Cage Me: A Wolf Shifter Romantasy (Immortal Vices and Virtues: Shadow Shifter Bonds Book 1)

Epilogue

Two Months Later…

For over twenty years, I wasn’t sure I would ever feel at home somewhere, or that I would be able to allow myself that kindness. I was afraid to be myself, afraid of the unknown, but no longer.

Not only do I have a home, but I’m no longer in hiding.

Over the last month, since we officially joined Corvin’s pack, I’ve stopped concealing my wolf. The fear my mother instilled in me for so long is gone and, even better, she hasn’t had a vision of my death since Samuel died.

We’ll never know if he was the only danger to me, or if me finding Drake made the difference, but either way, the peace we both have is something I’m thankful for every day.

“Where’s my dove?” Drake calls from the front door of our new home.

“The kitchen.” I put the last of the silverware into the drawer and turn toward his approaching footsteps.

It’s our move-in day at Corvin’s pack. Mom and Peter have been living here since a week after Kasha’s house was destroyed, but I wasn’t keen on staying in the pack house with my new mate, opting to wait until my mother and brother had their own place and for one to be available for Drake and me.

The shed had suited me just fine for months and somehow survived during Kasha’s windstorm, turned tornado. I figured that was a sign for us to stay a bit longer.

Drake enters the kitchen carrying more boxes. “Natalia sent these. She said ‘Your mate needs a new wardrobe. Fill her closet with these.’ I haven’t looked inside, and I wasn’t going to tell her no.”

My big, wolfy mate is such a softy.

I grab the top box and open the flaps. To my surprise, it’s filled with jeans, a pair of new boots, and plain tees. Just my style. I really do adore that witch.

“Drop them in the bedroom,” I tell him. “I’ll put those away next.”

Another knock sounds at the door that opens before we can reply. “Anyone home?” Corvin announces, and I shake my head.

He knows damn well we are seeing as how he’s our alpha and has a direct link to us, but I don’t bother to remind him of that. Especially when he’s been so kind to my family.

“I was just checking in on Cara and Peter and thought I’d stop by,” he says, standing near our new-to-us table. “Is this cabin going to work for the two of you?”

I glance around at the one-bedroom place. There’s a place to cook, somewhere to eat, a couch to relax on in front of a fireplace, and a bedroom that I get to share with my mate. I don’t think that I could ask for much more.

“It’s perfect,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

He rocks back on his feet. “Good. As soon as you’re settled, let me know.”

His tone tells me there’s more he wants to say, but like the good alpha I’ve begun to know, he’s trying to be patient.

“I know what I signed up for, Corvin,” I say with a grin. “If the pack needs help with something, unpacking can wait.”

Even when I lived within Fire and Fluorite, I never felt like I had a home. Yet, even before moving onto the pack lands, Corvin has gone out of his way to make both Drake and I part of his growing family. We’ve been invited to nighttime runs, a few group dinners, and he’s made sure we’ve had everything we need.

Repaying that kindness is no hardship for me and based on Drake’s increased interest, I’d say the same for my mate.

“There’ve been some disturbances at the portal,” Corvin says. “Nothing major, but we thought having a shadow shifter there for the next couple of nights might help stave off any further misconduct.”

I glance at Drake, and he’s already nodding. “Count me in.”

“Thank you,” he says, then nods back at the door. “I’ll see myself out. Make sure to let me know if you need anything to make this place feel like home.”

A laugh bubbles up inside me. “I’ve been living in a shed for six months. I’m pretty sure we’re good here.”

Drake wraps an arm around me and kisses the top of my head as Corvin lets himself out. “He’s a good leader. I wasn’t sure with him only being half-shifter, but he’s proven himself a worthy alpha.”

That he has.

I glance out the window in front of the table next to us and sigh happily. Peter is out front, playing with one of the other pups within the pack. They have sticks they’re using as swords and giggling as children should.

Kasha’s adjustment to his emotions has since faded, but he’s moved on with life since killing his father, eager to live without the fear he’d only ever known.

He and Mom live in the cabin next to ours. She hasn’t been leaving much, but I know she’s trying and one day she’ll get there. Maybe she’ll even meet someone new to piece the shattered bits of her heart back together.

Drake holds me tighter. “You did good, My Dove. You’re everything I thought you would be and more.”

“This wasn’t all me.” I turn in his arms and look up at him. “I might still hate the world if you hadn’t forced your way into my heart.”

“I would grovel at your feet for millennia if that’s what it took to win you over.” His lips brush lightly over mine. “I’m just grateful you didn’t make me wait that long.”

The door opens again, but in unison, we both say, “Go away.”

“Try again,” a familiar voice replies. “We have plans and you’re not canceling.” Kasha stands in the doorway. “Now, quit sucking face. We have a girls’ night planned.”

Another revelation in my life. All the people in Crossroads who had tried to befriend me when I first arrived have slowly come back into my life.

I glance at the clock in the kitchen. “It’s only five. Night isn’t for another few hours at least.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “You are the worst at checking your phone. The plans changed. Now, let’s go. Styx and Sin are already waiting at the pack house.”

Drake releases me with a smile so sweet I nearly melt at his feet. “Have fun, and don’t come back before midnight.”

“You suck.” My lower lip juts out.

He leans as if he’s going to kiss my cheek and whispers, “No, that’s your job.”

I grip his shirt and move to capture his mouth, but Kasha throws a pillow from the couch at us. “Seriously. You can get laid any other night. Let’s go.”

“I’ll see you soon,” I say and reluctantly part from my mate. “Don’t have too much fun at the portal tonight without me.”

“I’ll do my best.” He blows me a kiss, then I’m yanked out the front door.

“You are such a lucky bitch.” She shakes her head. “You and Styx with your too-sweet-for-their-own-good men. Though, Raegan can’t really complain either with her broody, knows-he’s-a-God mate.”

I pat her back and shake my head. “We need to get you laid at the minimum.”

She huffs. “Preach.”

But she also isn’t wrong. I know exactly how lucky I am, and I make sure Drake knows how much I appreciate him every day. Better yet, I know that nothing in this world will tear us apart.

Our bond is forever and so is our love, something I’ll never take for granted again.

Checking my phone, I see there are more than just the text updates about girls’ night.

Tori: Legion’s stuck at work and I slipped through the portal. Let’s get into some trouble.

I grin. My other fae friend.

I haven’t yet invited her to hang out with the others. Half because she moved to Tartarus and half because I’m still adjusting to actually having friends and I think she might be, too, after the hell she recently went through, but maybe this is the perfect night.

“I’m going to invite my friend Tori,” I tell Kasha as we walk toward the pack house.

“Tell her to meet us here. We’re still waiting on Raegan and Clara.”

I’ve yet to meet those two myself, but the former has been talked about enough that I feel as if I already know her.

I text Tori back with the details and before my phone is even tucked back into my pocket, she replies.

Tori: I’m in.

This night is either going to make me wish I stayed a loner or it’s going to be one I won’t soon forget. Only time will tell…and maybe a few drinks.

Three hours later, the sun has only just set, but I can barely see straight, and my cheeks hurt from laughing so much.

“I’m a God and your mate.” Raegan crosses her arms and glowers, deepening her voice. “You will stay with me or else…”

“And then you fuck his brains out and everyone lives happiler ever after.” Clara hiccups and laughter echoes around from all of us as her cheeks redden. “Happiler? Happily? Whatever.”

Raegan drops the fa?ade and shrugs with a wicked grin. “I mean, he is a God.”

“Gods aren’t the only ones with talented cocks,” I mutter behind my glass, and all eyes turn toward me.

Shit, did I say that out loud?

Tori raises an eyebrow, her green eyes on me. “Do tell.”

“Yes, please,” Kasha whines. “I need to live vicariously through all of you. My vagina is starting to shrivel up from lack of use.”

“Oh!” Sin holds up a finger as she finishes off her drink, then her gaze lands on Raegan. “Bruno.”

“Bruno?” The unicorn shifter cocks her head to the side. “What did he do now?”

Sin’s smirk grows. “It’s more like who he’s going to do.”

Kasha perks up. “Tell me more. I’m not afraid to admit I’m desperate and willing to take a set-up, or even a pity fuck.”

“I’m sure we can find a shadow shifter to devour you,” Styx chimes in, sipping on her whiskey and maintaining the most control over herself compared to the rest of us.

My fae-wolf shifter friend waggles her brows. “Why can’t I have both?”

More laughter fills the room, and a warmth grows within my chest.

This is the life I always wanted, but never thought I could have. A mate who not only consumes me, heart and soul, but would burn the world to protect me, my family safe and sound and close by, and the most badass group of friends a woman could ask for.

I never expected any of this, but now that I’m finally living my life, I’m more thankful than ever before to just be me. I can be myself not only with my mate, but with these women.

I never have to hide who I am or what my wolf is. Not ever again. That alone has me grinning and raising my glass.

“To having everything we want and more!”

The End.