50. Sloan
Dawn breaks over the horizon, painting the world in strokes of hazy pink and soft yellow. My pack and I have yet to go to bed after our coronation feast. In fact, the court itself hasn’t slept. When I gathered my omega and packmates, many courtiers still littered the banquet hall, not quite ready to let the drunken revelry end.
Of all the fantastical hopes I had for this pack and for Namara, reality has far surpassed them. It seems all it took to bring about change was the courage to take the first step and the conviction to stand for the things we love.
I love Ivy in a way that makes it hard to breathe whenever she’s near. That someone so precious, so witty, so fucking lovely was made with me in mind is a truth I’ve yet to wrap my head around. It’s a wonder I haven’t sprouted wings with the way her love makes it feel as though I can fly.
What I don’t like, however, is the fucking crown on my head. Or the stuffy clothes my packmates forced me into for the occasion. The consolation was the heated look in my mate’s eyes when she saw me in all my finery.
I’ve never once had aspirations to sit on a throne, or to lead. I simply want to share a happy life with my omega—my packmates at my side to help bring her joy day in and day out. I’m so proud of Cillian and Oran for all their growth, their willingness to learn and put Ivy’s needs above all else.
It warms my heart beyond belief.
I love them too, my brothers. Trust them like no one else. Feeling their devotion to this pack through our shared bond in Ivy gives me assurance that no matter what comes, together we’ll thrive.
As news of what’s happened here reaches across the western kingdoms, I’m certain some will protest.
A pack on the throne and a common-born consort to the queen?
I can only imagine the vile things they’ll say about Namara—of the vitriol they’ll spit. But the people here are eager for what this new era will bring.
It won’t be perfect. Change is not an instant thing. But our pack has made it possible to blaze new trails, to form new traditions, to live full and happy lives.
Given all we’ve accomplished in just over a week’s time, I’m more than ready to take our omega away for a while. Maybe a couple of weeks at the McKenna’s country palace will do us some good. Ivy deserves time with us to strengthen our bonds, grow this new love, and get knotted for hours on end. I think I may have to insist upon it come morning.
Or afternoon. Whenever we bloody well wake up after such a long fucking night of celebrating. My very sleepy omega is draped in Oran’s arms. His dreamy smile is apparent as she clings to his neck.
“We’re almost to the nest, love,” he whispers.
Ivy just groans, half-dead to the world.
When we enter the nest, Oran holds her up while Cillian and I undress her. Her emerald gown is very pretty, but there’s no sight quite like my omega’s bare flesh. She is otherworldly in both beauty and heart.
As much as I want to take her, show her my love through the physical worship she deserves, we all need a good night’s rest.
Working together, my packmates and I arrange Ivy in the nest so she can lie atop my chest. I crave the weight of her sprawled over me so I know she’s safe and warm. Cillian and Oran lie on either side of us, caressing our mate wherever they can reach.
We won’t stay like this. I’ve learned that my pack is infamous for wiggling around in their sleep. But for now, the quiet stillness is a perfect ending to a day that felt almost like a fairy tale.
Practically perfect in every way.
“What’s next, alphas?” Ivy yawns against my throat, her breath warm against my skin.
“What’s next is you get your rest, little terror.” Cillian chuckles, deep and etched with sleep.
“But after that,” she presses. “What do we do now that everything happened just as we hoped?”
Oran hums, tracing her temple with his fingers. “It’s our story, love. We get to write it any way we like.”
Her smile blooms slowly against my chest. “I quite like that.”
So do I—our future is bright and full of potential with her at our center.
I kiss the top of her head and send one final thank you to Fate for blessing me with so much more than my heart can contain. “Happily ever after awaits.”
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