Epilogue

"Ican't do it," I mutter, staring out the window at the crowd of shifters congregating on the lawn outside. There's a marque, bar, and a bonfire. The music is low and everyone is still just milling around making small talk, rather than really getting into the swing of things.

That's because they're waiting for a speech. From me.

"Yes, you can," Tyson says patiently, smoothing his hands from my shoulders down to my hands before massaging my shoulders, easing the tensions from my muscles and making me melt into his touch. "You can do this because you know that deep down, they're ready."

Shaking my head, my gaze lands on the three boys standing together, close to the fire, laughing at some secret joke. Well-wishers stop by and pat them on the back, giving them words of encouragement on their last night with the pack.

Tomorrow, they leave for alpha school. Stacks of boxes sit at the top of the stairs, filled with books and stationary, computer equipment and clothes. The alpha suite that makes up the top floor of the house already feels bare without their crap littering every surface.

Blake kept his promise. Tyson and Noah dedicated themselves to getting Seth and Lucian up to speed, and now they're all leaving me. And I'm not coping very well.

"This is your fault. Who knew you could be a good teacher? You're far too impatient."

Tyson takes my insults good-naturedly, knowing they come from a place of concern. My boys are all grown up.

"You should have known, mate. I did turn Matt into a paragon of vampire virtue in record time. It was impressive if I do say so myself."

Scoffing at his smug expression, I give him a one-shouldered shrug. "I put that down to Raiden and Max keeping him sexed up and well fed." Keeping up with two mates is no mean feat. He's probably too tired to get himself into any mischief.

Tyson frowns. "That might have had something to do with it too, but I think I deserve most of the credit. Obviously."

Sighing, I turn to face him, patting him on the cheek gently, admiring his adorable pout. "Of course you do."

"Don't patronise me woman." Tyson leans in for a quick kiss, nipping my bottom lip hard. "Let's go. Before you get yourself even more worked up."

Reluctantly, I let Tyson lead me away from the window and downstairs to the front door. Casting my gaze around the pack house, allowing myself a moment of pride at how pack members mill through the communal downstairs now, feeling completely at home in the new layout. Small groups gather on the living room sofas and I can hear someone raiding the massive shared refrigerators.

This house isn't the alpha's house anymore, it belongs to everyone.

Which is a good thing, because with the three boys gone, it's going to feel very empty, and very quiet from now on. The ball of nerves in my stomach gets bigger and bigger, and now it feels like it's moving up to my chest. Dread sits on my ribcage like an elephant, making it hard to breathe.

"No, stop. They aren't going forever, they get holidays, too. You do know that, don't you? The whole point of this is so that Noah can come home, take over, and live here forever. You don't have to worry about some she-wolf stealing him away to her pack. They'll be back here in no time, eating our food and breaking our furniture."

I look up at Tyson with a watery smile. I know he's right but I still can't rid myself of the dread I feel at letting them off by themselves into the big bad world.

Okay, fair enough, maybe a giant gated mansion, where they're monitored and surrounded by professional trainers isn't exactly the same as them wandering out into the wilderness. But still.

"Just think. When they come back, we can retire early and spend our days here annoying them, eating them out of house and home, throwing parties that go on way too late…"

I'm going to miss those parties, and the house being filled with young pack members, all keen to make the boys feel at home in the year we've been here. Looking out at the smiling faces, here to wish their future alpha well on his travels, I wonder if they'll be as happy when he's gone, when it's just me in charge.

Tyson stands in front of me and rolls his eyes. "It's not just you. It's you and me. You've been doing a brilliant job. They love you. Noah being gone won't change that."

Imposter syndrome whispers in my ear that I'm not up to this job. I'm not a Luna by blood, but through a mating that was a complete disaster.

Shaking his head, Tyson snatches me up and lifts me, depositing me a few feet to the side, out of sight of the waiting shifters. Nuzzling into my neck, he kisses my mark, breathing deep and runs his nose up the column of my throat like he does when he's about to feed.

"No, you can't, not here…" I press my hands to his chest and stare at him wide-eyed. He can't be serious. There are people everywhere.

"Just think, Mandy. Without the boys here, the house will be quieter, I'll give you that. But do you know what that means?"

When his lips close around my mark again and he sucks gently, I feel the pull like he's tugging directly on my clit. Digging my teeth into my bottom lip, I stifle a moan, even as my pussy clenches.

"You won't have to be quiet anymore. We won't have to worry about who's going to walk in at any moment looking for one of us. My dreams of keeping you naked all the time can finally come true."

My laugh turns into a whimper as he continues to make his point, his lips and tongue combining to torture the sensitive parts of my body with gently kisses and licks. When his hands start to roam, and I shiver with desire in his grasp, I know it's time to stop this before we get carried away.

"You'll have to do lots to keep me distracted. But not now, Tyson." With one last squeeze of my ass, he steps back with a wink.

"Your wish is my command, Luna." Extending a hand, he takes mine in his and tangles our fingers together, stroking my palm with his thumb as we make our way out into the dusk, pausing on the top step. Straightening my back, I suck in a deep breath as the gathering shifters slowly turn to face us, and conversations tail off. Tyson leans down, keeping his lips next to my cheek so his next words are for my ears only. "I'm more than happy to keep you distracted for the rest of our lives."

As Noah steps forward, flanked on either side by his two best friends, I feel the tears welling up in my eyes. "You did a great job, Mandy, look at him. He's going to be fine." Tyson's words of encouragement and the absolute confidence I feel radiating across the bond settles my anxiety. "And he deserves this. He's born for it."

My gaze locks with Noah's. He's watching me carefully, taking in my glistening eyes and Tyson's reassuring hand on my waist. I give him a firm nod, letting him know I'm alright and he smiles, reaching out to squeeze my hand in his.

Tyson's pride shines through, and I finally relax, a sense of peace washing over me. He's not my boy anymore. He's a young man, future alpha of this pack, and a son I can be proud of. Whatever doubts I have about myself, I don't doubt how perfect Noah is for the role of alpha.

Tyson's right. He was born for this. He's going to be okay.

Thankyou for reading the Steel Pack Alphas!