Epilogue
The massive black wolf padded into the empty parking garage located in what had formerly been Charles’s headquarters. It seemed fitting somehow to end things here. And it was secure. He had eyes outside and an alarm would sound if anyone unauthorized tried to enter.
Onyx kept pace beside him. He’d have been happier if she’d remained at home in the bunker, but she was insistent. And, truthfully, he wasn’t comfortable having her out of his sight, even after all this time. That would change now that the operation was ramping down and they were snipping off the last of the loose threads.
It had been three intense months since the battle at the mansion. In the interim, the lone wolves had stayed in contact by phone, coordinating their efforts. Using his hacking skills, he’d emptied every account he could find belonging to Charles Armstrong and Solange Dupree and all companies associated with them. Devlin Moore, the white wolf, had joined the effort, focusing on the real estate holdings.
It was Kade Alvarez, the gray wolf, along with help from the local alphas, who’d confronted the wolves in Charles’s employ. Some had fought and died for their efforts. Younger, more misguided wolves went back to their home packs. The rest had been put on notice and assimilated into the three New York packs.
It was finally over, except for one thing—an in-person meeting between the three lone wolves.
“I don’t understand why you insisted on the three of you being in wolf form.” The hand on his back gripped his fur. As much as she protested, she loved his wolf. Once they were done, they’d retrieve the copy of the journal. After consideration, she’d decided it was best to destroy it. He suspected it wasn’t an issue because most, if not all, of the knowledge was locked inside that keen brain of hers.
His head swiveled to the right. The white wolf trotted out from behind a massive steel pillar, followed by a woman who shared his unique coloring—Zoe Galvani. He turned his head to the left as the gray wolf emerged from the shadows with his woman—Luna West.
Onyx waved. “Hi. I’m Onyx.” She paused. “I guess my last name is Kern now.” She pointed to her neck. “We’re mated.”
“Zoe Galvani. Nice to meet you.” She glanced at the white wolf. “It would’ve been sooner, but someone wouldn’t let me meet you alone.”
Laughing, the other woman said, “I’m Luna, and there’s a lot of that going around.”
“What’s it going to be?” Onyx asked him. “You three have proved you’re badass wolves. Are you going to shift and stand around and chat naked or disappear long enough to dress? I’m fine either way,” she teased.
Shooting her a glare, Dagen glanced at the other wolves. It was obvious to all of them that they’d lost control of this meeting. They backed up, each taking a step at the same time.
“We’re safe,” Onyx promised. “I’ll protect the others while you’re gone.”
His mage was fierce. She was also impatient. He retreated, shifted, and yanked on a pair of jeans. He was the first man back, beating the others by several seconds.
“Wow!” Onyx stepped back and took in all three of them. “I have to say, you’re all magnificent in either form.”
Dagen growled and looped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him.
“It is incredible seeing all three of you together.” Zoe shook her head. “The threat is over, isn’t it?” It wasn’t him she asked, but Onyx.
“It is,” he answered before she could. “Keep or divide the real estate assets between the two of you,” he directed Devlin. “The only piece I want is the land the mansion was on.” He’d already handled the paperwork and had what remained razed to the ground. “It needs to be periodically checked to ensure there’s no lingering magic.” It had been Onyx’s suggestion and a smart one.
“You don’t want any of the rest?” Kade asked. “There’s a lot of it.”
“I have the stocks and money.” That was more than enough.
“I have a question.”
“Onyx.” He’d warned her not to ask, worried it might antagonize the other wolves.
She shook her head. “I need to know. They need to know.”
“Know what?” Devlin demanded, the muscles in his shoulders bunching. Oddly enough, he caught no sense of danger from the other man.
Rather than answer, she undid the top three buttons of her blouse and pulled the edges apart. “This happened during the battle with Solange.” She turned so all of them could see the white tattoo emblazoned on her chest. “Seems I share Dagen’s immortality. I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“I gave it to her, freely.” He stepped forward, a silent warning not to say anything against her. While he’d rather be on friendly terms with the other lone wolves, nothing was more important than protecting his mate.
Smiling, Zoe yanked down the neckline of her shirt. “I have one.”
“Me, too,” Luna echoed, tugging at the collar of her dress.
The other lone wolves shrugged. “How?”
Devlin bristled, his gaze like flint, his tone hard. “Like you, it was during our battle.”
“It’s fate.” Onyx’s voice sounded otherworldly, drawing all their attention. Her pupils were dilated, her attention seemingly fixed inward instead of outward. “It was what needed to be. The spell Solange cast split the essence of the lone wolf, but he’s fine with that. Blood alone wouldn’t have been enough. There had to be a connection, true love. That is what binds the rest together.”
“What happens going forward?” They all needed to know.
She smiled at him. “When, or if, the final lone wolf dies, the essence will reunite, the last of the blood spell broken. But.” She looked to the others. Pure power radiated from her. The fine hairs on his body rose on end. The others glanced at one another, the wolves restless. “Killing each other will not mean the remaining one is stronger. There’s no gain in fighting among one another and many benefits to protecting one another. You’re family.” She shuddered and her eyelids fluttered. “Wasn’t expecting that.” She rubbed at the tattoo on her chest. “Believe me or not, but it’s straight from the source.”
“I believe you.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Is that all?” He was ready to be alone with Onyx.
“No.” Hands on his hips, Kade shook his head. “Hardasses, both of you. She’s right. We’re better off supporting each other, starting now. I’d say we finish dressing”—none of them had done more than pull on their pants—“and find a nice restaurant.”
“That’s an excellent idea, don’t you think?” Onyx’s gaze was expectant. She’d been looking forward to meeting the other women.
“Sure.” He looked to Devlin and got a reluctant nod. “I’m game. Be right back.” He tugged her along when he retreated to finish dressing. When he was done, he pushed her up against a metal post. “Don’t think you’re always going to get around me this easily. This is not what I planned.”
“But it’s what’s right.” She smoothed her hands up his chest. “You know it.”
The worst part was, she was right. “Doesn’t mean I like it.”
Laughing, she went up on her toes and kissed him. “I’ll make it up to you later. Promise.”
He captured her mouth, plundering the warm, welcoming depths. She was panting when he lifted his head. “I love you.”
Her gaze turned misty. “I love you, too. Let’s do this. It will be fun.”
Giving in to the inevitable, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and went to meet the others, taking the first step into the rest of their lives.
The love doesn’t end here…