Epilogue
Willow
Music pumps through the speakers, but the number of people is far fewer than at the last party. For now. The night is young, and the doors haven’t opened yet. But they will soon, for now, family only.
And I’m part of it. The happiness of having a real home fills me, giving me a sense of peace and mending another small crack in my soul.
Pack Mordred tried to break me, but they didn’t succeed.
I may be bent, but I’m certainly not broken.
And bit by bit, I’ll reclaim what’s mine.
Never resting until we’re all free of their darkness.
My eyes dart around the room, landing on the front, where Lincoln and Cerberus stand. Lincoln makes a slicing motion, and the music cuts off, bringing everyone’s attention to them. Cerberus clears his throat, then speaks.
“Today, we welcome the two newest members of the Hellbent Hounds family. Over the last year, they’ve proven their courage, bravery, and most of all, loyalty.
These past months haven’t been easy, but we knew they always had our backs.
So, without any more yammering, let’s give it up for Puppy and Whelp—now, Lassie and Clifford. ”
The brothers break into thunderous applause, shouting and stomping their feet, as both men turn interesting shades of red. Grim sends a cork flying, spraying both with champagne, and we all hoot and catcall. The party’s about to begin, but then Lincoln steps forward and the crowd quiets once more.
“We know it’s about time to party. But I’ve got one more announcement to make.
” His eyes fall to me. “Willow. Cujo. Will you come up here?” Cujo links his hand with mine, leading me through the crowd as nerves bubble in my belly.
When we get to Lincoln, he opens his arms. I step into him, nuzzling my face into his chest, searching for that sweet caramel apple that steadies me.
“Just wanted to make it officially official. Willow’s not just our bonded omega.
She’s also agreed to be our ol’ lady.” He pulls a familiar leather vest from out of thin air, and I smile, knowing what’s coming next.
They showed it to me the other night for my approval.
Lincoln and Cujo both slide me into my very own cut.
I grin at the symbolic gesture, allowing them to cloak me in their protection.
“And also. We’re expecting.” My eyes widen at how easily they share our news.
I haven’t even told my sisters yet, but as their hands cover my barely there bump, I can’t help but feel the warmth radiating from the whole MC as shouts of congratulations fill the room.
“Now, let’s party,” Cerberus whoops, ending the moment.
“Looks like you’re finally wearing that cut, chica. It suits you.” Connie comes up, wrapping me in a quick hug. “Give us a twirl.”
I spin, showing her the back.
“Owner of Gytrash and Cujo, huh?” She cackles. “I love it. Put those boys in their place. It’s about the most accurate thing I’ve ever seen.”
“They came up with it on their own. I would have accepted the other one, too,” I tell her honestly, though I’m thankful I don’t need to walk around with the words "Property of" on my back.
“It’s perfect. Just like you are for each other. I can’t wait to meet this baby!” Her genuine enthusiasm hits me right in the feels, and my eyes well up, growing misty. I wish my sisters were part of this. Seeing my emotions, Connie excuses herself, and Cujo wraps around me.
“Let’s go get you a drink, honeybee. Then check and make sure you don’t have any weapons tonight.” His breath fans my neck, and his hand finds the small of my back as we walk through the clubhouse to the bar.
Seeing us appear, Lassie pours a lemonade and passes it my way. “How are you feeling today, mama?”
Cujo growls low at the familiarity. Digging my pointy elbow into his abs, I let him know to cut it out.
“Not bad! A bit of nausea, but nothing too terrible. Congratulations on being officially official, too!” He smiles and nods, but others start waving him over, asking for drinks.
“Thank you! Now we need to hire some new prospects to take over the grunt jobs,” he jokes good-naturedly, more comfortable working the bar than partying anyway, before going to pull beer for others.
“He shouldn’t have to work tonight.” I turn to Cujo with a frown.
“Don’t worry, honeybee, the hired staff just arrived.” He nods in the direction of three people who are shuffling over. Thank goodness. I sip my lemonade, taking everything in.
It’s busy and chaotic in the best way.
“Hey, beautiful, want to dance?” Lincoln offers me his hand, and I slurp down another sip before accepting.
We grind and sway through song after song, the night getting lost in the rhythm.
At one point, Alicia and Cindy appear, both happy and doing well, but we barely have a chance to catch up before they’re whisked off on the arms of handsome men.
Hopefully, as life normalizes, I’ll spend time with them again.
“My legs are turning to jelly,” I tell my Alphas as my body gets weary. Growing a whole person is exhausting. Cujo scoops me up, bringing me to a seat at the bar, with Lincoln following closely behind.
He sets me on a stool right next to Fenrir, who’s fussing with his phone. Another cool lemonade is placed in front of me, and the sweetness coats my tongue, quenching my thirst.
The other Alpha looks as though he hasn’t slept in days, his usually neat braids have hair sticking out all over, and there are dark black rings under his eyes.
“You okay, bro?” Cujo asks, his concern trickling through our bond. “You look like shit.”
Fenrir finally lifts his eyes. “Fuck you very much.” Suddenly, an earsplitting melody starts playing from his phone, which reminds me of the circus tune, and I quirk my eyebrow. His face turns beet red, and his fingers mash the screen frantically.
Cujo reaches out, plucking the loud object from him. The image on it makes me gasp.
Clowns. Lots and lots of naked clowns. Fucking, sucking, and having an orgy.
“What the hell, Fen?” Cujo laughs, and Fenrir swipes it back. “Never knew you were such a freak.”
“I’m not,” he shouts, grabbing it back. “This fucking hacker has it out for me. I thought they were a fed at first—but then they sent me the address of Willow’s safe house.
Honestly, I don’t know who it is. But they’ve got a sick sense of humor.
This week, they’ve infected every one of my damn devices with random fandom porn.
Marvel, Game of Thrones, Super-fucking-Mario.
At first, it was funny, but now it’s getting weirder. And worse—I can’t keep them out.”
“Our hacker is being hacked?” Cujo chuckles, but a kernel of certainty smacks me right upside the head. I never considered how Rowan sent my Alphas for my heat—but it’s all starting to make sense.
“Yes. By someone really fucking good. And I don’t know whether I can trust them.
But I want to. I made a copy of everything on Vincent’s computer and phone before we turned it over to the feds.
I’ve hit a roadblock. I think with the two of us—this hacker and me—we could crack it.
But instead of being cool, they just keep … SENDING ME WEIRD PORN.”
He shouts the last part, and several people stop to stare. Heat creeps up Fenrir’s face, and he runs his fingers through his braids, yanking way too hard at the strands.
“As you were,” Cujo barks, and they turn away, but not before glancing at Fen once more.
Clearing my throat, I find it in myself to ask, “What’s her handle? WildHuntZ?”
All three Alphas look at me.
“You got another life you haven’t told us about, baby girl?” Lincoln presses a kiss to my temple, tucking his body around mine supportively.
“No. But Rowan does.”