Rise of the Lycans: Shadows And Secrets

Epilogue

2 Weeks Later

“Goddess,” he rasped under me, his eyes half-lidded, on the brink of orgasm. “You’re a Goddess, Maeve.”

“Rexy,” a breathless moan left me, and I rocked faster, chasing my fourth orgasm of the day.

The delicious stretch of his knot started forming, and my lips curled into a smile.

“Fuck, you feel so good, kitten,” he groaned, his voice ragged and raw.

His hands reached for my breasts, cupping and caressing them before he rolled my nipples hard. The lingering sting remained, and something much more pleasurable began to build. My clit ached for the same treatment, and he knew it.

“Please,” I pleaded, needing to feel everything he had to give.

Rex pressed up, pushing himself deeper into me, and I cried out something unintelligible. He chuckled softly and began to piston his hips harder. I knew that sometimes he did that just to see my breasts bounce, and I loved it.

When they said a strong mate bond was needed to help the birthing process, they must have meant marathon mating around the clock because that was all we had done since we returned to the cabin. Most of our time was spent inside unless we went to the island for a picnic, which led to naked mating in a field of flowers, on the sandy shore, or in the water.

Jinx spent most of his time napping outside in the early summer sun, sitting on the roof, eating fish, or hunting small creatures. Rex had only left long enough to shadow-jump and get whatever I may have been craving. Which included a stolen plate of Dori’s biscuits and gravy Alpha Ares had set aside for me. His grandpup wasn’t even here yet, and he was already spoiling it.

“Maeve,” Rex growled, suddenly alarmed.

“No, don’t stop,” I cried out. “I’m almost there.” I felt a tightening wave ripple across my belly and froze.

“I think your water just broke.” A warmth spread across my belly as he rubbed it.

He turned me gently, placing me on my side, and reached for his phone. Alpha Louise was on standby with Doctor Ross, and I listened as he called her.

“The baby could take all night,” I whimpered and felt another tightening wave, which I realized was a contraction, hit me. “You should pop over to your brother's mating ceremony.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he replied.

“It’s going to take hours, and the ceremony should be starting within the hour.”

“Doctor Ross is on the way. I’m not leaving you.”

“Then you should put some shorts on unless you want to show off your amazing lycan anatomy,” I smirked.

The warm spray of the shower was pelting down on me when Doctor Ross arrived. Alpha Louise was in charge of the pack while Alpha Hamish and Brianna had returned to the Moon Realm for the mating ceremony. My best friend had been so close the last two weeks, and she didn’t know I was here. Celebrations were held in her honor as the new Luna, and I couldn’t attend.

We honored the orders of the Moon Goddess and kept everything a secret from our loved ones. Jinx did a great job keeping everyone away because he was the enchantment , just as he was at the pub. Everything would change tonight because our baby would finally be here.

“Kitten?” He said softly, studying me. “Would you like to lie down now or stay in the shower?”

My lips parted, and my breath hitched. I closed my eyes and tried to count, waiting for the pain to pass. I didn’t protest when Rex turned off the shower and dried me off before slipping his long t-shirt over my head. He carried me to the bedroom, where Doctor Ross quickly examined me.

“I’ve got the extra towels you requested,” Alpha Louise called from the living room.

“You should try to rest,” Doctor Ross smiled. “The first pup is always the longest.”

I was too anxious to rest, so I paced the room to calm myself.

“I feel terrible about the mating ceremony,” I told my mate. “Go for an hour, eat something, and come back.”

“So my mother could whack me with a newspaper again?” He chuckled. “No thanks.”

“Lukas is your only brother, and I feel terrible keeping you away.”

“And he’ll understand. Besides, I’m sure someone will record it.”

“Knock, knock,” I heard the familiar timbre of his voice. It had been two weeks since I last saw him. “Can I peek in for a moment?”

“Remington!” I cried out in relief and hugged him. He looked dashing in his black paisley tuxedo, and I wondered if he had a fancy date or some charity event to attend.

“Today is a big day,” he smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Can you Sandman me and wake me up when it’s over?”

He tipped his head back and roared with laughter. “You’re going to be okay,” he assured me. “But if your mate is squeamish, I suppose I can send him to dreamland for you.”

“You’re lucky we’re family now,” Rex chuckled.

“You look great,” I smiled. “Going to a charity gala?”

“It’s more of an art exhibit,” he replied with his twisted smile. “I’m hoping to collect a masterpiece.”

“Mars and Kit just arrived,” Alpha Louise announced from the living room.

“Mars?” Rex chuckled. “Of course, the man in the hotel.”

“What man?” I asked, feeling like I was missing something.

“It’s nothing important,” Remington smiled.

“Kit and Mars are here?”

“I know tonight’s the mating ceremony, so I asked them to come in case you wanted to shadow-jump some of your family over to meet the newest addition.”

“Really?”

“Of course, though, you may not want to tell the Grandmother that the in-laws already know… unless you want her to stop cooking for everyone,” Remington said as his grin widened.

“Grandma Dori is going to kill me,” Rex murmured.

I had called Nan a few times over the last two weeks but hadn’t told her anything. Guilt plagued me, and I knew I needed her here. “Can they bring Nan and Grandad over?”

“They’ll be the first ones here in about an hour,” Remington said.

“An hour?” Rex questioned.

“It should be enough time for the mating ceremony and the round of toasts before dinner and dancing,” he replied. “Are you going to pop in?”

“Hellhounds couldn’t drag me away from my mate and pup right now,” Rex told him.

Remington met my eyes with a smirk, and I realized that Rex had never seen the other side of Jinx. I had grown used to him as a cat in the last five months and sometimes forgot what he really was.

“It would be fun to test that theory, but I’m pressed for time,” he leaned forward and kissed the top of my head. “You have the necklace on, right?”

“Right here,” I pointed to it.

“Excellent, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Remington stepped into the shadow of the closet and gave me a wink. His hands reached to adjust his tie as he faded away into the shadow effortlessly.

It was just after sunrise, and I could smell that delicious American strip bacon in the air. It floated into the bedroom through the cracks around the door, teasing me. Thirteen hours of labor and I heard the cheers erupt from the living room the moment her wailing cry filled the room.

“She’s a beauty,” Doctor Ross said, placing the baby on me and rubbing her down with a soft towel.

“Look at all that hair.” Rex tenderly caressed the top of her head in awe. His face held wonder and love… so much love.

“She reminds me of Raven when she was born with all that raven hair,” Doctor Ross smiled and continued his work while we admired our daughter.

I had considered several names for her but couldn’t decide. Rex lowered his head to kiss me and then reverently kissed her tiny forehead. Her beautiful eyes found her father’s matching eyes, and she watched him silently.

“I think she’s smitten by you,” I smiled tearfully.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired and hungry,” I smiled.

“Grandma Dori and your Nan have been cooking for hours.”

They had arrived at different times after the mating ceremony and had respectfully waited in the living room while we remained locked in the bedroom. Nan, Grandma Dori, and Eudora had taken turns slipping in and out to check on us.

“Has Storm arrived?” I asked.

“Not yet,” he shook his head.

He wanted his twin to be the first in the family to hold our baby, but Storm had disappeared after the mating ceremony. Someone tapped on the door…

“I just need to know if we have another ginger or LaRue in the family,” Flaym yelled through the door. We both laughed softly, trying not to startle the baby. He didn’t care if it was a boy or girl; Flaym just wanted red hair.

“Better luck next time, Flaym,” Rex replied, and another round of cheers rang out in the living room. She had inherited the signature LaRue look with her jet-black hair and blue eyes.

“What are we going to name her?” I asked, still uncertain. Rex scooped her up gently, never taking his eyes off her.

I watched as he swayed with her momentarily before I noticed the swirl in his eyes. The sharp intake of air told me that Doctor Ross had noticed as well, and he slowly stepped away, exposing his neck. Rex’s lycan had always been gentle with me, and I knew she was safe. He lowered his head, sniffing and rubbing his face tenderly against the little bundle in his arms. I heard the low purr, and knew his lycan was over the moon.

“Rexy?” His eyes met mine, and I heard the low guttural rasp.

“Sable.”