Epilogue
Annika
A year ago, this would’ve been impossible. Unthinkable.
I stood at the edge of the square, watching the crowd swell and move like a living, breathing thing. Humans and vampires, witches and shifters, all laughing, dancing, talking. Together.
The air was alive with music, bright and warm, weaving through the conversations and laughter. Children darted between legs, their faces painted with swirling colors, chasing each other with wooden swords and flower crowns. My heart felt too big for my chest.
I saw Aiden among them, his curls bouncing as he ran, his cheeks flushed, his laughter loud and carefree. For a moment, he disappeared behind a group of witches showing off little sparks of magic in their palms. But then he burst through, giggling with glee.
He was safe and happy.
A hand slipped around my waist, pulling me close. Lucas stood beside me, his face softer than I’d ever seen it. His eyes were also focused on our son. “He’s such a good boy,” he murmured with pride.
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “He’s going to be a great leader one day… like his father.”
Lucas’ arm tightened around me. “You did that. You made him who he is now. You showed him what true courage is.”
I looked up at him. All I could see was love, gazing back at me. “We did it together.”
His gaze fell to me, his eyes dark and deep, his lips curving into a smile that made my heart skip. “Together.”
I reached up, brushing my fingers over his cheek. “Thank you for coming to get me,” I whispered.
His smile faded, replaced by something fierce, something possessive. “I will always come for you… always.”
He leaned down, as his lips brushed mine. That was all I needed to ground me in the here and now.
A shout of laughter broke us apart, and we turned to see Kael balancing three children on his shoulders, his wings half-visible, flickering with light. He looked ridiculous, a giant among them, but his face was alight with joy.
We watched for a while and then the children finally released Kael. Their shrieks of delight were still echoing through the square as they ran off to find new mischief. He stood there, rubbing his neck and looking slightly dazed. Slowly, his wings flickered out of sight and he looked just like the rest of us.
Then she appeared.
Althea. Her dark hair flowing behind her, her lavender dress brushing against her ankles as she approached him. Her eyes sparkled, and her smile was meant only for him.
She reached up, brushing a leaf from his hair, her fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary. Kael stilled, his lips frozen in a smile, gazing back at her.
I couldn’t help but smile myself. “Would you look at that.”
Lucas followed my gaze, then his brow furrowed in confusion. “What?”
I squeezed his arm. “They’re in love.”
He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Kael? In love? I thought the Nephilim were asexual beings.”
I laughed, leaning into him. “Look closer.”
He did, his eyes narrowing as he watched them. Kael’s posture softened and his wings fluttered back into view, all the while curling protectively behind him. Althea’s laughter floated to us, light and musical, as her hand rested on his arm. There were a million little signs that not even a blind person could miss.
Lucas’ shoulders dropped. “I’ll be damned.”
“They’re perfect for each other.”
Lucas let out a low chuckle. “Never thought I’d see the day. Kael settling down.”
“He’s staying.” My voice was quiet, but the certainty of it was unshakable. “He’s staying with us.”
Lucas’s gaze softened, his arm wrapping around me again, pulling me close. “Good.” His voice was rough, filled with emotion he’d never admit to. “It’s about time he found somewhere to belong.”
I looked up at him, at the man who’d fought through darkness and despair to save his family, who’d faced the beast within himself and come out stronger. “We all did.”
“Yeah. We did.” He looked at me, and I had to admit that he never looked more dashing, more handsome, and more like himself than at that vulnerable moment. And I knew I had to seize that moment.
I exhaled slowly. “Lucas.”
He glanced down at me, catching something in my voice. His grip on my waist tightened just slightly. “What is it?”
I swallowed, suddenly nervous. I wasn’t sure why, when this was good. This was something we had fought for, bled for. And yet, my heart raced.
I placed his hand over my stomach. Beneath my dress, beneath his touch, new life thrived.
His whole body went still. “Annika…”
I smiled, nervous and excited all at once. “We’re having another baby.”
For a moment, he didn’t move. It looked like he didn’t breathe at all. Then, his fingers curled against my stomach gently, as if he was afraid he’d break me. His gaze snapped to mine, and in his eyes, I saw it… shock, awe, something deeper, something raw.
I barely had a second to react before he pulled me against him, burying his face in my hair.
“Another baby,” he murmured.
“Mhm,” I nodded.
He pulled back, cupping my face with both hands, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones. “Are you okay? Do you feel alright? You should be resting, Annika—”
I laughed, cutting him off with a kiss. “I’m fine. I promise.”
He let out a slow breath, his forehead resting against mine. “Aiden is going to be a big brother.”
I smiled. “And you’re going to be a father again.”
He let out a shaky chuckle. “Heaven help us.”
I smacked his chest lightly, and he caught my wrist, pressing a kiss to my palm. The same palm that had once bled for something dark and terrible. Now, it only held life, only held love.
He exhaled deeply, as if grounding himself in this moment. Then, he took my hand and placed it over his heart, pressing his own over mine.
“I will protect you,” he vowed. “All of you. Always.”
Before I could say anything to that, Aiden rushed over to us. I felt him before I saw him. I felt that little blur of energy barreling toward us through the crowd. I braced myself just in time as Aiden launched himself at my legs, his arms wrapping around me with all the force his small body could muster.
“Mama! Mama! Did you see? I beat Uncle Cal in the race! I ran so fast, like this—” He pulled back, demonstrating his sprint with exaggerated movements, and all we could do was clap, sharing in his excitement.
I laughed, ruffling his unruly hair. “I saw! You were the fastest boy out there.”
His chest puffed up with pride. “I’m the fastest in the whole town!” He turned to Lucas. “Daddy, did you see?”
Lucas crouched down to his level. “I saw, buddy. You were incredible.”
Aiden beamed, practically glowing. Then, his nose scrunched up, and his gaze flicked between us. He must have figured something out, as kids always do. “Why are you two acting all mushy?”
I laughed, glancing at Lucas, who shook his head with a chuckle. “We’re not mushy,” I said, also kneeling down beside him. “We’re just… happy.”
Aiden’s eyes brightened. “Why?”
I took his little hands in mine, feeling their warmth, their life, the heartbeat of our future. “Because you’re going to be a big brother.”
His face went blank for a second, his mouth forming a little O. “Oh… a big brother?”
I nodded, my heart bursting as I watched realization dawn on his face. “There’s a baby growing right here,” I said, placing his hand over my belly. “Your little brother or sister.”
His eyes grew impossibly wide. “In there?” He looked up at Lucas. “Did you hear that, Daddy? A baby! In Mama’s tummy!”
Lucas grinned, his hand resting on my shoulder. “I heard. What do you think about that?”
Aiden was silent for a moment, and his face had taken on such an adult expression for such a little face. Then, a slow, wide smile broke across his lips. “I’m gonna be the best big brother ever! I’ll teach my brother or sister how to run super fast, and how to draw, and how to catch frogs—”
He paused as his eyes sparkled. “Will they be fast like me?”
I laughed, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “I bet they will. Especially if they learn from you.”
He beamed, his excitement bubbling over as he launched himself at me again, hugging me tight, his tiny arms wrapping around my neck. “I can’t wait, Mama! I’m going to be the bestest big brother in the whole world!”
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and I hugged him back, holding him close. “I know you will,” I whispered in a trembling voice. “I know you will.”
I looked up at Lucas, who was watching us with an expression so full of love that it stole my breath away. Our eyes met, and in that moment, I knew. No shadow, no darkness could ever take this away from us.
We were together. We were safe. And our family was growing.
Lucas reached out, pulling us both into his arms. “I love you. Both of you.”
Aiden squirmed between us, laughing. “All three of us, Daddy! All three of us!”
Lucas laughed, his voice breaking just slightly. “Yeah. All three of us.”
And as the music played and the town celebrated around us, we held each other close, our hearts beating as one, our future bright and full of hope.
*****
Enjoy what you read? Then you’ll love Hunting My Vampire!