Epilogue
Epilogue
Ryktus
W e're absolutely not going covert on this mission. Twigs and sticks crunch under our feet as the last rays of the sun disappear over the horizon.
“Emerson is going to be extremely pissed if she realizes we're doing this,” Laithe says in a tone that makes it clear how excited he is by that fact.
“That's exactly why no one will be mentioning it,” Dread growls, stretching his shoulders back as he rolls his neck from side to side. He's in a pair of worn jeans, and it's clear he wore them because he doesn't care if they're destroyed.
“I still find it strange that Brayden only brought forty wolves with him the night he died,” Arsyn says, extending his wings as he coasts along in front of the rest of us.
He may have brought more, but the official body count, including Brayden, was forty-two. At least, according to the council.
“With the declining birth rate of females...” Dread shrugs. “We've all heard the rumors. I'm guessing they're true.”
“I agree,” I say, crunching through tall grass as we approach the edge of the North American Alpha's territory.
“They've spotted us,” Laithe says, tying his hair back. “I really hope I get to rip his heart out. We can buy Ember one of those tree-growing kits and—” He cuts off as Dread slaps him in the back of the head.
“You really are a fucking lunatic,” Arsyn says, chuckling. “And what? Have Ember play in the backyard under the tree buried over her father's heart?”
“Exactly.” Laithe chuckles darkly.
We make it over the rise, only to be met with just shy of twenty enforcers and the pathetic, newly appointed alpha.
“You’re on my land,” Carson growls, approaching with two large men flanking him. “The council can’t touch me if I slaughter you where you stand.”
“That’s true enough,” Arsyn agrees, floating a circle around the three wolves in human form.
“Why are you here?” Carson growls. Amber flashes in his eyes, indicating his wolf is very close to the surface.
“We're here because our mate asked us not to kill you,” I reply, taking to the air to see how many wolves are hiding. Twenty or thirty wolves wouldn't be a challenge, but several hundred might be. There was a time when the North American Prime Alpha reigned over thousands.
“So, you decided to do it, anyway?” Carson asks, scoffing.
“We're here to explain to you how you can live,” Dread snarls. Blue flames erupt all over his skin as he holds back the change.
“Get on with it,” Carson says, holding out a hand to keep his betas from reacting.
“You played your cards well,” Laithe says.
Dread growls a low, dangerous sound that echoes around the clearing.
“What?” Laithe chuckles darkly. “I appreciate a good double cross as much as the next monster.” He shrugs. “If you continue to stay the fuck away from Emerson and our daughter, then you might get to enjoy your new title for few hundred years.”
“I have no interest in your mate or the pup,” Carson says. “Now, get the fuck off my land.”
Dread snarls. He crosses the fifteen feet separating us from the wolves before any of us can stop him. He's mostly in human form as he tackles Carson into the dirt. Well, except for his claws and fangs. Those elongate dangerously as he pins Carson with a hand around his throat.
Laithe breaks both of the betas’ necks and grins at the small horde of wolves. “Our alphas are just having a friendly chat,” he says, stretching languidly. “If you want to live, I'd recommend not intervening.” He looks at the betas. “This is a mostly peaceful interaction. Let's keep it that way.”
He really is fucking deranged. His words say one thing, but his entire demeanor says another. He licks his fangs, rocking on his toes like he's desperate to continue the violence.
“The only reason you're not dead is because my mate is still soft from growing up human,” Dread snarls.
“I'll slaughter you without a second thought if you come near either of my girls again.” With that, he pushes himself up and glares down at Carson.
“Do you even have a mate, or was that a convenient lie to distract us?”
“He does,” one of the crowd of wolves calls out. “Henry ran as soon as he was no longer being held captive.”
Carson growls, pushing himself up and turning to face his wolves. “Leave us,” he bellows.
The wolves don't have to be told twice. They scatter.
“My brother destroyed any hope I had of finding a match with my intended mate,” Carson says, shaking his head. “Fucking leave.” He points back the way we came in. “You won't hear from me again.”
“Did you guys have a nice night out?” Emerson asks, climbing into my lap.
“We did,” I agree, palming the back of her head.
“Good,” she says, snuggling close.
“Do you know how much I love you, little one?” I ask, tilting her chin up and claiming her lips in a tender kiss.
“I do.”
My hand tenderly caresses the baby as she grinds over my thickening length. I literally could not give a fuck less who the baby belongs to. I just need them both to be okay.
Em licks and sucks her way down my neck as she opens my jeans. I help her free my cock, barely pull my clothing down my thighs, and then she's sliding down my dick like she was made for it.
The naughty little vixen didn't even remove her panties, just pulled them to the side , I realize as the soft material teases my shaft while she works her way up and down.
I groan as my head falls back to rest against the couch. I flick one of her tight nipples while my other hand grips her ass.
“Mmm,” Arsyn says, chuckling as he makes his way into the room. “I knew I smelled dinner.”
“Oh, fuck off,” I growl, flipping him off with the hand on Emerson's hip.
Emerson laughs, and her perfect, slick pussy tightens around my throbbing length.
“You know, if I was truly vindictive,” Arsyn murmurs, sliding up behind Em and pulling her hair to the side. He begins licking over her neck. “I’d simply pump you full of pheromones and force your finish, so I could have my turn with our delectable little mate.”
“I'd murder you,” I assure him.
“You're both so bad,” Emerson gasps.
Arsyn laughs, pulling her mouth to his and giving her a hit of his lust. She immediately starts coming around my cock. He looks at me and winks. The asshole.
As my naughty little no-longer human wrings my shaft, I decide I can live with the incubus.
Only because Emerson really likes him.
The next day, we travel to see my father and the formally human doctor of Haven.
To say my family reunion is uncomfortable would greatly undermine the definition of the word. Miserable might be a more accurate description.
My father weeps tears of joy upon being introduced to Emerson. He's immediately enamored by Ember. None of my siblings have given him grandchildren as of yet. I believe the rotten pup actually facilitates an easier encounter.
My father spoils her with enough gifts to make up for the two years of her life he missed out on.
Ember's second birthday was several weeks ago. My packmates and I may also have gone a bit overboard, but it was necessary. Each of us had our own gifts we wished to give her, and with four of us, it quickly became clear we over-purchased.
Emerson chuckled when Ember actually burst into tears, which is rare, because she almost never cries. The child was so tired of opening gifts and wanted to focus on the goodies she'd already received. We saved the remaining gifts and gave her a few each day.
My father's new mate looks the same as she did the last time I saw her. Willa must have chosen to change shortly after our falling out. Not that I was ever close to her, but there was a time when I didn't avoid her area on the outskirts of the city simply to ensure we never ran across each other.
“I'm so sorry,” Willa says, leaning forward. “Did you say you think you're somewhere around a month along?”
Emerson nods. “It's only been two months since my last period. Then again, I've been turned since then...”
Emerson goes on to explain the circumstances of her transition, and Meena cuts in when she has something helpful to add.
“Okay, let's head on over to the clinic,” Willa says, shaking her head. It seems like she's having trouble processing that what Emerson said might be true.
Dread carefully helps Emerson off the couch.
“I'll join you in just a moment,” I tell my pack as they move to exit.
Meena already promised she'd stay with my father and Ember while Emerson gets checked out. I won't miss out on learning all I can, but I have a few things I should probably say to my father.
He's holding Ember and showing her how the milk in the bottle disappears when it's tipped to the baby's mouth. She's still very young, but she does understand that her mother is expecting another baby. She's excited, but it's also clear she doesn't fully know what that means.
My father's pale gray eyes meet mine, and the joy on his face makes my chest tight. I quickly mumble my way through as heartfelt an apology as I can muster when my mother is still dead.
I growl when my father pops up, startling Ember. He holds her between us for a quick hug.
“I have to go,” I say, my wings stretching behind me. “I want to know?—”
“Go on,” my father says, cradling Ember in his forearm. “Meena and I will entertain our grandpup.”
“Oh,” Meena chuckles. “I love that.”
“Love you, little bit,” I murmur, kissing Ember's forehead and leaving to find my mate.
“Love you,” Ember calls after me.
My heart thumps, and I aim for the stairs so I can see what the verdict is with Emerson.