the other side of the mountain. The big Alpha and his daughter had become regular visitors to White Moon territory, his presence a living symbol of the growing ties between the two packs.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink, Wren leaned back against Articus' chest, watching as Ash chased fireflies that had begun to emerge in the gathering twilight.

"Do you ever think about how different things could have been?" she asked softly, tilting her head to look up at her mate.

Articus' arms tightened around her. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But then I look at you, at Ash, at the life we've built together, and I can't imagine anything better than this."

Wren smiled, turning in his arms to press a kiss to the underside of his jaw. "Me neither," she whispered.

A sudden squeal of laughter drew their attention back to Ash, who had managed to catch a firefly and was now watching in wide-eyed wonder as it crawled across his palm.

"Mama, Papa, look!" he called, carefully making his way back to them.

"Well done, little wolf," Articus praised, ruffling Ash's hair as the boy settled between them. "Now, remember what we talked about? We have to let it go so it can go back to its family."

Ash nodded solemnly, his little face scrunched up in concentration as he opened his hand. The firefly sat still for a moment as if stunned before its wings fluttered and it took off into the darkening sky.

"Bye-bye," Ash whispered, waving at the retreating speck of light.

Wren felt her heart swell with love for her little family. These quiet moments, filled with wonder and simple joys, were the ones she treasured most.

As the stars began to twinkle into view, Articus stood up, stretching his long limbs. "I think it's time we headed back," he said, looking down at Ash, who was beginning to rub his eyes sleepily.

Wren nodded, accepting Articus's hand to help her to her feet. As she began to pack up the remnants of their picnic, she felt a familiar stirring in her chest. The pull of the pack bond, a constant background hum that had become as natural to her as breathing.

She reached out through the bond, feeling the steady presence of the pack members back in the town. It still amazed her sometimes, how complete, how right it felt.

This sense of belonging, of being part of something larger than herself. It was everything she'd yearned for in those lonely years as a rogue and more than she'd ever dared to hope for.

As they made their way back through the forest, Ash's energy finally flagged. He raised his arms to Articus, a silent request to be carried. Articus scooped him up easily, settling the boy against his chest, where Ash promptly nestled his face into his father's neck.

Wren walked beside them, one hand linked with Articus' free one, the other resting on her belly where their daughter continued her acrobatics. The forest was alive around them, the night air filled with the soft rustling of leaves and the quiet calls of nocturnal animals.

Wren felt a wave of contentment wash over her as they approached their house. The familiar scents of home surrounded them—wood smoke from the town, the rich aroma of the night's dinner still lingering in the air, and the unique scents of pack members that blended into a comforting whole.

Inside, Wren moved to the kitchen to put away the picnic things while Articus took Ash upstairs to bed. She could hear the low murmur of Articus' voice as he read a bedtime story, the words indistinct but the tone soothing.

He must have insisted he wasn’t sleeping again.

By the time Articus came back downstairs, Wren had settled onto the couch, a cup of herbal tea cradled in her hands. He joined her, pulling her feet into his lap and beginning to massage them gently.

"Did Ash go down okay?" Wren asked, sighing in contentment as Articus' strong fingers worked out the aches in her swollen feet.

“You mean after pretending he was not asleep so I could read to him for a while?” Articus nodded, a fond smile playing on his lips. "He’s out like a light. That boy could sleep through a hurricane."

Wren chuckled. "Well, he certainly doesn't get that from me. I was always a light sleeper."

"Was?" Articus raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Love, you still wake up if a leaf falls wrong outside."

Wren stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "Well, one of us has to be vigilant. You sleep like the dead."

They fell into a comfortable silence; the only sounds were the crackling of the fire in the hearth and the distant chorus of night creatures outside. Wren found her mind wandering again, thinking about the journey that had brought her here.

From a lonely, angry rogue to the mate of an Alpha and mother to a beautiful son—with a daughter on the way. From someone who distrusted all pack wolves to a respected member of a thriving community. The change was so dramatic, sometimes she could hardly believe it herself.

"What are you thinking about?" Articus's voice was soft, his hand now resting warm and comforting on her ankle.

Wren smiled, setting her empty mug aside. "Just... everything. How much has changed. How happy I am."

Articus's eyes softened, filled with a love so deep it made Wren's breath catch. "I'm happy too," he said simply. "Happier than I ever thought possible."

He leaned forward, capturing her lips in a kiss that was tender and passionate all at once. Wren melted into it, her hand coming up to cup his cheek.

When they finally parted, both a little breathless, Articus rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, Wren," he murmured. "You and Ash and this little one," he placed a hand on her belly, "you're my whole world."

Wren felt tears prick at her eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in his voice. "I love you too," she whispered. "So much."

A small noise from upstairs caught their attention—Ash stirring in his sleep. They both paused, listening, but the house soon fell silent again.

Articus chuckled softly. "I should probably go check on him," he said, pressing one more quick kiss to Wren's lips before standing.

Wren watched as he made his way upstairs, his footsteps nearly silent on the wooden floor. A few moments later, she heard the creak of Ash's bedroom door opening.

Unable to resist, she heaved herself to her feet and followed, pausing in the doorway of Ash's room.

The sight that greeted her made her heart swell with love. Articus was standing by Ash's bed, their son cradled in his arms. Ash's head was tucked under Articus' chin, and his little hand fisted in his father's shirt even in sleep.

Articus was swaying gently, humming a lullaby under his breath. As Wren watched, he pressed a tender kiss to the top of Ash's head.

Feeling her presence, Articus looked up, his eyes meeting hers over Ash's silver-white hair. Without a word, he held out his free arm in invitation.

Wren moved into the room, fitting herself against Articus' side. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her close, and suddenly, their little family was complete—Articus holding Ash, Wren tucked against his side, and their unborn daughter nestled safely between them.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of her mate and the soft breathing of her son, Wren knew with absolute certainty that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

And that feeling? That feeling was fucking infinite.

*****

THE END