Epilogue Zaden
I pushed open the heavy door of Z's Place, my bar.
The familiar clink of glasses and warm amber light welcomed me, but I immediately noticed subtle differences.
The tables had been rearranged slightly, fresh artwork adorned the walls, and a hint of a new scent mingled with the old memories that lingered here.
I paused in the doorway, feeling a swirl of nostalgia and unease. So much time had passed, marked by these quiet changes, while I slept under the dragon sleep spell. It was a curse created by a psycho witch with a vendetta. Every hundred years, male dragon shifters had to hibernate for ten years.
Luckily for me and my clan, our dragon alpha found his mate, breaking his curse. Now that Ashton had mated, the rest of us would be able to find ours. I was here for it because it meant no more sleeping for ten years.
I walked slowly between the tables, absorbing the space that once echoed with laughter and whispered conversations from patrons enjoying live music and good drinks. My place.
The polished wood of the bar top reflected the soft lighting. I ran my hand along the smooth surface, remembering evenings of pouring drinks and trading stories with the regulars. A sad smile tugged at my lips. It felt like a lifetime ago.
I inhaled deeply, searching for the notes of whiskey, polished brass, and the faint citrus of the wood polish that had always defined Z's Place for me.
They were still there but muted, layered with other scents I couldn't quite name.
The comforting aroma had shifted—not unpleasantly, but noticeably.
An undeniable reminder that time never stops, not even for an immortal dragon.
I swept my gaze over the room again. Behind the bar, the rows of bottles remained largely unchanged, but a new painting hung in a spot of prominence on the exposed brick wall.
A swirl of vibrant red and orange, like dancing flames.
I tilted my head, considering it. Not the style I would have chosen, but the colors seemed to suit the place.
"Welcome back, Mr. Roberts," a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Angel, one of my long-time bartenders. Her warm smile lit up her face as she extended a hand. "Place wasn't the same without you."
I clasped his hand firmly, allowing a genuine smile. "It's good to be back. The place looks good. You've taken care of her."
Angel inclined her head. "We did our best, sir. Wasn't easy to fill your shoes, but me and the crew, we did what we could to keep Z's running smooth." She paused, glancing around. "Made a few updates here and there. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," I assured her, even as a pang of wistfulness thrummed through me. "Place looks great. Change is a part of life, right?"
"Sure is," Angel agreed easily. "But some things stay the same." She produced a rocks glass and a bottle of my favorite bourbon with a flourish. "Drink?"
I barked out a short laugh. "Now that is exactly what I needed to hear. Pour me a double. Time to get reacquainted with my old haunt properly."
As she fixed my drink, I allowed the tension to slip from my shoulders bit by bit. Z's Place may have changed some in my years away, but sitting here, I could still feel the pulse of the bar that had been my heart and soul for so long. My refuge. My domain.
I savored the bourbon for a moment before setting the glass down. "I'm gonna head back to the office for a bit. Catch up with Kenneth."
Angel nodded. "Of course. He's been eager for your return. We all have."
With a grateful smile, I slid off the stool and made my way to the back. I knocked twice on the office door before pushing it open. "Kenneth, my man!"
Kenneth stood from behind the desk, a wide grin splitting his face. "Zaden!" He strode over, grasping my hand in a firm shake. "Damn, is it good to see you."
"Likewise," I said, clapping him on the shoulder with my free hand. As a fellow shifter, Kenneth understood the significance of my absence better than most. Even though Ken was a wolf and didn’t have to hibernate like my brothers and I.
"Place is still standing, so I take it you've been holding down the fort? "
Kenneth chuckled. "You know it. Kept everything running like a well-oiled machine." He gestured for me to sit as he returned to his chair, swiveling the computer screen towards me. "In fact, wait until you see these numbers."
I leaned forward, scanning the financial reports on the screen. My brows lifted in pleasant surprise. "Kenneth, this is impressive. More than impressive. You've outdone yourself, truly."
Color rose in Kenneth's cheeks, but his smile was proud. "Told you I'd take care of everything. Your faith in me wasn't misplaced."
"Never doubted that for a second," I said firmly. "Which is why I'm going to make sure you get one hell of a bonus for your hard work and dedication."
Kenneth's eyes widened. "Zaden, that's not—"
I held up a hand, cutting off his protest. "I insist. You've earned it and then some. Let me do this for you. Please."
Kenneth held my gaze for a beat, emotions flitting across his face. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Alright. Thank you, Zaden. Truly."
"Least I can do," I assured him. Settling back in my chair, I let my gaze drift around the office, taking in the subtle changes. Like the rest of the bar, it had adapted in my absence, shifting to fill the space I had left behind.
But sitting there with Kenneth, I felt a sense of rightness. A click back into place. The bar was still mine, still my home. And having the chance to properly recognize Kenneth for all he'd done in my stead? That made the homecoming all the sweeter.
I was exactly where I needed to be. Now, it was time to re-immerse myself in the rhythms of Z's Place and figure out my new normal.
Stepping back out into the main area, my gaze landed on a woman in a quiet corner.
In that instant, a deep, unexplainable certainty washed over me.
Holy hell. She was my fated mate. I walked over to her, drawn by an invisible force.
Despite her strange, almost distant manner, the magnetic pull between us was undeniable.
She stood with an air of confidence of a wolf shifter whose fierce, focused amber eyes and strong posture immediately captivated me.
I knew her. We had shared one wild, drunken night before my long sleep, though I couldn't recall her name—until my eyes caught the small nametag on her uniform: Krystal.
Gathering my courage, I approached her with a gentle smile. "Hi, how are you?"
She looked at me blankly, clearly not recognizing me despite the overwhelming connection I felt. "I'm Zaden," I offered, my tone friendly yet curious.
She returned my smile politely. "Oh, right. Our mysterious owner. I'm Krystal."
Silence hung between us for a moment while I wondered if she recognized me at all. Did she feel the fated mate pull? Surely she did. She was a wolf. I ventured, "Do we… know each other? I feel like we've met before."
Like ten years before, in Knoxville.
Back then, I hadn’t recognized her as my mate because of the curse. Now that Ashton had found his, the rest of us would, too. And Krystal was mine.
Krystal tilted her head slightly, her smile remaining reserved. "Not that I recall?" she replied, her tone laced with something inexplicably strange.
Something was odd with her. Maybe she remembered me. Or felt the pull. I was so confused and excited that I felt like my dragon was going to burst out of my skin. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside, my heart raced.
How can she not feel this? The connection between us is so strong, it's almost tangible.
I searched her face for any hint of recognition, any flicker of the bond I sensed so deeply. But her amber eyes revealed nothing, her polite smile unwavering.
Patience, Zaden. You can't rush this. If she's truly your fated mate, the truth will come out in time.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to center myself. "Well, it's a pleasure to officially meet you, Krystal. I look forward to working with you."
She nodded, her posture relaxing slightly. "Likewise. It's good to finally put a face to the name."
I chuckled softly. "I'm sure there's been plenty of speculation about the absentee owner. I promise I'm not as mysterious as the rumors might suggest."
A hint of amusement danced in her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
As we stood there, the background chatter of the bar faded away, leaving only the pounding of my heart and the inexplicable longing to know everything about this enigmatic woman.
One step at a time, Zaden. One step at a time.
"Your voice is familiar, though," Krystal admitted softly, her brow furrowing as she studied me more closely. The gentle background music and the subtle scent of her perfume mingled in the air, stirring long-buried memories.
I allowed my mind to drift back to that night, a kaleidoscope of hazy recollections—shared laughter, clumsy conversations, and stolen moments.
The details were vivid in my mind, etched into my memory with the precision of my dragon nature.
But for Krystal, I knew, the alcohol had blurred the edges, leaving only fragments behind.
If only she could remember the way I did, the connection we shared, however brief.
I smiled warmly, hoping to put her at ease. "Perhaps we've crossed paths before, in another life."
She laughed softly, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. "Maybe so. Stock Creek is a small town, after all."
Standing there, mere inches from her, I felt an undeniable pull, a certainty that went beyond the allure of that forgotten night. It was as if the threads of fate were weaving us together, binding our souls in an unbreakable bond.
Yet, despite the strength of my conviction, Krystal's odd behavior and lack of recognition gave me pause. I knew I couldn't rush this or force a connection that needed to grow naturally.
With a hopeful glimmer in my eyes, I ventured softly, "I hope to see you around, Krystal. Hopefully, we'll see a lot of each other now that I'm back in town."
She nodded, her smile genuine but guarded. "I'm sure we will. It's a pleasure to have you back."
She was perfect. Everything I’d ever wanted and more.
As I watched her walk away, her steps graceful and purposeful, I silently vowed to make her mine. The pull I felt for her was undeniable. But she had walls around her heart.
I would find a way to break through the barriers and help her remember what we’d shared. No matter how long it would take, Krystal would be mine.