Epilogue
WREN
“Why am I blindfolded? Where are we going? I thought you promised me sushi followed by gelato… not a kidnapping.”
I grumble and wriggle, making myself a total nuisance as Connor picks me up in both arms and carries me from the backseat.
“Not keeping your Omega fed amounts to a crime across fifty states, you know…” When I huff and wave my arms around blindly, all I hear is the familiar laughter of Theo and Connor in surround sound.
My Alphas are up to something sneaky, and their refusal to admit where we’re going or, more importantly, why we aren’t currently ordering my bodyweight in salmon nori, is going to lead to stern words.
We’re currently preparing to fly to Scotland, where Connor will head into his training camp and schedule of international fixtures, where he'll be in the starting jersey as fullback.
In the wake of the regular season finishing— the Wolves getting to enjoy their celebrations as cup champions—our pack has been on a whirlwind of meetings, press, and working with a specialist group to revamp the entire WFU structure around Omega scholarships.
The satisfaction I had when I received a call from Coco, who informed me that there were now two journalist positions vacant on her team, and that they would be interested in running my story to highlight the importance of supporting Omegas and Alphas while forming packs.
She was quick to let me know I was welcome to go with her to the local station and press charges if I wanted, but in the end, I declined.
All I want is peace and to never have to think about those bastards again.
Besides, there were far greater consequences for the three who tried to blackmail us—including my ex.
The last I heard, they’d been struck off every professional sports team’s press list and banned from sporting leagues in every state.
My ex found himself with his place at WFU rescinded, the letter of expulsion hand-delivered by the chancellor himself.
Turns out that not only was he trying to swindle his way into the Wolves ownership, but he'd been attempting to bribe his law department, too.
Apparently, the Braun name does more than just send the dean’s office scrambling; it ensures change happens fast. Rumor has it that next year, there will be even more Omegas accepted for placements, with additional housing being converted, and on top of that, there is a whole degree being created to specifically study Omega-friendly business practices.
Patricia Braun, her father, and supposedly her Omega sister—if whispers going around campus are to be believed—are forming a whole new faculty.
I still can’t believe one chance encounter in a café had such a significant impact on our pack’s future. They’ve become something of our guardian angels and extended family to us.
Every minute since I arrived in Willow Falls has felt like fate colliding. And in the here and now, my Alpha’s stubborn refusal to tell me anything about what is going on is on a collision course with my impatience.
“Bambi… are you growling?” Connor’s laughter is met by more of my frustrated noises in the back of my throat. “Let me check your claws real quick.” He teases.
“I promise the mystery will be worth it, sweetheart.” Theo does his best to soothe and reassure me, but even he won’t be given a free pass.
He’s been just as heavily involved in this Omega abduction scheme, acting as the getaway driver while Connor sat with me in the back of his truck, ensuring I didn’t peek.
They expect me to pack my bags in preparation to fly out of the country for the first time ever, get through a day of finals for college, and survive all of that on an empty stomach? Diabolical.
“My Hanger with a capital H might prove otherwise. Have you seen an Omega when their blood sugar crashes? I doubt you want to discover the monster I’m capable of turning into.”
“Oh, we’ve been well advised by Lark and Finch.
” Even though I can’t see a thing through the fabric covering my eyes, I can hear the smug expression in Connor’s tone.
“Don’t think we didn’t do our homework on your travel must-haves.
Theo’s got a list a mile long. If you thought he was organized about planning for your heats.
.. this is going to take things to a whole new level--”
“Okay… we’re going inside… watch her head while carrying her through the doorway,” Theo mutters, interrupting our mischievous pack mate.
“Wait? Why are we at home?” The scent of our pack, our house, instantly hits my nose. I squirm in Connor’s arms, no doubt making it all the more difficult for him to carry me bridal style across the threshold, but I don’t care.
My heart starts pumping faster. This feels suspiciously like grand gesture territory, and I’m fresh off several hours in front of my laptop curled up like a shrimp at the library. I certainly don’t look my best for a big, monumental life-altering moment…
I can tell that we walk straight through the house and out toward the backyard. As soon as the late summer breeze hits my bare skin on my shoulders, I can pick up the scent of Atlas, too.
“Oh, so you’re in on this also? All three of you decided to team up against me, huh?” I grumble, all the while, butterfly wings flap around in my stomach.
They each let out sly chuckles, and before I can protest further, I’m surrounded on all sides. As I take in deep inhales of their scent, I secretly relish the way their touch finds me, each holding on to my hands, my waist, comforting me with their warmth and steady presence.
“You know our pack is perfect.” Connor kisses my neck, causing goosebumps to race down my arms.
“We’re so lucky to have you, birdie girl.” Theo squeezes my hand, keeping my fingers threaded with his, and places a kiss on my shoulder before adjusting the strap on my sundress.
“And even though we’re about to leave the country for a short while, we all agreed that we couldn’t wait to make it official…” Atlas rumbles softly in my ear.
My stomach does a grand swan dive.
“Ready to add to our pack, baby?” Connor damn near vibrates with excitement as he carefully removes the blindfold.
It takes me a moment to blink; the scene in front of me swims before my eyes, then comes into focus.
“Oh my god!” I squeal and race forward. “Caramel and Milo?” I drop to the grass and let the two dogs launch themselves at me for cuddles. “Tell me this isn’t a dream?” Tears spring into my eyes.
Two wet noses, alert ears, and the most adorable smiling faces come wiggling with excited full-body wags of their tails to greet me.
Two dogs I couldn't be more not-so-secretly in love with, but didn't ever expect we would be able to adopt, our busy lives and travel considered. They’re comically different in size, Milo with long, graceful Kelpie legs, and Caramel bounding on her tiny little dachshund paws.
We end up in a tangle of pats, eager licks, and playful barks.
“They had become inseparable ever since that photoshoot day, even sharing a kennel at night. Wagging Tails didn’t want to split them up since they were showing such a close bond, and it’s like Milo had been trying to tell me for weeks that I just needed to pay attention and realize they were supposed to come home to where they belong.
” Atlas crouches down beside me, drags me into a hug, and kisses my hair.
“We’ve already made arrangements with Lark to come and dog sit for us while we’re away.” Theo grins and rubs Caramel’s belly. She looks blissed out and ready to be scooped up in his arms.
“My sister is far too sneaky.” I sniff and do my best to blink back the happy swell of emotions. “Here I was texting her just yesterday asking about her plans for a summer vacation… that little minx lied to my face like it was nothing.”
Connor sprawls on the grass beside me, wrestling over a rope toy with Milo. “Little did you know that vacation was to destination: Willow Falls.”
Theo clears his throat. “Want to know something even more special about today, sweetheart?”
I gape at my handsome Alphas, heart already set to burst with how much I love them. “How could anything top this?” I say quietly.
“Come on, you two.” Atlas clicks his tongue, and like magic, both Milo and Caramel sit at attention beside me, tongues lolling. They look so adorably goofy and happy, I’m sure that the expression on my face matches theirs.
“Bambi… we’ve all loved you from the second we each had the blessing of laying eyes on you for the first time. So how about we make our pack even more official?”
A gasp escapes me, and my hands fly up to cover my mouth as the landslide of euphoric emotion hits.
I didn’t notice it before, but on Milo’s collar, two diamond rings are tied with a ribbon bow, and on Caramel’s, there is one more diamond ring, plus a second gold band.
Wetness rolls down my cheeks, and I don’t even wait for the question.
“Yes.” I sob and throw myself at the three of them, smothering them with my arms flung around their necks, while dropping kisses all over their faces. "Yesyesyes... Three times over. A thousand times over."
Connor squeezes me tight against his chest, a tiny rumble of a purr kicking in. Atlas and Theo untie the ribbons, and each lets the gold rings fall into their big palms.
“I’m yours. I’ve been yours since the first moment, and I know we already have our bonds, but I couldn’t be happier to be your wife… and for you to be husbands.” I blink through the tears at my three men.
“The band is either for later, after we have the actual wedding, or if you wanted to start wearing it now, you could… we thought it would be a way to symbolize our pack. Especially since we can’t wear rings for so much of the time with training and playing.
” Atlas murmurs, cradling the most beautiful diamond engagement rings I’ve ever seen.
They’re delicate and nestle together in a stack to form a thicker band.
The plain gold band seals them all in place, and I notice it has been engraved with all of our names on the inside.
“They're so perfect… and of course I’ll wear all of them right away. I love everything… Just like I love you.” My voice hitches, and I simply dissolve as they each take a ring and, one by one, slide their respective diamond bands into place, fitting them together like a tiny constellation of stars representing our love on my ring finger.
“And this is for you, husbands.” I smile and bring the cool metal band to my lips, kiss it, and then give it to my Alphas to each do the same, before I slide it in place.
Connor simply beams. His excitement swirls down our bond, and I feel the same echoing from both Atlas and Theo.
“I love you all, so goddamn much it aches.” He dives against my mouth before turning to both Theo and Atlas to kiss them deeply.
“I love you… Who would’ve thought you’d end up both my teammate and husband?” Atlas gives one of his small smiles that makes me absolutely melt to see him so deeply loved and cared for.
And then there’s Theo, who is uncharacteristically quiet, as he rubs his thumb over my rings.
“I love you more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for choosing me.” He looks between me, Connor, and Atlas.
I know his love for me is equal to our bond with Connor, and the way he loves Atlas within our pack might look different, but it’s just as important, just as powerful.
We’re all entangled on the grass, with Caramel and Milo wagging their tails and bumping us with their wet noses to insist on more pats and cuddles as we murmur our “I love yous” to each other.
The most perfect pack I could ever imagine, just became even more blissful, and I couldn’t dream of anything better than this moment.
My whole heart belongs to them.
Our pack.
Our future... forever.