Epilogue
EPILOGUE
DEVYN
1 YEAR LATER
It’s my birthday!
It’s my birthday, and I’m surrounded by the people that matter most to me.
April and Skylar made sure to decorate the packhouse with lilac and pink balloons, and every guest wears a glittery party hat.
Including Vincent and Donovan, the broodiest Alphas from my friend’s packs.
There’s a three-layer pink-and-white cake, and our kitchen table is full of presents.
Happy Birthday, Devyn hangs from a banner in the living room in silver writing.
“You guys didn’t have to do this,” I say, but I don’t sound very convincing.
I wanted them to do this.
“Of course we did,” Ace insists, looking ridiculous with a pink cardboard hat on his head. “You said you wanted a party, right?”
Our home is packed. Skylar has her entire pack of detectives here—Landon, River, and Vincent. River and Ace have made the effort to get along with each other in the last year, even though they have a rocky history.
River’s party hat even matches Ace’s, though he wears his with a scowl.
April’s pack is here as well. Liam, Hunter, and Donovan mingle with everyone and help themselves to the snacks laid out on the buffet table.
I nibble at a potato chip topped with caviar and crème fraiche—my new favorite snack—and look at Ace thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a party this big,” I murmur.
My birthdays were forgotten about growing up, which is why they’re such a big deal to me now.
When it’s any of my friends’ or packmates’ birthdays, I make sure to go all out for them.
I’ve never given my friends ten-thousand-dollar caviar before.
Ace chuckles. “Next year we’ll rent out an arcade. You deserve to be spoiled.”
I grin widely.
Having a pack is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, besides meeting April and Skylar.
I adore being cared for.
They’re not overbearing, either. Ben, Connor, and Ace all grant me space when I need it, but also step up and support me when I struggle.
Our bond is strong, and so overwhelming that sometimes I cry tears of gratitude.
Connor’s coffee company is also taking off, thanks to me. He’s trying a subscription box with his coffee, just like we do with the macarons at our cafe.
I don’t munch on coffee grounds when I’m stressed anymore, either.
I look at my pack, and they help keep me grounded within the bond.
There’s no more sleeping on the floor or curled tightly into a ball—I share a bed with the three of them, and I take up all the space I need.
This is my life now, and sometimes, I can’t believe it.
As I head over to the cookie trays, River pulls me into a hug.
“Hey, kiddo,” he says. “Are you having a good birthday?”
“Hell yes! Did you try the caviar yet?” I ask.
He makes a face. “Caviar? No, I’m good. You and Skye can keep that shit.”
“It’s not shit,” Landon pipes up helpfully. “It’s fish eggs.” Then he hugs me. “Happy birthday, Devyn. Thanks for having us.”
“Of course! You guys are family!”
Did they really think I wouldn’t invite them?
Skylar and April care about their packs, which makes me care about them.
I glance outside the sliding glass door and frown when I see Connor talking to Tammy on the patio, his expression intense. I grow even more concerned when Tammy wipes a tear from her face and wraps her arms around him.
“Hey.”
River’s voice turns my attention from the scene outside.
“Thanks. For making my cousin happy.” He looks physically pained to say it.
I blink. “Of course. I love him.”
“Yeah, well, he’s become a better detective because of you, too. You make him ridiculously happy, and I’m trying to just…be a better cousin, all right? So, thanks.”
“Aww,” Landon says, and River narrows his eyes at him.
“Shut the fuck up,” he hisses, but I grin.
Best. Birthday. Ever
Then Skylar and April come up to me, each of them taking one of my arms.
“We’ll be back,” Skylar calls to everyone, and my best friends lead me outside onto the patio, where Tammy, and now my entire pack, is waiting.
There’s a manila envelope in Tammy’s hands.
“Hello?” I ask, looking between my pack. “What is going on?”
I twirl the ring on my finger nervously.
But Ben looks fondly at me, his eyes soft. Ace is smirking, and Connor just gives me a small smile.
I look at Tammy. “Is everything okay? Why are you crying?!”
“They’re happy tears, honey,” Tammy assures me, then hands me the envelope. “This is your birthday present, if you want it.”
If I want it?
“It’s more of a symbolic thing now,” Skylar adds. “But she did it for me, too.”
April eyes me carefully.
“What is this?” I turn to her, laughing nervously. “What’s in here?”
“Just look inside, Dev.”
My stomach flutters with nerves as I open the envelope.
I pull out a document that already has Tammy’s signature on it.
I stare at the title of it, a gasp falling from my lips.
Adult Adoption Agreement.
“You and Skylar are my girls, just as much as April,” Tammy says softly. “I know you’re grown up now, and I couldn’t be there for you as a kid. But, honey, you’re part of my family. And I would be honored to become your mom.”
Oh, my god.
Tears of disbelief fall from my eyes freely, splotches forming on the paper. “Are you sure?” I squeak. “Are you really sure?”
I thought my heart couldn’t be fuller than it already is, but Tammy’s words make me feel like I’m about to burst.
“Of course I’m sure,” Tammy says. “I have been so lucky to know you, Devyn. You, April, and Skylar are all sisters in my eyes.”
I look at April. “Are you sure?”
April laughs. “ Yes ! Of course, Dev. What kind of question is that?”
I burst into happy sobs and throw myself into Tammy’s arms.
“You have your boys to take care of you, but you should also have a mom,” Tammy chokes out. “If you want, of course.”
My heart is going to explode.
“Of course I want to!” I cry. “Yes!”
There are sounds of cheers, and I look to see that the other guests have come outside, too. They’re standing next to the sliding glass door and clapping.
When I let go of Tammy, I run into Connor’s open arms. His grin is infectious, and I can’t help but match it.
“Happy birthday, Dev,” he says softly.
“You knew about this?” I ask, then turn to Ben and Ace. “And you guys did, too?”
Ben shrugs, and Ace throws up his hands in mock surrender. “I plead the fifth, baby.”
But I can’t stop smiling. Ace hugs me next, wiping away my tears.
“You know I hate seeing you cry,” he murmurs, “but I guess it’s acceptable if they’re tears of joy.”
I nod, and he presses his forehead against mine.
“And whenever you’re ready,” he says softly, “we’d be honored to be your husbands, too.”
My heart flips. I glance at Ben out of the corner of my eye, who nods subtly.
“I love you, Dev,” he says. “Happy birthday.”
I smile at him.
Happy birthday, indeed.