25. Epilogue

Bane

T he Silver Howl Pack’s Hall is alive with noise—clinking glasses, scattered laughter, and the soft hum of a string quartet in the corner. The air is heavy with the scent of roasted venison and the faint, earthy musk of wolves mingling.

It’s a pack gathering to mark a year of peace and prosperity, a year of strength. My year as Alpha, with Aria by my side as Luna.

“Alpha Bane,” someone calls, drawing my attention. It’s Tobias, holding out a glass of wine. “To another year of strong leadership.”

I take the glass, nodding my thanks, but my gaze drifts back to Aria. She catches my eye and smiles, a private moment in the midst of a crowd.

“Excuse me,” I murmur to Tobias, making my way to her.

Before I can reach her, a small blur zips past me, nearly knocking over a server. “Elias!” I bark, though I can’t keep the laughter out of my voice. “Slow down!”

Elias skids to a halt, turning to face me with a sheepish grin. He’s clutching a wooden sword—no doubt a gift from one of the warriors—and his cheeks are flushed with excitement.

“But, Dad, I’m practicing!” he protests.

“You can practice without taking out half the pack,” I reply, crouching to his level.

Elias pouts, but his eyes are full of mischief. “Fine,” he says dramatically before darting off again, weaving through the crowd like the little whirlwind he is.

Aria stands by my side, her gown a deep shade of emerald that clings to her like it was painted on. Her hair catches the dim light, gleaming like the moon itself blessed her tonight. She’s smiling, small and polite, at the couple who can’t seem to stop talking about their newborn.

I glance at her glass. Still untouched.

I’ve been watching it all night. A fine red wine, poured perfectly to the rim, just like everyone else’s. Except hers hasn’t moved an inch.

“You’re quiet tonight,” I murmur, leaning in just enough to catch her attention without making it obvious.

She glances up at me, her hazel eyes sparkling under the chandelier light. “Just soaking it all in.”

I raise a brow. That’s her way of dodging something.

Another Pack Alpha steps forward to greet us, some grizzled wolf from the east with a handshake that tries to crush my bones. He’s wasting his strength. I grip his hand tighter, keeping my expression neutral as his knuckles crack.

“Alpha Bane,” he grunts, pulling his hand back and giving me a look that says he’s already regretting trying to assert dominance. “Congratulations on the ceremony. Your mate is stunning.”

“She is,” I say, letting the corner of my mouth twitch up. My eyes flick to Aria again, watching her sip from her water glass. She avoids the wine completely.

I don’t ask her why.

The night wears on. Aria and I make our rounds, exchanging pleasantries, smiling at allies and subtly glaring at enemies.

But my wolf is restless.

“She’s not drinking,” he growls in the back of my mind.

“I noticed,” I reply silently.

“You’re not going to ask?”

“She’ll tell me when she’s ready.”

But it gnaws at me.

Rook intercepts us near the balcony, his expression sharp. His suit is barely holding together on his broad frame, and there’s a faint nick on his jaw—probably from sparring earlier.

“Bane,” he greets me before turning to Aria. “Luna.”

Aria dips her head in acknowledgment. But I see the flicker of amusement in her eyes as she glances at Rook’s crooked tie.

“Rook,” I say, pulling his attention back. “Everything in order?”

“For now,” he replies, but his jaw ticks. “We had a minor incident near the southern border earlier. Nothing to concern you with tonight.”

“I’m concerned now.”

His lips press into a thin line. “A rogue scout. Alone. They didn’t cross far enough to be a threat.”

I nod, letting the topic drop.

Aria touches my arm lightly. “I think Elias is getting bored upstairs,” she says softly. “He’s been with Rook all day.”

“He’s fine,” Rook cuts in, a smile tugging at his lips. “He’s bright for his age. Almost too bright. The kid challenged me to a chess match and nearly won.”

Aria laughs, a genuine sound that lights up the room for a second. “He’s been practicing. I told him you’d be his hardest opponent yet.”

“Hard, but not impossible,” Rook replies with a faint chuckle before excusing himself to check on the perimeter.

As he leaves, I notice Aria’s glass again. Still untouched.

I lean in, lowering my voice so only she can hear. “Are you avoiding wine for a reason?”

Her lips part, but she hesitates, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. “I just don’t feel like drinking tonight.”

The party is winding down, the hum of conversation fading into the night as the guests leave. I’ve been stealing glances at Aria all evening, still thinking about that untouched wine glass. She brushes her hand against mine and I lead her out of the crowded hall, up the grand staircase toward our room.

Once the door closes behind us, Aria smiles softly. There’s a hint of mischief in her eyes as she reaches for a small, elegantly wrapped box on the table by the window.

“I have something for you,” she says, holding it out.

I raise a brow, taking the box from her. It’s light in my hands.

She laughs. “I wanted to give it to you when we were alone.”

Curiosity tugs at me as I pull at the ribbon and lift the lid. Inside, nestled in soft tissue paper, is a white mug. I turn it in my hands, and the words printed on it hit me like a lightning bolt:

You’re going to be a dad again.

I freeze, the air stolen from my lungs. For a moment, all I can do is stare at the mug, the words sinking in.

“Aria...” My voice is hoarse, caught between disbelief and overwhelming joy. “You’re... we’re...”

She nods, her eyes glistening. “We’re having a baby.”

A grin splits my face before I can stop it. The joy bursting through me is too much to contain. I toss the mug gently onto the bed, grab her by the waist, and spin her around, laughing like a damn fool.

“Aria,” I whisper as I set her back down, cupping her face in my hands. “You’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”

She smiles, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You’ve done more than that.” I kiss her deeply, pouring every ounce of my love into the kiss. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m going to make sure you feel loved. Every single day.”

My hands trail down her sides as I speak, toying with the zipper of her dress. “Starting now.”

Her breath hitches as I slowly lower the zipper, kissing the exposed skin of her back as it’s revealed. The emerald fabric pools at her feet, leaving her standing in nothing but delicate lace.

“You’re breathtaking,” I murmur, my voice rough with desire.

She shivers under my touch as I press kisses to her collarbone, her shoulders, every inch of her skin. My hands slide over her curves, memorizing the feel of her as I guide her to the bed.

I kneel before her, sliding her lace panties down her legs and pressing my lips to the inside of her thighs. Her fingers tangle in my hair as I part her with my tongue, savoring the way her body responds to me.

“Oh, Bane,” she gasps, her voice breaking as I delve deeper.

I take my time, tasting her, feeling her tremble beneath me. Her hips buck against my mouth as I circle her clit with my tongue, her cries of pleasure filling the room.

When she comes, it’s with a soft, broken moan, her body arching off the bed. I kiss my way back up her body, capturing her lips as she’s still trembling.

“Lie back,” she whispers, her voice shaky but determined.

I oblige, lying flat on the bed as she straddles me. Her eyes meet mine, dark with desire, as she lowers herself onto my face.

“Aria,” I groan against her, gripping her thighs as she moves above me.

Her fingers dig into my hair as she moves above me, her hips rolling with purpose. I let her take control, watching her unravel, but I can’t resist pulling her closer, my hands gripping her thighs.

“Bane,” she gasps, her voice trembling as her rhythm becomes erratic.

Her body arches, the moonlight spilling across her flushed skin, and I can feel the heat radiating off her. My grip tightens, guiding her motions as I shift beneath her, lowering my mouth to her center. She freezes, a startled gasp escaping her lips as I take over, my tongue exploring her slowly, thoroughly.

“Don’t stop,” she pleads, her hands tangling in my hair again, holding me in place.

I don’t. I focus on her, every flick of my tongue and every kiss drawing out another sound from her lips. Her legs tremble, her body quivering as the tension snaps, and she cries out, her release washing over her.

Aria’s body is trembling as she collapses onto my chest, her breathing heavy and uneven. I brush a strand of damp hair from her face, cupping her cheek.

“You’re incredible,” I whisper, my voice low and rough.

She lifts her head, a wicked glint in her eye. “I’m not done yet.”

Before I can respond, she slides down my body, trailing her lips and tongue along the ridges of my abdomen, igniting every nerve. When her fingers wrap around me, my breath hitches.

“Aria...” My voice is thick, unsteady.

She looks up at me, her lips curving into a smile before she takes me into her mouth. A groan escapes my throat, deep and guttural. Her tongue works expertly, her hand stroking in time, and I grip the sheets beneath me, trying to maintain control.

“Aria, baby, if you keep this up—”

But she doesn’t stop, her movements deliberate and torturously slow. Just as the pressure builds to the edge, she pulls away, leaving me gasping and desperate.

“Damn it, Aria,” I growl, my hands tangling in her hair.

She just grins, crawling back up my body and straddling me. “I’m not done teasing you yet.”

Her warmth envelopes me as she sinks down, and I swear the sound that leaves my lips is a sound I haven't made before—a broken, desperate moan that has her laughing softly.

“Did you just moan like that?” she teases, her voice breathless as she begins to move.

I can’t even respond, my hands gripping her hips as she rides me, her rhythm steady and intoxicating. She braces her hands on my chest, her head thrown back as she loses herself in the moment.

“Aria,” I groan, watching her, utterly captivated. “You’re... perfect.”

Her movements slow, her legs trembling with the effort. She leans forward, her lips brushing against mine.

I grin, flipping her beneath me in one swift motion. She gasps, her legs wrapping around my waist as I pin her wrists above her head.

“You’re mine,” I growl, my lips claiming hers in a heated kiss.

Her breath hitches as I enter her again, slow and deliberate, wanting her to feel every inch of me. I set a steady pace, my forehead resting against hers, our breaths mingling.

“Bane,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “I love you.”

My heart swells, and I kiss her deeply, pouring every ounce of my emotion into it. “I love you more than anything, Aria. Always.”

Her body arches beneath me, her cries of pleasure filling the room as I push us both closer to the edge. I whisper her name like a prayer, my lips brushing against her ear as I drive us both over the edge, her name falling from my lips as we shatter together.

We collapse into each other, our bodies tangled, our breaths uneven. I pull her close, kissing the top of her head as she rests against my chest.

“You’re everything to me,” I murmur, my fingers tracing patterns on her back.

She looks up at me, her eyes shining with love. “And you’re everything to me, Bane.”

As we lie together, her head resting on my chest, I trace lazy circles along the bare curve of her back. The room is quiet except for the soft rhythm of our breathing, our bodies entwined in the warm glow of candlelight.

Her fingers play idly with the fine hairs on my chest. "You know," she murmurs, her voice soft but teasing, "I didn't think you'd be this excited about a mug."

I chuckle, tightening my arm around her. "That mug is my new favorite thing," I say. "But it's not just the mug—it’s what it means."

She smiles, tilting her head up to meet my gaze.

I kiss her forehead, savoring the sweetness of this moment, but the feel of her skin against mine stirs something deep inside me again. My fingers slide down her back, stopping at the curve of her waist, and I shift, pulling her closer. She looks up, her eyes darkening with realization.

"Bane…" she whispers, a small smile tugging at her lips.

I don’t answer, my lips finding hers instead, my touch slow and deliberate as I press against her. My hand moves to cup her breast, thumb brushing over her sensitive peak, and a soft moan escapes her as I feel myself harden again.

Before she can say more, I roll her onto her side, positioning myself behind her. Her breath catches when I press against her, the tip of me slipping just slightly inside. I pause, my hands gliding over her curves, until I cup her breasts firmly.

She gasps as I push into her fully, her body arching back against mine. "Bane…" she moans, her voice trembling with pleasure.

"You feel so good," I growl, my voice rough with need as I hold her tightly. My lips graze the side of her neck, and I feel her pulse quicken beneath my touch. My hips move with steady, deliberate thrusts, each one driving me deeper into her warmth.

Her moans become louder, her hands gripping the sheets as I increase my pace. "I love you," I whisper against her skin, my voice raw. "Every part of you. Always."

She tightens around me suddenly, and a string of curses falls from my lips as the sensation overwhelms me. "Aria, damn it," I groan, my control slipping as she pushes me to the edge.

"Don't stop," she pleads, her voice breathless, and I don’t—thrusting deeper, harder, until her body trembles with release.

I follow seconds later, a guttural sound escaping me as I bury myself in her completely. My arms wrap around her as we collapse against the sheets, her back flush against my chest, our breaths mingling in the stillness.

For a while, neither of us speaks, our bodies tangled in the aftermath. But then she laughs softly, her fingers lacing with mine. "I love you."

I grin, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "I love you more."

The End