Cerys Epilogue-One Month Later
It had been a month since the other shifters were informed of the Knights and what was to come. It had been tense for all of us, but so far, no one had come looking for us. We knew it was only a matter of time. There was no way the Knights would pass up a chance to eliminate even one shifter.
However, we hadn’t stopped living our lives, no matter how scared we were. We remained alert and made sure not to go places alone. At first, when Brax or one of the Sentinels weren’t available, I was shocked to find myself with one of the other male shifters shadowing me. I’d protested that, but Brax explained that I represented hope for so many that they insisted on helping to watch over me. It warmed my heart.
Brax and I hadn’t wanted to wait to get married. We had a small ceremony with just us, the guys, Twyla, and my friends at his house with a minister. Afterward, we’d held a reception in town for the others who we wanted there, such as the other shifters. We’d been wary of us all gathering like that, but it was safer in many ways. We’d done it the day after Thanksgiving.
We were thrilled with two of the guests who came to the wedding. I got to meet Brax’s parents. They’d welcomed me with open arms and were beyond happy he was mated and about to make them grandparents. They’d stayed for three weeks and just returned to Greece with promises to see us again soon. We were hoping that meant they’d move here, but we’d have to wait and see.
I was still working, but not as much as I had been. The babies were taking a lot out of me. I’d changed to working two or three days a week, but only eight-hour shifts. I was busy preparing for my first Christmas with Brax. I hoped that we’d make it through it without any unwelcome surprises, but I found that wasn’t to be moments ago. Brax and several of the other Sentinels came barreling into the house. They scared me to death.
“What’s wrong? Are they here?” I gasped in fright.
Brax came to me, taking me into his arms. He hugged me. “I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you, Astéri mou . No, it’s not the Knights. But we do have something. We’ve received word from Fennick. He’s caught the scent of a small band of shifters who’ve been camping in Joshua Tree National Park. Some of us are headed out to help him talk to them and see where they’re from and to find out if they know about the Knights. If they do, why are they out there? We also want to see if we can get them to come closer to here for protection.”
Excitement entered me. It would be good to feel that we’d helped others. And who knew? They might be lucky to discover a mate or two for our friends here in Needles. No matter what, we refused to stop living, hoping, dreaming, or fighting for our survival.
The end