Epilogue - Mia

For Lina's seventh birthday, we've turned the orphanage into a circus. Not a real one, of course, but there's decorations and food and games and gifts. Everyone is wearing some sort of costume, even the adults. Evan is dressed as a ringmaster, and I'm his lion tamer. Queenie has outdone herself with her face paint. She looks like a scary clown but in a cool way. Shawna is walking around with a stick, claiming she's a tightrope walker.

The kids are having a blast, and everyone is laughing and smiling. This is everything I wanted for Lina and more. She's been through so much. She deserves every little bit of happiness.

Life has been a breeze in Green Lake these last few months. Evan and I are stronger than ever, and our bond is only getting better. After I came back, Evan told the pack everything about the curse and why Rafe brought me here in the first place. That was a hard day, but in the end, he was so relieved not to have to shoulder that secret any longer. Slowly, he's starting to learn that being alpha doesn't mean he has to carry every burden alone.

As for me, well, it's hard to be unhappy here. Green Lake is absolutely beautiful. Every morning, I wake up and look outside, and I still can't believe it's all real. There's so much beauty and magic, and I'm so busy helping out around the orphanage and at the warehouse that the days just fly by.

Of course, after the little test I took this morning, I may have to cut back on the number of hours I spend on my feet.

I've been trying to come up with the best way to tell Evan. All morning, I've been racking my brain, trying to come up with something creative. But as I watch him carry Jed around on his shoulders, I don't think I can hold it in much longer.

Once he places Jed back on the ground and the little guy runs off to join the other children, I wave Evan over.

"Come with me," I say, surprised at how steady my voice is. I've been a nervous wreck all morning, and it's only gotten worse.

I take Evan's hand and pull him outside into the field between the orphanage and our cabin. It's quiet out here, away from prying eyes.

"What's going on?" he asks. "Is everything all right?"

"I have a serious question for you," I start, trying to sound as stern as possible.

"Oh," he says nervously. "Okay. Go ahead."

"If you were to have a son, what would you want to name him? And keep in mind, it would be a name that he'd have to carry around forever."

"That's a weird question." He rubs the back of his neck. "I'd have to give it some thought. Why are you asking?"

"Call it a hunch, but I think we're going to have a boy. And if we do, then you'd better start thinking of names because you've got nine months. Well, eight and a half now."

"Mia, are you saying...?"

"I'm pregnant," I confirm with a smile splitting my face. "We're going to have a baby."

He picks me up and spins me around, laughing. "I can't believe it!"

"Believe it, Daddy. I have an ultrasound in a few weeks. I'll have a picture to prove it. You're going to be a father."

Evan pulls me into a kiss, and my heart is bursting. I've never felt more loved or more content. My life is absolutely perfect, and I have the man of my dreams right here, in my arms.

"Let's tell the pack!" he says, but before he can take a single step, I yank him back.

"I don't think so, buddy. This is Lina's day. I just couldn't wait to tell you."

"Okay, okay. We'll tell them tomorrow, then."

"Tomorrow. I'm fine with that."

His hands fall to my hips. He kisses my forehead, and then my nose, and then my lips. His touch is feather-light, but my body still reacts. I arch my back, pushing my hips closer, and let out a soft moan.

"How much time do you think we have until they realize we're missing?" I ask.

"Long enough," he murmurs, and then his lips are on mine again. His kiss is hot and needy, and it sets my blood on fire. It's always like this with us, and I don't think it'll ever change. I don't think we'll ever not want each other.

I turn around and bolt off toward the house, and I can hear him close behind me. When I step inside, I pause. A second later, he runs right into me, tackling me to the couch. The springs groan beneath us and the wood frame cracks, but he doesn't seem to notice.

"I'm not sure the couch can take this," I gasp as he peppers kisses down my neck.

"I'll get a new one," he growls, and the low rumble has me arching my back.

Evan pulls my dress over my head while I work at the buttons on his shirt. Every button is an excruciating tease, and by the time the shirt is gone, he's already gotten rid of his pants. I'm desperate for his touch.

"Touch me," I beg, and his fingers dance down my sides and across my thighs. He pulls the scrap of lace from my hips and tosses it to the floor. I shiver when his finger grazes over my swollen clit.

"Goddamn," he mutters. "You're so wet, baby."

"All for you," I mumble.

When he drops his boxers, my eyes widen. I'll never get tired of seeing him naked. He's so hard, his cock is jutting out from between his thighs. A bead of pre-cum is already dripping down the shaft. My tongue darts out, wanting to lick it off.

"You look hungry," he growls.

Without saying a word, I drop to my knees and lick the entire length of him. He groans, the sound sending heat straight to my core. My pussy is already aching, and when he fists my hair, pushing my head down, I let out a strangled moan.

"That's it," he coos. "Such a good girl."

My lips wrap around him as I bob up and down, taking him as deep as I can. I'm dripping wet. Every word of praise is just making me hotter, and my clit is throbbing. My hands find their way to his balls. I roll them gently, feeling his cock swell in my mouth.

"I want you bent over the couch," he growls. "Right now."

I scramble across the floor and drape myself over the arm of the sofa. Evan follows, running his hand down the curve of my back, squeezing my ass. Then his palm comes down on my left cheek with a resounding smack.

"Yes!" I moan.

I don't care who hears me. I just want him. My body is burning up, and I can't think about anything else.

Evan spreads my legs and teases my entrance, sliding his finger up and down my slit. When he sinks into me, it's everything. My walls tighten around him, and my toes curl. He rocks back and forth, filling me up, and it's heaven.

"Yes, Evan, yes," I pant. "God, please don't stop."

He pulls out, leaving me empty, and then slams back into me. A strangled cry escapes my lips. My orgasm builds, the pressure in my core mounting. Every nerve in my body is on edge, and when he reaches around and rubs my clit, I'm done. I unravel around him, wave after wave of pleasure washing over me.

My orgasm triggers his, and I feel him pulsing and spilling inside me. I squeeze every last drop from him, relishing the feeling. Evan's thrusts slow, and his breathing starts to even out. When he pulls out, I stand, and we both collapse onto the couch.

"Are you happy?" he asks.

"So, so happy," I say. "What about you? Is this what you imagined our lives would be like?"

He leans forward and kisses my forehead. "No, but it's better. A thousand times better."

*****

THE END