Epilogue - Rael
The Weston Pack territory was completely transformed three months later.
Lanterns were hung in the trees, bathing the clearing in a warm light. Tables lined up with food, music filtered from the speakers that had been rigged up, and the air was filled with laughter and conversation.
Alanis was the one who came up with the idea of a clearing. “We fought so long,” she said. “We ought to have a moment of rejoicing over what we have done. As a team.”
They had invited allied packs, Lumen operatives, and anybody who had assisted in the destruction of the trafficking network. The attendance was good—almost a hundred of them mingling in the summer evening, telling stories and making acquaintances.
Rael stood close to the drinks table, looking at Alanis, who was a couple of steps away. She was speaking with Deva and a circle of the women whom they had saved. Her eyes crinkled slightly at the edges as she laughed deeply.
She looked happy. Healed. Whole.
The last three months were a whirlwind. Alanis continued to liaise with the Lumen on rescue missions. She did as she promised—she continued to be involved in the organization, but she also built a life with the Weston Pack.
They had both built something beautiful. A relationship filled with trust, respect, and love that was strengthening day by day.
“She looks good,” Javi appeared by his side, grabbing a drink. “Happy.”
“Yes, she is. We both are.”
“Nauseating,” Javi said, but there was no heat in it. Over the past months, even Javi had come around to accepting Alanis. He’d never admit it, but Rael had caught him actually smiling at one of her sarcastic comments last week.
“You are just jealous,” Rael teased.
“Of domestic bliss? Hard pass.” He downed his drink in one motion. “I like my life simple, without complications and—”
He did not have time to complete the sentence. A red-haired lady walked towards them, holding what seemed to be a vodka tonic. The look she gave Javi was of pure rage. Then she poured the whole thing into his face.
Javi coughed, gasping for air. “What the fuck—”
“That is what you get for vanishing in the middle of the night, like a coward,” the woman said, with a cold and clipped voice.
Rael recognized her—Kiara, one of the Lumen operatives. Alanis mentioned her a couple of times. They had trained together. Kiara had taught her the tricks of the trade when she first became part of the Lumen.
But Rael never imagined that she and Javi even knew each other.
“I am not a coward,” Javi growled, wiping his face. “I had to leave. There was a mission and I could—”
“Bullshit,” Kiara interrupted. “You have been ignoring me all evening. You will not even look at me.”
“Perhaps I do not want to deal with whatever this is,” Javi said, pointing between the two of them. “It was just one night. You said you were fine with that.”
“I was okay with a single night, but what I am not okay with is the way you are treating me like I have a communicable disease whenever we are in the same room.” Her voice turned sharper.
“I do not need a relationship, Javi. I am not telling you to get married to me. I am telling you to be a man and to acknowledge my freaking existence.”
Rael remained quiet and amused, taking a sip of his own drink. Same old thing with Javi. But this time, it looked like this would be different. This would be fun.
“I am acknowledging your existence,” he hissed. “You made that pretty clear when you threw a drink at me. So, what the hell do you want from me?”
“Common courtesy would be a great start.” Kiara scowled. “You know, that thing where you don’t treat people like they’re invisible just because you’ve seen them naked.”
“I treat everyone the same.”
“No, you treat everyone else like they’re people. You treat me like I’m a problem you’re trying to avoid.” Kiara stepped closer, jabbing her finger into Javi’s chest. “And for the record? You weren’t that good. I’ve had better.”
Javi’s eyes flashed. “Is that right?”
“That’s right,” Kiara smirked. “You can stop avoiding me now. I do not have the slightest interest in a repeat performance.”
“Good,” Javi bit out. “Because neither do I.
“Perfect.”
“Fine.”
They glared at each other for a moment, then Kiara turned on her heel and walked away, her red hair floating over her back.
“Not. A. Word,” Javi gritted.
“I was not going to say anything,” Rael grinned.
“Yes, you were. I can tell by the look on your face. And by the way, it was a mistake. It only happened once and will never happen again.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so.” Javi’s jaw clenched as he glanced in the direction Kiara had gone. “She’s impossible. Obstinate, provocative, absolutely unreasonable—”
“Sounds like a person you would get along with.”
“Shut up.” Javi began to walk off, but hesitated. “And do not tell Alanis about this. The last thing I want is her meddling.”
“Too late,” Rael nodded at the approaching figure.
Alanis was walking towards them, looking curious and amused. She had undoubtedly seen at least some of the conflict. Same thing as more than half of the pack, who were trying not to stare.
“Fuck,” Javi growled and walked off in the opposite direction.
“What was that all about?”
“It seems like they slept together, and Javi has been avoiding her since then.” Rael grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. “He is doing as well as you think he is, having been drenched in vodka.”
“Meaning, terribly,” Alanis said, laughing. “Oh, this will be interesting. Kiara does not run away when it comes to a fight. Javi may think he can simply turn a blind eye to this, but he will soon learn.”
“Should we intervene?”
“Absolutely not.” Alanis smiled at him. “I think Javi needs someone who will not tolerate his bullshit. Kiara may be that person.”
“Or they will kill each other.”
“That also is a possibility. In any case, it will be fun to watch.”
Rael chuckled lightly, kissing her on the temple. “You’re terrible.”
“You love it.”
“I love you. The terrible parts are an added bonus.”
“Smooth talker.”
They stood there, observing the party going on around them. Elle was dancing with Silas, while Isa ran around. Sara was busy chatting with some of the Lumen operatives. August was slowly clearing out the dessert table.
And somewhere in the darkness, Javi was no doubt sulking, and Kiara was plotting her next action.
“This is pleasant.” Alanis sighed blissfully. “Being together like this. No missions, no danger. Just... community.”
“It is. I will give it an hour before Javi and Kiara go for round two, though. Fancy placing a bet on who wins?”
“My money is on Kiara.”
“And mine on Javi.”
Alanis laughed lightly. “We are so unserious. But I have to admit that Javi meeting someone who puts him to the test might be just the thing that he needs.”
“Or it might all be a disaster.”
“In any case, like I said, it will be interesting to watch,” Alanis said with a smile.
Rael reflected on how far they had come. All the way from an auction—where he made the most impulsive decision of his life—to this point in life.
“What are you thinking about?” Alanis asked quietly.
“If buying you at that auction was the best or worst decision I have ever made.”
“And which is it?”
“The best. You make my life a better one, Alanis.”
“Me too. So, I suppose we changed each other.”
“I prefer to say we saved each other.”
“Look at us,” Alanis said with mock seriousness. “Being all romantic and mature. What would Javi say?”
“Probably something about us being nauseating,” Rael said. “Right before Kiara throws another drink at him.”
They both laughed, the sound mingling with the music and conversation around them.
“Come on,” Alanis said, tugging at his hand. “Dance with me?”
“‘Always,” Rael pulled Alanis into his arms and started to move to the music.
Alanis rested her head on his chest. “Let’s enjoy this. Us, together, happy. Everything else can wait.”
“Agreed,” Rael murmured, holding her close.
And as they danced under the stars, surrounded by family and friends, with the promise of more adventures to come—including whatever chaos Javi and Kiara were about to unleash on each other—Rael couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
This was home. This was family. This was love, and it was perfect.
*****
THE END