Epilogue - Tyler
Two Weeks Later
I take a deep breath as I nod at my father, who's standing on the stage with me, his elderly eyes twinkling with acknowledgment and approval of this next phase I'm embarking on.
The back doors of the pack hall open up to cue Arianna's arrival, and my heart races with anticipation to see her in the dress I've been forbidden to see before the big day.
My mother wanted everything to be perfect, and Arianna agreed to let the retired luna handle the mating ceremony—a gathering to celebrate our mate bond and Arianna officially stepping in as the luna of the Moonshine Pack.
My chest swells with pride and admiration the moment I lay eyes on her, my breath stolen by her ethereal beauty as she steps into the hall, arm-in-arm with my mother, and walks down the aisle with white lilies hanging from the ceiling to welcome her.
I smirk when I notice her reaction to the surprise—a personal touch I requested, to symbolize the first night we ever spoke when we met in the graveyard. She's smiling, her eyes twinkling with appreciation as she recognizes the gesture and blushes.
We've come a long way since that night, and overcome many obstacles and challenges to get to this moment when she walks into the hall with my mother.
I'm about to profess my undying love for her for the pack to witness, and though I'm not the one who can foresee the future, I know it's going to be great having her by my side.
My eyes flit to Noah as he comes running down the aisle, speeding ahead of Arianna and panting when he reaches the stage. A chorus of giggles and stifled laughter echoes through the hall, and Arianna nods to encourage me to give our son my attention.
I know she's probably relieved that all eyes are off her momentarily, since she hasn't stopped chastising me for putting her on the spot when I announced our mate bond at a meeting, so I crouch at the edge of the stage. Noah stretches out his arm, pushing a black velvet box toward me.
“Gran'mama said I must give you this, Daddy!” he exclaims, his excitement carrying over the speakers that play gentle orchestral music.
Shock renders me speechless, and it's not because of the two rings in the box, but because Noah just called me “Daddy.”
My heart feels fuller than ever, more pride swelling my chest as Noah skips over to Brynta to take a seat on the bench.
Hearing him say that single word has me feeling invincible, more fulfilled than standing here on this very stage when I was sworn in as the alpha of this pack.
It shouldn't come as a surprise, since we had a discussion with him, and he simply revealed that he was already aware that I was his father—it's something he sensed from the moment we met.
But this is a milestone in our budding bond, and I couldn't be happier.
The only thing that beats that feeling is watching my mate make the final steps toward me, my mother placing Arianna's hand into mine, her gentle smile of adoration filling me with more feelings of satisfaction and pride.
Both my parents approved of my true mate bond with Arianna, and it came as a surprise to someone who expected them to object because she wasn't a high-ranking she-wolf.
Turns out, all they wanted was to see me happy, and I couldn't be happier as Arianna, and I exchange vows in front of our pack, and I swear to protect her, our children, and the pack as a whole.
My eyes travel over her body as we exchange the gold bands gifted to us by my parents, and I smile smugly as I notice the little bump visible through the white silk dress that hugs her like a second skin.
Gulping hard, I can't help but let my gaze wander over the rest of her, appreciating the way the figure-hugging dress amplifies her gorgeous, goddess-like curves and full breasts that I cannot wait to squeeze between my hands.
I have to maintain self-control for now, since we're in the presence of the entire Moonshine Pack and others from the packs we have alliances with.
My father nods at me, and I declare, “I, Alpha Tyler Whitlock of the Moonshine Pack, take thee, Arianna Sanchez-Hart, as my true mate and luna.”
Arianna blushes as she repeats the last vow, “I, Arianna Sanchez-Hart, accept thee, Alpha Tyler Whitlock, as my true mate.”
Music to my ears…
Once we're both wearing our gold bands on the ring fingers of our left hands, we share a kiss on stage—one that's demure enough for the kids in the hall.
I only pull away to whisper into Arianna's ear, “I can't wait to get home.”
Arianna's blush is the most beautiful one I've seen as she draws back, playfully slapping my shoulder.
“We have to greet the guests and mingle for a bit. It's our duty.”
I roll my eyes playfully, but go along with the rest of the ceremony by greeting the guests, introducing Arianna to a few friends from other packs.
Hunter, who'd been completing his alpha trials in Concord, has finally joined us in Portland as the newly appointed alpha of the Bloodclaw Pack. Of course, he emerged victorious, but when I take Arianna over to greet him since they haven't met before, he appears rigid and tense.
“Hey, buddy,” I greet him with the secret handshake we learned during our time in black ops. “It's really good to have you join us today.”
“Congratulations to you both,” he says flatly, his grim expression remaining even as he smiles. “I'm Hunter,” he says as he offers his hand to Arianna. “It's really nice to meet you, Arianna.”
“Likewise,” she responds kindly as she shakes his hand, and I notice a frown flitting over her face.
“I heard about what happened with the, er—the rogues,” Hunter comments, clearing his throat. His eyes wander to the rest of our group of friends from black ops, and he frowns.
“Yeah, but we took care of it. There is a greater threat at large, but we'll call up a meeting soon to discuss our next steps.” I grimace. “I don't really wanna talk shop right now.”
“Right…” Hunter nods. “Of course.” He pats my shoulder awkwardly before joining the others, and I turn to Arianna with a frown.
“You noticed something too, didn't you?”
Arianna turns slowly to look at the group of my friends, then leans in and whispers, “Was something going on between Hunter and Delilah?”
I gasp in shock. “No. No way.” I shake my head in disbelief. “We're all just friends. Hunter would never. Delilah thinks he's a jerk. What makes you think—”
I turn to Arianna when realization dawns on me, but I still refuse to believe that anything was going on between them.
Arianna quirks up a brow and teases, “I'm a witch. I have a nose for these things.”
“You sound just like her,” I chuckle dryly. “I'm just gonna act like I don't know anything.” I notice Delilah waving us over, and groan. “Goddess! Does she hear your thoughts, too?”
Arianna giggles as she strolls over to the pack, and I'm about to follow her when Noah comes running toward me from the opposite end of the hall, arms stretched out.
“Hey, buddy!” I exclaim as I lift him off the ground and spin him around. As I plant him back on his feet, I crouch low to meet his eyes. “Are you enjoying yourself with your friends?”
“I am, Daddy!” He beams with joy that extends to my heart when he calls me that. “I go now!”
In a flash, my son is gone, joining his friends in the garden outside to play soccer. Again, my chest puffs with pride, and I look forward to the future with my family.
After spending some time with our guests and exchanging some friendly banter with my friends from black ops—pointedly ignoring the tension between Hunter and Delilah and acting like it has nothing to do with what Arianna suspects, just believing that it's how they've always been—Arianna and I finally bid our guests goodbye.
Arianna notices that we don't turn on the street leading to my house when we're making our way out, and she becomes suspicious.
“Where are we going? I thought we were going home…”
“We are going home,” I say, turning the corner and giving her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “Our new home.”
I point to the corner where Arianna's old cottage lies—but it's not dilapidated anymore.
With some help from the pack members, I've renovated the place by giving it a fresh coat of paint and some new fixtures.
For tonight, it's been embellished with fairy lights hanging from the roof, a trail of lily petals forming a path to the front door.
“Oh, Tyler!” Arianna exclaims. “It's so beautiful!”
I chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. “I thought it'd be a good idea for us to call this place home whenever we needed some private time.”
“It's perfect…”
“Aha.” I turn to Arianna, pressing a kiss to her cheek before whispering in her ear, “It's far from the rest of the pack, so they don't hear you screaming…”
Arianna gasps, cheeks instantly flushed. “I only scream because you make me, Alpha Tyler.”
“Well, I plan on making you scream a lot tonight, Luna Arianna…” I drawl with a seductive chuckle.
Arianna bites her bottom lip, wrapping her hands around my neck and stepping on her tiptoes to meet my lips. My hands find purchase on her hips, and I pull her closer, letting her feel how hard I am already, and she gasps again.
“Challenge accepted, Alpha Tyler,” she giggles, and our lips meet for a passionate, feverish kiss that draws more blood to my already painfully restrained erection. As I pull away, about to lift her into my arms, I meet her warm, hazel eyes, and find that love I've always known I was destined for.
“I love you, Ari…I really do….”
“I know,” she sighs as she presses her cheek to my chest. “I love you, too, Tyler.”
As I lift Arianna into my arms and carry her into the cottage, everything feels right in my world. My one true mate is in my arms, where I can protect her, care for her, and most of all, love her.
That's what she deserves, and life was only waiting for me to catch up and accept what I was always destined for. Thank Goddess I've come to my senses!
*****
THE END