Epilogue
EVANTHE
The dressing chamber is warm and softly lit, but my nerves still flutter. I stand before a polished bronze mirror, staring at a gown that can only be described as regal… and the first clothing I have worn in many days.
Layers of deep forest green, embroidered in delicate gold thread. A bodice fitted perfectly to my waist. Sleeves of cascading silk. It is more luxurious than anything I have ever worn in my life.
“Are you sure this is appropriate?” I ask, smoothing imaginary creases from my skirts for the tenth time. “It looks like something a noblewoman would wear. Or a princess. I’ll look ridiculous.”
A low male chuckle sounds behind me.
Beric is leaning on the doorframe with a wicked gleam in his eyes. He is dressed in naught but hide pants and presents a captivating sight. “You do not look ridiculous. You look like every wolf’s dream.”
Alden strides past Beric, likewise wearing only pants.
He stops behind me, all towering male beauty, and circles his arms around my waist. “It was made for you. And much as I prefer you naked…” His eyes follow the passage of his hands in the mirror as they slide up to cup my breasts.
“Human clothing definitely has an allure.”
“Made for me?” I ask. “By whom? Where did you even get something like this?”
Ranulf’s mouth curves with amusement as he arrives at my left side—to my shame, I am disappointed that he too is in a state of partial dress. “We believe you know the seamstress very well.”
“Mistress Nina?”
Beric pushes away from the door and comes to stand to my right. “Aye. She insisted on sending it. Said her sweet former assistant deserved only the best.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. “She… made this? For me?”
“She has always been respectful of the lore, and of the part we play in Merrywood’s protection. More than most. She sends gifts to our pack queen often. I get a firm impression that she will not miss you out.”
“She summoned you,” I say, thinking back to that night.
Ranulf nods. “She has our blood, but keeps it quiet, for though she was once mated to a wolf shifter, he was a cruel bastard by all accounts. Not behavior we condone. But it happens on occasion. After Torric’s predecessor outcast the rogue, she left the pack, mated to a human alpha, and never shifted again.
When he died a few years back, she had no desire to return to the pack life. ”
Beric adds, “She visits us on occasion. And summons us when there is need.”
Well, that explains much… and the perfect fit of the gown. “She gave me a charm,” I confess. “Told me not to go into the forest.”
“It seems you did not heed your mistress well,” Ranulf says, running his knuckle down my cheek. “Going into the forest after dark.”
“I left the charm in my dress pocket… then the raiders came and… you know the rest.”
“The Goddess’ work,” Alden says reverently. “You were always destined to be ours.”
“Indeed,” Ranulf says. “Now, the queen awaits. Are you ready, mate?”
I gulp. “I am.” It is a lie, given I am all aflutter with nerves. I want badly to love this queen they speak so highly of. But what if she is cruel or unkind? What if she does not like me?
Ranulf must see all my churning angst, for his face softens. “There is only one way to allay your fears, Evanthe. And that is by meeting our queen.”
They guide me toward the heart of the den, down wide stone passages warmed by braziers. Beyond a carved archway, a tall, imposing, brutish male stands, distracting me from all other occupants in the room. Immediately, I see the similarities to Ranulf. This is his brother, the pack leader.
I bow deeply, although no one tells me to.
“Oh, Evanthe,” a female voice says warmly. When I peer up, a young lass is bearing down on me. Petite, radiant, smiling as though she has been eager for this moment. She takes my hands. “That dress is so becoming on you!”
“Mistress Nina made it,” I say, unable to hide my pride. I adore Elenor’s dress; if I am not mistaken, it is likewise made by Mistress Nina.
Elenor’s eyes twinkle. “Of course she did.” She gestures at herself and winks.
“My mate is more inclined to keep me in a state of undress, but well… he enjoys it when I occasionally don pretty human clothes.” Her eyes lower, and she nips her lower lip.
“Fine, I enjoy it when he gets all growly and peels me out of them.”
“Mate,” Torric says gruffly. “Do not make me spank you in front of our guests.”
Elenor only shoots me another playful smile, not at all bothered.
A laugh escapes me. She grins and captures my hand again, tucking it over her arm. “Come sit with me. I know today must feel overwhelming.”
She shoos the men away and leads me toward a fur-covered bench beside the hearth. “Seeing you reminds me of how I felt when I first arrived,” she says. “Terrified yet also thrilled. Unsure if I was dreaming.” Her smile softens. “It gets easier.”
I return her smile.
“I hear your family lives not so far from here. Your mother, father, and siblings?”
“They do,” I say, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of them. “The village of Tully Low.”
“Oh, that is no distance at all. I can tell from the way your face lights up that you love them well. I dare say now your mates have gotten over the claiming stage, they could take you there if you wished.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “Truly?”
“Truly,” she says. “A mate should not be a prisoner. You are part of our pack now—but you came from somewhere, and the people who love you deserve comfort too.”
Tears well in my eyes.
She leans in to give me a swift hug. “There, do not get upset, Evanthe, lest your mate get all growly and break up our chat.”
I dash tears from my eyes and grin.
Elenor squeezes my hand again. “Welcome to your new home, Evanthe.”
When I glance back, I find my triad watching over me with unmistakable love and pride. Then Beric winks, Alden smirks, and Ranulf bestows on me a smoldering look that leaves no doubt as to what will happen as soon as my meeting with the queen is done.
I believe my mates have my ravishment in mind.
I believe I cannot wait.
Thank you so much for reading Claimed by Wolves.