EPILOGUE #3
As we approach Heat Mountain, the familiar landscape unfolds before us—the dense forests, the snow-capped peaks, the winding road that leads to our town. I feel something settle in my chest, a rightness that I’ve come to associate with this place, with these people.
“Oh!” Holly exclaims as we round a bend, the town coming into view below us. “It looks different!”
I hide a smile, watching her reaction in the rearview mirror. “A few things have changed.”
“More than a few,” Kai says with a grin. “Wait until you see Main Street.”
As we drive into town, Holly and Noah press their faces to the windows like children, taking in the changes that have occurred during their absence.
The main road has been repaved and widened, with new streetlights installed at regular intervals.
Several new businesses have opened, their freshly painted storefronts adding splashes of color to the previously utilitarian buildings.
“Is that a bookstore?” Holly asks, pointing to a cozy-looking shop with large windows displaying stacks of books.
“Opened last week,” Kai confirms. “The owner moved here from Seattle after visiting the springs last summer.”
“Is that a line outside the cafe?” Noah asks.
Sure enough, a small queue of people stands outside The Mountain Mug.
“Tourism is up almost eighty percent since last year,” he explains. “The spring water cooperative has been a huge success. People come for the water, stay for the charm.”
“And look at Caro’s!” Holly exclaims, pointing at the heat supply store.
The storefront has been completely redone, with a large, professionally designed sign proclaiming it “Heat Mountain’s Premier Omega Boutique.” A banner in the window proudly announces “As Seen on OmegaTok!”
“Caroline’s gone viral,” Kai explains with a laugh. “Some omega influencer posted about the store. Now she ships products all over the country.”
“Unlike some businesses we know,” Noah comments dryly, and Kai sticks his tongue out at him in response.
“The cooperative has principles,” he says with mock offense. “We can’t all sell out to Big Omega.”
Holly laughs, the sound bright and happy in the confined space of the truck. “It’s all so gorgeous,” she says, her eyes taking in the transformed town. “It makes me never want to leave again.”
I exchange a quick glance with Kai and Noah, a silent communication passing between us. Holly doesn’t notice, too absorbed in the view outside her window.
“A lot has changed,” I murmur.
“Not just the town,” Holly says suddenly, her eyes fixed on my profile. “Grayson, your bandanna!”
“Must have forgotten to grab it.” I give her a teasing smile. I’d been wondering how long it would take her to notice. Though I’d made a habit of leaving my face uncovered at home before she left, this is the first time I’ve been out in public without my bandanna.
For some reason, I’ve been less concerned with having a barrier between me and the rest of the world.
She leans forward between the seats and presses a kiss against my scarred cheek. “You look great.”
I meet her gaze in the rearview mirror. “Like we said, lots of things are changing around here.”
“They certainly are.”
Holly
I fidget with the hem of my dress, smoothing it down for the hundredth time as I study my reflection in the mirror.
The deep emerald wrap dress hugs my curves in all the right places, the color making my skin glow and my eyes seem brighter.
I’ve spent more time on my makeup than usual, applying it with careful precision—a touch of shadow to make my eyes pop, a hint of blush across my cheeks, and a subtle gloss on my lips.
Perfect for what I have planned tonight.
My stomach flutters with nervous anticipation.
It’s been a week since Noah and I returned from Puerto Rico, a week of readjusting to life in Heat Mountain, of catching up on all the changes that happened during our three-week absence.
A week of falling back into the rhythm of pack life, of rediscovering the simple joy of waking up surrounded by my alphas.
And tonight, I’ll finally tell them my decision.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. It’s not that I’m worried about their reaction—I know they’ll be supportive, even thrilled. But this is still a monumental step, a commitment I never imagined making when I first arrived in this tiny Alaskan town over a year ago.
“Holly?” Kai’s voice calls from downstairs. “Dinner’s almost ready!”
“Coming!” I call back, giving myself one final look in the mirror.
The woman who stares back at me is hardly recognizable from the frightened, secretive resident who arrived in Heat Mountain, desperate to hide her omega nature and focus solely on her career.
That woman never would have imagined finding a pack, falling in love, or considering making this remote town her permanent home.
Yet here I am, about to do exactly that.
I do one last check of my appearance in the mirror before heading downstairs. The rich aroma of Kai’s cooking fills the house—he’s going all out tonight, a welcome home dinner that’s been delayed by various commitments throughout the week.
When I reach the doorway to the living room, I pause, taking in the sight before me. My alphas are already there, waiting for me. They stand as I enter, an old-fashioned gesture that still makes my omega preen with pleasure.
Noah looks handsome in a crisp button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. Grayson wears a simple black henley that stretches across his broad shoulders, his face uncovered as has become his habit in recent months.
And Kai, grinning widely, sports a colorful patterned shirt that somehow works perfectly with his perpetually tousled hair and bright eyes.
My pack. My alphas. My home.
“Wow,” Kai says, his eyes widening appreciatively. “You look amazing.”
“Stunning,” Noah agrees, his gaze warm as it travels over me.
Grayson simply stares, but the intensity in his eyes speaks volumes.
I smile, pleased by their reaction. “Thank you. You all clean up pretty well yourselves.”
“Dinner’s keeping warm in the oven,” Kai says, stepping forward to take my hand. “Let’s eat before it dries out.”
“Actually,” I say, stopping him with a gentle touch to his chest, “I have something I want to say first.”
The three of them exchange glances, a silent communication passing between them. Noah raises an eyebrow, Grayson’s expression turns watchful, and Kai’s smile falters slightly.
“Everything okay?” Kai asks, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.
“Everything’s perfect,” I assure him, taking a deep breath. “I just have an announcement to make.”
They watch me carefully, expressions ranging from anticipation to unease. I can feel the hints of worry through the bond, confirmation that no matter how close we get they’re still incapable of actually reading my mind.
“I need the keys to my apartment back,” I announce.
The silence that follows is deafening. Kai’s face falls, Noah’s expression shutters closed, and even Grayson’s careful neutrality cracks to reveal a flash of pain.
“Holly,” Noah begins, his voice carefully controlled, “if this is about the job offer—“
“You don’t have to take it,” Kai interrupts, words tumbling out in a rush. “We can figure something else out. Maybe I could buy a place in New York, or—“
I hold up my hand, unable to maintain the serious facade any longer. A smile breaks across my face as I watch their confusion.
“The landlord typically wants the keys back when the lease ends,” I explain, laughter bubbling up in my chest at their stunned expressions. “Since I’m not renewing it.”
Understanding dawns on Noah’s face first. “You’re not going back to New York.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Maybe for a visit sometime, but that’s not home anymore.”
“You’re staying,” Grayson says, his voice rough with emotion. “For good.”
I nod, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “I’m staying for good. I’m accepting the position at the clinic. I’m coming home.”
Grayson moves first, crossing the room in two long strides to pull me into his arms. I reach up to stroke his scarred cheeks, marveling at how comfortable he’s become showing his face, not just to us but to the entire town.
“Home,” he murmurs, the word reverent on his lips.
Happy tears streak down my cheeks as Kai and Noah join us, their arms encircling both of us, their scents mingling with mine in a cloud of joy and relief and love.
“I can’t believe you made us think you were leaving,” Kai complains, but his wide smile belies any real annoyance. “That was just cruel, Hollipop.”
“Sorry,” I reply, as he kisses me.
Noah pulls back slightly, studying my face with those penetrating eyes that see too much. “You’re sure about this? Your career—“
“Will be just fine here,” I finish for him. “The clinic and some occasional volunteering with the wilderness service will keep me occupied. And I need my pack.” I look around at the three of them, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I need my home.”
Kai whoops with delight, lifting me off my feet in an exuberant hug that makes me laugh despite the tears still streaming down my face. When he sets me down, I take a step back, reaching for the tie of my wrap dress.
“I got you all something,” I say, my voice dropping to a seductive murmur. “A new gift, since I’m taking back the old one.”
Their attention sharpens instantly, three pairs of eyes tracking the movement of my hands as I slowly untie the knot at my waist. The dress falls open, revealing the black lace lingerie I special-ordered from Caro’s weeks ago, planning for this exact moment.
Kai’s jaw drops, Noah’s pupils dilate, and Grayson goes completely still, his gaze hot enough to burn.
“Do you like it?” I ask, though their reactions make the answer obvious.
“I think,” Kai says, his voice unusually husky, “dinner might have to wait.”
“If it burns,” Noah adds, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to trace the edge of the lace at my collarbone, “we can always order takeout.”
I laugh, the sound bright and happy in the warm air of our home. “Always the practical one.”
“Not feeling particularly practical right now,” he murmurs, bending to press his lips to the sensitive spot just below my ear.
Grayson’s hand finds the small of my back, warm and steady, as Kai moves to my other side, his fingers tangling in my hair. Surrounded by my alphas, their scents wrapping around me like a blanket, I feel a sense of rightness so profound it takes my breath away.
This is where I belong. Not in a sterile New York apartment, not in a prestigious hospital where my omega nature would always be a liability, but here, in this house we built together, in this town we helped save, with these men who love every part of me—doctor, omega, mate.
“Welcome home, Holly,” Grayson whispers against my temple, and the words sink into my bones, into my heart, into my soul.
Home. At last.