Epilogue
The next day …
“What do you want?” Ken asked, turning to Levi.
“She’s been born.”
“I know … I can feel her,” Ken whispered out in a shallow breath, as if it was painful.
“That’s only going to get stronger and harder to avoid.”
“I already told you, Levi. I’m no good for her. And being with me will be dangerous for her.” Ken squeezed his hands together. “I’m a damn monster.”
“I’m not about to let anything happen to her. She’s perfect. But I also understand the mate bond. Reiya and I both do. And we have agreed to support the two of you. We will stand by your side if there’s trouble.” Levi watched as Ken turned to look at him.
“What have you named her?”
“Alexa.”
Ken smiled. “It’s a beautiful name.”
“I’m not a fan of the other deities either. You know they locked me away from my mate all because of their stupid, made-up rules. And Selene is on our side, too, along with Endymion and Kali now. The council power is shifting. And if there is ever a problem—”
“I appreciate it, Levi. I appreciate your support. I really do. But the best way I can protect her is to stay away from her.” Ken shook his head. “How in the hell do I love someone this much when I haven’t even met her?”
“You know she will seek you out eventually,” Levi said quietly. If his daughter was anything like Reiya, she wouldn’t accept being denied by her mate, especially for her own protection. “And if that happens, I don’t think you’ll be strong enough to deny her.”
“I’ve been gathering moon crystals just for that purpose. Hell, I know if she comes for me, I won’t be able to walk away. So I’m going to hide my presence from her.” Ken gave Levi a sad smile. “I just want to do right by her.”
“I understand. I just know my mate, and I don’t think it’s fair to make this type of decision on your own.
I have a feeling Alexa will be a lot like her momma.
” A smile spread across his face. “If that’s the case, what you’re doing now is moot.
My mate always ends up getting her way.” Levi chuckled.
“Do what you think you need to do, Ken. But I have a feeling, in time, you’re going to end up being my son-in-law. I’ll be seeing you.”
Ken watched as Levi vanished in front of him, and he turned his attention up to the night sky.
“Staying away from you is going to kill me. But you don’t want a monster like me.
The things I’ve done in the past … you don’t want that, princess.
Be happy, my little love. Have enough happiness and love for the both of us,” he whispered into the wind.
He loved Alexa enough to have a miserable existence without her.
He was certain this was best. She deserved someone better than him, so he would stay away from her.
He would have to figure out another way to break the curse.
Now that she was born and he could feel the pull, he knew he could never take another as his mate.
He would suffer alone. Her happiness was all that mattered.
Her happiness and her safety. She would never know the man who loved her even before she was born.
Or the man who ignored his heart in order to protect hers. At least, that was his plan.
“Lee you’re back.” Reiya smiled as she looked up from the bed. “Did you talk with him?”
“It’s in his hands now. He has decided it’s best to stay away. But if this little fairy is anything like my fairy, I don’t think his plans will work out.” Lee chuckled as he reached his finger out, putting it in his daughter’s hand.
“She’ll just have to break him down. Just like I did with her daddy.” Reiya giggled.
“I love you, my fairy.”
“And I love you, my Lee.”
Three months later …
“Thank you for coming to our home. It’s been a bit hectic here the past three months.” Hunter chuckled as Alaric, Willa, Derrick, Jester and Irene walked into the pack house.
“Thank you for having us,” Alaric said as he placed his hands on Derrick’s shoulders.
“Oh, Irene, should you be traveling in your condition?” Freja asked from the chair in the living room.
“Don’t give Jester more ideas! He’s already not letting me do anything.” Irene giggled as Jester put his arm around her, placing his other hand over her growing bump.
“Come on, Derrick. I want you to meet your future,” Willa said sweetly, reaching for him. He pouted up at his mother before he placed his hand in hers.
They all followed into the living room where Freja, Jin, Chasen, and Harley were already sitting.
“How is your little one doing?” Jester asked Chasen, who was holding Destiny in his arms.
“She’s great. And we’ve had Harley staying with us the past few weeks, so it’s really helped us out. I think he’s getting less sleep than we are.” Chasen grinned as he looked at the tired face of the demon.
A sleepy smile reached Harley’s face. “But I’ve never been happier.”
“He’s also more nervous than we are. Every tiny noise she makes, he’s immediately at her side trying to pacify her.” Jin giggled as she bounced Aedan on her knee.
As Derrick and Willa walked closer to Freja, everyone’s attention shifted toward the two children. They were all watching Derrick and Lucie, the two who would seal the treaty.
Freja lifted Lucie up, balancing her on her lap as Derrick came closer. “Derrick, this is Lucie.”
Derrick looked at the drooling baby. She didn’t look like much.
This was going to be his queen? His mate?
He glanced up at his mother, who was smiling and nodding.
Everyone was staring at him, but he already wasn’t so sure about this.
He didn’t know what to expect from this little baby.
Was she really the one he had to spend eternity with?
He didn’t know much about this mate business, but from what he could tell, the person was supposed to be your treasure, your everything.
And this gurgling, spitting machine was nothing to him. He could be her friend, though.
His father said he would have to have a baby of his own, but he still didn’t know how he was supposed to make one. Did he have to be close with Lucie for that? Or could they just pick one out together like friends?
“What do you think, Derrick?” Willa urged with elation.
Derrick gave his mother a crooked smile and stared back at Lucie. But the more he looked at her, the more he was thinking … he wanted to pick his own mate.
Lucie gurgled and smiled at Derrick. She made soft, cooing noises and kicked her feet.
He reached out and grabbed her hand. Okay, he could admit it.
She was sort of cute in a gross way. As he glanced at the couples around him, he couldn’t help but wonder what the difference would be.
How would being with a chosen mate be different than a fated mate?
He would need to talk to his parents more about all of this.
Was this really the only way to secure their treaty?
He smiled at Lucie. Maybe the two of them could come to their own agreement? Maybe they could work something out for themselves? Perhaps he and Lucie could have their baby and just be good friends. But that got him thinking …
“Well, son, what do you think?” Alaric asked, coming closer. He smiled down at his future daughter-in-law.
Derrick looked up at his father and tilted his head. “How do I have a baby with Lucie?”
“So, what is it that you have here?” a sinister voice hissed.
“This is the blood of the Werewolf King and his Queen,” a child spat out angrily.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“This is exactly what I want to do. Prepare what I need.”
“What you want will take years to perfect. Maybe over a decade.”
“That’s fine. I have time. I can wait. So … do we have a deal?” the child asked.
A deep chuckle rippled from the creature’s throat. “Yes we do, little witch.”
“It’s Beryl, not ‘little witch’.” The girl smirked as she looked into the witch doctor’s eyes. It wasn’t over. Killing her grandmother ended nothing. No, it was only the beginning.
The story continues with book 4:
The Vampire’s Bride