Epilogue
Cam
The past year had been like a dream. I never knew I needed a community like Blue Lake, but I was happy to have them at my back. The McTaryns caused more issues, the pack almost lost a member or two, but we came out the victors in the end.
We being intentional, because I was sporting my very own ‘Property of’ jacket. Rowen had insisted we could do alternate wording so it was less old fashioned, but I like the possessiveness of it all.
Plus, my heart belonged to Rowen without question. And I held his love in my hands, evident in everything he did for me.
He taught me to drive a motorcycle and helped me pick out one that was safe and fast, even though I knew Rowen would have preferred I stayed holding onto him at all times.
I had to admit, that was one of my favorite places to be in the world, but…
There was nothing like riding a bike, going sixty or faster with nothing but the open road ahead, my man by my side.
Rowen had also insisted I wear a lot more gear.
So, that was how I asked to spend Christmas this year.
On my silver and black Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport bike, zipping down the Pacific Coast Highway on our way to Mexico.
The only reason I kept my speedometer under a hundred was that I knew Rowen would freak out on his slower bike. And I was happy to go at his speed.
We went to the ocean about once a month, but the north Pacific was freezing and dark. I could join him in my wetsuit and goggles, like I did in Blue Lake, but I wanted to explore with Rowen. To see him in his full shift without murky water between us.
After selling my updated houseboat for a big profit—definitely a lot more than the car I traded for it was worth—I moved in with Rowen on his houseboat. It had two rooms, and he’d welcomed my fish, even adding a couple to our aquatic menagerie.
I still laughed when Rowen admitted he freaked out a little after our first date because he saw how much I cared for my fish and it gave him hope.
That and being worried his tentacles would pop out when he got turned on.
That conversation was followed by my holes being double stuffed in the shower, so I counted it as an epic win despite Rowen’s embarrassment.
Our next plans were to build a house on the hill beside the shop. It would have privacy from the road and lake, to be built on stilts so we could have an upper-level deck for the hot tub with a view.
The biggest reason for the bigger, more secure house was to adopt.
We didn’t plan to start the process this year, with only a houseboat to live in, but we talked to Valeria about the steps we’d take to start out as foster parents.
If there were shifter kids who needed a home, we wanted to offer a place for them.
And if they were plain old humans like me, Rowen and I agreed they all needed love and safety as well.
Rowen was my best present, and he was my future as well.
We spent Christmas Eve with Fin and the pack at the King lodge on their land, which I knew well by this point.
Riley and I had become even closer, and I helped Channing with her university math homework.
Gramps liked to call me when he needed tech support, not really understanding I worked with code and not remotes, but I found him hilarious, so I didn’t mind.
They were my family, and I knew they accepted me as well.
Shortly after passing through Carmel-by-the-Sea, the ocean came into view again and Rowen spoke into the headset that enabled conversation and phone calls–or music when I drove alone.
His deep voice came through clearly, “Let’s pull off and stretch our legs at the beach.”
“Sounds good, love,” I replied, happy for the excuse to stop.
We’d been driving for over four hours since the last stop, and planned to stay in a beach-side bungalow near San Diego that night before heading on to the border and into Mexico tomorrow.
Then we’d have five days in a private bungalow to unwind and enjoy one-another before turning north on New Year’s Day.
Following Rowen, who did this stretch before with his dad after he graduated high school, we parked in a sandy lot. Our helmets secured to the hooks at the back of our bikes with our head covers in them, but we left our gloves on because it was chilly out.
We both reached out and wordlessly took one another’s hands. Our motorcycle boots were waterproof, mine a Christmas gift from Rowen, and I didn’t want sand in between my toes for the long drive.
“How’s your saddle?” Rowen asked, and I laughed.
“My ass is fine,” I informed him, but couldn’t help teasing. “Though my hole is tender from last night.”
Rowen blushed red despite the cold wind whipping our bare faces. His ability to still blush at my words a year later didn’t stop his concern for me. “Can you still ride more?”
“I’m good to ride, love. I promise,” I assured him, stopping him to pull him close. Going up on my toes as much as I could in sand wearing boots, I pressed a kiss to Rowen’s chin. “And I mean that in both senses of the word.”
“Of course you do,” Rowen shook his head but he was smiling at me. I knew he loved my flirting.
Letting his hand go to look out at Carmel Bay and the ocean beyond, I wanted to take in the sights.
I saw that the sky was mostly sunny, a few puffy clouds floating in the bright blue sky as the waves crashed on the shore.
A sign read to stay back from them, so it wasn’t a swimming beach.
We had the place to ourselves on Christmas morning.
“What do you think of the view?” I asked, always wanting Rowen’s take.
“Beautiful,” Rowen whispered, and something in his voice had me turning back to look at him. His eyes were fixed on me and he was down on one knee. I gasped, my hand going to my mouth as tears filled my eyes. “I meant to do this in Mexico, but I decided the moment was too perfect. Just like you.”
“Rowen,” I choked on a wet laugh. The man was too much, but I wasn’t going to stop his praise. “Really?”
“Really.” Rowen nodded and pulled a small box out of his pocket, opening it to show a metal band with colorful stones inset. “Cameron Bass, you are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Even better than Superman adopting you?” I couldn’t help asking through my tears. I needed to shut up and let the man finish.
“His adopting me led me to meeting you, so maybe that was the best thing ever,” Rowen teased with a smirk and I laughed as he sobered. “I want you in my life forever, Mate. To build a home and raise children with you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my spouse?”
My head was bobbing my answer as I threw myself at Rowen. “Yes, yes. Yes,” I chanted between kisses to his face, finally finding his lips.
Rowen held me to him as best he could with only two arms exposed, and I knew we were getting sand all over our clothes, but I didn’t care.
“How long until the next stop?” I asked, desperate to get my fiance alone.
“Too long,” Rowen answered, kissing my nose. “I can book a place here in town and push the San Diego stop to tomorrow.”
“Yes, do that,” I insisted, taking his lower lip between mine, sucking it into my mouth. “Need you now.”
Rowen stood with me in his arms and pushed my curly hair out of my eyes. “Whatever you need, Cam. You know that.”
What I needed was to start my life with this man and never go a day without him by my side. I was lucky that he wanted the exact same thing. “Merry Christmas, Love.”
Rowen gave me the smile he reserved for me and I saw his eyes flash with the shifter shape, belying his strong emotion. “Merry Christmas, Mate.”