Epilogue
One Year Later
Myrran
The Hive is pure, joyful mayhem today. The smell of baking pastries and roasting meat fills the air, laughter and the occasional bickering echoes through the halls.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a full year since Jewel moved in, because her touch is everywhere.
Her family recipes in the kitchen. Her scent in my nest. She’s made her home here, and my home is with her.
I glance at the clock. She’ll be home any minute, returning from her latest modeling shoot. A year ago, she was wrapping gifts at Hoardstrom’s to make ends meet, dreaming of something bigger. Now? Now she’s the face of a major designer’s collection and has to turn down gigs.
She’s worked so hard to make it happen, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.
I straighten the tray of festive snacks on the low table in our lair—a plate of Jewel’s favorite walnut cookies, a bowl of spicy candied nuts, and two mugs of Mexican hot chocolate (I’ve perfected a recipe that’s exactly to her taste).
Beside it sits a little box wrapped in shimmering green paper, its tiny bow painstakingly tied.
It’s an amateur job compared to her wrapping skills, but I wanted it to be extra-special to mark our one-year anniversary, so I wrapped it myself.
At the sound of the door opening, my heart leaps. I stand to greet her, unable to suppress my grin when I see her.
“Welcome home, alokoi.” I catch her up in a hug before she can set her emerald-green handbag down. I spin in a circle so her feet fly out, and she squeals.
She’s laughing when I set her down, her cheeks still glowing pink from the chilly city outside. “I missed you,” she says, leaning into me.
I nuzzle her hair, inhaling her familiar, comforting scent. “I missed you more. How was the shoot?”
She pulls back, eyes sparkling. “It was amazing, Myrran. The designer rebooked me, the team was incredible—and look!” She steps back and twirls, showing off a stunning coat in shimmering red and gold, the fabric catching the light like dragon scales.
“They let me keep this. I’m going to send it to my mom. She’s going to love it.”
“She’ll look like a queen.” I lick across her forehead and down to her ear until she squirms and sighs. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she admits, kicking off her shoes with a sigh. “And my feet are killing me.”
“I’ve got you.” I lead her to the snack table, where several pillows provide comfortable seating. “Sit. Eat. And let me take care of you.”
She plops obediently onto the cushions with a little moan that stiffens my cock, then surveys the food. “You spoil me.”
“You deserve it,” I reply, kneeling to rub her sore feet.
Her contented sigh is music to my ears. Nothing satisfies me more than taking care of her.
When her stomach is full and both her feet have received the full treatment, I sit beside her, retrieving the little box from the table. “Are you ready for your gift?”
Her eyes light up, curiosity replacing exhaustion. “What is it? Myrran, I haven’t even unwrapped all the gifts you got me last year!”
“This one’s special,” I say, holding the box out to her. “For our anniversary.”
She takes it, opening it carefully. Inside, nestled in the velvet is a pale blue collar with a tiny silver bell.
Her forehead furrows in confusion. “It’s adorable, but—”
A soft meow interrupts her as I reach under the table to wake up her real gift. Her eyes snap to me as the small, fluffy kitten in my hands yawns sleepily, its fur a mix of smoky gray and white.
Jewel gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. “Myrran…oh my god!”
“You said you always wanted a cat,” I say, unable to hide my own excitement. “And the whole hive has been missing Mr. Whiskers since he went home. Now we’re a little family. You, me, and…”
“Cloud,” she says instantly, scooping up the tiny kitten.
“Cloud it is,” I agree, watching as she cradles the kitten close. My heart feels tight, like it can’t contain my love for her.
She looks up at me, her eyes shimmering. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I leaned down to kiss her the human way. “And you’re mine,” I murmur.
I mean it in every way. She’s the most enviable, glittering treasure in my hoard. She’s my mate, in my care and protection forever. And she’s mine like the breath in my lungs and the fire in my belly are mine, part of who I am.