Epilogue
PHIL
I stretched, long and hard. I needed to get up soon. It was Dillon and Ruthie’s first day of school. Summer had flown by in a haze of bliss, and now fall was nipping at its heels.
“Hmm,” Sedrick grumbled. “We’ve still got time.” He pulled me closer, draping my body over his.
For once, my wings lay still, content and languid.
Sedrick’s fingers danced along the line of my mating mark, the bite he’d proudly placed on the junction between my neck and shoulder.
Unlike the weres the human had provoked at Dusk during my brief stint as a bouncer, Sedrick wanted my mating mark where all and sundry could see it.
Being human was no excuse not to realize I was mated.
My body gave a reflexive shiver, an automatic response anytime Sedrick touched that particular patch of skin. My mate liked the reaction. His low-banked growl was pure pleasure.
“The children will be up soon, and I want to make them a special breakfast,” I argued but made no attempt to get up. Mornings were our special time, and neither of us was eager to end it.
“You always make them something special.”
“I know, but today’s their first day of school.” I was probably more worried about it than Dillon or Ruthie. “They’ll be around new kids, new teachers, new . . . everything. I—”
“They’ll be fine, Phil. I’m not saying it won’t be tough or that there won’t be a few bumps in the road, but Dillon and Ruthie are gonna do great.
” Sedrick licked a line up my jaw, making me shiver.
He finished with soft, barely there kisses along my eyelashes and nose.
“They’re going to do great because of you. ”
I hissed when Sedrick’s other hand sneaked its way toward my hip, the pads of his fingers teasing along my growing erection. My hips canted forward, always seeking more of my mate’s touch. “B-but they’ll be teased. They’ve got a pixie as a—”
“As a damn fine uncle.” Sedrick pulled me over his body, lining us up so our cocks slipped past each other.
I groaned, long and low.
“Now, stop overthinking things. Dillon’s an alpha, and Ruthie’s a dire. If anyone gives them shit, they’ll regret it.”
“I don’t want them to fight, not because of me.” My words were breathy as they whispered into the room.
“They won’t need to physically fight. Good alphas don’t use violence to solve problems. That doesn’t mean Dillon and Ruthie can’t put someone in their place.” Sedrick pulled me up, grazing our skin together so he could nuzzle my neck. “Fuck, I can never get enough of you.”
I smothered a laugh. “That goes both ways.”
“Mm, does it? That’s good to know.”
Sedrick already knew it. He knew it all too well. I don’t know how I ever thought I’d be able to keep working at his house and hide my feelings. I wasn’t deceptive by nature.
“When did you say they’re having the fall festival at Peaches’s orchard?”
I didn’t know how Sedrick could keep talking, keep thinking straight. His hands on my ass, kneading and spreading my cheeks, made my head spin and my wings flutter. Pink dust filled the air, along with my groan.
“N-not . . .” I panted. “Not until late September.”
“Good, that gives us a few weeks.” Sedrick’s wayward hand slipped below my crease, traveling farther and cupping my heavy balls. “You like that, baby?”
Sedrick knew I did, and I didn’t have it in me to answer. Just like always, Sedrick filled my body and soul with pleasured peace. I’d had no idea how dull my life was until my werewolf claimed me.
“Have I told you recently how much I love you?” Sedrick’s teeth nipped at my ear, their points just slightly sharper than usual.
“Not since last night,” I managed to gasp.
“Far too long.” Sedrick flipped me over, ever careful of my wings. “Moon Goddess, you’re beautiful.” Sedrick leaned in, drinking from my lips. “Remind me to send Ray a thank-you note.”
I smiled, grin wide. “You’ve already sent him half a dozen.”
“It’s not enough. I never would have gone looking for a home-and-hearth pixie if he hadn’t pushed me to do it. I never would have found you standing in Martin’s Boarding House in that ridiculous black t-shirt, jeans, and boots.”
I didn’t bother reminding Sedrick that he’d found my clothing choice sensible.
Cold metal touched my skin as Sedrick draped the pink diamond necklace he had made for me.
It was a choker—pink diamonds set in platinum.
It was beyond expensive. I’d protested, but Sedrick had insisted, and I’d found I could hardly deny him anything.
“The kids are still asleep,” Sedrick assured me.
“We’ve got time.” I never questioned how he knew Dillon and Ruthie were peacefully sleeping.
He’d told me once he could hear their hearts beating, and I trusted Sedrick.
I trusted my mate with everything I was, everything I wanted to be, everything I dreamed of.
I trusted Sedrick with my heart, body, and soul.
“Good thing.” I leaned up, peppering Sedrick’s neck with desperate kisses. “I need you.”
“Not half as much as I need you, Phil.”