52. Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Two
Epilouge
I t has been four months. I adjusted the tulips in the large arrangement, stepping back to assess the balance of color and texture. The sunlight streamed through the front windows of Petal & Thorn, catching the water droplets on the petals and turning them into tiny prisms. The shop hummed with quiet activity—Mia helping a customer select flowers for an anniversary, Jamie carefully packaging a custom bouquet for delivery, the soft music I'd chosen that morning providing a gentle backdrop to it all.
Four months had changed so much, yet somehow everything felt more right than it ever had before.
The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up to see Theo entering, his analytical gaze immediately finding me among the blooms. He moved with purpose through the shop, nodding politely to Mia and Jamie, the new hires I had to work the shop with me, as he passed.
"You're early," I said, smiling as he approached. "The shop doesn’t close for another hour.”
Theo adjusted his glasses, his lips curving into that subtle smile I'd come to recognize as genuine pleasure. "I calculated that arriving sixty-three minutes early would allow me to observe your work process and provide assistance with closing procedures," he explained, his analytical tone softened by the warmth in his eyes. "Also, Lucas insisted I deliver this."
He produced a small paper bag from his messenger satchel, the familiar logo of my favorite bakery printed on the side. "He claims these pastries are essential to your creative process."
I laughed, accepting the bag with a grateful smile. "He's not wrong. Thank you." The thoughtful gesture was so typical of Lucas—always finding small ways to brighten my day even when his schedule kept him busy elsewhere.
"The shop appears to be operating at optimal efficiency," Theo observed, glancing around with approval. "Your new employees have integrated well into the existing business structure." I nodded, pride welling up as I watched Mia expertly advise a customer on flower longevity. "They're wonderful. Having the extra help has made everything more manageable."
"Your business has expanded by approximately thirty-seven percent since implementing the new marketing strategy," Theo noted, his analytical mind never missing a detail. "The website Gabriel's team designed has increased online orders by sixty-two percent."
I smiled, remembering Gabriel's insistence on upgrading my digital presence. "He was right about the online potential. Though I still prefer working with customers face-to-face."
"Different modalities serve different purposes," Theo agreed, his hand brushing mine briefly as he reached to straighten a vase that was a millimeter out of alignment. The casual touch sent warmth through me—Theo had become more comfortable with physical affection over these past months, each small gesture a victory of connection over the analytical distance he'd maintained when we first met.
"Is Dakota still coming by after work?" I asked, setting the pastry bag on the counter for later.
"Affirmative. He was completing some paperwork. Estimated arrival in forty-two minutes, barring unusual traffic patterns." Theo's precise answers had become endearing to me, his need for accuracy a comfort rather than an oddity.
I nodded, returning my attention to the arrangement I'd been working on—a special order for an upcoming gallery opening. As I adjusted a spray of delphinium, Theo moved beside me, his analytical gaze assessing the composition.
"The color distribution creates a pleasing visual harmony," he observed. "Though the structural balance would be enhanced by additional height on the left quadrant."
I smiled, reaching for a slender branch of curly willow. "Like this?"
Theo nodded, his eyes tracking the graceful arc of the branch as I positioned it. "Precisely. The vertical element creates visual flow while maintaining the established color palette."
I worked silently for a few moments, aware of Theo's presence beside me—observant but not intrusive. That was one of the things I'd come to appreciate most about him. He could share space without demanding attention, content to observe and analyze without disrupting my creative process.
"There," I said finally, stepping back to assess the completed arrangement. "What do you think?"
Theo studied it with his characteristic thoroughness, head tilting slightly as he considered every angle. "The composition demonstrates exceptional balance between structure and spontaneity. The color progression creates a visual narrative that enhances the emotional impact."
I smiled, warmth spreading through me at his uniquely Theo compliment. "So you like it?"
The corner of his mouth, “Very much so.” His eyes drifted from the arrangement to my face, his analytical gaze softening with an emotion that still surprised me sometimes. "Much like my appreciation for its creator."
I felt warmth bloom in my cheeks at his words. Theo might not be flowery with his compliments like Lucas, but when he did express affection, the precision of his words made them all the more meaningful.
"Thank you," I said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "For the compliment and for coming early."
"It was a logical decision," Theo replied, though the slight curve of his lips betrayed his pleasure. "Your presence has a statistically significant positive effect on my serotonin levels."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You could just say you missed me."
"I missed you," Theo acknowledged, his voice softer than usual. "Though that phrasing lacks the specificity I prefer."
I felt a warmth spreading through my chest at his words. This was Theo—seeing the world through his analytical lens yet finding ways to express emotion with his own unique precision. Over these past months, I'd come to treasure these moments when his carefully constructed walls lowered just enough to reveal the depth of feeling behind them.
The shop door chimed again, and we both turned to see Dakota entering. His imposing frame filled the doorway momentarily before he stepped inside, his dark eyes immediately finding us among the flowers. He moved with that quiet grace that belied his size, acknowledging Mia and Jamie with a slight nod as he passed.
"You're early," I said, pleasure warming my voice as he approached.
"I finished the paperwork as quickly as I could," Dakota explained, his deep voice rumbling through me as he stopped beside us. His eyes took in the arrangement I'd been working on, his expression softening. "Beautiful," he said simply, the single word carrying more weight from his usually silent lips than paragraphs from anyone else.
"Thank you," I replied, warmth spreading through me at his approval. Dakota wasn't one for excessive words, but when he spoke, he meant exactly what he said.
"Are Gabriel and Lucas meeting us at the house?" I asked, beginning to clean up my workspace as closing time approached.
Dakota nodded. "Gabriel's finishing a call with the security team. Lucas is cooking dinner."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Lucas is cooking? Should I be worried?"
Theo adjusted his glasses. "His culinary skills have improved by approximately forty-two percent since his first attempt three months ago. The probability of food poisoning has decreased significantly."
I laughed, remembering Lucas's disastrous first attempt at making pasta from scratch. "Well, that's reassuring." I began gathering my tools, placing them in their designated spots with the care they deserved. The routine was soothing – scissors in their holder, wire cutters in the drawer, ribbon scraps into the recycling bin.
Dakota moved beside me, his large hands surprisingly gentle as he helped clean up. We worked in comfortable silence, a rhythm we'd established over these past months. Where Theo analyzed and observed, Dakota simply did – anticipating needs without discussion, offering support without fanfare.
"I'll let Mia know she can start closing procedures," I said, glancing at the clock. "We're only fifteen minutes from closing anyway."
Theo checked his watch with precise movements. "Seventeen minutes and forty-three seconds, to be exact." I smiled at his specificity as I approached Mia, who was arranging a display of potted succulents near the window.
"Mia, would you mind starting the closing procedures? I'm heading out a little early today."
"No problem, boss," Mia replied with a bright smile, her purple-tipped hair bobbing as she nodded. "Jamie and I can handle it. You've been working nonstop all week—you deserve to leave early."
"Thank you," I said, grateful for her understanding. In the months since I'd hired her and Jamie, they'd become not just employees but friends who understood the occasional chaos that came with my new life.
I returned to where Dakota and Theo waited, gathering my purse from beneath the counter. "Ready when you are."
Dakota nodded, his hand coming to rest gently at the small of my back as we moved toward the door. The casual possessiveness of the gesture still sent a pleasant warmth through me, even after months together. Theo held the door, his analytical eyes scanning the street beyond with habitual vigilance before allowing us to pass through.
The crisp autumn air greeted us as we stepped outside, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of cooler days ahead. I took a deep breath, savoring the transition from the flower-scented shop to the natural outdoor scents.
"The temperature has dropped three degrees since this morning," Theo observed, immediately shrugging out of his jacket and offering it to me. "You'll need this."
I accepted it with a grateful smile, wrapping the still-warm fabric around my shoulders. It carried his scent—clean, with hints of cedar and something uniquely Theo that I'd come to associate with safety.
"The car is parked around the corner," Dakota said, his dark eyes continuing to scan our surroundings with habitual vigilance. Four months had passed since Blackwood's arrest, the whole company was now shut down. Blackwood was now in prison awaiting trial, with overwhelming evidence against him. The nightmare was over, at least in practical terms, though sometimes I still woke in the night, heart racing until I felt the protective presence of whichever Alpha was sharing my bed that night.
We walked together toward Dakota's SUV, the three of us moving in easy synchronization that had developed naturally over time. As we rounded the corner, I spotted the familiar black vehicle parked precisely in a spot that offered optimal visibility in all directions—a security habit none of them had fully abandoned despite the reduced threat level.
"I received a text from Gabriel," Theo announced, checking his phone as Dakota unlocked the car. "The security upgrades at the main house are complete. The new system exceeds military-grade specifications by approximately twenty-seven percent."
I smiled, sliding into the passenger seat as Dakota held the door for me. "Tell him that's wonderful, but I still think the security system we had before was perfectly adequate."
"Statistical analysis indicates otherwise," Theo countered, settling into the backseat. "The previous system contained multiple vulnerabilities that could have been exploited by a determined intruder with sufficient technical expertise."
Dakota's lips curved slightly as he started the engine. "They'll never stop protecting you," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of approval. "None of us will."
I reached across to squeeze his hand briefly. "I know. And I'm grateful. I just don't want you all to keep living in crisis mode forever." I turned slightly to include Theo in the conversation. "The danger is over. We can breathe now."
"Vigilance and peace can coexist," Theo observed thoughtfully. "One enables the other."
I smiled, settling back in my seat as Dakota navigated the familiar route toward the house—our house now, I smiled, settling back in my seat as Dakota navigated the familiar route toward the house—our house now, in ways both practical and emotional. The sprawling property that had once felt overwhelming now felt like home, each room holding memories of moments shared with all four Alphas who had changed my life so completely.
As we drove, I watched the familiar landmarks pass by—the park where Lucas had taken me for a picnic on our first official date, the café where Theo and I often met for quiet afternoons of reading together, the trail entrance where Dakota had taught me about tracking and wilderness survival.
"You're smiling," Dakota observed, his deep voice gentle as his eyes briefly met mine before returning to the road.
"Just thinking about how much has changed," I admitted, watching the autumn leaves dance across the road ahead of us.
"Four months ago, I was running a shop that was barely staying afloat, living in constant fear, and convinced I'd spend my life alone," I continued, watching the familiar landscape pass by. "And now..."
"Your business has expanded by thirty-seven percent," Theo offered from the backseat, "and your personal happiness metrics have shown a statistically significant improvement of approximately sixty-three percent, based on observable indicators."
I laughed, glancing back at him. "Is that your scientific way of saying I seem happier?"
"Precisely," Theo confirmed, adjusting his glasses with a small smile. "Though the quantification provides helpful context."
Dakota's hand found mine across the console, his large fingers entwining with mine in a gesture that had become as natural as breathing. "You've changed us too," he said, his deep voice carrying a warmth reserved only for moments like these. "All of us."
I squeezed his hand, warmth spreading through my chest at his words. "For the better, I hope?"
"Unquestionably," Theo affirmed from the backseat. "The pack dynamic has achieved optimal balance since your integration. Group cohesion has increased by approximately forty-seven percent."
Dakota's mouth curved into one of his rare smiles. "What he means is we're happier together. More complete."
As we turned onto the long driveway leading to the house, I felt that familiar flutter of anticipation that still came whenever I returned home to them. The sprawling property came into view, autumn sunlight gilding the windows and casting long shadows across the manicured lawn. Gabriel's car was already parked in its usual spot, and I could see Lucas's motorcycle beside it.
I really did find home with these Alphas…and I wouldn’t change it. I let myself out of the smile as the care came to a full stop and got out of the car. I followed Dakota and Theo inside.
“We’re home.” I called out as we closed the door behind us. I really was home and I coudln’t wait to see where the future brought us.
The End.