Epilogue
I’m sitting on the beach at the end of Main Street with the girls, having Book Club while the alphas barbecue, throw balls, and chat. All twenty-one of them. Not counting Finian, of course.
“I didn’t realize it was a buddy comedy. That’s something that should really be advertised better. After all that started, it was way better,” Sunny says, plucking an Oreo off the tray of sweets we made.
“I mean, I guess it was. As much as you can be a buddy with an alien,” Clara says. It’s clear this wasn’t exactly her cup of tea.
“I liked the dystopian parts. And the ending. You’re left just kind of wondering. I like that,” Rose says. As the horror lover, that tracks.
“I thought it could have used a little more romance,” I say, and Cali nods along. “But I still really liked it. A lot more than I thought I would.”
The baby is touching sand while Bax monitors her, but all of the alphas have been taking turns holding her. Jane seems perfectly content as long as no one puts her down. That results in ear-splitting baby screams I’m sure can be heard up and down Main Street.
Corbin's watching the baby when he looks up and catches my eye. We’ve been talking about making him a real daddy. Excitement shoots through our bond, and he replies with love so deep and aching it takes my breath away.
“Stop eye fucking your mate. There are children present,” Sunny teases as the other ladies smile.
“One child, and she has no idea we’re even here right now. She found some driftwood.” Cali points out.
Bax is struggling to keep the wood out of Jane’s mouth without making her cry.
Cali sighs. “At least she’s started sleeping better at night.” She goes on about her struggles with sleep deprivation, and my mind wanders a bit.
Gage sits at a table with Bram and Dagan.
They're talking animatedly while using sign language so Dagan can follow.
Zeke throws a football around with Seth and Jess.
Eli and Rafe stand near the barbecue, eyeing the food, while Connor, Wyatt, and Hunt, explain the finer points of grilling.
Deputy sits against Eli's leg wagging his tail.
Corbin has turned back to a conversation with Harlan, and Cole.
I look back to my group of friends, all laughing and chatting. Sunny, Cali, Clara, and Rose. All different. All as close to me as sisters.
Up Main Street, a line spills out of the door to the Evergreen Café.
My shop is closed, but my sign sways in the summer breeze.
The Blackline tattoo shop sits a few doors down.
Out on the lake, sailboats drift across the water.
Soft waves lap at the sand. In the distance, Clara’s house perches on the edge of a bluff, and I swear I see the faint outline of an alpha waving.
My home. My friends.
Being here has always been nice, but now everything feels complete. Like a puzzle where the final piece has just been slotted in, and now I get to enjoy the full picture.
A breeze drifts off the water, and I feel that unmistakable pull of a new season, ready to begin.
Thank you for reading A Pack of Leather!