Epilogue
“Holy fucking fuck, Devon Hale is our brother!” Sloane exclaimed. “Devon Fucking Hale!”
“Sloane, you’ve said it like twenty times already.” Stella rolled her eyes. “We’ve been sitting here for an hour. I got over it after like, five minutes.”
“I know, but Devon Fucking Hale our brother.”
“And he’s also right here.” Stella sent Devon and Charley an apologetic look from across the coffee table and mouthed a “sorry.”
“But he’s … he’s just … it’s mind boggling to think about.” Sloane’s hands gestured wildly between herself and Devon. “But you know what, it makes sense.”
“Really? How?” Devon asked.
“I always thought your music sucked and you were unsexy as hell.”
Charley burst out laughing. “I think I like you.” She turned to Stella. “Speaking of things mind-boggling things … I can’t believe you’re Cliff’s True Mate.”
A giddy warmth washed over Stella as Cliff placed an arm around her. It seemed impossible to her too, but the proof was right here, next to her, and inside her belly, growing stronger every day.
Sloane sighed. “It’s too bad, though, I was looking forward to being on the lam with you, Stel, getting into trouble together, having adventures.”
“Me, get into trouble? I don’t think so,” Stella laughed. “Besides, I’m glad you stayed.”
“Meh, it’s not too bad.” She glanced around the living room of Stella’s parents’ house, where they had been staying for the past few days. They decided to lay low, just in case anyone had seen their wolf fight in the garage, plus it was easier to keep everyone in one place to protect them all, in case Ronan sent his goons after them or Stella’s parents. Once it seemed the coast was clear, Devon and Charley had decided to come and visit.
“Does anyone else need more tea? Coffee?” Momma said as she popped her head into the living room from the kitchen. “How about more food?”
When no one said anything, Stella said, “We’re good, Momma, thanks.”
Sloane got up and picked up the tray of empty cups and plates. “Let me get these for you, Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Sloane. And please, I told you to call me Alice.” She smiled warmly at Sloane.
Stella was not surprised that Papa and Momma had welcomed Sloane with open arms. They were just as happy as she was, and Stella had no doubt that if Sloane had been up for adoption, they would have taken her in as well. But it seemed Momma in particular was making up for it, doting over Sloane any chance she got. Her twin seemed weirded out by it at first, but now, she could see Sloane warming up to Momma’s attentions. Her heart went out to her sister, wondering what her childhood had been like. Stella had definitely noticed the hardness behind her twin’s eyes, and while she wanted to know exactly what happened, she would wait for Sloane to open up when she was comfortable.
“I still can’t believe she tried to kidnap you,” Devon said, clucking his tongue. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she’s here. I just never thought … that she …”
“I know.” Charley took his hand. “But she’s here now.”
“What are we going to do about that bastard, Ronan Forte?” Devon said through gritted teeth. “He has to pay for what he’s done.”
“Lycan laws are complicated, but fair,” Cliff said. “Dad, Uncle Killian, and the Alpha are already talking about it, we’ll find justice for you and your parents, one way or another.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Stella began. “Something I decided recently.”
“What is it?” Devon said. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, not at all. But I’ve decided that it would be much safer if I learned how to control my wolf.” Her hands slipped down to her belly. “I’m going to put in my resignation from Chisholm and then I’m going to stay in West Virginia.”
“That’s great, Stel,” Charley said. “Uncle Jackson will be able to help you.”
“I don’t want to be a target anymore,” she said. “I know I’m invulnerable, but still, I need to control my wolf and learn how to defend myself.”
“And I’m going to stay with her,” Cliff said. “For a few weeks or so. Uncle Killian already said I could take the time off. But I’m gonna keep tabs on what’s happening with Ronan at the same time and be ready for anything.”
“As will we,” Devon said. “Stella, I’m so glad you decided to go to Shenandoah. It was the best decision I made.” He winked at Charley, who only blushed.
“It’s scary,” she said. “But I think it will be good for me. We leave the day after tomorrow.”
“What about Sloane?” Devon asked.
“I haven’t told her yet,” she said quietly. “But if the Alpha of Shenandoah would allow it, I’m hoping she could come there and stay with us while your Alpha figures out a plan.”
Cliff snorted. “I don’t think she’s the type to stay in one place. She’ll probably want to get back at Ronan as soon as she can.”
“I know.” She chewed her lip. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure she’s okay,” Devon assured her. “Nothing will keep us apart ever again.”
She glanced up at her brother’s face as her True Mate squeezed her hand. “I know.”
* * *
Devon and Charley stayed until dinner, but left afterwards as he had to go back on his tour. They promised they would keep in touch and come out to see Stella in West Virginia on their next break. Sloane wasn’t too happy that they couldn’t just go after Ronan, so Devon and Stella made her promise she wouldn’t run away until they sorted everything out.
“Do you really think she’ll stay put?” Stella asked Cliff later that evening as they sat in her parents’ living room by themselves. Her parents had gone up to bed and Sloane in the shower. “She really wants revenge. I just hope she won’t do something stupid.”
“I know, and I can’t blame her,” Cliff said as they sat down on the couch. “But don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on her.” He glanced out the door. “Jacob’s watching all the exits, in case she decides to disappear in the middle of the night.”
She frowned. “Is he okay sleeping out there?” He and Cliff had actually been taking turns the last few nights guarding the perimeter of the house in their wolf forms.
“Yeah, he’s fine. He’s used to it, it’s our job. Now if you really were concerned about sleeping arrangements …”
“Nuh-uh.” She shook a finger at him. “This is my parents’ house and as long as we stay here?—.”
“We follow their rules.” Cliff groaned and threw his head back dramatically.
Though Stella’s parents knew Cliff and Stella were True Mates and she was pregnant with his child—something that earned him a glower of anger from her father and look of disappointment from her mother—they insisted that they sleep separately since they weren’t married.
And so the last few nights, Stella slept in her bedroom, Sloane in the guest room, and Cliff and Jacob took turns on the couch. Needless to say, being so near Stella but not being able to fuck her had given him the worst case of blue balls. At least now that Stella decided to leave for West Virginia, his suffering would soon be over and he relished the thought of being alone with her again, because he already had a lot of plans for that sweet body of hers.
Of course, the downside of leaving so soon was that he wouldn’t have time to buy a ring and then ask her parents’ permission to marry her before they left, but he supposed he could just ask them tomorrow. Hopefully that would somehow mollify the Reverend and Mrs. Lennon, and he wouldn’t have to shrink in shame each time Stella’s mother clucked her tongue or shook her head at him.
“Are you scared?” he asked, as she cuddled against him. This was the only time they had alone together during the day, so they made the most of it. He leaned over and inhaled her delicious scent. “Uncle Jackson and Aunt Jordan are great, you’ll see.”
“I’m just … this is all new to me,” she said. “I’ve never left home before.”
“I know. But I’ll be there with you, every step of the way.” He kissed the top of her head. “We’ll be together. You, me, and our pup.” And he would protect them too, from any threat.
“Hmmm.” Her hand went over her belly, and he covered it with his. “I love you, Cliff.”
“And I love you, Stella.” He nuzzled her temple. “Whatever happens, we’ll get through it.” His wolf let out a rumble of agreement.
“I know we will.” She leaned against him. “I believe in it. In us.”
“So do I.”
The End