Epilogue
T wo years later…
“Apollo!” Jost waddled over to the back door and paused when he saw Apollo holding their son, Slater, as he slept. Slater was one now and Jost was only a few weeks off giving birth to their daughter. Slater had been born a zebra shifter, but Jost hoped their daughter would be a lion shifter. Apollo didn’t care. He loved being mated and a father, and Jost loved Apollo with all his heart.
Jenrick had been found guilty and now languished in a shifter prison. He’d only been sentenced to eight years, which Jost didn’t agree with, but at least Jenrick had been found guilty and sentenced. He had attempted to plead diminished capacity but had been refused. Jost had attended court, ready to testify when Jenrick changed his plea. How he could try the diminished responsibility claim, then plead not guilty, Jost didn’t know. All he’d cared about was that it was finally over, and he could move on with his life.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Apollo kissed him and Jost couldn’t help but touch Slater’s soft skin, leaning over so he could scent his son. There was something about Slater’s scent that made Jost feel a happiness and contentedness he’d never experienced.
“I’m fine. I have a month to go, and this one isn’t as acrobatic as our son was.” Slater didn’t stop moving at all and Jost had spent many hours watching feet and hands push out of his stomach. Strange feeling it and strange seeing it.
“Have you heard anything about the Helmers?” It had come out during the investigation that it had been the Helmers who had told Jenrick where Jost would be. Apollo hadn’t wasted a second and had kicked them out of the dazzle and let the police deal with them.
The dazzle from Cornwall had joined Apollo’s, and Saxton, their former leader, was now enjoying retirement. The two dazzles merging had been relatively easy, and Apollo now had Lenor as second, who helped him run the dazzle.
“Nope, and I don’t want to. They reap what they sow.” Apollo rocked Slater, and the sight melted Jost’s heart.
“Your parents said they’d have Slater tomorrow night.” Jost watched Apollo raise his head and look Jost over.
“Really? And what plans do you have?”
“Me and cake.” Jost licked his lips and hummed when Apollo kissed him. “And more of this.”
“That’s a plan I can get behind.”
“I love you.” Jost sighed happily when Apollo gave him a more thorough kiss.
“Love you too.” Apollo kissed Slater’s cheek. “Let’s put this little man down and spend an hour of adult time.”
Jost grinned, his body reacting to Apollo’s words. “Let’s.”
The End