Epilogue - Connor
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Man am I glad they’re back home. That trip was heavy.
Thea and the guys had decided after her second heat, they’d go to Florida and pack up our old apartment.
I think my dad Mateo finally landing a job at the university near where they’re moving to helped speed up the process.
My parents will officially be moving up to New York in the next couple months, ahead of the fall semester.
Things have changed so much. I’m glad that I can still watch over everyone I love, otherwise this afterlife would be more of a hellscape.
I look forward to the day Thea joins me but will never rush that time.
She has so much left to live for. She’s going to flip when she realizes I actually was haunting her this whole time.
At least she kinda goes with it now. Sometimes I wonder if she can feel my presence, but that’s probably wishful thinking. Duke at least notices me sometimes.
It was hard seeing Thea pack up our place. The guys were with her every step of the way. My mom came over one day and that was the most emotional day by far. Seeing them both crying as they sort through my belongings, Gods, just stab me through the heart. At least that would be less painful.
Seeing the guys in our apartment was interesting.
It felt like they were getting to know me for the first time.
Not just through Thea and her grief. Parker asked a lot of questions, which made me laugh.
He’s such a good guy, they all are. Sometimes it hits me how lucky Thea is to have found them, and I’m forever grateful to them for helping Thea piece herself back together.
But there are moments like during this trip that I feel the loss of what could have been if I was still there.
The big issue for Thea and my parents was what to do with my boat.
My dad Mateo kept it up. I had watched over him countless times since I died, taking care of it—also more times than I can count breaking down in the cabin.
I don’t think they’ve made a decision yet.
Technically my parents own it now. Thea doesn’t want it, I think it’d be too much.
My parents go back and forth about it. It doesn’t make much sense to bring this with them.
I think Mateo will win out. He’s not ready to let it go, and no one will push it in that case.
It’s nice to be back home. Funny I think of a place I never lived in as my home now.
But it is because she’s here. Thea, the woman she is, and even her scent was always home to me.
Everyone seems settled in after the long trip.
Ben, Liam, Jake, and Micah are already back to work.
Eli is taking some extra time off as he’ll be traveling again soon to check in on their properties.
I hope as time goes on, they can find someone who can lighten that load for him.
Keelan and Parker are also taking some extra time off. Thea will be starting work soon herself. She will be working on marketing for the lodge. She really does love that kind of work. Thankfully her old toxic job didn’t take that away from her.
I’m glad she didn’t rush back into work, especially after everything.
She really is the strongest person I know.
Losing me and dealing with someone stalking her that made her run for a year.
On top of that, dealing with a dangerous heat and everything that happened after.
Oh, I wish she heard me when we found out what being on the suppressants for so long meant.
Gods, I was furious at how much danger she was in because of it.
I told her so many times it wasn’t a good idea.
In the end it worked out but she will get an earful in a few decades.
Thankfully her second heat wasn’t as bad.
Liam really over-prepared but that’s what makes him a good mate.
It actually ended up only lasting about four days and she barely had any lulls or lucid moments.
It was shorter and more intense but her temperature never spiked dangerously.
One of the first things Thea did when they got back was to start organizing her books in the library.
She’s so freaking cute when she gets excited even about little things like that.
I ended up getting a show when Eli came in to “help.” I’d be surprised if we get to the end of the year with one of them not fucking her in this room.
Man, I wish I could just hold her one last time. I don’t care about any other kind of contact or sex. I just want to hold her in my arms, feel her warmth and scent wrap around me. I find I get the most jealous of the guys when they hug or hold her. Those idiots better not take it for granted.
I know they don’t, they all show it for the most part.
Though some have some catching up to do.
Speaking of, I’ve been slacking on my pranks lately.
It’s good timing now that they’re all sitting down eating.
Hey, I gotta get my kicks where I can, and messing with Micah is one of those ways.
Just some harmless payback for his earlier attitude.
I’m sure I’ll stop after a while, or start messing with one of the others.
As I approach Micah, I reach out my hand and brush the tips of my fingers against his neck. His reaction is instant, a full-body shiver.
“You okay?” Eli, who’s sitting next to him, asks.
“Fine, just got a chill,” Micah grumbles.
“Seems like that always happens when we have dinner together. Is there a draft in here or something?” Thea asks, concern lacing her voice. Ugh come on, Sweetness. Don’t worry, it’s just some harmless fun, I swear.
“I doubt that. He doesn’t always sit in the same spot,” Ben ponders.
“How are you feeling otherwise? Are you feeling sick at all?” Liam asks.
Micah is clearly uncomfortable with the sudden concern for his wellbeing based on how red his ears are getting.
“Maybe you should wear something more comfortable to dinner instead of your suits?” Jake suggests.
Keelan barks out a laugh before apologizing and saying, “It’s probably nothing.”
“Oh I know! It’s Connor, I bet he’s messing with you.
” Parker exclaims. No, don’t ruin the fun.
Of course he’d be the one to guess that.
He totally would have been my partner in crime if I were still alive.
I thought Thea would’ve been the one to point it out.
Everyone around the table is quiet until a small laugh starts before growing louder.
Thea is rolling with laughter. The guys all have small smiles on their faces as they watch her.
I can only imagine how the bond must feel when she’s laughing like this.
“Sorry, but that is totally something he’d do. Little harmless pranks. He and his dad James were always pulling something silly.” She wipes at her eyes.
“Aw, I’m a little jealous. I want Connor to prank me,” Eli mock pouts. Thea just shakes her head at his antics.
“I don’t like that we’re just accepting a ghost may be pranking me. It’s not a very comforting thought,” Micah grumbles again.
“We should test it—ask Connor a yes/no question. If the answer is yes, then he’ll do whatever gives you the chill, if no then nothing happens,” Ben suggests logically.
Thea’s face is more serious all of a sudden.
“What is it?” Jake, who’s sitting to her right, asks.
“I know I joke about him being around but I think I’d be scared to have it confirmed he’s actually not,” she says softly.
There’s nothing to worry about, I’ll show you I’m still here.
Parker, seated on her other side, grabs her hand and squeezes it. She looks at him and he gives her a reassuring smile. “Fine let’s do it. But what do we ask?” she says, fidgeting in her seat.
“Connor, do you love Thea?” Keelan asks loudly. I don’t even hesitate. I’m running along this side of the table, brushing my hand against Ben, Liam, Micah, and Eli. They all shiver in response. Thea’s eyes go wide and her jaw drops open.
Parker laughs. “I’d say that was a giant yes!”
Thea’s eyes are glistening as she whispers, “I love you too Connor.” Hearing those words from her will never get old. I’ll always love her, my mate. I’ll always watch over her and her crazy pack and make sure she lives the fullest life she can.