23. Epilogue
Epilogue
Julia
The autumn sun streams through the windows of my new office, painting golden patterns across the planning table where I've spread out fabric swatches and color samples.
The space still carries that faint new-paint smell, mingling with the fragrance of fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases throughout the room.
I straighten a stack of presentation boards, enjoying the meticulousness of organizing my workspace just the way I like it.
Ever After & Co.'s Saltford Bay office has been open for almost two months now, and I'm still getting used to having a permanent base. The waterfront building has been completely renovated—pale-blue walls, tasteful sea-themed decor, and subtle accommodations for our diverse clientele.
Our clientele. I still can’t believe Seraphina and I became partners. Turns out, she finally found the courage to tell Silverine she wanted to be more than just the Draak matriarch and wanted to work on her own business.
A surprising turn of events. Even more surprising: Seraphina and I work well together.
I smile. After the chaos of the Draak-Ashbane wedding, Seraphina approached me with a business proposition. At first, I'd been hesitant, I was still reeling from Courtney's betrayal, but the dragon is nothing if not persistent.
"Your eye for detail combined with my connections in the Other community," she'd argued. "We'd be unstoppable."
She wasn't wrong. Word spread quickly after we established ourselves, and our calendar is now booked solid for the next eighteen months.
"These centerpieces won’t do," Seraphina says, tapping her violet-scaled finger against the tablet screen. "Captain Orvik specifically mentioned he wants nothing flashy."
I take the tablet from her hands, zooming in on the design mockups for the fundraising gala for Saltford’s Rehabilitation Center for Wild Animals where the kraken harbormaster is the guest of honor. The grumpy guest of honor whose tentacled face seems to be permanently etched with a scowl .
"The man literally suggested barnacles and rope coils as decor," Seraphina continues with an elegant sniff of disdain. "Barnacles, Julia! Unbelievable."
I can't help laughing. In the three months since Seraphina joined Ever After & Co. as my business partner, I've come to appreciate her bluntness. Our styles couldn't be more different. I favor elegant simplicity while she pushes for dramatic flourishes, but somehow it works.
"We'll compromise," I say, picking up my stylus and quickly sketching a new design on the tablet. "Sea-glass lanterns with coral-etched place cards. It gives maritime without making the venue look like we decorated with shipwreck debris."
Seraphina tilts her head, considering. The movement causes light to ripple across her scales.
"That's… actually perfect."
Seraphina suddenly glances at her elegant wristwatch and stands abruptly.
"I just remembered I have a scale treatment appointment." She gathers her things with uncharacteristic haste. "I have to go."
I raise an eyebrow.
"You're leaving? We still have a lot of work to do. We’re supposed to talk to the catering company for the quinceanera of Ariel Singmoore in an hour! Mermaids are super picky about their catering, you know that."
A flicker of something like guilt crosses her face, quickly replaced by her usual composed expression.
"You'll manage just fine. Keep working. "
With a flutter of shining scales, she's gone, the door closing behind her.
I stare after her, confused. What’s going on?
Something's definitely up. Seraphina doesn't get flustered, and she certainly doesn't forget appointments. A few moments later, the office door swings open. I cross my arms, expecting Seraphina to return with some heartfelt apology for losing her mind and leaving me with a mountain of work.
Instead, Deputy Chemko steps through, followed closely by Maya Lorne.
"Is everything okay?" I stand, a flicker of alarm running through me. "Did something happen? Where’s Adrian?"
Neither answers directly. Instead, they move to the sides of my office door as more pack members filter in, creating a semicircle around my planning table. They're all smiling, some nudging each other with knowing looks.
My heart rate increases. What's happening?
Jeremy Wolfsbane enters next, Adrian's father looking distinguished as always with his silver-streaked hair and warm eyes. He gives me a paternal smile that eases my tension slightly. Whatever's happening, it can't be bad news if Jeremy looks this pleased.
Meredith follows, elegant in a tailored suit that emphasizes her regal figure. Her expression is carefully neutral, but there's a softness around her eyes I've rarely seen.
I stand straighter, smoothing down my slate-blue pantsuit. The pack members are all here, crammed in my new office, and the atmosphere has shifted to something more serious.
Then Adrian walks in, and everything else fades away .
He's dressed in a black button-down shirt that accentuates his powerful build.
His face is freshly shaved, his usually unruly hair slightly tamed.
But it's his eyes that capture me completely—intense, focused entirely on me with an emotion so powerful I can feel it through our mate bond, pulsating like a magnet.
And in his hand, he holds a small velvet box.
My breath catches. Time seems to slow as Adrian crosses the office toward me, moving with deliberate steps while the pack forms a circle around us. The reverent silence is broken only by the soft sound of his footfalls on the hardwood floor.
When he drops to one knee before me, I press my hand to my mouth. The ring box opens to reveal a stunning piece, a platinum band with a large moonstone surrounded by smaller diamonds. I recognize it immediately as the Wolfsbane family heirloom Meredith had shown me weeks ago.
"Julia," Adrian says, his voice low and slightly rough with emotion. "I knew you were my mate from the moment I first scented you."
I fight back tears as he continues.
"In the eyes of my pack, we’re already true mates, but I want to honor your human traditions too." He pauses, reaching for my trembling hand. "I want to stand beside you as your husband, your partner through all seasons."
His thumb strokes over my knuckles in a slow circle.
"Julia Schroeder, will you marry me?"
The tears I've been holding back spill freely now. For a moment, I can't find my voice past the emotion tightening my throat.
"Yes," I whisper, then louder as joy bubbles up through me. "Yes! "
My hands tremble as Adrian slides the ring onto my finger. The moonstone catches the sunlight, sending prisms dancing across my office walls. The pack responds with wild, loud howls of celebration, filling the space with sound.
Adrian rises, drawing me into his embrace. His lips close on mine and the world ceases to exist as we lose ourselves to the kiss, to each other. I’m breathless when he finally frees me, but I don’t let go. I don’t think I could, even if I wanted to.
I sink against him, feeling his solid warmth, the steady beat of his heart against mine.
Then Meredith steps forward, her regal bearing commanding attention as effectively as any alpha's growl.
The pack parts for her as she approaches us.
She clasps my shoulders, her grip firm but not threatening.
Then, to my surprise, she delicately sniffs at my hair.
Her lips curve into a sly smile as she turns her gaze to Adrian.
"I expect you’ll want to hold the ceremony before she shows."
My hands fly to my stomach, eyes widening as her words register. I look up at Adrian, questioning, heart racing with a possibility I hadn't even considered.
Adrian's arm tightens around my waist, his laugh gentle and full of wonder.
"Wolf noses never lie," he murmurs close to my ear, his expression a mixture of pride, joy, and awe.
The pack's reaction is immediate and enthusiastic. Deputy Chemko clumsily offers congratulations, nearly knocking over a vase in his excitement.
"A baby," I whisper, the word both foreign and familiar on my tongue. I'm surprised by the surge of joy that follows the initial shock. Adrian and I haven't discussed children beyond vague someday plans, but the reality settling over me feels right.
Another piece clicking into place.
"I told you the appointment was important," Seraphina calls from the doorway, looking smugly pleased with herself. She saunters into the office, wings folded elegantly behind her. "Though I had no idea we'd be celebrating two announcements instead of one."
"You knew about this?" I ask, gesturing to the ring on my finger.
She shrugs, scales shimmering with the movement.
"Of course. Who do you think helped coordinate everyone's arrival? Your wolf may be the alpha, but organizational skills are clearly not his strong suit."
Adrian growls playfully at her, but there's no heat in it.
I look around at the faces of my new family, Adrian's steady presence beside me, Meredith's careful approval, Jeremy's open warmth, the pack's enthusiastic support, even Seraphina's dramatic smugness. All these people who have become essential parts of my life in such a short time.
I rise on my toes to kiss Adrian again.
"I love you," I whisper against his lips.
His arms tighten around me.
"And I love you, my mate. Forever."
My gaze drops to the ring on my finger, then lifts to meet Adrian's loving eyes. For someone who has spent her career orchestrating other people's perfect moments, I'm surprised by how unprepared I feel for my own. Yet I've never been more ready for whatever comes next.
So, is this what happily ever after feels like? Because I love it !
The End
If you liked Adrian and Julia's story, then hop on to the next installment in the series, Healed By The Grumpy Elf !