Epilogue
ROSE
“This is beautiful,” Netti squeals, her breath puffing in the crisp winter air as we climb out of the backseat of our rental car.
The sharp bite of pine and wood smoke rushes into my lungs, clean and fresh, as I stretch my legs after what feels like hours winding through snow-laden woods since leaving the airport.
The snow crunches under our boots, powdery and untouched, glittering beneath the late-afternoon sun.
“That must be Pinetop,” I murmur, pointing down the slope where a cluster of buildings sits like a toy village, smoke curling lazily into the pale sky. The distant sound of a church bell drifts up the mountain on the wind. “It looks so far away now.”
“Far enough for peace and quiet, close enough to make a supply run,” Connor adds matter-of-factly, though his eyes are glued to the screen of his phone.
“You promised me no work,” Netti scolds. She plucks the phone from his hand and drops it into her purse with a triumphant smirk. “The clan and the business will survive one long weekend without us.”
Connor’s lips flatten, arms crossing over his broad chest. A puff of steam escapes his mouth in a huff. “I was just doing one final check.”
“Sure.” Netti rises onto her tiptoes, presses a quick kiss to his cheek, then loops her fingers through his and tugs him toward the cabin. “Hurry up if you want first pick of the bedrooms.” She glances back at me with a wink before disappearing inside with her mate.
Their voices fade, leaving only the whisper of wind through branches and creak of trees under their snowy burden.
Carter’s heat wraps around me from behind, his strong arms banding my middle.
His breath fans over my throat, warm and damp in the icy air, before he peppers soft, lingering kisses against my skin.
Goosebumps rise beneath his touch, the contrast of his heat and the mountain chill making me shiver.
“You’re going to let them win?” I tease, tilting my head toward the door that swallowed Netti and Connor.
In a blink he spins me, pressing me back against the side of the car. Cold metal bites through my sweater, stealing a gasp, while his body pins me—solid, unyielding, hotter than a bonfire.
“I don’t need the best bedroom to take my mate.
” His voice is a rough growl, vibrating low in his chest. His hips press forward, the hard length of him unmistakable against my belly.
His teeth graze the sensitive curve of my neck in a sharp nip, a dangerous tease that makes my pulse stutter.
“Hell, I don’t even need a bed. Don’t forget, kitten—I’m a wild animal. ”
Heat floods low between my thighs, molten, urgent. My breath catches as every nerve lights up, torn between the mountain air biting at my skin and the feral fire of my wolf pressing into me, branding me as his.
“Carter,” I whisper, breathless, before his mouth captures mine.
“Goddess, I love the way my name sounds on your lips. I’ll never get used to it.” His hand rakes through my hair and I instinctively arch into him.
“If you two don’t get inside, you’ll freeze to death in the snow,” Netti calls, peeking her head out the front door before disappearing again.
“Come on, we should get settled in.” I press against his broad chest, but he keeps me pinned. “It’s cold out here—and I hear there’s a clan of polar bear shifters in these woods.
“Polar bear shifters don’t scare me, and I don’t share what’s mine.” His hand slips under my sweater to palm my breast, pinching my nipple as he presses his thigh between my legs. “I can think of a few ways to keep you warm.”
I gasp, pressing into his touch as my body betrays me, hips grinding for friction I crave.
“You’re such a tease,” I pant against his lips as my whole body sparks with pleasure. He swallows the gasp of my orgasm in a kiss before stepping back, a grin plastered across his face.
“That wasn’t a tease,” Carter growls, heat curling in his words. “That was just the appetizer to what I plan to do with you later.” His eyes flick down my body before he turns away with a grin, muscles flexing as he hefts our luggage from the trunk like it weighs nothing.
“Oh, is that so?” My voice comes out lighter than I expect, breath fogging in the cold, but my pulse hammers like a drum. I snatch up my smaller bag and hurry to catch up, boots crunching in the glittering snow as we follow the stone path toward the cabin.
The sharp mountain air burns my lungs, but the moment we step onto the porch I’m greeted by the rich, woodsy scent of pine logs and smoke, the muffled crackle of a fire already burning inside. We stomp the snow from our boots and leave them neatly on the rack by the door before pushing inside.
“Oh,” I breathe, words catching in my throat. “This is beautiful.”
The cabin feels like something out of a dream.
Golden lamplight glows against dark wooden walls.
The open floor plan flows seamlessly between kitchen, dining, and living space, everything warm and welcoming.
To the left, flames roar inside a stone fireplace, painting the leather couch and low wooden coffee table in a dancing amber glow.
Across the way, two rustic doors must lead to the bedrooms, while wide French doors open onto a breathtaking sweep of white snow spilling across ground dotted with towering pines.
“Get comfortable, I’m whipping up a treat,” Netti calls from the kitchen, her voice bright.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Carter chuckles.
Before I can blink, I’m squealing as he hooks an arm around my waist and hauls me into his lap on the couch.
His chest is solid beneath me, warm through my sweater, and the way his arm tightens possessively around my shoulders sends a flush straight to my cheeks.
Connor claims the opposite couch with easy grace, sprawling like a king on his throne—one leg crossed over the other, his arm stretched casually along the cushions. He watches us with a glint of amusement, though he says nothing.
“Do you need any help?” I call toward the kitchen, craning my neck.
Netti answers by sauntering out, apron strings trailing at her waist, pink hair spilling from a messy bun.
She sets a tray on the coffee table, the sweet, spiced scent of sugar and chocolate instantly filling the air.
Four steaming mugs sit nestled beside a neat pile of cookies dusted with sugar crystals.
“Don’t tell me you whipped those up in the five minutes it took us to get inside?” My jaw drops as the peppermint-laced aroma curls around me.
“Five minutes?” Connor snorts, snatching up a mug and inhaling deeply. His sharp eyes cut to us, full of mischief. “I thought I was going to have to send search and rescue after the two of you.”
“When did you have time to worry about your brother and his mate when you had your hands all over me?” Netti shoots back, arching one perfectly pink brow at Connor, who smirks into his mug.
She turns to me with a softer smile. “No—I baked the cookies ahead of time and tucked them in the luggage. I know Christmas isn’t for a couple weeks yet, but with how busy you’ve been with this new project…
” Her gaze flicks between us, warm and knowing.
“I figured you could use a little Christmas magic to carry with you on this trip.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Something swells in my chest at her thoughtfulness: gratitude, affection, and that bittersweet ache that comes from being loved so well.
I’d missed them, even though it had only been a few months since we visited the clan to return Dria home after her summer interning with me.
“Well, maybe you could start by being less of a stranger.” Netti smiles over the rim of her mug as Connor slips an arm around her and pulls her close. “After all, I’m going to need you to help me plan your best event yet.”
“Oh? What would that be?” Curiosity bubbles in my chest.
“My wedding, of course.” She beams and holds out her hand; a sizable diamond sits in the middle of an antique white-gold ring. “If you would, of course.”
How did I miss that? We’ve been in the car together for hours.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and no event I’d rather plan.” I reach over and squeeze Netti’s hand, then lean back, snuggling against my mate. I feel at peace—calm and loved, wanting for nothing.
Carter presses a kiss to the top of my head, and I curl closer into his warmth, the fire crackling behind us, hot chocolate steaming between us, and snow falling silently outside.