16. Epilogue
Six Months Later
The aroma of simmering herbs and spices wafts through our kitchen as I stir the hearty stew. It’s a recipe my grandmother taught me as a young pup. Hearty, delicious, and comforting. Just what I thought Ava and I needed as we move into winter. Ava leans against the counter, her green eyes sparkling as she watches me. A contented smile plays on her lips as she surveys our quiet, comfortable home.
“I never expected to find you wearing an apron and cooking dinner when I came home from work,” Ava teases, her voice warm with laughter.
I flash her a grin. “Well, I can’t expect my mate to get all of her sustenance from that city food she eats when she’s at work, can I?”
Ava steps closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Nothing beats a meal cooked in our home.”
I nod, pride swelling in my chest. “How was your day?”
“Uneventful really. Headquarters still feels—” she pauses as though trying to think of the right word, “shell-shocked. There isn’t as much lively banter. Definitely none between Nathan’s old unit and CIS.”
“Maybe that”ll get better once the trial and everything is done?”
“Maybe. I don’t think the idea of a shifter database will disappear though. And maybe it shouldn’t. But it needs to be handled with more care and consideration than the original.”
“What are you thinking?” I ask as I put the lid on to let the stew simmer.
“I offered to take over,” Ava said, her voice hesitant, uncertain of my response.
I pause momentarily, aware of how big of a decision, a commitment she’s taking on. And how controversial. Many shifters will hate this database. To be fair, a part of me really hates the idea, but the determined look in her eyes makes me hesitate to say that aloud. “Why?”
“Because if I don’t if a shifter doesn’t, we will end up with a human in charge of it. We have to be careful that the information stays protected so it doesn’t get out of the confines of Cascade Falls. I can do that.” She takes a deep breath. “And Nathan wasn’t wrong. If shifters commit crimes, we should have access to the same tools we have to catch humans. His methods were wrong, but the idea. The idea has merit.” She squares her shoulders as if prepared to fight.
I pull bowls out of the cupboard and ladle the stew to give myself a moment to think. “The idea has merit. In the hands of someone we can trust to keep the truth of our kind within the boundaries agreed to in the Pact.” I pass the bowls across the island to her and start to get the utensils out of the drawer. “And there aren’t many I’d trust with this project. So I am glad it’s you.”
Ava beams as she relaxes her shoulders. “I am so glad you said that. I’d hoped you’d agree, but after what happened. I was prepared for you to oppose.”
“If anyone else had tried to talk to me about it, I probably would. But I know you will not let this get used to harm shifters again.”
My heart races as I watch Ava place the bowls on the table. The memory of her lips on mine from earlier still lingers, and I can’t help but feel a mix of longing and trepidation. I want to savor this moment. I pull her into my arms, our lips meeting for a tender kiss. The world around us fades away, and it’s just the two of us, lost in the passion and emotion that has always been so tangible between us. As we pull apart, Ava’s eyes sparkle with a secret. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, wrapped package.
“I have something for you,” she says softly, pressing the gift into my hands.
“Is this my reward for not reacting badly to the return of the shifter database?” I tease.
“No,” she laughs softly.
Curiosity piqued, I carefully unwrap the delicate paper, revealing a tiny, knitted wolf onesie. I stare at it, uncomprehending, until the realization hits me like a thunderbolt. My eyes snap to Ava’s, wide with shock and wonder.
“Ava, are you...?”
She nods, her smile radiant.
“I’m pregnant, Zane. We’re going to have a baby.”
A tidal wave of emotions crashes over me—surprise, elation, and a hint of apprehension. Joy explodes in my chest, the thought of creating a life with the woman I love filling me with an indescribable warmth. But alongside the happiness, a fierce protectiveness surges through my veins.
“I’m not quitting the force.”
“But—”
“Not open for discussion or debate.”
I want to argue. How can I protect her—protect them—if she willingly walks into danger every time she is on the job?
“Zane,” she walks up to me and puts her arms around my neck. Instinctively, I pull her in close and rest my hands on the small of her back. “I swore to protect the people of Cascade Falls and the Packs surrounding it. I’m proud of that. But I know I can protect those who can’t protect themselves because I have you at my back always willing to protect me. But I need you to let me do that for them.” She rests her cheek against my chest and gives me a moment to think.
“If anything happens—”
“How could anything happen? You have Rowan coming to town every day to keep an eye on Nora and me.”
I straighten. “Rowan’s doing what? I haven’t sent him to town. He keeps insisting he needs to be there for—”
Our eyes lock and suddenly it all makes sense. All of Rowan’s excuses for going to town. He’s keeping an eye on something, but it isn’t Ava.
I want to tell Ava, but as I open my mouth the sound of glass shattering pierces the air, followed by the thud of something heavy hitting the floor. Instinctively, I push Ava behind me, shielding her and our unborn child from potential danger. My heart races as I survey the room, my eyes landing on a jagged rock and a scrap of paper lying amidst the glittering shards.
Anger surges through my veins, hot and fierce. Who would dare threaten my mate and our home? A low growl rumbles as I step forward, carefully avoiding the broken glass. I reach for the note, but Ava’s hand on my arm stops me.
“Wait, Zane. It could be evidence. Let me handle it.”Her calm, measured tone helps quell the rage beneath my skin. She’s right, of course. As much as my instincts scream at me to hunt down the perpetrator, I know we need to approach this rationally.
Ava retrieves a pair of gloves from a drawer and gingerly picks up the note. As she unfolds it, her brow furrows, concern etching lines into her beautiful face. I move to her side, reading the words over her shoulder. The message is brief, but it sends a chill down my spine.
The Shadow Rogues are watching. The shadows never fully disappear.
Ava’s green eyes meet mine, a mix of determination and worry swirling in their depths. “This is serious, Zane. We need to investigate this, but we also need to be cautious. If the Shadow Rogues are involved, we could enter a dangerous situation.”
I nod, my mind racing. “I don’t recognize the scent on the rock or the note. It’s not anyone from our Pack. We need to reach out to our allies, and see if they have any information.”
“What about Sebastian’s old Pack? They’ve been quiet lately,” Ava suggests, her detective’s instincts kicking in.
A frown tugs at my lips. “Let’s see if he knows anything.”
Ava’s hand finds mine, her touch a comforting anchor amidst the turmoil. “We’ll figure this out together, Zane. This time will be no different.”
I draw her into my arms, mindful that she”s carrying my child even though she shows no outward signs. The thought of any harm coming to Ava or our child sends a fresh wave of protective fury through my body. “I won’t let anyone hurt our family, Ava. I promise you that.”
She nods against my chest, her arms tightening around me. “I know, Zane. But we can’t let fear control us. We’ll face this threat head on, just like we always do. Together.”
As we stand there, holding each other amidst the broken glass and ominous message, I know that Ava is right. We’ll overcome this challenge together.
But the words on the note linger in my mind, a chilling reminder that the shadows of our past are never truly gone. They lurk in the darkness, waiting for the right moment to strike.
I dial a familiar number. “Erik. Double the patrols around the perimeter. I want eyes on every possible entry point. No one gets in or out without my knowledge.”
”What happened?”
”Someone just shattered my front window. And the scent isn”t Pack.”
“Consider it done, Alpha.” The phone clicks quickly.
I look over at Ava. “I need you to stay close to me. I can’t risk anything happening to you or the baby.”
A flicker of amusement dances in her green eyes, and she arches an eyebrow. “Zane, I’m pregnant, not helpless. I can still hold my own.”
“I know, love. But humor me, just this once. Let me be the overprotective mate for a little while.”
“A little while?” she asks with a raised eyebrow. “Fine, but don’t think this means I’ll be sitting on the sidelines. We’re partners, remember?”
“Always.”
As I turn my attention back to the task at hand, my mind whirs with plans and contingencies. We must reach our allies, gather intelligence, and fortify our defenses. The Shadow Rogues may think they have the upper hand, but they have no idea the lengths I’ll go to protect the ones I love.
Less than an hour later, I stand before the small group gathered in our living room, I feel a surge of gratitude for the unwavering support of those closest to us. Nora, Sebastian, Erik, and Rowan—each strong in their own right, ready to face this new challenge head on.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” I begin, my voice steady despite the weight of the situation. I hold up the note, the ominous words seeming to burn into the paper. “The Shadow Rogues have made their presence known once again. While the scent on the rock is unfamiliar, I know there are still those within our Pack who cling to their misguided ideals.”
Sebastian quirks an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.
I nod, drawing strength from her unwavering resolve. “We called you here because we trust you implicitly. We need your help to investigate this threat so we can protect our Pack, our family, and our way of life.”
“You keep saying our Pack. I’m not really sure where I fit into that description,” Sebastian says. “I’ve never wanted to be a part of Blackwood Pack.”
“No. But as a lone wolf, you aren’t a part of your old Pack either. And Ava considers you… important.”
Ava smacks my arm. Not hard. “Sebastian. This will lead to Crimes Involving Supernaturals. Regardless of what Pack you align with or don’t align with, our unit matters to you. And I won’t make the mistake of not including you from the beginning in something this big.”
Sebastian nods once. His expression is still closed and unyielding.
“Is that why I’m here?” Nora asks.
“You’re my partner. My friend. I couldn’t investigate something this big without you.” Nora smiles.
Erik and Rowan exchange a glance, their expressions hardening with determination.
“We’re with you, Alpha,” Erik declares. “Whatever you need, we’ll be there.”I pull Ava closer to my side, my hand resting protectively around her waist.
“We will face this challenge as we have faced all others—together. Our love and our partnership form an unbreakable shield, ready to defend against any darkness that dares to threaten the life we’ve built.”
The Shadow Rogues may lurk in the darkness, but they”ll find no quarter here. Not as long as Ava and I stand together.
***
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