Epilogue
EPILOGUE
SETH
The Swiss side of the Alps look unreal from the living room windows. Arin really outdid himself.
Standing in front of the wall of glass, I wrap my arms around myself. I only untangled from the pile of bodies because I needed some water, but it included leaving Bennett’s side and June’s warmth. My body misses it, it’s like missing limbs.
We didn’t even make it to the dessert that Arin ordered. He proposed, June said yes, and then she dragged us into the suite’s nest.
I smile, rubbing my hand over my bare chest as I look outside at the snow, luminescent under the moonlight.
All four of us helped pick the ring — a stone for each of us, with June’s diamond in the center. It made perfect sense, and, not to pat myself on the back, it was simple. She loves quiet things, even if our lives seem to be more full of adventures than ever.
The bedroom door swings open and I glance over to see June pad out, rubbing her face. Theo’s large dress shirt hangs off her body and I open one arm, pulling her into my side to cuddle.
“What are you doing awake, baby?”
She makes a little grunting noise, voice laced with sleep. “I woke up and you weren’t there.”
My heart tugs at the words as I push back her mussed hair. When Bennett brought up the idea of proposing, I wasn’t sure if she’d panic. We’ve all been through so much since we met each other, but her the most of all. And in that time, I’ve always reminded myself that there is no better feeling than the one of having her in my arms. It’s a rightness that I’ve only ever felt with Bennett.
Reaching up, I rub my throat, touching my bond marks as she stares out the window at the drifting snow. She might not have my mark on her — but she’s left hers on me . She chose me.
Our family never had discussions about designation. There were no discussions to be had. Each generation has an alpha that takes over the family — on the Abramowitz side, my mother’s family — and I knew from a young age that it wouldn’t be me. I was never bulky, strong, or a leader others defaulted to. My mother left her Jewish family, married my Chickasaw father, and took themselves off to study animals in remote places.
Over the years I found stability from the constant movement of childhood — first it was meeting Gabriel before college, working odd jobs for the Abramowitz family — then it was meeting Bennett. The rest was history.
I couldn’t help but be weary of her reaction to marriage. The heat, the circumstances in New York — she has her alphas, I’m not someone she should be drawn to. In the back of my mind, I’ve always wondered if I just shoehorned my way in, if it’ll be too much one day.
June tilts her head, her smile a little more coherent. “Didn’t you say there’s cake?”
I laugh. “Yeah, there’s cake. You want some?”
She nods her head rapidly and I tug her into the kitchen, then snag the cake from the fridge. When I open the box, she lets out an adorable squeak at the piped flowers before she grabs two plates for us, the ring on her finger flashing under the dim lights.
Holding out a knife to me, she smiles. “Do the honors?”
I take it and cut us each a slice, serving her first before I whisper, “Do you really mean it?”
She pauses, half a bite to her mouth. “Mean what?”
Swallowing, I nod at the ring. “You want to marry us — all of us.”
June takes my plate from my hands, putting the cake to the side before she grabs my face and pulls me against her, nose to nose. “Seth, yes .” She enunciates the word, eyes deadly serious. “I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t completely and stupidly in love with every single one of you. From Arin’s ridiculous protective behavior to Theo’s stubbornness to Bennett’s sweetness to you —”
I know I’m brash — I know I make choices without thinking first —
Her fingers smooth between my brow.
“I can’t explain to you how much I love you.” Her lips wobble. “I don’t think the words exist, and I’m a writer .”
A choked laugh forces itself out of my chest. “I…”
“No.” June shakes her head. “No, if you don’t listen to anything else I say, listen to me right here, right now. I would not be here if you hadn’t decided to come find me that day. If we hadn’t been pushed together time and time again. Do you know what that felt like when I was in the elevator with you and Bennett? I kept wondering if life was playing one big cosmic joke on me — and then again, that night I…” She pauses, licking her lips. “I couldn’t comprehend that I was suddenly not who I always thought I was. It was terrifying. And all I could do is keep thinking about you . And then there you were” — her eyes water, shining as they look at me — “buying coffee.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her into a kiss that tastes like frosting. She’s pliant in my arms as I hold her. She keeps talking between kisses. “Fate kept giving us chances.”
“I wasn’t wasting the last one.” I whisper the words as I wipe an errant tear from her cheek.
June smiles, her gaze so full of love that it overflows from her emotions to mine, ringing down the bond. “You mean the world to me. I love all those stupid alphas, but I also love you .” She jabs me in the chest with a finger. “You, who knows no boundaries, you who decided I was coming home, you who stuck up for me in front of your pack, you who saw I was about to have a heat and made it your personal mission to get me anything I needed, you who I trusted enough to do that when everything was loud and scary and new —”
I grunt, grabbing her hand before she can poke me again. “Don’t bruise me, baby.”
She rolls her eyes, but threads our fingers together. “Don’t ask me stupid questions then.” Her expression softens. “I love you. I have loved you from the first moment we met, and if that’s crazy, then let it be.” She grazes my lips with hers again, voice gentle. “Because while the world may think time and time again that omegas and alphas are always linked and destined to be together, I know that you and I are fated. We’re meant to be here, and I’m meant to be yours, as much as you’re mine.”
Holding her tightly, I pull her against my chest, but it’s not enough — the touching isn’t close to how much I want her. Leaning down, I pick her up by the backs of her thighs and place her on the counter, making our cake plates clatter as I step between her legs and kiss her harder, pushing everything I can into it.
June’s legs wrap around me as she plays with my hair. “I love you, Seth Harding.”
I smile up at her. “Seth Walden.”
Her mouth pops open, head tilting. “No.”
Shrugging, I rub her hips idly. “I thought about it when Arin told us he wanted to propose… and if that’s the pack name, then why don’t we all take your name. We don’t have to.” I pause at her expression. “But I thought it might be nice to make new memories associated with your surname.”
June’s eyes fill with tears as she peppers my entire face with kisses. “Seth Walden.” She sounds awestruck as she murmurs, “I love it. Theo Walden. Arin Walden. Bennett Walden.”
Groaning, I move between her thighs. “You whispering other men’s names should not turn me on as much as it does.”
She giggles, wiggling to the edge of the counter to wrap her arms around my shoulders, looking down at me with the brightest eyes. She’s so fucking gorgeous . Her gentle curves, her soft belly, and big smiles — it’s a far cry from the woman I met in London, and I feel honored I’ve gotten to see her bloom.
June leans to the side, stabbing a piece of cake and holding it up to my lips. I take it and she leans into me. “I like those names the more I think about them.” She hums as she takes another bite herself, sliding her legs up and down my back, her feet pushing at my sweats. “It’s very old school.” She toys with me, one hand twisting my hair. “You all take my name because I’m the omega.”
“I mean, it’s only fitting — you own us, even if there are no collars.”
“Yet.” June points her fork at me. “We have a lot of years in front of us, we could get there.”
I laugh loudly, my head tipping back as I snort. “You’re right, we could get there.”
June beams at me. “Our wedding .” She squeaks the word. “I’m going to plan our wedding next year.” She offers me another bite of cake, but I ignore it to press little butterfly kisses across her exposed collarbone. The fork drops from her hand.
I’m not an alpha. I don’t have a bark or a snarl. I can’t purr to comfort her. But as she cards her fingers through my hair, nails scratching my scalp, I’m close to making the rattling noise of pure happiness. Biology be damned.
She smells like honey, and she’s mine .
“Seth?”
“Hm?” I kiss her chin.
“There have to be others, right?” Her voice is soft as my hands rub over her bare thighs. At my look, she clarifies, “Other omegas like me?”
“I’m sure there are, baby.” I kiss her lips, our noses touching.
June lets out a little sigh of contentment. “I hope they find this kind of happiness.”