Epilogue
APRIL
ONE MONTH LATER
“A mating bite doesn’t fix everything, but it seems like it’s helping you.”
I’m in Sandy’s office, catching up on my therapy sessions that I kept postponing.
I almost didn’t want to tell her about the mating bites—it wasn’t the most rational decision, and I was scared that she would judge me.
I should have known better than that.
My therapist is happy for me.
I shift in my chair, unable to keep the smile off my face. “It feels…” I pause, attempting to find the correct words. “It feels… right. Like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
Sandy puts her notebook down and smiles. “That’s all I want for you,” she says. “April, you’re a survivor, first of all. And watching you make your own decisions and take autonomy for your future tells me you’re doing something right.”
I nod. “I think so, too.”
I’ve been grinning like an idiot for the past month. The moment my Heat on the yacht ended, Donovan bought it from Tom and Sophie. I didn’t realize it until later, but we basically desecrated the thing.
And when we arrived back at the packhouse, our mating bond still fresh, we destroyed every room in that place, too.
Without locking any doors, of course, since Donovan ripped all the doorknobs off.
Sandy’s eyebrows shot up into her skull when I told her what he did, but she played it off quickly, being the therapist she is.
She’s got a pretty good poker face, but Donovan’s actions still managed to shock her, just like they did me.
“And the housewarming party is later today, right?” Sandy asks, a soft smile still on her face. “How do you feel about that?”
“I mean, there’s a reason we’re having the session today,” I laugh, absentmindedly picking at the seat cushion. “Everyone’s going to be in the same place at once. Skylar’s pack, my pack, my mom, and Devyn and Ben. They’ve never all really met each other, and I’m worried it could go wrong.”
“How so?”
“Well…” I trail off and clear my throat, looking away from Sandy. “I don’t know. I’m worried they’re going to judge me for moving in so quickly with them. Or think it’s weird that they bought a new house in Isleton just so I could be closer to my café and family. And that they built a helipad for it, too. It will be the only helicopter in Isleton, I think.”
“But Skylar and Devyn don’t judge you,” my therapist adds. “They’re happy for you.”
“I know. Still…if you asked me a year ago, I would never do something like this. I would say it’s irrational, and I didn’t put enough thought into it. Who moves in with a pack that quickly?”
“April, it sounds like you’re judging you. I don’t think anyone else is.”
I bite my lip. “Hmm.”
“Based on what you’ve told me about the people in your life, they just want what’s best for you. They want you happy.”
I know Sandy’s right, but I can’t stop the anxiety that creeps through my system.
“I still feel like I came back wrong, sometimes,” I admit. “I mean, the issue with the doors, the way I act…”
“Those things don’t change overnight,” Sandy says gently. “No one experiences trauma and comes back ‘wrong.’ Everyone responds in different ways.”
I nod, still unsure.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing, April. Keep taking those baby steps.”
“I wouldn’t call moving into a brand new home with my mates a baby step,” I mutter.
Sandy chuckles. “Neither would I. I would call it a leap of faith.”
The house is lovely.
It’s not as flashy as the one in Stone County, and I prefer it that way.
Nestled on a private road surrounded by redwood trees, it’s only around fifteen minutes from both my mom and Skylar’s homes. A sprawling stone driveway leads up to the two story residence, with perfectly manicured hedges and rosebushes. It looks simple enough on the outside—white with a dark brick roof and French windows—but inside, it’s completely renovated.
I swallow as I pull into the driveway, eyeing the cars already parked. Everyone is here.
I don’t even make it to the front double doors when Devyn opens them and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, my god !”
I can’t help it. I laugh at my friend’s delight. “Do you like it?”
“Can I live here? April, the kitchen ! It’s the most amazing kitchen I’ve ever seen!”
The pack made sure I had the kitchen of my dreams, one that I could bake in to my heart’s desire. It’s almost a replica of the one in the packhouse in Stone County, but with more counter space.
“We have guest rooms. You and Ben are welcome anytime,” I tell Devyn.
That was another requirement for the home. There had to be enough guestrooms to host the people I care about.
And the pack’s requirement was a second art studio in the house, where the three of them can create. There’s even a painting hung in there—a painting that Liam was nervous about showing me. It’s something he painted when he was still longing for me and there was no clear definition of what we were.
He painted it when he didn’t know if we would ever be together.
I cried when I saw it, and it was the first piece of art that we displayed in the studio.
Their private studio that Hunter took me to is still there, of course, but this home has one that’s similar, complete with a loft and matching skylight above it.
I didn’t even know it was possible to fall in love with a house, but I did. The first time I walked through the door, I started crying happy tears.
And now, Devyn is crying as well over the double oven in my kitchen. She’s an emotional mess in the best way, and I’m lucky I have a friend that’s so happy to see me taken care of.
“Don’t just stand at the door, silly,” I chastise her softly. “Let’s go inside.”
We follow the sound of voices into the kitchen, where everyone has gathered.
There’s a two-tier chocolate cake sitting on the marble island, along with a plethora of snacks and charcuterie boards. My mom is seated in the living room adjacent to the kitchen, talking with Liam and Landon on the sectional couch.
Vincent and Donovan, however, are standing in front of the kitchen island, having a quiet, intense conversation. Vincent has his arms crossed, and Donovan matches his stance.
“Do I want to know what’s going on over there?” I ask Devyn, motioning toward them.
She shrugs. “No idea. But Ben is with River somewhere. I’m going to go find him!”
As she heads off, Skylar walks in and pulls me into a hug. “Happy housewarming,” she says. “Do you like the snacks?”
“I haven’t tried any yet. But they look amazing. You did a good job.”
She steps out of my embrace and beams. “Thanks! That’s the most important part, after all.”
I raise an eyebrow, not ready to argue with my best friend that snacks are, in fact, not the most important part of this get together.
“Also, before you ask…” she nods at Vincent and Donovan. “They’re actually getting along. Vincent just always looks pissy. And I guess Donovan does, too.”
I shrug. “That makes me feel better. Maybe they’re becoming friends?”
Skylar snorts. “Vincent doesn’t know the word.”
“Neither does Donovan. Maybe they have more in common than they think.” I frown as I look around the living room and kitchen. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Ah. Hunter mentioned a game room, and River and Ben lost their minds. They’re playing pinball.”
I nod. “That sounds about right.”
Our house has a gaming room, complete with pinball machines, retro video games, and floor to ceiling shelves lined with board games.
“This place is fucking amazing,” Skylar adds. “I mean… wow. ”
I look at her and frown. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Uh, you know Devyn and I are going to be living here, right? It’s definitely not too much.”
I laugh. “If you say so.”
“Can I be honest with you?” Skylar asks, cocking her head. “Like, a thousand percent honest?”
I frown. “Aren’t you always?”
“True. Well, what I was going to say is…shut up and be happy. Like, embrace this. Enjoy it. You’re allowed to.”
I smile softly. “If you say so.”
Donovan finds me later in the backyard, sitting by myself at the glass table while the sun sets. Like the packhouse in Stone County, there’s also a gazebo and greenhouse, albeit a bit smaller.
“You’re out here by yourself.”
I look up at him, noticing the slight frown on his face. “I am.”
He nods, then takes the seat next to me, his ocean scent washing over me. “Is there a reason for that?”
The guests are still inside, lively chatter coming from everyone, but I needed a break.
“Just wanted to think for a moment,” I admit. I turn to Donovan, his eyes icy but unguarded.
Ever since the mating bite, he’s been more open with me. Sometimes, I can still sense the walls he tries to build, but even when that happens, he still stays near me.
It’s impossible for the four of us to stay away from each other for long.
I long for them, even when I want moments of alone time.
Donovan doesn’t press me for information. He just sits with me, and takes my hand from under the table, squeezing it.
“You’re got a lot of people that care about you,” he says slowly. “You’re very lucky.”
There’s almost a hint of wistfulness as he says it, and I squeeze his hand back. “You do too, now,” I say. “My family is yours. You know that, right?”
He nods, and a ghost of a smile spreads across his face. “If you say so. I’m not sure if I deserve it.”
I laugh. “No one deserves a Tammy Waters. But she loves you because I love you.”
His scent deepens. “I am honored,” he says slowly, “to be a part of your family. And…I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. He’s apologized so much since our time on the yacht, and I’ve assured him over and over that he doesn’t need to.
But he didn’t listen. He opened up to me about everything in his past—about his complicated relationship with his mother, and his regrets and the pain he still carries with him. We visited her grave together and left flowers there.
He’s continued to be vulnerable with me, sharing the parts of his life that he used to be ashamed of.
“Your actions are your apology,” I tell him simply.
We sit in silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the party from inside.
“I love you,” Donovan whispers.
“I love you, too,” I say simply.
Loving him is as easy as breathing.
It’s simple, even though he’s a complicated Alpha.
“What the fuck, asshole! Did you just beat my high score?”
Hunter’s roar echoes through to the backyard, and I bark out a laugh. “Hunter might have met his match with River,” I chuckle.
Donovan quirks his lip. “Your best friend’s pack is…interesting,” he says slowly. “Vincent is extremely protective of her.”
“Sounds like you,” I murmur. “What were you talking about?”
He raises an eyebrow. “You really want to know?”
I make a face. “Maybe not.”
“He said he understood why I did what I did. But recommended I don’t do it again.”
“That was nice advice,” I say carefully.
“It was.”
Liam steps outside, a lavender colored drink in his hand. He joins us at the table and passes the glass to me, and I smile.
It’s the same calming drink he made for me weeks ago at their house.
I take a sip, and it’s even better than before.
“Thanks,” I say as he grins.
“No problem. Your mom is a fan of it, too. She thinks you should add it to the café rotation.”
I shrug. “Why not? We’re already expanding the coffee menu. Why not add another drink?”
With Liam and Hunter’s assistance, I ended up back in contact with Connor, who was still willing to sample some of his coffee with us. He visited the café, and now Devyn has a crush.
She’s only told me, though.
Hopefully, one day she gathers the courage to pursue a pack with Ben.
In the meantime, I’m just happy to have her over any time she wants, baking and watching reality shows.
There’s another shout from inside, then Hunter is opening the sliding glass door. He points a finger at me and narrows his eyes.
“River’s not allowed here anymore,” he says, his voice low. He’s fuming.
“What the hell happened?” I ask, confused.
“He. Beat. My. Score.”
We’re all silent for a moment, then Liam bursts into laughter. “Finally someone did,” he laughs.
But Hunter looks ready to commit murder. “This shit is fucked up,” he hisses. “You let someone into your house, and then they just casually beat the score you’ve held onto for five years.”
I take a sip of my drink, raising an eyebrow. “I’m…sorry?” I ask.
He huffs, then takes a seat across from me at the table. “It’s not your fault, baby,” he mutters. “Just…what the fuck .”
Liam wraps an arm around my shoulders while Donovan continues to hold my hand.
If the worst thing in my life right now is my best friend’s mate beating my mate’s pinball score, then I’d say I’m pretty damn lucky.
I still can’t believe how far I’ve come in these past months.
I never thought I would have a pack—much less wear a mating bite proudly.
Baby steps.
Maybe I didn’t come back wrong—maybe I came back the way I was supposed to.
Scared but strong. Sometimes angry, but still leading with kindness. With some trauma, but wiser.
Still April. I’m still the friend Skylar goes to when she needs advice. Still the shoulder for Devyn to cry on.
Somehow, I came back in a way that made three men fall in love with me and turn their whole lives upside down just for me.
“What are you thinking about?” Liam asks me softly. “Your scent changed. Are you okay?”
Donovan and Hunter both turn to me, curious.
“I was thinking…” I swallow, unsure how to voice what I’m feeling. “…I was thinking about how I’ve changed since I met you three. How much my life has changed.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” Donovan says softly.
Laughter comes from inside the house, and my heart swells with affection.
I’m exactly where I need to be.
“It’s a great thing,” I say.