Epilogue #3
‘It took time for me to accept that I actually can rebuild my career. Whether Ayo wants to go with me or a different architect, I’ve got a business plan that includes multiple ways to attract clients.
There are a lot of period properties of varying sizes in and around the city, and unlike my aunt, I have no problem working with humans. ’
‘I’m really proud of you.’ He closes his laptop and kisses me again. ‘Come on. Let’s go tell Ayo that you’re the one behind Heritage Architectural Designs. He’ll be thrilled.’
That’s a little nerve-wracking, but my more immediate concern is whether it’s time to bring him downstairs yet.
I check my phone and deem it close enough, so I fire off a quick text to the Raj’s Surprise group chat warning them we’re on our way.
I start getting a series of thumbs ups, so I shove my phone into my pocket as we get up off the floor.
We hold hands as we head down the sweeping staircase, and I only start to feel his confusion through the bond when I lead him towards the west side of the house where the ballroom has been prepared.
He side-eyes me. ‘Why are we going this way?’
‘The freshest scents lead this way.’
There’s definite suspicion through the bond now, especially when we reach the ornate double doors leading into the ballroom and I gesture for him to go first.
He briefly frowns in my direction before he opens the right-hand door.
His mouth immediately drops open and shock flashes through the bond as he takes in his pack, my family, Dante and his crew, Zaiden, Doc P, Harley, Wren and her husband, Felicia and her girlfriend, and many of the workers from Far Out Freight all signing ‘Surprise.’ There are fairy lights strung along the picture rails, lanterns suspended from the ceiling, hundreds of LED candles dotted amongst the mountains of food on the trestle tables, and more alcohol than a brewery.
I squeeze his hand to get his attention. ‘Happy Festival of Light, treasure.’
He blinks back tears. ‘This is… I didn’t expect…’
‘You deserve to celebrate with people who love and care about you.’ Which is his pack, not his useless parents. And all these other people, apparently.
The moment I mentioned to Kit and Ayo that I wanted to do something to help Raj celebrate the festival, they sprang into action. It’s not been easy keeping it from him, and we didn’t have much time to plan, but it’s been worth it for his reaction.
We had dinner with Felicia and her girlfriend last week, and things with Harley have calmed down completely now Raj and I have bonded.
Even so, I was surprised how many of the other Far Out Freight workers joined the group chat and wanted to come tonight.
Most people were so thrilled to find out Lance and many of the supervisors had been arrested—and weren’t getting out any time soon—that no one seemed to care that Dhiren was now Raj.
Raj presses a hard kiss to my lips before dragging me forward to join everyone, the bond vibrating with his delight. My dragon swells with pleasure, thrilled that our mate is so pleased with his surprise party.
We get separated at some point, and I’m standing with Zaiden as we message each other about music—it turns out he plays the guitar and sings—when Ayo comes racing over, his eyes bright and his lips spread wide in a grin. He grabs me in a hug before jumping back and typing rapidly.
Ayo
Bro! Why didn’t you tell me?! Of course you’re hired!!!
For my awesome skills on the bass?
Ayo smacks my arm playfully, bouncing on his toes as Zaiden reads over his shoulder.
Raj said you didn’t want to work as an architect anymore or we’d have discussed it with you already. But holy shizzle, I didn’t know you specialised in period renovations. I thought all architects were about the fancy new modern stuff.
Many are, and I can do that as well, but it’s not my preference.
Your sample design is EXACTLY the right vibe. I don’t care how hungover we are tomorrow, I’m going to share my vision with you.
Can’t wait.
Zaiden gives me a grin and a thumbs up, then Ayo hugs me again, making me chuckle at his enthusiasm.
Hours later the platters are mostly empty, the alcohol entirely consumed, and people are slumping lower in chairs scattered about the room.
When Raj returns from the hallway leading to the nearest loo, I decide it’s time to see if he’s ready to head upstairs now that the evening is clearly winding down.
We meet in the middle of the ballroom but before I can suggest it, everyone’s attention snaps to the side door leading out into the hallway Raj just came from.
His grin, combined with his amusement through the bond, piques my curiosity. ‘What’s going on?’ I ask.
Before Raj can do more than lift his hands to reply, Jet comes stalking into the room, soaking wet, his light blue shirt now transparent and clinging to every sleek muscle. Doc P’s lips part and his shimmery white magic reaches for Jet before he quickly gets it back under control.
Jet’s irritated gaze locks onto Raj and he starts running.
Raj darts off, dodging around several chairs and out through the doors leading into the garden.
His crimson shirt goes flying from behind a hedge and a moment later, a shoe.
We all spill outside to watch Jet in jaguar form chase Raj’s tiger around shrubs and over empty flowerbeds.
Why am I not surprised that, even tonight, Raj couldn’t resist pranking Jet? I laugh at their antics, wondering how this became my life in such a short time.
It never occurred to me that Raj’s pack could fill the void left by my dragon flight’s rejection of me, that they’d welcome me this easily, but perhaps it should have.
The Lupo Pack are very different from the dragons I grew up around, and not just because they’re a mix of species.
There’s no doubting how much they care about one another, and they’re equal parts intimidatingly capable and ridiculously playful.
I’m thrilled to count myself as one of them.
Ethan joins me, and after another minute of watching the chaos he lifts his hands, his signing adorably clumsy. ‘Welcome to the Lupo Pack, Bryn.’
I smile my thanks as my dragon nudges me, wondering if now we can chase the kitties.
And I figure, why the hell not? I move to an open space, shift, then take to the sky. It’s time to play.
THE END