Epilogue
An arm wrapped around my waist from behind and pulled me back into a hard body. I didn’t need to be a shifter to know that it was Roy. “You good, sugar?” he murmured then kissed behind my ear.
I smiled, looking out at the sunset over the mountains. Cooper Valley was the complete opposite of Denver. Wide open spaces, big sky. Fresh air. No traffic. Not many people. No hustle and bustle. The only crowd was the group in front of us, enjoying a meal and each other.
I’d thought that was what I wanted, but leaving the city and everything behind had been the best decision.
I couldn’t believe three months had passed since I drove north to Montana with Roy.
Three months where I hadn’t second guessed any decision I’d made about being with him.
It– us –was easy. Simple. This was what love was.
Just being with the person because he completed you.
Made you realize what you’d been missing.
For me, it’d been confidence in myself. In my feelings.
Roy hadn’t pushed me to do more than visit.
One day turned into two, two turned into a week, and then a week turned into a month.
My leave of absence from work turned into quitting.
Neither owner of the company blamed me for leaving right when my accounting license came through.
I figured they were still nervous I’d sue them.
The loft was still mine, but Casey and another flight attendant had moved in instead of me and paid me rent each month.
I moved in with Roy on his mountain and had slowly assimilated into being a shifter mate.
Like tonight and the full moon run.
Light lingered late in the summertime, so the Wolf pack had a huge barbecue at the community building that was up in the woods.
Twilight lingered, and it was almost time.
Everyone was here to run once the moon began to rise over the ridge.
This was my full moon run to witness, and Roy was making sure I’d be okay while he went off with the others doing… wolf-y things.
I turned my head and looked over my shoulder at him. “I’m good. The others will keep me company. We plan to make s’mores and drink wine around the fire.”
A roaring fire came from the fire pit, with Adirondack chairs circling around.
Kids laughed and ran about. I saw Rob Wolf with his mate Willow at a picnic table with an older couple I hadn’t met yet.
Clint was holding his little girl and tickling her.
She giggled and wiggled, and he set her down.
She dashed across the field to Becky, her mother, who was in a circle with the other women I’d be hanging out with during the run.
Other human women.
Audrey and her sister Marina. Charlie and Summer. Joy, Riley, Emma, and Natalie. They’d included me immediately, and I’d not only gained a mate but a girl group.
“That’s good, sugar. But don’t drink too much because when I come back, I’m gonna want you ready for me.”
I squirmed thinking about what he’d said happened after a full moon run. Everyone had sex. Lots and lots of sex. I envisioned a huge orgy and with hot cheeks admitted that to Roy. He laughed, then kissed me, and told me it wasn’t like that.
“I’m gonna come back, find you, toss you over my shoulder, and carry you off into the woods.”
“Maybe you should chase me instead.”
He growled and nipped at the spot on my neck where his mark was.
“You know my wolf loves to chase you. Then fuck you good and hard.”
It was my turn to whimper and roll my hips into him. I couldn’t miss how hard he was already.
“I’ll be wet for you,” I said. “You’ll smell how much I want you.”
“Sugar,” he warned.
I smiled, loving that I could tease him like this.
“Time to run!” Rob called, his voice carrying over the mountainside.
Everyone stopped and looked to him. He was alpha, and his word was law, not that anyone would argue about participating in a fun–and arousing–activity.
“Shit, sugar. You did that on purpose.”
I turned in his arms and looked up at him. “Definitely.”
“You’ll be here when I return?” he asked.
I saw the hint of doubt in his eyes. He was still afraid I’d reject him, and only time and growing trust would alleviate that.
“I will because I’ve got your heart. You’ve got to come back and get it.”
His eyes flared with more than heat and need. With love.
“That’s right, sugar. You keep my heart because I’ve got yours.”
With a wink, he turned and joined the others who were ready to run into the building.
The women waved me over, and I went. A minute later, I heard a howl. I glanced back and saw a black wolf staring at me. I knew his call.
Knew he was mine.
Without any doubt.