Epilogue
LANE
Two months later…
The Ward family dining room is twice the size of my entire college apartment, and somehow still feels too small for the sheer personality inside it.
A massive, glossy oak table stretches nearly wall-to-wall. The chandelier overhead is made from antlers. The walls are hung with framed pack history—old photographs, worn maps, painted portraits of past ancestors.
The scent of roasted meat and herbs fills the air—along with something briny and oceanic that makes my stomach turn.
Jesse's mother, always elegant, sweeps in carrying a silver platter piled high with fresh oysters. "Lane, darling, we got these for you. I remember how much you love these."
I swallow hard and shake my head. I'm not quite ready to say what needs to be said. So instead I say "Oh—no thank you."
Her brows lift.
"Jesse," I interject. "What did you say about Dax and that girl his family wanted to arrange a mating contract with?"
"Oh, right, the Cornerstone pack. Completely unsuitable." Jesse regales us with tales of how, even though they're very wealthy, complete insanity runs through that pack, including a great-aunt who likes to strip naked on the full moon and run through town – human towns.
We laugh until we're crying.
All is well until Marion brings out a bottle of wine and expertly uncorks it. Deep red, fragrant. Delicious.
"Oh, not tonight."
"You love reds." Marion gives me a puzzled look.
"Oh, I'm just not up to it tonight."
Now the entire room goes silent.
Jesse glances around, looking baffled. "Why is everyone staring at me?"
His mother, passing behind him, flicks him on the back of the head.
Jesse glares at her. "Mom! I'm not a cub any more, thank you very much."
Cole, who is sitting on the other side of him from me, nudges him immediately afterward, then punches his arm. "Seriously?"
Jesse jerks back in his chair. "What? Has everyone lost their damn minds?"
His mother folds her hands delicately, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "When were you going to tell us, Jesse?"
"Tell you what?"
Cole groans loudly. "Is he really that dumb?"
Marion laughs. "Apparently."
Jesse looks between the three of us, offended. "Can someone please explain what's happening? Use your words, people, I know you're capable."
I take a breath, heart fluttering.
"I have something to tell you all," I say.
Jesse turns to me.
And I watch the exact moment it hits him—like lightning. His eyes widen. His breath catches. His chair tips as he scrambles to stand.
"You're not drinking alcohol. You're not eating raw oysters. You…"
"Yes," I nod. "Me. Or rather, us." I pat my stomach. As a full-figured girl, I'm not quite showing yet.
"Lane—" he gasps, voice cracking. "You're—? Are you—? Really?"
I smile up at him, tears stinging my eyes. "Yes, Jesse. I'm pregnant."
For a second he just stares at me, stunned.
Then his face splits into the most delighted grin I've ever seen, and he gently puts his hand on my stomach. "I feel like an idiot."
"Because you are," Cole murmurs.
"I'm so happy right now, I'm not even going to kick your ass."
Cole rolls his eyes at his brother, then lifts his glass. "To the future tiny Alpha. May he have his mother's looks and also his mother's personality."
I laugh. His mother is beaming from ear to ear, and my mate is grinning so wide it looks like his face is going to split.
This is my family, and this is my home.