Epilogue - Grayson
Grayson adjusted the collar of his shirt for the third time and shifted his weight from foot to foot as he took in the gathering crowd in Bellefleur’s main square.
It had been months since the battle, but the energy of the town had changed completely.
The air was filled with laughter and joy, and for the first time in years, Grayson allowed himself to revel in the moment.
The pack had pulled together to organize the celebration, decorating the square with lanterns that hung from trees and strings of wildflowers wound around posts. Tables were laden with food, and children raced between the adults, giggling and shouting in excitement.
Grayson’s gaze landed on Cora, standing at the center of it all with their newborn cradled in her arms. She glowed with an ease he rarely saw as she rocked their daughter gently. His heart stuttered as he watched her, overwhelmed by the realization that this was his family, his life now.
“You’re staring,” Ryder teased, sidling up beside him with a cup of something strong in hand. “Not that I blame you. You’ve got it pretty good.”
Grayson smirked but didn’t look away. “She’s incredible.”
“Understatement of the year,” Ryder replied. He clapped Grayson on the shoulder. “And the kid? What’s the verdict?”
“She’s perfect,” Grayson declared, almost reverent. “She’s strong. I can feel it already.”
Ryder raised an eyebrow. “Magic or wolf?”
“Both, I think,” Grayson admitted. “Cora says she can sense something…unique. It’s like nothing she’s ever felt before.”
Ryder nodded, taking a sip from his cup. “Good thing she’s got both of you, then. That kid’s going to be a force to reckon with.”
Grayson’s lips quirked into a smile. “She already is.”
Across the square, Zane lingered near the edge of the gathering, arms crossed, as he leaned against a tree. His expression was pensive, and his gaze was fixed on the celebration but not truly part of it. Grayson caught sight of him and tilted his head in concern.
“Zane looks like he’s lost in his own head,” Grayson said.
Ryder followed his gaze and sighed. “He’s been like that for a few days now. Says he’s fine, but you know him—he doesn’t talk unless he has to.”
Grayson frowned. “I’ll check on him later.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Ryder warned. “Whatever’s eating at him, it’s not going away on its own.”
Grayson nodded but let the thought linger as he returned his attention to Cora. She had joined a group of pack members, each taking turns cooing over the baby. Laila reached out to gently touch the infant’s hand.
“She’s beautiful,” Laila cooed. “What’s her name again?”
“Elyse,” Cora replied, her voice brimming with pride. “Grayson chose it.”
“He did? I never imagined he’d come up with something so pretty.”
Cora laughed. “He’s full of surprises.”
Grayson made his way over, his chest warming at the sight of them. As he approached, Cora glanced up and smiled, a look that made everything else fade into insignificance.
“Look who finally decided to join the party,” she teased.
“Someone had to keep Ryder in check,” Grayson retorted as he reached for her. He slipped an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her temple before peeking down at Elyse. She blinked up at him with wide eyes that already held a hint of gold.
“She’s awake,” Grayson murmured, his heart swelling as Elyse reached out a tiny hand to grab his finger. Her grip was surprisingly strong, and he chuckled. “That’s my girl.”
“She’s going to have you wrapped around her finger in no time,” Cora joked.
“She already does,” he admitted without shame.
The crowd around them continued to celebrate, but for Grayson, the moment narrowed to just the three of them.
Everything from the past few months—of battles fought and scars earned—seemed lighter in the face of what they’d built together.
For the first time, he truly believed they had a future worth fighting for.
The pack’s celebration carried on, yet his attention drifted. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Zane still all on his own, off to the side, away from everyone else.
Zane’s phone buzzed, pulling his focus away from the party.
Grayson couldn’t ignore the subtle change in his friend’s demeanor—the way Zane’s jaw worked, his brows drawing together as he read whatever message had come through.
Zane's unease was glaringly obvious for a man who rarely betrayed emotion other than to be goofy.
Grayson turned to Cora, who smiled faintly as Elyse stirred. “I’ll be right back,” he told her, brushing a kiss against her temple before making his way toward Zane.
“Everything all right?” he called as he approached.
Zane slid the phone into his pocket. “Nothing to worry about.”
Grayson didn’t buy it. “Doesn’t look like nothing. What’s going on?”
“Pack business,” Zane responded flatly. “Nothing you need to worry about right now.”
“Zane, I’ve known you long enough to know when something’s off. What’s going on?”
Zane exhaled through his nose and pressed his lips into a thin line. “We’ll talk later. Right now, enjoy the moment. You deserve it.”
“Zane—”
“Later,” Zane cut in. He straightened from the tree and gave a curt nod before disappearing into the woods, leaving Grayson staring after him.
Unease coiled in Grayson’s gut as he returned to the gathering. His gaze immediately sought out Cora, who was speaking with Elena while cradling Elyse in her arms. The sight steadied him, though the tension Zane had left behind still prickled at the edges of his mind.
“Everything okay?” Cora asked when he reached her.
Grayson forced a smile and took Elyse back into his arms. “Yeah. Just Zane being Zane.”
Cora’s questioning look lingered, but she didn’t press. Instead, she adjusted Elyse’s blanket and leaned into Grayson’s side, her warmth settling some of his nerves.
As the celebration continued, Grayson’s thoughts circled back to Zane. Whatever had been on that phone wasn’t just “pack business.” It was something more—something that had rattled Zane in a way Grayson had rarely seen. He glanced toward the forest where Zane had disappeared.
Whatever storm lay on the horizon, they’d face it together—because now, more than ever, Grayson understood what it meant to protect the people he loved.
*****
THE END