Epilogue
Theo and I spend the next few weeks getting to know one another in every possible way. Though we’d only known each other for five days, choosing to stay with him was the best decision I ever made.
The more I learn about his body and his soul, the more I fall in love with him. I never believed in a higher power, or even fate, when I was alive, but I believed Theo when he said he felt he was meant to wait one hundred and thirty years to meet me. Because I feel exactly the same.
Shortly after starting my job at the bakery, Claudia and I fell right back into the same relationship we had in childhood.
All it took was spending quality time together, laughing and opening old wounds while decorating cupcakes.
Maybe one day I’ll reach out to my mother and try to repair the damage, but for now, I’m just happy to finally have my sister back.
By the time the winter carnival appears in town square, I’ve saved just enough money to take Theo paint shopping.
Aidan has been a huge help with the house, providing an entire team to work on all the repairs, but I made him promise to let me handle the paint.
He didn’t understand, but I know it means a lot to Theo.
We take our time combing through the selections at the local hardware store. I lean more toward bright colors, while Theo seems to have a more neutral palette in mind.
“Don’t you want to brighten up the space?” I ask, holding up a card with various shades of red.
Theo squints. “That’s not our color.”
I’m about to ask what he means, but then I remember. He’s talking about our mate bond—the string that ties us together.
I smile and place the red card back in its place, grabbing a blue one instead. “Which shade?”
Since I’m unable to see it, he will need to pick the correct shade. Theo eyes the blocks of color carefully, occasionally shifting his gaze to the empty space between us. As much as I wish to see the magic he does, I don’t need to in order to know it’s real. I feel the tug between us every day.
Finally, he lands on a shade called BLUE VIOLET. “That one,” he says, pointing to it. It’s a dusty, powdery blue with purple undertones, just like a blueberry.
“I think you’re right.” I take his arm and, together, we go to make our purchase.
The rest of the weekend is spent with all our friends as they help us paint the walls of our new home.
Claudia brings sweet treats that are devoured within minutes, and I finally meet Raegan’s mate, Jamie, who brings everyone coffee.
It turns out he was one of the werewolves I saw in the forest with Paloma’s husband.
Along with Joanna, Aidan, Casey, and Simone, the house feels alive again, and I truly feel part of the community I left all those years ago.
Not to mention, thanks to Simone’s fellow coven member, Mariah, I found out Lanie is living not far from here in a neighboring town. She and Mariah went to school together in Nashville and have remained close friends. I invited her to come over once the house is finished.
I know now why my spirit chose to rest in Shadow Hills. Even though I moved away, this place was, and always will be, home. Now, more than ever, it feels like the only place in the world I’m meant to be.
Theo looks my way as I take in the smiling faces around me. Paint is smudged along his cheek, his face full of hope and joy. Having this house full of people again means everything to him, and I’m so happy I was able to be a part of it.
I glance over at our new coffee table where Theo’s most recent painting is laying out to dry.
The intimate portrait depicts me sleeping in our bed, a shimmering blue string of light trailing from my chest and leading off the page.
Beside it, setting atop a stack of current magazines, I find a sheet of paper still waiting to be filled out.
I put down my paint brush and pick it up, scanning the lines on the page.
Paranormal Registration.
Please fill out this form with the most up-to-date information you can provide. This ensures an accurate census and allows us to better serve our citizens.
Welcome to Shadow Hills!
I head to the kitchen to find a pen, and under the section I’m meant to circle my paranormal type, I write in
ghost.
Then I sign on the dotted line.