Epilogue
LARK
Six Months Later
Gio glances up and down the street, instantly on guard as strangers roam all around. He’s not pleased about having to leave his enforcers behind at the house. But I told him there was no way Silva and the others would be okay with him sauntering into Widows Peak with a fucking mafia entourage.
It’s hard enough to visit with my pack, and they’ve all been vetted.
Or rather, forcibly accepted.
Since they’re mine.
Though, I’m pretty sure Syrus still watches Noah like a hawk every time he enters the town limits. Lazarus, too, for that matter.
Johan seems to be the only one my friends don’t fear. Maybe because he’s the most like me. Some of the other widows have even started sending him data requests instead of me. However, I think that’s because they’re preparing for my maternity leave.
Gio jumps as Noah claps him on the back. “What’s wrong, bro?” Noah drawls. “Feeling out of your element in that ridiculously expensive suit?” He looks over my brother’s Italian import and whistles. “Seriously, I did suggest some jeans, didn’t I?”
“I hate it when you call me bro,” Gio mutters at him. “I’m not your brother.”
“That ring on your sister’s hand says otherwise,” Noah sing-songs, drawing attention to the diamond glittering on my finger. It’s a triangle shape with three adorning jewels—one blue, one black, and one multicolored.
Noah says they represent each of my men.
Blue for Johan.
Black for Lazarus.
Multicolored—“the best, obviously,” according to Noah—for Noah.
“I can’t believe you married this psycho,” Gio says to me.
“I can,” I reply, smiling at Noah. “He’s pretty awesome.”
“I am pretty awesome,” Noah agrees. “And the father of that baby in her belly. So feel free to start calling me Daddy if Bro doesn’t work for you, G-man.”
“No. No. We are not doing G-man,” my brother says, rounding on Noah. “What is with you and nicknames?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Lark can answer that.” Noah gives me a look.
I lift my hands. “Leave me out of this.” I’ve only recently admitted to my fellow Widows that Lark is a hacker name, not my legal name.
None of them cared.
Which is good because it meant I didn’t have to elaborate on the past, including the source of funds used for this town.
Johan has been quietly funneling more into the infrastructure over the last few months, helping out businesses in sly ways, just ensuring Widows Peak remains happy and comfortable for everyone.
And, most importantly, safe.
We visit when we can, which isn’t as often as I want, but Lazarus recently suggested we plan for my maternity leave to take place in Widows Peak.
That’s why we’re currently here. We’re finalizing our home, including the baby’s room, and meeting with the local doctor.
Lazarus is still with her, peppering her with questions.
Or, more likely, demands.
I left Johan behind to try to smooth the waters, as I know Lazarus can be pretty demanding. But the clinic here specializes in omegas, just like the town. I’m sure everything will be fine.
Pressing my palm to my belly, I feel the little one inside kick.
I don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy. Nor do I know who the father is. And I prefer it that way. I want it all to be a surprise.
Besides, each one of my men already refers to himself as Dad anyway.
Or, in Noah’s case, Daddy.
He and my brother bicker a little more as we walk. I listen without really hearing them. I’m just glad Gio has given my pack a chance.
Things were a little bleak there in the beginning, his lack of acceptance evident in the way he growled at Lazarus throughout our initial meeting.
Of course, Gio was pissed because he assumed Lazarus and his pack had forced me into this mating. But he’s since realized that we were all destined for one another.
Scent matches.
Happy mates.
A perfect pack.
I sigh and glance up at the blue sky above. It feels like a good omen. A rebirth. A step into the future.
Everything has changed, not just for me, but for some of my fellow Widows as well.
Even Luna has experienced a new chapter. Aries, too.
Our safe haven continues to grow.
Marking Widows Peak as more than just a home.
It’s a sanctuary. A place for new beginnings. A safe town to start over and explore different paths.
I never thought my destiny would lead me back to my origin, to the mafia families I once feared.
But fate has a unique way of coaxing us in the right direction.
My steps led me to Lazarus, Noah, and Johan.
And now I can’t picture life without them.
My alphas. My men. My pack.
“Come dance with me, little bee,” Noah murmurs, dragging me toward Club 21. “Laz will play with Gio.”
I frown, realizing that Lazarus and Johan are coming toward us.
“I have no desire to play with Giovanni,” Lazarus states flatly.
“Likewise,” my brother agrees.
“Which is why you two should bond,” Noah says, pulling me away. “Come on, Johan. You can dance with us, too. It’s not like Gio or Laz has any weapons. They’ll be fine. Pretty sure they owe Stefano a call, anyway. Something about a new business venture they’ve all decided to share.”
“What’s he talking about?” my brother demands.
“I fucking hate you,” Lazarus growls at Noah.
The enforcer feigns a confused look, then snaps the fingers of his free hand—the one not holding on to me. “Ah, right, my bad. That’s what you wanted to talk about later at dinner. Oh well. Might as well kick off the bromance now, yeah?” He waggles his brows at Gio. “Enjoy!”
I’m aware of the merger Lazarus wanted to discuss. It has to do with an acquisition from France. A clothing line that focuses on maternity wear.
But of course Noah made it sound like a big deal by dragging Stefano’s name into it.
The truth is that Lazarus outbid Stefano’s second, Nazar, at a recent fashion show.
That’s it.
Though, I do wonder why an assassin like Nazar had an interest in maternity clothing. But at least the families seem to be getting along.
For the most part, anyway.
There will always be tensions.
And Noah is likely going to enjoy exploiting those tensions for the rest of our lives.
At least I’ll never be bored, I think.
“Play nice,” I tell my brother. Then I look at Lazarus. “You, too, sir.”
His lips twitch.
And my brother sighs. Loudly.
I’m not ashamed at all, something I show by giving Lazarus a big smile before letting Noah carry me the rest of the way to Club 21.
Some of the other Widows are there. Some are not.
It’s a new way of life, one we’re all embracing in stride.
Because this is our present.
Where we’re safe and loved.
And I’ve never been happier…
The End
Thank you for reading my first contemporary omegaverse!