Epilogue - Willow
One Month Later
Laughter and chatter fill the mountain air, the witches giggling over something Aurora said, while Elder Charles and Elder Silas chase the kids around the snowman they'd just built.
The smile on my face feels everlasting as I watch the two older werewolves on the council of Snehvolk let loose and enjoy the children’s company. Seeing this side of them reminds me that they're not as scary or imposing as they appear when we're in Girdwood.
“Forget after I've given birth,” Rissa begins in response to Aurora's joke about Brooks not being able to keep his hands off his mate. “If it were possible, I'd be pregnant twice in one cycle. That man won't leave me alone.”
Rissa giggles as she cradles her growing belly, and Yvonne wiggles her brows. “You shouldn't be complaining, Riss. Anyone with as much healing energy has the sex drive to match it. He's just keeping up with you, that's all.”
“Hm…sounds like you speak from experience, Yvie,” I tease, and Yvonne blushes as she takes a sip of her drink through the straw.
“Obviously….”
We're giggling again, even as Emile comes waddling over, carefully testing out his new ability to walk to his mom.
“Mama,” his hazel eyes twinkle as he raises his arms, asking to be lifted.
Aurora sniffs out that he must be hungry, so she takes her son to give him some milk she'd prepared earlier that morning.
Turns out Gio is also hungry, so Yvonne takes him around the buffet table when there isn't more than the salads and side dishes to offer for now.
We're still waiting for the alphas to return from their impromptu meeting and start the fire for the barbecue.
“I think I'm also gonna grab me some potato salad,” Rissa says, rubbing her growing belly. “Wanna join me?”
“I'm gonna hold off until the guys get back,” I tell Rissa. “I'm not that hungry yet.”
Rissa nods and saunters off toward the buffet table, leaving me to sip on my drink as I stare out into the horizon.
The snow-capped mountain peaks stand strong against the setting sun as it throws rays of warm orange and gold across Denali. The moment to myself allows me to bask in the quiet, the peace that allowed us to leave Girdwood for a much-needed break after everything we'd been dealing with.
The aftermath of the war with the demons meant cleaning up Girdwood and meeting with the other packs in the region. Meetings, lunches, and dinner parties were thrown in celebration of the victory.
It's been a busy month, and after everything was said and done, Alpha Elias suggested that we come out to the Denali Mountain Resort for a break.
With the Snehvolk pack and others safe now, we all felt comfortable enough to leave the pack for a weekend.
Elder Charles walks over toward me, grabbing a beer from the cooler.
“I wonder what's taking those boys so long,” he chuckles casually. “This was meant to be a vacation, not a work getaway.”
“Thane will be surprised to know that you don't approve of a work meeting,” I giggle, and Charles scoffs.
“Oh, sometimes I think that boy doesn't know me at all,” he says as he takes a sip of his drink. “I was only ever under pressure trying to protect the pack. But, it's in good hands now.” He tips his bottle toward me. “Especially thanks to you.”
I blush profusely, shaking my head. “Oh, Elder Charles, it was all—”
“Uh-uh,” Charles interjects. “I told you already, you can just call me Charles. And yes, it was a team effort, but you played a very big role in all of it. For that, I'm eternally grateful, Willow.”
I return his smile, clinking my glass to his bottle before he takes another sip. His green eyes twinkle as he watches the setting sun, wrinkles attesting to the long life he's lived and served the Snehvolk pack.
“I heard from Thane that you met the Moon Goddess…” he laments, and I nod slowly.
“Our creator,” I concede.
“What is she like?” he asks as if he's giving thought to meeting her, and I tell him.
“That's beautiful,” he whispers in awe when I'm done recounting my experience. “You really are special, Willow. I hope you know that. I hope my grandson knows just how lucky he is to have you.”
Charles's words mean more to me than he knows, and I smile as my chest fills with warmth. When I hear footsteps on the floorboards inside the house, I turn just in time to see the guys approaching the front door.
Thane is the last one out on the porch, finding my eyes and nodding for me to join him. He takes my hand as soon as I do, then leads me into the house.
“You don't look surprised that I'm pulling you away,” Thane says once he's slid the door closed behind us.
“I'm not. I'm actually glad you did,” I say as I press a kiss to his cheek.
“Why?” he quizzes with a skeptically raised brow as he pulls me onto the couch.
I make myself comfortable on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck with a sigh as I watch the fire crackling in the fireplace.
“Because I wanted to be alone with you. And…because I'm curious. What was the meeting about?”
“Oh, you know…same old stuff. Strategies, alliances. I feel like Elias dragged us out here just to talk shop in a different environment,” Thane sighs with a lighthearted chuckle as he nuzzles his face in my neck. “So, I just needed a moment alone with you.”
“Well, I'm glad you pulled me away, because there's something I need to talk to you about.”
Thane lifts his head instantly, brows furrowing. “Is everything okay, my angel?” he asks as he sweeps my hair from my face.
I place my hand on top of his, nodding gently.
“I-I had a vision this morning,” I begin shyly. “I saw what the next three months are gonna look like for us…”
Thane's frown deepens for a heartbeat before his brows lift, his jaw dropping.
“You're…you're pregnant…?”
I purse my lips as I nod slowly, seeing the surprise and elation flashing in his eyes.
“Oh, my Goddess, baby! This is incredible!” Thane exclaims before meeting my lips with a joyful kiss. When he pulls away and gets to his feet, I frown up at him.
“What are you doing, Thane?”
He runs a hand through his hair, beaming from ear to ear. “I'm gonna go tell the others, of course! They have to know I'm gonna be a father!”
As Thane spins on his heel, I sit back calmly and watch him until he's at the door. He's about to slide it open when I wield just enough magic in one hand to form a bind around his arms, stopping him from moving.
With a flick of my wrist, I turn him back to me, and Thane's wearing a knowing expression as I stroll toward him.
“Not so fast, Thane. I don't want to announce it just yet,” I say as I release him from the magical restraints, reaching up to fold my arms around his neck. “I want it to be just us for a little while.”
Thane nods in understanding, his hands finding purchase on my waist.
“We'll tell them when we're back from our European tour.”
“Our Europe tour?” I frown, and Thane chuckles nervously.
“Yeah. It was supposed to be a surprise trip, and we were gonna leave tomorrow. That's why Elias called the meeting, so I could leave things in their hands for the next two months.”
“Two months?!” I exclaim, my jaw dropping. “Is the pack gonna be fine without you?”
“Of course they will,” Thane leans in. “There aren't any more demons plaguing us, and it's all thanks to you. You deserve this break.”
“It was a team effort,” I remind him, but Thane shakes his head.
“It was mostly you, my special girl,” he whispers before meeting my lips for another kiss, setting my heart alight as goosebumps of awareness pebble my skin.
When we break for air, I press my forehead to his chin, closing my eyes and whimpering.
“I know you were supposed to man the barbecue with the others. But I'm not ready to let you go right now,” I say as I cling to his shoulders.
“Neither am I,” he responds as he lifts me off my feet and cradles me in his arms, carrying me into our bedroom. His eyes are turning dark with desire as he stares at me, but there's nothing rushed about his movements as he gently places me on the bed.
He kneels on one knee in front of me, lifting a hand to cradle the cheek where I once had a gruesome scar that attested to my pain and suffering.
As time went on and I gradually learned how to harness my powers, the scar began fading until that night when I met the Moon Goddess and used the full extent of my powers.
That’s when my scar disappeared.
It was also the night Thane professed his love for me.
Being back in Girdwood and being with him has been healing for me, externally and internally, too. Being Thane’s mate was the best thing that fate could have dealt me, and I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Thane reaches into his back pocket and produces a black velvet box that he holds between us.
“I wanted to do this when we got to Europe, but I can’t wait anymore,” he says as he removes the lid to reveal a gold ring encrusted with sapphire crystals.
He takes out the ring and takes my left hand, gazing deeply into my eyes as he continues, “You have made me the happiest man on Earth simply by existing, Willow Barker. And just when I thought I couldn’t be any happier, you’ve given me the best news.
And I promise”—he lifts my hand to his lips and places a chaste kiss on my knuckles—“to be the best father to our child. But most of all, I promise to be the best husband to you. Will you marry me?”
My heart skips a long beat, my eyes filling with tears. “M-marry you?” I giggle nervously, bottom lip trembling. “We’re already mates, Thane.”
“I know,” he smirks. “But I want to marry you in an official ceremony with all of Snehvolk.”
“Yes,” I whisper, choking on the sob lodged in my throat as Thane slips the ring on my finger. His lips meet mine for a kiss filled with gratitude, and he pulls back only to show off his broad, wickedly handsome smile.
I reach out and cradle his face with appreciation, staring deeply into his forest-green eyes and remembering that there’s something we left out.
“You know…” I say as I gaze at the ring on my finger. “There’s one jewel you haven’t given me yet.”
“Yeah? What is that?”
I pull my hair off my shoulder and tilt my head to the side to expose my neck.
“The mark of your teeth to claim me as yours.”
Thane smirks as he leans in. “Took you long enough,” he chuckles, meeting my eyes and stalling for a moment.
“I love you, Thane,” I declare sincerely, and he presses his lips to mine.
“I love you too, Willow,” he returns before his canines distend, and he sinks them into my flesh around the scent gland on my neck.
As stars form behind my eyelids, and my body surges with awareness, all I can do is bask in the comfort of being right where I’m supposed to be.
The one place that makes me feel alive, safe, invincible.
My home.
Thane Savage.
*****
THE END