Epilogue #1
*ROSEA*
My mind is full of voices, voices that are not mine but yet feel like they are part of me, and this makes me realize two things: One, that I missed this feeling of belonging to a pack so much, and two, that I haven’t felt it for years, even when I was still in my old pack.
“Rose, are you here?”
I turn around, noticing Maria is approaching me. She is dressed all in black, with a red flower in her wavy hair. She is also sporting a fresh mark on her neck.
“Found you,” she chuckles.
“I wasn’t hiding,” I say. “Just enjoying the moment.” I close my eyes, allowing the voices to run through my mind. Many of my fellow pack members are still reaching out to me to congratulate me on becoming their luna officially, and telling me how happy they are.
“I get that,” Maria chuckles. “But if you don’t return soon, your alpha might send a troop of warriors to look for you.”
I laugh. “He would do that, wouldn’t he?”
“Absolutely.”
We lock arms while I join her on our way back to the party.
Forest and I threw a summer party for the whole pack.
Instead of celebrating both of us lavishly, we decided to make this an event for the whole pack.
It’s not just his and my alpha and luna ceremony, it’s a ceremony and celebration for the whole pack. They’ve placed their trust in us.
“It’s funny,” I say. “Back with Jordan, no one ever tried to reach out to me. Well, maybe at first, some did, but the last couple of years were so silent. I am not used to feeling this connection with a pack.”
“Jordan was an asshole,” Maria says. “But truth to be told, he wasn’t the main problem.
Those around him who made him big were the problem.
They supported him, they enabled him, and the only reason he became who he did and was able to bring so much destruction was because of the pack, or rather the very close allies, supporters and blind followers he had there. ”
“You think so too, huh?” I ask.
“I do. Yes, maybe some truly didn’t see through him, but a lot did. They just didn’t care. Only when he spiraled out of control did they suddenly mind. Like, when you disappeared.”
“I thought no one would have cared.”
“Oh, they didn’t at first, but then they realized how your leaving made us suffer financially,” she chuckles. “They thought Jordan was doing it all and completely forgot the role of a luna for the pack. Well, it was a hard lesson for them to learn.”
“I’m glad you were there for me,” I say. “You saved my life.”
“And I’m glad you invited me to this pack,” she says. “And helped me meet my mate. Oh, did I tell you? I’ll be working with Dr. Francis from now on.”
“Really, that’s amazing!” She knows a lot about remedies, maybe not the traditional ones, but it will be a great addition to our team in the infirmary. “Sophie will be working in the nursery,” I tell her. “She told me she loves working with kids.”
“Yes, that fits for her. One of her friends, who came with us, will be working as a maid, and her mate as a warrior.” Maria smiles. “It’s all coming together.”
I squeeze her arm. “I am so happy you are here. I love the boys, dearly; they are like my family now, but it’s good to have—” I pause.
“A girlfriend?” she asks.
“Exactly,” I chuckle.
“I feel the same. Obviously, I am beyond happy that Rory is back in my life, and that I have Griffin now, but sometimes I need another girl around me.”
We exchange a look and nod as if to underline what she just said.
The party is being held outdoors, so that everyone can come and go to their liking.
There is a huge barbecue we were able to afford, now that I have all my funds back.
Betty did stick to her promise and brought back all my belongings, but I sorted through a lot of them and passed most of my clothes on to the orphanage and the omegas, especially those working under me.
My experience showed me that they were the ones who stuck with me despite my low rank, and I truly want them to have some nice things, too.
Nina waves at me when she spots me, and I gesture for her to come closer. “That’s Nina,” I introduce her. “I don’t think you have officially met yet. She will be working as my assistant from next week on.”
“Oh, you were the brave girl who brought down Lissa,” Maria says. “Griffin told me about it.”
Seeing how Maria immediately takes a liking to Nina and Nina feels comfortable around her, I leave the two of them behind to look for my mate. Forest is standing with Betty and some of his warriors, chatting with them, but I can see his gaze wandering around, a frown on his face.
When he sees me, he looks relieved. “Excuse me,” he says to the small group.
“Are you ditching us already, Alpha?” one of his elite warriors asks with a grin.
Forest smirks. “No offense, but there is no chance any of you would win against my beautiful mate.”
I’m happy to see him interact in such a relaxed manner with them.
I know it was hard for him to earn their respect, but now they don’t just respect him, they like him, too.
Loyalty goes a long way—another thing I have learned, and I think he is going to be the type of alpha his people will truly look up to and love.
And I hope I will be the same kind of luna.
“I missed you,” Forest says, wrapping his arms around me and swinging me around. And you look so hot.
It’s undeniable I made an effort. I’m wearing a white dress, as is usual for Luna ceremonies, but I made sure it accentuates my body, and while having a simple design, the back is almost completely revealed.
Forest is wearing a tailored suit. Previously, he was always afraid he would look like he was cosplaying, but he’s really found his style now. You look hot, too.
Pity I can’t steal you away.
Yeah, that would probably be noticeable today, I chuckle, leaning into his embrace.
While I sway in his arms, I let my gaze wander around, noticing how Maria and Griffin are dancing slowly with each other, and Nina has joined some of her friends, laughing with them.
Martin and Rory are standing together, and Rory is whispering something into Martin’s ear, making Martin blush slightly and smile. Yeah, they are not even subtle anymore.
I also notice so many pack members around us who are celebrating and looking genuinely happy. What Forest’s parents did came as a shock to them, but I think deep down they always knew they were up to no good. Now that they are gone, it feels like a weight is gone.
It’s the change they all needed.
Everyone can breathe freely now.
And Forest and I can breathe with them.