Epilogue Wreck
It’s been two weeks.
Two weeks since I found my mate in that fire.
Two weeks since she looked at the monster in me and didn’t flinch.
Two weeks since my entire damn life flipped upside down and somehow settled into something better than I ever deserved.
And right now?
We’re having a barbecue.
A fucking cookout.
Right on the mountain.
I stand at the grill, tongs in one hand, smoke curling up into the summer air while Havoc barks at Matteo for trying to flip burgers with a stick.
“Kid, you’re gonna burn your eyebrows off,” the Wolf snaps.
Matteo grins like that’s a challenge.
Gabriella laughs from the picnic table, brushing her dark hair off her face while Valerie hands her a paper plate.
The two of them have been thick as thieves since Gia dragged Gabby into this mountain chaos.
Apparently, the little waitress had been using a scent-blocker that worked pretty well among supernaturals—but turns out she has a furry little secret herself.
My gorgeous Omega sits nearby on a folding chair with her bare feet in the grass, one hand resting on her stomach like she can’t help herself.
Like she’s already guarding our future.
The sight of it still hits me in the chest every time.
What the fuck is my life right now?
Justin leans against a tree, arms folded, looking like a brooding myth while pretending he’s not watching the perimeter every five seconds.
Apparently, I’m the head Alpha here.
No ceremony.
No vote.
It just… happened.
And not cause I’m the strongest, but apparently because I’m the most selfless.
And really?
Life is good.
The Bears who once would’ve challenged me now don’t step foot near this mountain.
The Coven is under investigation thanks to certain Dryad-initiated paperwork that mysteriously surfaced.
And our crew?
A-Feral Firefighters.
We’re not just a crew anymore.
We’re a Clan.
Havoc snatches a sharp stick out of Matteo’s hand.
“Go bother your mom before I draft you into manual labor,” he grumbles.
Matteo scowls.
“Mom said I’m allowed to help.”
“Your mom says a lot of things.”
Gabriella rolls her eyes. “Ignore him, baby. He’s just grumpy.”
Havoc mutters something under his breath that absolutely includes the word “baby” in a tone he doesn’t quite understand himself.
I catch it.
So does Justin.
The Dragon smirks faintly.
Interesting.
Gabriella bends down to wipe ketchup off Matteo’s face and Havoc goes very still.
The Wolf’s scent shifts.
Not aggression.
Not dominance.
Something else.
Possessive.
Protective.
Awareness dawns slow and brutal.
Oh hell.
My mouth twitches.
“Havoc,” I call out casually.
“What?” he snaps.
“You planning to glare at her all summer, or are you gonna grow a pair?”
He nearly drops the damn spatula.
“Shut up.”
Gabriella looks between us, confused.
Gia bursts out laughing.
And that right there?
That sound?
It settles something deep inside my chest.
Two weeks ago I was fighting my past.
Now I’m standing barefoot in the grass watching my mate laugh while our future grows inside her.
The Bear stretches lazily inside me.
Steady.
Grounded.
Still feral, though.
That hasn’t changed.
I’d still tear the world apart if it threatened her.
But now?
I don’t wake up every morning bracing for battle.
I wake up listening for her breathing.
I wake up reaching for her warmth.
I wake up knowing I’m not alone anymore.
Gia looks over at me from across the yard.
Just looks.
That’s all it takes.
The bond hums.
Soft.
Strong.
She smiles.
And I swear to fuck I feel my entire spine loosen.
Mine.
Not because I claim her.
Because she claims me right back.
Valerie leans over and whispers something in her ear.
Gia blushes.
Havoc watches Gabriella too long again and nearly burns a rack of ribs.
Justin sighs like he regrets ever tolerating us.
Matteo runs through the grass, pretending to be a firefighter.
The mountain stands tall and quiet around us.
Protected.
Not by fear.
By choice.
I flip the last burger and glance at the Wolf.
“So,” I say casually, “you gonna tell her or should I?”
Havoc growls low.
“Tell who what?”
Gabriella arches a brow.
“Oh, this should be good.”
I grin slowly.
Because if there’s one thing I know now?
Fate doesn’t miss.
It just waits.
And judging by the way Havoc looks at that female and her kid like they already belong in his den?
Yeah.
This mountain’s about to get a whole lot louder.
I glance back at my Omega, who’s watching me with that soft, knowing look again.
“You good?” she mouths silently.
I nod once.
Better than good.
For the first time in my life—I’m home.
And this time?
I’m not letting anyone take it from me.