Epilogue - Alysa

The crisp autumn air nipped at Alysa's skin as she stepped onto the balcony of the Whiteborn estate. The sun had barely crested the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. She inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of pine and wildflowers that permeated the mountain air.

Six months had passed since her mating ceremony with Cassius, and still, Alysa found herself marveling at the beauty of her new home.

The estate had changed in subtle yet profound ways since she first set foot on its grounds several moons ago. New flowers bloomed in the gardens, the training grounds had been expanded, and there was a sense of growth in the air.

She’d come here as a nanny, unsure of her place and hiding from feelings she couldn’t name. Now, she was the mate of an Alpha, her every step woven into the pulse of this Pack.

Alysa's gaze swept over the sprawling grounds, taking in the mix of modern buildings and traditional log cabins. Guards patrolled the perimeter with clockwork precision, a reminder of the constant vigilance required to keep their Pack safe. In the distance, she could see Pack members starting their day, their movements purposeful and coordinated.

A gentle breeze ruffled Alysa's chestnut hair, and she absently ran a hand over her slightly rounded belly.

So much has changed.

The sound of footsteps behind her drew Alysa from her reverie. Strong arms encircled her waist, and she leaned back into the familiar warmth of her mate's chest. Cassius nuzzled her neck, his lips brushing against her mating mark.

"Good morning, my love," he murmured, his voice still husky with sleep. "You're up early."

Alysa turned in his arms, drinking in the sight of him. His blonde hair was tousled and his blue eyes were bright despite the early hour. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "The little one was restless."

Concern flickered across Cassius's face as he placed a gentle hand on her belly. "Are you feeling alright?"

She smiled, covering his hand with her own. "I'm fine. Just excited, I think. We have that meeting with the Pack council today, remember?"

Cassius groaned playfully. "How could I forget? Aleksander's been hounding me about it for weeks."

Their laughter mingled in the crisp morning air, a sound that never failed to warm Alysa's heart. As Alpha and Alpha-Mate, their days were often filled with responsibilities and challenges, but moments like these reminded her of the deep bond they shared.

They made their way back inside, the routine of their morning falling into place with practiced ease. Alysa headed to the nursery while Cassius started the coffee maker, the rich aroma soon filling the air.

Aurora's excited babbling greeted Alysa as she entered the nursery. The toddler stood in her crib, green eyes sparkling with delight at the sight of her mother. "Mama!" she cried, arms outstretched.

Alysa's heart swelled as she scooped up her daughter. "Good morning, my little moonbeam," she cooed, peppering Aurora's chubby cheeks with kisses. The girl's laughter was music to her ears.

As she changed Aurora's diaper and dressed her for the day, Alysa marveled at how quickly the child was growing. It seemed like only yesterday that Aurora had been a tiny, helpless infant. Now, at eighteen months old, she was a bundle of energy and curiosity.

"Dada?" Aurora asked, her little brow furrowed as she looked around the room.

"Daddy's making breakfast," Alysa explained, smoothing down Aurora's blonde curls. "Should we go find him?"

Aurora nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing in Alysa's arms as they made their way to the kitchen. The sight that greeted them made Alysa's breath catch in her throat.

Cassius stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with one hand while balancing a stack of reports in the other. His brow was furrowed in concentration, a pencil tucked behind his ear. He looked up as they entered, his face breaking into a wide smile.

"There are my girls," he said, setting down the reports and holding out his arms.

Aurora squealed with delight, practically launching herself from Alysa's arms into her father's embrace. "Dada! Pan-cake!"

Cassius chuckled, lifting Aurora high above his head before settling her on his hip. "That's right, princess. Pancakes for my little wolf."

Alysa's heart melted at the sight of them together. His gruff exterior softened whenever Aurora was around, his love for his daughter evident in every gentle touch and patient word.

As they sat down to breakfast, Aurora babbled happily, her vocabulary growing by leaps and bounds. "Mama eat," she said, pointing to Alysa's plate.

"That's right, Sweetheart," Cassius praised, his chest puffing with pride. "You're getting so smart."

Alysa couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "She certainly is. I think we have a future Alpha on our hands."

Cassius's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Or maybe a diplomat. Did you hear her negotiating for more syrup earlier?"

Their laughter filled the kitchen, a perfect start to what promised to be a busy day. As Alysa watched Cassius clean syrup from Aurora's chin, she felt a wave of contentment wash over her.

This is home.

Cassius took to fatherhood with a dedication that never ceased to amaze her. Despite the demands of his position as Alpha, he always made time for Aurora, cherishing every milestone and new discovery.

As if sensing her gaze, Cassius looked up, his blue eyes meeting hers. The love and contentment she saw there made her breath catch.

How did I get so lucky?

A sharp kick from within her belly drew Alysa's attention. She placed a hand on the swell of her stomach, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her chest. They hadn't told Aurora about the pregnancy yet, waiting until Alysa was further along. But at five months, it was becoming harder to hide.

Cassius noticed her movement, concern flickering across his face. "Everything okay, Love?"

Alysa nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Just a little restless today. I think… I think it might be time to tell her."

Understanding dawned in Cassius's eyes, followed quickly by a flash of excitement. He whispered something to Aurora, who giggled and toddled as they made their way over to the couch.

"Mama okay?" the little girl asked, placing a small hand on Alysa's knee.

Alysa's heart melted at the concern in her stepdaughter's voice. "I'm fine, Sweetheart. But there's something Daddy and I want to tell you. Something exciting."

Aurora's eyes widened with curiosity. "What, Mama?"

Cassius joined them on the couch, lifting Aurora onto his lap. "Well, princess," he began, his voice gentle, "you know how much Mama and I love you, right?"

Aurora nodded solemnly. "Lots and lots."

"That's right," Alysa continued, taking Aurora's hand and placing it on her rounded belly. "And soon, we're going to have even more love to share. You're going to be a big sister."

Aurora's brow furrowed in confusion. "Big sister?"

Cassius chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "That's right, moonbeam. There's a baby growing in Mama's tummy. And when it's born, you'll have a little brother or sister to play with and help take care of."

Understanding dawned on Aurora's face, followed quickly by a brilliant smile. "Baby?" she asked, patting Alysa's belly gently.

"That's right, Sweetheart," Alysa confirmed, her eyes filling with happy tears. "A baby. Your little brother or sister."

Aurora's excitement was contagious. She peppered Alysa's belly with kisses, chattering away about all the things she would teach the baby. Cassius watched with pride and joy, his arm wrapped securely around Alysa's shoulders.

As the initial excitement settled, Aurora looked up at Alysa with wide, serious eyes. "Mama still love Aurora?"

Alysa's heart clenched at the question. She gathered Aurora into her arms, holding her close. "Oh, my darling. Mama and Daddy will always love you. Having a new baby doesn't change that. Our hearts just grow bigger to make room for more love."

Cassius leaned in, enveloping both of them in a warm embrace. "That's right, princess. You'll always be our special girl. And now you get to be a big sister, too. That's a very important job."

Aurora seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding solemnly. "I be good big sister," she declared.

Alysa and Cassius exchanged a look over Aurora's head, their eyes shining with love and pride. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of her family, Alysa felt a sense of peace and rightness settle over her.

As the morning wore on, Alysa found herself growing restless. The walls of the estate, usually so comforting, felt confining. She turned to Cassius, who was reviewing reports at his desk. "What do you say we go for a walk? I think we could all use some fresh air."

Cassius's face lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect. What do you think, Aurora? Want to go exploring?"

Aurora clapped her hands in excitement. "Yes! 'Sploring!"

They bundled up against the cool autumn air, Aurora insisting on wearing her favorite wolf-eared hat. As they stepped outside, Alysa took a deep breath, savoring the crisp mountain air.

Hand in hand, with Aurora skipping between them, they made their way down the winding path that led through the Whiteborn estate. The grounds were a riot of color, the trees adorned in shades of red, gold, and orange.

Aurora chattered away as they walked, pointing out everything that caught her eye. "Look, Mama! Pretty leaf!" she exclaimed, bending to pick up a vibrant red maple leaf.

"It's beautiful, Sweetheart," Alysa agreed, helping Aurora tuck the leaf into her pocket for safekeeping.

Alysa chuckled softly, watching the way Cassius’s face softened as he spoke to their daughter. “She’s growing up too fast,” she said, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.

Cassius nodded, his gaze dropping to meet hers. “But she’ll always be our little girl,” he said, his voice filled with quiet certainty.

A year ago, she had been adrift, unsure of her place in the world. Now, she was mated to the man she had loved for so long, mother to a beautiful little girl, and carrying a new life within her. The enormity of it all threatened to overwhelm her at times.

As if sensing her mood, Cassius squeezed her hand gently. "What's on your mind, my love?"

Alysa smiled, leaning into his solid warmth. "Just thinking about how far we've come. How different things were a year ago."

Cassius nodded, his eyes softening as he gazed at her. "I thank the Moon Goddess every day for bringing you into my life, Alysa. You and Aurora… you're everything to me."

His words warmed her from the inside out, chasing away the lingering doubts and fears. "And you're everything to us," she replied, her voice thick with emotion.

They came to a stop at the edge of a small clearing, Aurora running ahead to chase a butterfly. Cassius wrapped his arms around Alysa from behind, his hands coming to rest on her rounded belly.

"I love you," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "Both of you. All of you."

Alysa leaned back into his embrace, watching as Aurora twirled in a shower of falling leaves. The setting sun painted the sky in breathtaking shades of pink and gold, a fitting backdrop to the perfect moment.

As they made their way back to the home, Aurora's energy finally flagging as she asked to be carried, Alysa's mind drifted to the future. There would be challenges ahead, she knew. The responsibilities of being Alpha-Mate, the joys and trials of raising two children, and the constant work of maintaining the alliance between Packs.

But with Cassius by her side and the love of their growing family to sustain them, Alysa felt ready to face whatever came their way.

As they crossed the threshold of their home, Aurora already half-asleep in Cassius's arms, Alysa paused for a moment. She looked back at the sprawling grounds of the Whiteborn estate, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. A sense of belonging, of rightness, washed over her.

This is my Pack.

Her hand rested protectively over her rounded belly. With a contented smile, Alysa closed the door behind her, and she knew with absolute certainty that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

*****

THE END

Hi! I hope you liked reading “The Alpha's Pretend Mate”. The next part in this series is “The Alpha's Bullied Sold Mate”. Check out the book and grab your copy below:

The Alpha's Bullied Sold Mate

He bullied me severely, leaving me traumatized and an outcast.

I ran from my pack, only to end up as a captive, tortured and enslaved by others.

But now my dark witch powers have become useless to my captors, and so they sell me on.

Turns out my new owner is the Alpha who tormented me until I broke…

He is the new owner of this land, and he pays double the price I’m being sold for.

Then I’m put in his hands, and he takes me to his house.

He removes the shock collar, brushing his fingers against my bruised neck.

He stays in the room while his servants clean me, helpless and vulnerable.

I’m so angry about the things he did to me, the way he humiliated me.

I want to hate him, but my starved body falls apart in his cold hands.

I want to fight him, but I’m so helpless that I can only surrender to his cruel strokes.

Day by day his hands tease my body until I have no self-control left.

Will my bully Alpha heal all the wounds he’s caused?

Get “The Alpha's Bullied Sold Mate” now