Epilogue
Atlas
“Is this the last box?” Tegan asked as I walked through the front door of the cottage. We’d spent the better part of the day moving my stuff, and the sun was just starting to dip below the tree line of the surrounding forest.
“Yep, that’s the last of it.” I set the box down on the living room floor and pulled Tegan into my arms.
“It’s going to be nice having all your stuff here,” she said, rubbing her fingers through my fur. “You won’t have to run all over the place.”
For the past few months since we’d mated, I’d been living at Tegan’s while going back and forth to the mansion to get my things. The housing market had finally improved, and I sold the place as soon as I could.
I preferred the coziness of the cottage, but in truth, I’d be happy wherever my mate was. We couldn’t handle being separated from each other. Even an eight-hour shift at work was almost unbearable.
My four a.m. gym sessions were few and far between these days. Sure, I was still working out, but I’d let myself fall into a less restrictive routine. I was learning to love my softer physique. It certainly made Tegan happy.
“Mmm,” I groaned, and pressed my lips to Tegan’s. “I can’t wait to use that new walk-in shower later. You know what that bench would be good for—”
Tegan cut me off with her giggles. We had been fucking pretty much nonstop since we’d mated.
“It is really nice,” she said. “And so is the handsome wolven who installed it for me.”
I puffed out my chest with pride. I’d been doing all sorts of renovations around the cottage to make it the home of Tegan’s dreams.
“The full moon is tonight, baby,” I whispered against her throat before skating my tongue over her mate mark.
Tegan let out a breathy sigh. “I didn’t forget. How could I?”
“Are you going to be a good girl for me and run as fast as you can?” I growled against the shell of her ear. Her body trembled with excitement. It was one of Tegan’s favorite games.
“I’m always a good girl for my wolf daddy.” She winked.
I wanted to do this before I lost myself to the full moon. Something about this moment just felt perfect. Felt right.
“I have something for you, Tegan.” It was rare that I called her by her name and not a term of endearment. My heart raced as I dug around in my pocket and pulled out the tiny velvet box. I flicked it open, revealing a ring with a large diamond, flanked by gold crescent moons on either side.
“Atlas—” she gasped as I dropped down on one knee.
“Tegan, baby. These past few months have been everything to me. You’ve shown me that I’m worthy of love just how I am.
Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for accepting me.
” I could feel tears forming in the corners of my eyes.
“I love you, Tegan. And I know that we’re already mated, but I want you to be my wife, and have my babies, and be mine forever.
” I focused my foggy yellow eyes on her.
“Will you marry me?” I asked as my lip quivered.
A tear slid down her cheek, and she nodded several times before dropping to her knees in front of me. “Yes, a million times, yes,” she sniffled as I carefully slipped the ring onto her finger.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
My tail wagged against the floor.
I’d never been happier. I would have never guessed a gym bro’s archenemy—cake—would be what brought me my everything.