The Wolf’s Whisper: The Complete Series

Epilogue

I rubbed my eyes as I looked at the slide in my microscope, but they were growing dryer by the second. Not exactly surprising, given how the AC on campus always made the labs particularly arid. I needed a break, but I was so close to figuring something out. Stopping now would be like quitting. I’d have to start all over the next day.

I was pushing it, but since returning to school, I felt I had to prove myself since I’d missed an entire semester. At first, I was bummed I wouldn’t graduate with my class, but after talking with my counselor, she thought that if I completed two summer programs, I would, in the end, catch up with them. As if that wasn’t enough on my plate, I had a side project studying the chromosomal elements in shifters, trying to isolate the specific genes that caused our abilities.

It wasn’t something I’d have done while I struggled with my inner wolf, but after six full months of getting to know each other, I’d gotten a decent handle on her. She still had plenty of attitude, but I was no longer worried about her attacking someone on sight. I was lucky—although if I listened to Caleb, it wasn’t luck, but because I was that special.

Despite all our time together, he still hadn’t grown bored with me, still didn’t think I was silly or a nerd. He was as staunchly devoted to me as ever, and I felt so incredibly spoiled.

“Hello, anybody home?”

The lights flickered, and I finally pulled my eyes away from the microscope to glance at the door. My mate was there, holding up a brown bag with what smelled like an insanely juicy burger inside.

“Caleb!” I blurted. “What are you doing here?”

“Check your phone, love.”

I did, and my chest squeezed when I realized it was already well past 8 pm. I’d lost track of time.

“Oh no,” I groaned. “I’m sorry!” Then I went to my notifications and realized there were several texts I’d completely missed, all from my darling mate.

Got done early with our project, want to grab a bite to eat?

I’m guessing you’re busy, I’m gonna get us burgers.

Hey, darling, are you alright?

I’m gonna just come check on ya. Hope you don’t mind.

By the time I read the last one, Caleb’s arms were around my waist, his lips finding their way to my neck. “Are you alright?”

I couldn’t blame him for asking, given everything we’d been through. Everything had been trial by fire with Gray around, so after his death, Caleb and I had been inseparable while I worked through what I needed to with my inner wolf. Day in and day out, we worked on turning my bio-parents’ home into our home, as well as building relations with the Black Hawk Pack.

They had helped me so much in getting me through the aftermath, especially the entire ordeal with Annie. The poor girl didn’t know we were the ones to end her brother’s life—all she knew was that he’d passed in the battle. We’d put a lot of consideration into whether we should inform the young girl that her brother had betrayed her entire pack. In the end, both Zach and Tayen didn’t think it’d help anything. I, for one, was glad to let it lie.

Holding in such a long-term lie from the young girl meant I couldn’t be a part of her life. I’d inevitably let it slip, even if it were selfish to put my own grief ahead of her peace. I wasn’t proud of that, but it was the truth. Thankfully, she’d been sent off to her aunt and uncle, who lived in Wyoming close to the Inara Pack. There, she would have space and time to mourn. I was sure she wouldn’t be back and wished her the best on her new journey.

There were other wounds in the pack as well. I hadn’t lost anyone personally, but others did, and from what I understood, this had been the first big battle in decades. There were entire pack members of Maplewood who’d never buried their friends in their prime. Yet, together, we’d all worked through that pain, and both packs were stronger than ever.

“Yes,” I said sheepishly. “I just got caught up.”

“That’s all right,” he said. “I know what my mate does is important.”

I turned in his arms so I could plant a quick kiss on his lips. Even after so many months together, the simplest sign of affection never failed to make my stomach flip. “Still, the least I could do was text you back. I’m sorry.” Caleb let me get away with too much, spoiled as I was, so I tried to be proactive when I was in the wrong.

“It’s alright,” he said before kissing me back. Unsurprisingly, I pushed myself further into him, deepening our contact. It took little time for the heat to rise between us, my arms wrapping around his shoulders.

“Emily,” he groaned into my mouth.

“Caleb,” I panted back.

That was all it took for him to slide his hands down my body, gripping just under my ass so he could lift me onto the table and crowd his way between my legs.

I was thrilled, but part of my mind wondered if I was about to have sex in the middle of the campus labs. That wasn’t the best idea, as there were cameras around, but I couldn’t bring myself to give a single fuck. My hands were all over him, never tiring of traveling over his broad frame. Things were escalating, alright, and we were getting to the point where nothing would stop?—

Brruprrbbbkkkkblublubrrrrr.

“Was… was that your stomach?” Caleb asked before my midsection repeated itself. “Dear Lord! Please eat the burgers I brought before you waste away!”

I laughed. Annoying as it was that I’d cock-blocked myself, it was funny.

“If you insist,” I said, taking the bag from him and digging in. “But then you have to eat me out later.”

Caleb leaned over and kissed the tip of my nose while his eyes bored directly into mine. “Oh, darling, you are always on the menu.”

I flushed just like I always did, happiness radiating through every part of my body. Both of us still had a lot to learn, and there was so much I wanted to do. The important thing was that I knew I’d never be alone in my endeavors. I finally had my perfect match. The love of my life. My Caleb.

I also knew I couldn’t wait to see what we’d accomplish together.

THANK YOU FOR READING THE WOLF’S WHISPER!