Epilogue – Billy
EPILOGUE
BILLY
The brewery hums with laughter and conversation, bears and wolves mingling freely in a way that would have been impossible six months ago.
I lean against the bar, watching my very pregnant mate hold court near the fireplace, her hands resting protectively on her swollen belly, as she laughs at something Maya just said.
Through our bond, I feel her happiness, wrapping around me, making me warm and content. But underneath, there’s a flutter of nerves. She glances my way, catching me watching.
You okay? I send through the bond.
Just a lot of people, she responds, her mental voice carrying a hint of anxiety.
Want me to come over?
Not yet. I’m good. Just... stay close.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Mitch says, appearing at my elbow with two beers. “Lennox bears and Grey Ridge wolves celebrating together.”
“Times change.” I accept the beer, taking a long pull. “People change.”
He follows my gaze to Carla. She’s demonstrating something with her hands that has her entire group laughing. Her green sweater stretches over her belly, and she’s glowing in that way pregnant women do.
“She’s good for you.” Mitch observes.
“She’s everything.” The words come out simple and true.
Through the bond, I feel another spike of anxiety from Carla. She’s still smiling, but her hand has moved to her lower back, a tell I’ve learned means she’s getting overwhelmed.
“Excuse me,” I tell Mitch, already moving.
I weave through the crowd, nodding at familiar faces. Six months in Grey Ridge has made me part of the community. Sean hired me full-time at the brewery. Cooper includes me in pack matters. I’m not just Billy Lennox anymore, I’m Carla’s mate. Part of the pack.
“Hey,” I murmur, sliding my arm around Carla’s waist. She leans into me immediately. “Thought you might need rescuing.”
“My hero,” she says, but I feel her relief through the bond. “I was just telling them about the coffee shop.”
“Lucy’s still trying to convince her to go on maternity leave,” Maya adds, shaking her head. “Stubborn as always.”
“I’ve got two more weeks.” Carla protests. “I’m pregnant, not broken.”
The words make me think of how far she’s come. Six months ago, she flinched at shadows. Now, she serves coffee with a smile, walks through town with confidence, and faces each day without fear.
“Speaking of which,” I say, feeling her fatigue through the bond. “Maybe we should find you a chair.”
“I’m fine,” she starts, but I’m already guiding her to a quieter corner where someone’s set up chairs. She sighs as she sits, hand rubbing her belly. “Okay, maybe I needed that.”
“Your feet are swollen,” I note, crouching to help her prop them up on another chair.
“They’re always swollen these days.” She runs her fingers through my hair as I fuss over her. “You worry too much.”
“Never.” I press a kiss to her belly, feeling our cub shift under my lips.
Across the room, I spot Marcus and Leila talking with Cooper and Hayley. The sight still amazes me, my gruff brother making small talk with the Grey Ridge Alpha, building bridges between our communities.
“Billy!” Ethan calls out, waving me over. “Tell them about the new seasonal brew.”
“Go,” Carla says, making shooing motions with her hands. “I’m good here. Maya will keep me company.”
I check through the bond first. She really is okay, just tired. “Holler if you need me.”
“Always do,” she says and smiles in a way that still makes me want to drag her home immediately.
I spend the next twenty minutes talking about beer and brewing techniques, but I keep part of my attention on Carla through the bond. When I feel her contentment spike, I glance over to see that Lucy has joined them, probably sharing gossip from the coffee shop.
“You keep looking at her like she might disappear.” Rex observes, appearing at my shoulder.
“Old habits.” I admit. After what we went through, I doubt I’ll ever fully lose the need to keep her in sight.
“Heard the verdict came through last week,” Rex says more quietly.
“Life sentence.” The words come out flat. “No parole.”
Leon will die in prison. Luna Anderson too. The trial had been brutal, but watching Carla testify, standing tall, voice steady, as she recounted her captivity, I’d never been more proud. It won’t bring Beth back, but it’s something.
And Leon begrudgingly admitted to killing Beth, and told us where her body was buried, letting Carla hold a service and get some closure.
“Good riddance,” Rex says simply. “And good on you for standing against him.”
Before I can respond, I feel Carla’s emotions shift through the bond. Not anxiety this time, excitement mixed with something else.
I find her still in the chair, but she’s pressing Maya’s hand to her belly, both of them grinning.
“What’s going on?” I ask, crouching beside them.
“The baby’s doing gymnastics,” Carla says, grabbing my hand and placing it on her stomach. “Feel.”
Sure enough, our cub is active, rolling and kicking. I’ve felt it hundreds of times, but it still fills me with wonder.
“Strong little one.” Maya observes. “Going to be a fighter like their parents.”
“God, I hope not.” Carla laughs. “I’d like a little less fighting in our future.”
“Amen to that,” someone says, and I realize a small crowd has gathered.
Sean raises his glass. “To peaceful futures.”
“To new beginnings,” Cooper adds.
The toasts continue, and I help Carla to her feet so we can accept them properly. She tucks herself against my side, and through our bond, I feel her emotions, joy, belonging, and hope.
“Thank you,” she says when the toasts die down. “All of you. For accepting us, supporting us, and for being our family.”
“Pack is pack,” Cooper says simply. “And Billy’s proven himself one of us.”
The words hit deeper than I’d expected. Acceptance. Not just tolerance, but real acceptance.
The party continues around us, but I pull Carla aside to a quieter spot.
“You okay? I felt something through the bond earlier.”
She smiles, reaching up to cup my face. “Just emotional. Pregnancy hormones and seeing everyone here together. It’s overwhelming in the best way.”
“We can leave whenever you want.”
“Not yet.” She glances around the room. “This is important. What we’re building here.”
She’s right. The sight of bears and wolves laughing together, sharing drinks and telling stories. It’s the future we’re creating for our cub.
“Billy,” she says suddenly, gripping my arm. “Oh!”
“What? Is it…?” Panic flares through me.
“No, no.” She laughs, grabbing my hand and pressing it to a specific spot on her belly. “Just a really big kick. I think someone wants attention.”
Sure enough, I feel a strong movement against my palm. Our cub, making their presence known.
“Already taking after their mother.” I tease. “Centre of attention.”
“Hey!” she swats at me, but she’s grinning.
The night winds down slowly. As people begin to leave, offering final congratulations and well-wishes, Carla yawns against my shoulder.
“Time to get you home.” I decide.
“I can walk.” She protests when I move to help her.
“I know you can.” I wrap my arm around her waist, anyway. “Let me take care of you.”
Through the bond, I feel her melt a little. After so long being strong alone, she still sometimes forgets she doesn’t have to be.
Outside, the night air is crisp. Carla pauses, looking up at the stars.
“What are you thinking?” I ask, studying her profile in the moonlight.
“How different everything is. Six months ago, I was...” she trails off, shaking her head. “And now, I’m here. With you. About to have our baby. Surrounded by family.”
“Regrets?” I ask, though I know through the bond she has none.
“Never.” She turns to face me fully. “You saved me in every way that matters.”
“You saved yourself.” I correct. “I just gave you a ride.”
She laughs, the sound bright in the quiet night. “Some ride.”
“Come on.” I tug her toward the truck. “Let’s get you and our gymnast home.”
As I help her into the truck, she catches my hand. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“I know.” I press a kiss to her palm. “I love you, too.”
The drive home is quiet, Carla dozing against the window. Through our bond, I feel her contentment, her peace. So different from the terrified woman I carried out of that basement.
At home, I help her inside, noting how she moves more carefully these days with her shifted centre of gravity.
“Bath?” I offer. “I’ll run you a warm one.”
“You spoil me.” She sighs, but she’s already heading for the bathroom.
Later, as we lie in bed with my hand splayed over her belly, feeling our cub settle in for the night, I marvel at the journey. From that first glimpse of her in my father’s basement to this moment, proud mates and parents-to-be, building a life together.
“I can hear you thinking,” Carla murmurs sleepily.
“Just grateful,” I tell her, pulling her closer. “For you. For this. For everything.”
“Mmm.” She’s already drifting off. “Love you, too.”
Through our bond, I feel her slip into a peaceful sleep. No nightmares anymore. No fear. Just my mate, carrying our child, and both safe in my arms.
I press a kiss to her hair and close my eyes.
Tomorrow, she’ll wake up and head to the coffee shop, serving customers with a smile.
I’ll work at the brewery, creating something good with my hands.
We’ll move through our day connected by our bond, checking in on each other, sharing the small moments.
Life isn’t perfect. Mitch still struggles with the clan. Some wolves still eye me with suspicion. Carla occasionally has bad days where memories creep in.
But lying here with her heartbeat steady against my chest and our cub safe between us, I know we’ve built something worth fighting for. Something my father tried to destroy but only made that much stronger.
Love. Family. Hope.
A future worth living.