Epilogue
EPILOGUE
JUNE
None of them would tell me what we’re doing tonight.
I vaguely know that it’s a dinner, and that maybe Arin coordinated it, but the details have been kept from me. Which is both infuriating and charming — you’d think I’d be used to it after over a year of all four of them meddling.
My brain still can’t wrap around the chain of events. I went from landing in London, anxious about my first book tour, to being certain I was going to die in an elevator with two strangers, to discovering I’m actually an omega and going home with said strangers?
None of it feels real.
My fingers take care in smoothing the skirt of my white dress as I stare in the mirror. There are multiple rooms in this suite — almost all of them have a view of the Swiss Alps too — but one of them is the size of a nest and I staked my claim on it, assuming that they could all find other beds. Because this one is mine .
This place is insane — my eyes catch on the wall of windows in the bathroom, looking out on plush, pillowy snow drifts and the mountain range. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be here.
Stepping away from the bathroom, I pick up the thin necklace Theo got me for my birthday this year, five charms dangling off it. Two were gifted with the necklace, while Arin, Bennett, and Seth each gave me their own to add. Fastening the clip, I sweep my hair up to expose the silver mark on my throat, wishing I could flash the one on my thigh and on the side of my chest too — I like seeing them. I love what they represent.
For as horrifying as New York was — the threat was temporary, and I made it through. I always do. I’m strong .
It took time and a therapist — but I also have my pack. Going no contact with my parents helped, even though Dad still reaches out with small congratulations for each new milestone in my career. They’re filming a movie adaption of my first book next year. My career has never been better.
My parents aren’t a part of my family anymore — but that’s okay. I have other people.
Grace is the sweetest woman alive, and having another omega in close proximity is better than I could have even imagined. She’s full of tips and comments to help when I get frustrated with any of my men, but especially when Arin became a single-minded, overprotective maniac after the signing. Vera and the rest of her pack visit as much as they can with their twins, and I love the two chubby babies so much. Still, I’ve never regretted asking Arin, Bennett, and Seth to get vasectomies.
I know that babies are the end goal for most packs, but I feel like my life is only beginning. I want to reach so many new career highs — Bennett is stepping back to let Seth take the reins, Theo is investing in more charitable ventures, and Arin will work until he drops — but I love that about all of them.
Double checking myself in a mirror, I touch the necklace’s charms — a honey pot, a raindrop, a tiny chocolate bar, an orange, and a mint leaf. The gold shines under the lights, reminiscent of the blood running through my own veins.
I walk out into the living area barefoot, stopping short at the sight of tiny tea lights and candles lit all over every surface, my heart catching in my throat when I see a dinner table with a white cloth draped over it.
Arin stands at the head, a huge smile overtaking his dashing features.
“I thought I might have to come get you.”
Flushing, I walk over. Theo is on Arin’s right, with Bennett and Seth opposite to him, a single chair waiting for me. A smile twitches on my face as I murmur, “This is so fancy.”
Theo stands and pulls me into his arms, kissing the side of my head. “It’s to celebrate your tour, the end of our first full year together — really all of it.”
I turn into him, beaming as I breathe in his rainwater perfume before leaning up and pecking his lips. It starts a line and I flit over to Arin next, doing the same to him, Bennett, and finally Seth before I return to my seat. “Okay, everyone’s had a kiss, time to eat.”
Arin laughs as Theo pulls my seat out for me, then kisses my head as I peek under the cloche, my eyes widening at the expertly dressed steak on my plate. I whip the cover off, the smell of butter and herbs permeating the air along with the sides of whipped, cheesy potatoes and roasted vegetables.
“Here” — Theo reaches over, cutting my steak for me — “let me do that.”
I do, wiggling happily in my seat as he cuts it into perfect, medium-rare bite-sized pieces. Seth rolls his eyes. “Whipped.”
Theo gives him a mock glare. “I’m not the one who charged into a designation center for her.”
I choke as I take a sip of wine and Bennett breaks out into laughter with Arin. Covering my mouth, I thank Theo softly before I pick up my fork and stab a piece of meat, groaning the second it hits my tongue. “Oh, Bennett .” I take a second to chew, it practically melting in my mouth. “I think that’s better than yours.”
He splutters. “I’ll get to this point, just you wait. I’ll have plenty of time to practice.”
Arin looks over at him, cutting into his own food. “Are you finally stepping back?”
Bennett nods, intertwining his hand with Seth’s. “I’m ready to stay at home for a while. June wasn’t complaining.”
“Not at all. I’m going to drive him up the wall .” I have plans — multiple, actually — that involve Bennett being my new buddy for every task I don’t want to do alone. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Theo laughs, eating his steak as Seth digs into his salmon. When I glance at Arin’s plate, I see both steak and salmon and I cautiously extend my fork, wiggling it at the fish.
Arin takes my fork, cutting a piece and feeding it to me. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.” His voice curls around me as I hum around the food.
“It’s good.” I look back at my steak, stealing my fork back. “Not as good as this, though.”
Theo shakes his head. “You like it near bloody.”
Flashing him my teeth, I wave a pink piece of meat at him. “Need I remind you, you do too.”
His bond mark isn’t the only place I have his teeth marks on my skin.
Arin rolls his eyes. “Since Bennett spoke already about his plans for the next year… I thought we’d take tonight to talk about what we’ll be doing.” He looks around the table, his eyes landing on each of us. “If that’s alright?”
Bennett takes a long drink of his wine. “Like I said, I’m taking a sabbatical at the beginning of next year and I think with my newfound time, I’ll be spending a lot of it in the kitchen — and with my omega.”
My cheeks flush.
“Other than that, I’ll take a few trips, maybe finally go with my dad out to the Rockies. He’s wanted to hike and if he drags my mothers again, they’ll never survive.”
I take a drink, quickly chewing a vegetable. “I’ll go with Yasmin and Kary, we can stay at one of the spas while you and your dad go look at rocks.”
Bennett smiles. “That sounds wonderful.”
My eyes dart to Seth. “What are you doing next year?”
“Apparently working.” Seth laughs, but it’s lighthearted. “I’m… excited that I’ll get to head a few decisions.” He looks over at Bennett, his expression softening. “I already have a few ideas, and I’m wondering if I could expand us in a few different directions. We’ve always talked about wine, that might be worthwhile if you’re serious about cooking.”
Bennett tilts his head at him, a smile on his lips. “Wine… we could expand into that.”
Seth shrugs. “Just a thought.” He spears a piece of asparagus. “And I spoke to Gabriel before we left France.”
The name of his cousin makes us all pause. Seth meets Arin’s eyes. “Things are shifting in the family and he asked if I’d step in to oversee some of the more… legal affairs, help out the businesses. It’s not like I’ve never been involved.” His voice softens. “Mine and Bennett’s liquor has been sold in his clubs for years. This would just be more of a consultant role.”
Arin pauses, wine glass in hand. “We can look into that.”
I glance between them, then look back at my beta. “How is Gabe?”
“Still hates that nickname.”
“Well he’s not here, and he let me call him that when we were in New York a couple months ago.” He had us over for a very lovely dinner and didn’t say a word when I called him that.
“Only you would goad a mobster.”
I turn my focus to Theo as Arin motions for him to take his turn.
Theo leans back, a smile on his face. “I think Bennett has the right idea — stepping back. Not that I do much in the grand scheme of things.” He looks at me. “But my mom’s experience has left a part of me wanting to develop a fund for omegas in need — ones who want to leave their packs and get out of bad situations. I thought you might want to help me. I’m going to ask her to be the charity’s director, but any options are better than the ones out there.”
My heart tugs as I kiss his cheek. “That sounds amazing. We should figure out some kind of fundraising for the pack to take part in.”
I’ve avoided the calls for interviews, but our rarity and popularity hasn’t faded by much. There’s not been any more omegas who have had quite the same public emergence since mine.
Arin smiles. “Maybe Gabe can help get the right people in the room.”
Seth chokes on his drink. “I’ll ask. Charities are actually great covers.”
I shoot him a look, eyes narrowing as Arin says, “And you, Juniper?”
“Oh.” I glance up at the ceiling, sucking in a breath as I grin. “Well, with this release over and done with, and this tour — I think I’d like to switch up what I’ve been writing. I’m thinking of maybe starting something in a different genre from contemporary, just to see. And filming should start next year for the adaption of The Pack and I , and…” I trail off, holding up my hand so I can tick my fingers off as I talk. “Well there’s the contract I have to finish up this series, so I guess I will be finishing my last contemporary, and with cooking classes with Bennett and spending time with Seth” — I pause, lifting my wine — “I mean, I’m not going to turn down a trip to Italy to look at winery locations.”
Arin’s eyes are bright as he grins. “Oh?”
I grin at him, then look at Theo. “And I can help you with the charities. I guess I’ll be spinning in circles, but I kind of like it.” Gone are the days spent curled up at home — but I don’t regret any of it because it has come with so much joy.
“What about you?” I look over at Arin. “What are you doing next year?”
He places his utensils on the table and wipes his hands off before taking a sip of his wine. When his eyes meet mine — an unfathomable deep brown, full of kindness and love — my heart jolts like I’ve been shocked.
“I’ve brokered a lot of good deals this year, enjoyed traveling and the time it’s allowed me to spend with our pack and you.” Arin swallows. “But there’s one place I haven’t been in a long time. India.”
My mouth drops open. “India?”
He nods. “I’d love to take my parents. Theresa and I have discussed it through the years, but we’ve always needed a reason to go. It never felt right when the family was all being pulled in different directions, but then I mentioned it to Bennett and he suggested something.”
My eyes flicker over to my other alpha, frowning.
“Then I talked to Seth and Theo. We all came to an agreement.”
All our bonds are quiet, like the four of them are holding themselves back and I push away from the table in confusion. “Why am I just now hearing about this?” I try to laugh, flushing at the nerves rising in my chest. “What —”
Arin stands and I give him a wide-eyed look as he steps over to me and takes my hand, making me rise. He moves us a few paces away from the dinner table and I blink as Theo, Seth, and Bennett all watch.
When I look back at Arin, he squeezes my hand.
“There’s only one event I want to attend in India, Juniper.” He slowly sinks down onto one knee, reaching his free hand into his pocket with a slight fumble. Tears spring to my eyes as he pulls out a small velvet box. Arin’s throat works as he stares at me. “A wedding. Our wedding, love.”
He opens the box, a gold ring glittering under the lights. A single emerald cut diamond glimmers in the center of the band, with each side profiled by two smaller round diamonds, making a set of five. It’s beautiful , simple — entirely me .
Choking on a sob, I feel tears stream down my cheeks as I start to nod before he can even get the question out. Arin laughs, but it sounds half strangled as he holds my hand tighter.
“Will you marry us, Juniper? Will you let this pack love you until we’re old and gray and there’s nothing left for us to do but spend the rest of our days together?”
I cover my mouth, sobbing as I cling to his shaking hand, grabbing onto him to stay upright as I gasp out, “Yes. Yes, I will.”
He lets out a deliriously happy laugh, then he slides the ring onto my finger. Dragging him up to me, I kiss him, laughing and crying as he rubs my back. With one hand, I fling it out, gasping, “Where are you all? Come here.”
Theo’s chair smacks against the floor as he rushes over, and I turn into their collective embrace, smothered in the middle of my pack — unable to believe my life, my luck .