40. Epilogue
Epilogue
A MONTH LATER
The weight that used to sit on my chest like a lead anchor is gone. For the first time in years, I can breathe. Damien’s shadow isn’t looming over me, and the world doesn’t feel as suffocating. He’s got this massive scar across the left side of his face, a permanent disfigurement as a reminder of whose world he stepped into. He’s become some sort of pariah in the security business but that’s not my problem.
All in all, it’s kind of weird, really. Like I’ve forgotten what normal is supposed to feel like, but it’s smooth sailing with my mates. Mostly. When they’re not growling at someone for looking at me strange, things are perfect.
The people at the company are nothing but kind. Whatever rumors Damien tried to stir up with that post were quickly silenced when it got taken down. Sure, there’s the occasional whisper, some curious glances when I pass, but it’s not mean-spirited. It’s not cruel. People smile now. They wave. One Omega even asked about my sweater the other day—Amel’s, of course, but I just said it was vintage and she looked impressed.
Still, there’s this ache I can’t shake, a little hollow spot in my chest that Carla fills. Cutting off that part of my life was the best decision I’ve ever made, but it doesn’t make it any easier. She’s probably still with Damien, still stuck in his world, and I want to reach out so badly. But what could I even say? “Hey, sorry your husband’s a monster, want to grab coffee?” It’s better this way, even if it hurts.
My days feel fuller now, though, especially since I convinced my mates to let me pick my shifts back up at the bookstore. It took a week of pleading looks and promises that I’d be careful, but they caved. The only rule is that one of them has to pick me up and drop me off. No arguments. No exceptions. They’re overprotective in the best way—hovering, sure, but in a way that feels more like love than suffocation.
Between the cuddles, the soft caresses, and the date nights they’ve planned, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on much. Amel takes me on these slow strolls across the estate, showing me little nooks and crannies he says are all mine now. Moses is always sneaking me away during office hours for coffee breaks or quick kisses in the hallway. And Hunter, gods, he’s relentless in the best way—grinning and tugging me into his lap at the most inconvenient moments, like he can’t bear to be away from me for too long.
Last night, they took me to the rooftop of their office building. The sky was clear, the stars scattered across the darkness like glitter. They’d set up a little picnic with a ridiculous amount of pillows and blankets, a soft glow of string lights hanging above us. It was perfect. It didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. Not the fancy dinners, not the public displays. Because this? This is my everything.
This morning, Moses was the one to drive me to the bookstore. He wouldn’t stop grumbling about how early it was and how he didn’t trust the Beta working there, but his smile when I kissed his cheek before hopping out of the car was worth it. I know they’re all trying, adjusting to my independence, and it makes me love them even more.
And now, I’m bursting out of my skin, Hunter having mentioned something about a present fifteen minutes ago. Moses won’t drive any faster, no matter how many blowjobs I pressure him with. I even try to reach over and unzip his pants but he actually slaps my hands away, murmuring something about patience.
The second I see the sleek black car parked in the driveway, my stomach twists into knots. It’s not one of ours—I know every inch of their cars by now. Hell, I can practically hear Hunter grumbling about scratches whenever he cleans them. But this one? It’s unfamiliar, almost intimidating in its sleekness. I frown, glancing at Moses as he pulls into the driveway.
“Whose car is that?” I ask.
Moses doesn’t answer right away, his lips curling into a small, amused smile. “Why don’t you go find out?”
I narrow my eyes at him, but he’s already climbing out of the car, walking around to open my door like the gentleman he is. Still, his grin makes me suspicious. He’s hiding something and I don’t like being the last to know. “Moses,” I say, dragging his name out like a warning. He just laughs, leaning down to kiss my forehead.
“Go on, sweetheart. Your surprise is waiting.”
I huff, grabbing my bag and stalking toward the front door, my heart racing with every step. A million thoughts flood my mind. Is it a client? Someone from work? Or is this just another one of Hunter’s wild plans to throw me off my game?
The front door is already open, a quiet hum of voices filtering out. I push it open slowly, the air thick with the familiar mix of scents from my mates. But there’s something else there now, a sharp sweetness I can’t place. My senses are on edge as I step inside.
I barely make it past the threshold before a squeal rips through the air, followed by a blur of black hair and wide arms. Amelia crashes into me, clinging to me like it’s been decades instead of a few years. Her giggles fill the air as she rocks me back and forth before I’m able to peel her off.
“Holy shit, Amelia! What are you doing here?” I gasp, stepping back just enough to get a good look at her.
She grins, eyes shining, and then I notice it—her hands resting over her stomach. My gaze drops, and I freeze. Her belly’s slightly rounded, not huge, but enough to notice. My heart skips a beat, and I look back up at her face. “You’re... pregnant?”
Amelia bites her bottom lip, a flicker of worry crossing her face. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be happy about it. With everything you’ve been going through—”
“Oh, stop.” I cut her off, pulling her into another hug, tears pricking at my eyes. “Amelia, I’m ecstatic. This is amazing news.”
Her whole body relaxes against me, and she lets out a relieved laugh. “Good. Because you’re the baby’s godmother and it would be awfully awkward if you weren’t okay with this.”
I laugh, wiping at my face as I pull back to look at her again. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I’m serious,” she says, her grin as wide as mine.
I shake my head in disbelief, glancing over her shoulder—and that’s when I notice the others. Hunter’s leaning casually against the counter, his arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face. Amel’s beside him, his brow raised in amusement. But it’s the two unfamiliar men standing near the doorway that catch my attention.
They’re big—bigger than most Alphas I’ve seen. One has dark hair pulled back into a sleek bun, his piercing green eyes scanning me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. That has to be her Valla. The other is blond, his build just as broad, but his expression is softer, almost curious.
Amelia notices my gaze and laughs. “Oh! Koa, meet my mates. The brooding one is Ezra and the golden retriever over there is Theo.”
Ezra nods once, Theo offering a warm smile from his perch against the counter. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Amelia talks about you all the time.”
“I hope all good things.”
“Only the best,” he says with a wink.
Amelia rolls her eyes, looping her arm through mine. “Don’t let Theo’s charm fool you. He’s a menace.”
“I’m standing right here, babe,” Theo says, pretending to be wounded.
Amelia starts chatting away about the baby names she’s considering when Hunter saunters over, his smirk so smug I know he’s about to start something. Sure enough, he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my temple, his hand brushing along my lower back.
“We promised you real dates and outings, didn’t we?” he murmurs, his voice warm and teasing. “Turns out our schedules lined up perfectly with a certain friend of yours.”
I pull back, narrowing my eyes at him. “How’d you manage that? You don’t even know Amelia like that.”
Moses snorts from across the room, clearly unable to resist. “That would be because Hunter went through your phone.”
I whirl around to glare at him, my jaw dropping. “You what ?”
Hunter has the nerve to grin, leaning against the counter like he didn’t just admit to being a nosy little shit. “What? You left it unlocked and I was curious.”
I swat at him, laughing despite myself. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Yeah, but it’s the best present ever, isn’t it?” he asks, pulling me into a quick kiss, his smug smile pressed against my lips.
I’m still mid-laugh when Moses steps forward, arms crossed, his smirk a mirror of Hunter’s. “Please. My present’s better.”
I put out my hand, wiggling my fingers as I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Let’s see it, then.”
Moses pulls a small piece of paper from his pocket, unfolding it slowly for dramatic effect before holding it out. My eyes widen as I read the ticket: Monaco.
My jaw drops and I stare between him and the ticket. “You’re kidding. Monaco ?”
He nods, that satisfied glint in his eyes making him look even more smug. “Thought you could use a little luxury. Consider it our first trip as a pack. Well, more of like a double date? I have no idea what you call it when two packs go together.”
I’m stunned, my mouth opening and closing as I try to process the idea. Amel clears his throat behind me as if he knew I was about to ask what he got me. I’ve become a very, very spoiled Omega but I’m allowed to be. I turn to find him huffing, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. “Am I not enough of a present?” he asks, his voice laced with mock offense.
I grin, teasing my bottom lip as I raise an eyebrow at him. “You’re a great present, but now I’m wondering if you’re holding out on me.”
He lets out a deep laugh, shaking his head before gesturing toward my room. “Fine. Check your room. I might have gotten you a few new outfits you’ll need for this trip.”
There’s about three seconds before I pull away from my Valla and rush toward my bedroom, dragging Amelia with me. Ezra’s yelling something about being careful with his babies and Theo’s telling him to knock it off but I’m more focused on the wardrobe laid out on my bed—well, Hunter’s bed but I stole it the first night I moved it.
Amelia hops on the edge of the mattress, cradling her bump. “See? I told you that your luck would pan out, Koa. It always does.”
I never thought we’d be sharing a moment like this. A moment where we are both happy, mated, and wholly taken care of. “No, I’m not sure I would call this one luck. This feels more like fate.”