Epilogue
The community center buzzed with celebration. Laughter, clinking glasses, upbeat music, and the hum of the townsfolk of Lurton gathered for a night they would be sure to remember. Everywhere Liana turned, someone was smiling at her or reaching out to clasp her hands or pull Eddie in for a hug.
She had never been the center of attention before like this. Weddings she’d attend had all been small, intimate affairs. Family celebrations were cozy dinners. But this was a full-on clan celebration for the mating of their alpha.
Eddie and her.
And the entire town had to be there. If she hadn’t already been in love with Eddie, she certainly would have fallen in love with her tonight. The devotion to Eddie was breathtakingly beautiful. Everyone loved their alpha.
Compliment after compliment washed over her. Each one filled her chest with an overwhelming sense of belonging.
Eddie stood tall and proud with her and firmly clasped her hand around Liana’s. Her thumb stroked slow circles against Liana’s skin. Every time Eddie looked at her, her amber eyes softened. Her bear appeared to be content. She didn’t growl as much as she used to.
Selen approached wearing a dark sweater and jeans, while her mate, Rose, was in a deep-green dress.
“It’s a beautiful celebration,” Rose said.
She reached out and squeezed Liana’s hand. Her eyes were bright and welcoming. They had met several times since Liana had arrived in Lurton. It had only taken the council a week to organize their mating celebration.
“I’m so happy for the two of you,” Rose added.
“Thank you.” Liana gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go.
“May your union be blessed, Eddie.” Selen snagged her own mate and brought her close to her.
“Fate chose us and threw us together. I’m just glad I was able to find her in time,” Eddie said.
“I’m glad, too. I sure as hell didn’t want to freeze to death,” Liana muttered.
They all shared a laugh together. Before Liana could say anything else, a familiar voice hollered her name. She turned just in time to see her sister barreling right toward her.
“Jorrie!”
The two fell into a hug mixed with crying and laughter. Jorrie pulled back and studied her.
“If you ever scare me like that again. I don’t even know what I would do with you,” Jorrie said.
It felt so good to see her. Liana almost didn’t want to let her go.
“I’m sorry. I truly am, but I seriously didn’t have a way to call you.
That mountain had no service,” Liana explained for the hundredth time.
But she didn’t care. Her sister was here in Lurton.
Liana felt a presence at her back. She spun on her heels and found Eddie standing behind her.
“Sis, let me introduce you to my mate, Eddie.”
“Hello. Welcome to Lurton, Jorrie,” Eddie said, taking Jorrie’s hand in hers in a quick shake.
“Oh my God. Eddie? Really? You didn’t tell me she was built like a goddess-warrior-lumberjack.” Jorrie gestured wildly.
Liana snorted hard and fell into a fit of laughter at her correct depiction of Eddie. Now that Jorrie had said it, she couldn’t unsee it.
“That’s a compliment?” Eddie arched an eyebrow.
“It is.” Terri blew in and joined them. She wrapped Liana up in her arms for a strong hug.
Since she’d decided to stay in Lurton, she’d already jumped in to help with Terri and the baby. Terri signaled between Liana and Jorrie. She grinned and shook her head.
“It’ll take a minute to understand these two. Just give it a little time, Alpha.”
Liana grinned and stepped back. She felt so damn happy that her sister was here along with her best friend. Tonight was an amazing night, and she was enjoying herself.
Jorrie nudged Liana. “And she’s hot, too!”
“Jorrie!” Liana’s eyes went wide as she stared at Jorrie who just shrugged.
Eddie’s low, amused growl rumbled in her chest which prompted a few of the clan members to glance over with fond smiles. Terri steered Jorrie away with the offer to introduce her around.
Well-wishers continued to stop by from Eddie’s family, friends, and community elders.
They couldn’t take five steps without someone getting their attention, all of them desiring to embrace the newly mated couple.
Liana felt welcomed by everyone. Eddie had been right.
They treated her as if she were an extension of Eddie.
Liana found herself smiling, laughing, and hugging strangers who accepted her because she belonged to Eddie.
This was her new community.
“Want to sneak out of here?” Eddie murmured in her ear.
“I thought you would never ask.” Liana grinned. She didn’t mind meeting everyone, but literally the entire town had showed up tonight, and this was a bit overwhelming.
Eddie took her by her hand and guided her through the crowd. They grabbed their coats from the closet room and eased out the back door unnoticed by most.
The night air was crisp and stung Liana’s cheeks. She breathed in deeply and allowed the cool air to calm her nerves. Snow blanketed the edges of the clearing of the parking lot. It gleamed brightly under the full moon.
They walked hand in hand toward Eddie’s truck. Liana remained close to her side. She didn’t want to put much distance between them while riding high on the love they had received from the clan members.
Moonlight softened the strong angles of Eddie’s face. She looked peaceful and content. She was so breathtakingly beautiful that Liana’s heart skipped a beat. They had parked at the back of the lot. The walk wasn’t long, but it allowed them to get some fresh air.
When they reached the truck, Eddie gave Liana’s hand a gentle tug, turning her to face her fully.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Eddie lifted her hand and brushed her thumb across Liana’s cheek.
Liana leaned into her touch. Her eyes fluttered closed as she savored the warmth from Eddie’s palm.
When she opened her eyes again, Eddie’s expression was tender in a way she saved only for Liana.
“My mate,” Eddie whispered. She leaned down and kissed Liana.
It was slow and deep. It was a vow and a promise of love wrapped together. Liana fisted the front of Eddie’s coat and pulled her close. She melted into her warmth, her strength, and her everything.
When they finally parted, Eddie rested her forehead on Liana’s.
“My forever,” Eddie murmured.
Tears blurred her vision. Liana sniffed and gave a small nod.
“Forever,” she echoed.
“Under the full moon, I am making a promise to love you, cherish you, and protect you as long as there is breath in my lungs.”
Tears slipped down Liana’s cheeks. She smiled at Eddie and pressed against her.
“I promise to love you, protect you, and cherish you as well,” Liana said.
Eddie kissed her again, this time brief and hard. It took Liana’s breath away.
Faint sounds from the celebration drifted through the cold night air. With the moon beaming down bearing a witness to their promises, Liana knew that fate hadn’t just saved her that night.
It had brought the love of her life to her.