Epilogue- Wisteria

Eli stirs next to me in bed, groaning as he presses his lips to my shoulder. He reaches over to swat at his phone on the nightstand, which is currently humming an alarm.

"We could skip tonight." I turn and nestle against him, bare skin rubbing against his. He groans as his cock twitches between us, his blue-grey eyes cracking open as he manages a small smile.

"I'm sorely tempted." He leans in, brushing his mouth against mine. "I can't go another round, though. I don't think I'll be able to get it up for another week."

"That's not true." I laugh. "But we could take a hot bath together and get takeout, if you want?"

It's the night after the full moon. For six whole months now, Eli and I have gotten to enjoy the day after he shifts together. I schedule it off every month, the day after the moon and the next after that, enjoying the pleasures of being wrapped up in bed with Eli and then recuperating. The moment he shifts back, he comes straight home and tumbles me into bed, knotting me and keeping me there until we're both wrung dry of orgasms and so exhausted we can barely see straight.

I wondered if the novelty would wear off, after a little while. Eli made it clear that if I'm ever not down to be literally tied up with him for most of a day, kept in bed while he fucks me over and over, he'll take care of it himself. "I took care of it with my own hand for years," he told me, when the first moon approached. "I'll do the same if you're ever not in the mood."

But I anticipate the moon as much as he does, now. And even though the normal cycle for shifters is to mostly lose their libido for the first week after, it hasn't worked that way for us. By tomorrow, despite how sore we both are, he'll be inside me again.

"We gotta go." Eli sits up, running a hand through his messy hair. "I already made the plans, and you don't wanna cancel on Penelope."

"I'm sure she'd understand." It took some time, but Penelope warmed up to Eli, although it took a few months. Even now, she's not entirely trusting of him, and I know she thinks we rushed into the bond. But we're happy together–I'm happy–and no part of me regrets it. I know I never will.

"Trust me, I'm exhausted, too. But we shouldn't cancel." He pushes the sheets back, and I savor the sight of his muscled, naked body on display in front of me. Even after a day of endless orgasms and the utter exhaustion that I feel, I can't help but feel a faint stirring of desire.

He stands up, giving me an inviting look. "Come shower with me. I'll make you come again, if you want."

"I don't think I could manage it any more than you can right now." I laugh, but I follow him to the shower.

An hour later, we're both ready, heading out to take his bike to the Howling Moon. It's a warm May night, and I breathe in the scent of fresh air and flowers. Eli told me to dress up a little, so I put on a dress despite being on the motorcycle, a long blue and white paisley maxi with slits up the sides and thin criss-crossed straps. My ankle boots will manage the ride well enough, and I tuck the skirt up under my legs, making sure it won't blow free and get tangled.

Eli drives slowly to the bar. It's surprisingly quiet, and I look at him curiously as we pull up to the front. He helps me off the bike, an oddly secretive grin on his lips as he leads me inside.

The moment we step into the warmly lit space, I realize why it was so quiet. There's only a handful of people inside–all friends of ours. Adam is there, and Penelope and Delia, along with the rest of the coven. Xander, who Eli has gotten to be better friends with, is there too, and two shifters he hangs out with on occasion–Liam and another biker called Ace. They're all talking quietly with drinks, but everyone stops and looks our way as we walk in.

"Eli?" I look at him confusedly. "What's going on?"

Eli leads me up towards the low stage where the live music plays when there's a band at the bar, in front of our friends. My heart starts to flutter in my chest, because it seems like–

No. He's not going to. Why would he? It's not like we aren't already bonded in every way that matters…

As if he can hear what's in my head, Eli takes both of my hands, sinking down to one knee. "Wisteria Avon–" His voice cracks a little, and I look down at his handsome face, emotion tightening my chest until I can barely breathe.

"I love you," he continues. "I'm pretty sure I've loved you since the moment I first saw you walk into this bar. I've spent my whole life on the run, never stayin' anywhere too long, but you make me want to put down roots and never leave again. The only way I'm ever going anywhere is if you're by my side."

He takes a deep, slow breath. "I know we're bonded. We're mates. We've already promised each other forever. But that's all on account of what I am. So I wanted to ask you this way, too, Wisteria. I wanna give you what you'd have if I were human, same way you've given me everythin' a wolf could ask for. Will you marry me?"

There's a blue velvet box in his hand. When he opens it, there's a small oval diamond inside, on a thin rose-gold band etched with tiny leaves. I let out a gasp, entirely unable to speak for a moment. It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, and I never thought any of this would happen.

"Wisteria?" He looks up at me, worry suddenly in his eyes, and I realize I've stared at it moment too long.

"Yes," I breathe. "Yes, of course I'll marry you."

It should be the silliest thing in the world. We're already bonded in ways that nothing can ever break, tied to each other physically and spiritually by something that happened beyond our control and our own choice. Fated mates and chosen, twice over.

But the look in Eli's eyes as he stands up, sliding the ring onto my finger, is anything but silly. And the feeling in my chest, overflowing with love and happiness, is also anything but.

"This is beyond anything I could have ever thought to imagine," I whisper, as he pulls me into his arms and our friends start to cheer.

"Oh I know, darlin'," he whispers, running his hand through my hair as he draws me closer for a kiss. "But I'm gonna spend my whole life, givin' you everythin' you want and more."

And then his mouth is on mine, and I know I already have that.

I have Eli, and this moment. I have Bayton, and my shop, and my friends. I have a life that is lived wholly as myself, without secrets or pretense, and someone who loves me just as I am.

I have everything I could have ever dreamed of.

And far, far more.

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