Epilogue 1-Sten
“Hey, Sten, where did you want me to drop the modules for inputting lunar phases in the Nephilim Realm?” Gunner called from across the office.
I looked up from the glowing celestial projection hovering above my desk and blinked slowly.
The fact Gunner McFadden was currently helping me build a multi-realm celestial mapping empire instead of actively attempting to rip my throat out remained one of the strangest developments of my life.
Not unpleasant.
Just strange.
Three months ago we’d nearly started a blood feud during the Spring Equinox Festival.
Now?
The Werewolf sat two desks away wearing reading glasses while arguing with a sentient spreadsheet.
Life was bizarre.
“Third cluster,” I answered after reviewing the projection. “Align it with the eastern lunar pull or the tide calculations in the Nephilim sector will collapse.”
Gunner grunted.
“Got it. By the way, Uncle Uzzi sent in a whole slew of new requests for the app,” he told me and I nodded.
The older Witch had come to us with his matchmaking app months ago and it was up and running.
I couldn’t believe it, but it was true.
Date to Mate was a real app dedicated to charting supernaturals’ courses to their fated mates using my software—along with help from earthbound Shifters with knacks for coding who worked for Uzzi Stregovich.
Magic flashed briefly around his workstation as he input the corrections.
I leaned back in my chair afterward, staring through the massive tower windows overlooking the cliffs of Northumberland Island.
Night blanketed Runevald beautifully.
Auroras shimmered above the Institute and the ley lines crossed through the multiverse itself while moonlight spilled silver across the black sea below.
Home.
The realization still startled me sometimes.
Not Runevald.
Her.
Luna had become home so completely that every place without her now felt vaguely wrong.
The matebond pulsed warmly through my chest as if summoned by the thought alone.
Gods.
I missed her already.
“You’re doing it again,” Gunner muttered without looking up.
I frowned.
“Doing what?”
“That creepy lovesick staring thing.”
“I do not stare.”
“You absolutely fucking stare.”
“I contemplate.”
“Yeah? Well your contemplating face looks horny.”
I bared my fangs at him.
The Werewolf grinned.
“See? There it is.”
Unfortunately, before I could threaten bodily harm, the office door burst open.
“Menon? Hello, Gunner!”
My entire body reacted instantly.
Luna.
Warmth flooded the matebond so violently my magic sparked beneath my skin before I even turned around.
Then she practically bounced across the office toward me in one of those soft dresses that made coherent thought increasingly difficult.
Gods.
My mate was beautiful.
She smelled like moonflowers and sugar and magic as she launched herself directly into my arms without hesitation.
I caught her automatically, lifting her easily while she wrapped her legs around my waist.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, already kissing her before she fully answered.
“I thought you had Divination after Lunar Theory.”
“It got canceled,” she murmured against my mouth before kissing me again.
The second her lips touched mine, every coherent thought inside my head evaporated.
Mine.
The bond surged hot and possessive.
I cupped her ass instinctively, dragging her tighter against my chest while kissing her thoroughly.
She made the sweetest little noise in response.
Fuck.
I was weak for that sound.
“Do you mind?” Gunner groaned loudly from across the room. “Some of us are tragically alone in life and don’t need to witness your disgusting mating ritual in real time.”
I growled at him without breaking the kiss.
The Werewolf flipped me off.
“Weak, blue dumbass with a sorry excuse for a snarl,” he muttered.
Luna giggled against my mouth.
My gaze snapped toward her instantly.
“Oh,” I murmured darkly. “You think he’s funny?”
Her eyes widened slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
“You may have earned yourself a spanking later, my Luna.”
The blush spreading across her cheeks was immediate.
But more importantly—the matebond flared hot with unmistakable arousal.
Ah.
So she liked that idea.
Extremely valuable information.
“Oh my gods,” Gunner snapped, standing abruptly. “This is horrific. Like accidentally catching your parents fucking.”
Luna burst out laughing.
I grinned slowly against her throat.
“I will be back in an hour,” Gunner announced dramatically while gathering his notes. “Hopefully you lunatics will have stopped dry humping the furniture by then.”
“We are not dry humping,” Luna protested weakly.
The Werewolf stared pointedly at my hands still gripping her ass.
“Sure you’re not.”
Then he slammed the office door behind him on the way out.
Silence settled afterward.
Warm.
Private.
Dangerous.
Luna bit her lower lip while still straddling my waist.
“Sorry,” she said, though the mischievous sparkle in her pale eyes suggested she was not sorry even slightly.
Gods.
I loved her.
“Mm.” My hands tightened possessively against her thighs. “What exactly are you wearing?”
“Just a dress.”
Suspicion sharpened instantly.
Because my mate had recently discovered she enjoyed teasing me.
Dangerous behavior.
I slid one hand slowly beneath the hem of her dress.
Then froze.
Bare skin.
Warm.
Soft.
Completely uncovered.
“Luna.”
Her expression turned delightfully innocent.
“Yes, Menon?”
“You are not wearing panties.”
“Nope.”
The word alone nearly shattered my restraint.
I stared at her.
Then at the office door Gunner had just exited through.
Then back at her.
“You came to my workplace like this?”
“I missed you.”
Gods help me.
I stood so abruptly the chair behind me crashed backward into the celestial projection table.
Luna squealed softly as I carried her directly toward my desk.
“Menon!”
“You are dangerous,” I informed her darkly.
Her smile widened.
“You love it.”
Unfortunately—she was absolutely correct.