Epilogue
R eaper
“What are you doing?” she asks, hand on her hip as it’s cocked out a touch, showing me a hint of the attitude I’ve come to expect from her.
“Getting dressed. We’ll stop by your place on the way, so you can too.” I offer, though most of her stuff has now taken over my place at the club.
We were going to start staying at her house for the added privacy, but when we really got to working everything out, it didn’t fit into our plans how we wanted.
First things first, we need the place to be blacked out for the most part to protect us from the midday sun.
We need supplies in case we can’t leave for whatever reason, and then there was the looming fact of me not being at the club when who knows what hits the fan.
I’m the vice president; my place is not only with Athena, but also at Bones’ side.
Needless to say, Athena has slept in my bed every night since everything went down with Veronica, and I don’t plan on letting her out of it any time soon.
“Okay, a little presumptuous, but I’ll bite.”
I shake my head, my lips twisting into a smirk.
She’s embraced her vampire side fully and isn’t afraid to let anyone have it if she sees fit.
It’s like she was made for the club life, and my brothers even like her too.
She’s purer than a turned vampire since she was born with the gene, so it makes her more powerful and alluring compared to other vampires.
“And where are we going that requires us to ‘get dressed’?”
“It’s Halloween, darling, the one night we can all be ourselves. We’re going out to be vampires and mix with the mortals.”
Her eyes light up at my response, then she grins widely. “Oh my God! I get to be a vampire for Halloween? This is genius and I can’t wait.”
I snicker, shaking my head at her again.
“I figured you might want to go all vampire queen tonight since we’ll be on my bike.
I did get you something, you may or may not want for tonight…
” I trail off, knowing how she gets over presents.
She’s like a kid whenever I surprise her by placing a box or bag in front of her, and no matter how many times it happens, I still haven’t gotten my fill of seeing her excitement.
It’s addicting, that carefree smile she flashes me so easily now.
It’s been a couple of months since Athena fully embraced what we are, and that the world isn’t what it seems on the surface.
Watching her evolution has been nothing short of incredible.
Those first few weeks were rough—the newfound hunger pains, the sensitivity to midday sunlight, and the intense burns that come along with it, and last but not least, the emotional rollercoaster she went through inside because everything about her world literally changed in an instant.
Now, however? She strolls through life like she was born for our way of darkness, as if the world belongs to her alone, and we’re just passing through it.
Being a half-blood, she’s so much stronger than your typical new vampire.
She was able to control her thirst almost immediately, which is a bit unheard of when you first come through the change.
I was beside her the entire time and made sure she had everything she needed so she wouldn’t fly off the handle and go ripping through the town, draining them one by one.
Shockingly, she never tried to fight me on it, and the entire time it was like being with a seasoned vampire, not a fledgling.
What is it? Let me see!” Her excitement is contagious as she interrupts my thoughts.
I’ve been standing here staring at her in a daze, taking her in for every moment she’d allow it.
Some days I can’t help myself, my mate is otherworldly in the true sense of she steals my breath away without having to try.
I grab the black gift bag the lady at the store hooked me up with when I bought her gift and hand it over. Her mouth drops open as she takes in the leather jacket, matching the rest of ours. Well, almost, hers is more girly and kind of cropped at the bottom.
“It’s munchkin size, so it’ll fit you,” I tease, making her huff and playfully shove at my chest.
“I love it,” the words leave her sounding a bit breathless.
“Thank you,” she squeezes the jacket to her chest, leaning in to deeply inhale the new leather scent.
“How did you know which one would be my favorite?” she asks, impressed, running her fingers over the smooth black leather.
She studies the buttons and zipper for a moment before meeting my gaze once again.
“Don’t sound too surprised, darling. I've been around you for a few months now, and I do pay attention, despite what you may believe. Plus, we’re mates, I feel it each time you look at something shiny or leather, and get excited.”
She grins, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to my lips.
The past few months have changed me as well.
Having Athena here at the clubhouse, watching her adapt and grow stronger each day—it’s given me a sense of completeness I’ve never had before.
Sometimes I catch myself watching her, taking in her actions and mood, to marvel at how natural this life seems for her now.
She belongs here with me, and somehow, I know feeling that way is right and as it should be.
“The brothers are coming with us, too. Group event,” I share, with a smirk, and pull my leather jacket on over my cut.
We’re not the loud sort of bikers, looking for attention by flashing our patches everywhere.
We’re the opposite, wanting the least amount of attention as possible.
“Bones wants to hit up that new bar downtown, then make our rounds, stopping by a few Halloween parties.”
“Maybe we can scare a few folks into handing over their candy,” she suggests, eagerness playing over her features, making me chuckle. I’ve quickly learned she loves this holiday, having us all carve pumpkins together like some sort of degenerate family.
“I swear you’d be the least scary vamp in town if you’re only trying to get a couple pieces of chocolate.”
She shrugs, “I don’t want to hurt anyone, just have some harmless fun. Besides, who would turn down chocolate on a night like this, anyhow? No full moon, it was practically made for us.”
“I know, darling, it’s one of the reasons I admire about you the most, your desire to protect the humans.”
I grab my Glock and strap it into my holster.
I doubt I’ll need it, but on rowdy nights, sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry.
A flash of my shiny black gun can usually make some people chill out.
Versus using my fangs and ripping the throats out of everyone who pushes my buttons.
I know Athena wouldn’t be impressed with that route, even if my brothers would find it highly entertaining and the crowning point of their night.
“Showing off over there? Expecting some trouble?” she teases, eyebrow raised as she stares at my holster. Guns don’t scare her, especially in my control, but at this point, very little does.
“More like I’m making sure everyone knows you’re mine and always protected,” I grab her hand, kissing her knuckles. “Any vampires we come across tonight need to see that you have someone watching your back, that you belong not only with me but with the entire club.”
Her gaze goes soft, her head tilting a touch. “You really think the club feels that way? That I’m not too much of a burden?”
“I know so. Besides, they get more steaks from the café now with you around; you won’t hear them complaining.”
“I’m happy here. Being with you,” she says suddenly, her voice softer.
She moves behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist as I finish tucking my weapon away and zip up my jacket some of the way.
She continues, “I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve never felt safer than I do now, living with a motorcycle club full of vampires. ”
I turn to face her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You are safe. I would die before ever allowing anyone to hurt you again.”
Her eyes flash a brilliant cinnamon color that still takes my breath away. “Don’t say that, I can’t imagine not waking up to you every night.”
“I love you so much , my sweet woman.” I tug her close, wrapping her tightly in my arms, and kiss her deeply.
The unmistakable, familiar feeling of the tether sparking between us.
Being in love with Athena is like riding with my brothers at full throttle down an empty highway—dangerous, thrilling, and fulfilling.
We’re interrupted by Lucky beating on the door. “Come on, you two! We’re missing dinner, and the streets will be littered with potential entrees!”
Her wide stare meets mine, and all I can do is shake my head. I said her and I wouldn’t drain some randoms tonight, I can’t make promises for my brothers, however.
“They’re going to turn someone!” She gasps, and I tug her along, leaving the quietness of our room.
“Darling, they are their own men. I can only lead by example, and besides, you’re a rarity.”
She stops me, pulling my hand to her chest, so I turn to face her. “You’re a good man, Reaper. I know you may live in a world of gray, but I can see you in color.”
“Fuck, babe,” I murmur, thinking that I need to stop taking my time and put a ring on this woman’s finger. She’s already mine for eternity, my mate, but she deserves everything I can give her.
“About time,” Bones grumbles, his hands on his hips as he stares us down when we stroll into the main room. “You two are worse than a pair of rabbits.”
The brothers crack up, and I know my woman’s blushing fiercely.
The blood whores saddle up to a few of the brothers, dressed in their various costumes.
They don’t typically go out with us, but tonight is an exception.
It’s the holiday of all holidays for us, like vampire Christmas, where we can all relish in what we are without a potential witch hunt hot on our heels.
The club is buzzing with activity. Vampires dressed as.
.. well, vampires, but with an exaggerated flair that makes Athena giggle with each new prop she discovers.
Blood packets are tucked into cuts for an added effect, advertising the blood type on the label.
A few have some capes on that would make Dracula roll in his grave, and so help me, I don’t know how they’re planning to ride their motorcycles with those things on.
“Are we all finally ready to raise some hell? Or do you have more primping to do?” Bones calls out as we join the others.
“Can’t wait until I find my mate,” Panic comments, and I give him a nod of support. Mates are rare; everyone knows this, so what Athena and I have is precious and coveted.
Priest strolls in, finally joining us. Several wolf-whistles go out from the brothers standing around.
The blood whores practically salivate as they take in his outfit.
One glance tells me Athena is staring, and then I’m stepping in front of her so I don’t have to hurt the good Chaplain in his hunter green skirt.
“Finally brought out the ol’ kilt, hmm, brother?” King asks, “Gonna be hard to ride with your pussy lips hanging out.”
Athena snorts with a laugh, “Just when I think you all don’t strike me as a bunch of bikers, one of you will make a comment like that and bring me back down into reality.”
Silver sends her a wink, “Even being classy, we have those thoughts, sweetheart. You just get to hear them like the rest of us, now.” He finishes, and the brothers laugh again, picking up their shot glasses to toast.
Bones is louder than everyone as he says, “Let’s raise a glass. To our club growing, to welcoming a new vampire sister into the fold, and to true mates. May we all have them.”