Epilogue
Ashleigh
The scars from the battle against the Crimson Shadows, the Venuti, and the Malkovians took a few weeks to clear away. In that time, several rumors of my father’s fate had surfaced. Elijah did his best to look into each one until it became clear that his demise was certain.
The Crimson Shadows pack dissolved. Many of them were disgusted at being forced to follow a man that would marry off his own flesh and blood to a vampire, a creature that was by very nature our enemy.
Amir had kept the details of my marriage a secret from most of them, but it hadn’t stayed that way.
Many former pack members arrived on our doorstep, swearing fealty to Elijah in exchange for their lives.
Ronaldo had stayed behind after the battle, offering to serve as my own personal security guard. I accepted his service readily, happy to have someone I could trust at my side.
Upon the arrival of the new pack members, even more rumors began to circulate about my father’s disappearance. I asked Ronaldo and Elijah to investigate and they were able to figure out the true story of his end.
Both vampire clans blamed him for the loss of their leaders. They had suffered great losses at our hands, and they were working tirelessly to replenish their numbers while also keeping out of the watchful eyes of the Council.
A small group of former Crimson Shadow members captured my father not long after the battle.
They questioned him and when they were displeased with the betrayal that my father had brought on our species, they took him to the vampires he held in such high standing.
They left my father bound and gagged in a room with freshly sired vampires that had not yet had a taste of blood to complete their transition.
My father never left that room. When they opened that door, there wasn’t a single sign of him other than the stain of his blood on the floor.
With his removal, I knew that my place as Elijah’s mate would never be questioned or interfered with again. I settled into my new life with a sense of peace. I put my own touches on the chalet, making it my home once and for all.
With a shake of my head, I tried to stop thinking about what happened in the past and focus on the future instead.
Needing a breath of fresh air, I walked out onto the balcony and looked down at the mountain town beneath us.
People were walking along happily, going about their day with a joy that had not been there before we arrived.
I smiled and one of the floorboards behind me creaked.
My hand dropped to my swollen belly, protectively covering the growing child inside of me. I turned, breathing a sigh of relief to see that it was only Elijah.
“You frightened me,” I scolded him lightly.
“Did I now?” he asked pointedly. His gaze darkened with desire. He never tired of looking at me and my pregnant belly only seemed to make him more insatiable.
“I love seeing you swollen with my child, little wolf. It makes me want to bend you over and fuck that perfect little pussy right here on this balcony,” he growled, and I bit my lip. He grasped the waistband of my stretchy yoga pants, baring my bottom in one quick motion.
“Elijah!” I gasped.
He slapped my ass several times, hard enough to sting and make me cry out.
“You’ve got a fucking coming, little wolf. Either you make your way inside, or you’re getting that little asshole fucked right here,” he threatened.
I blushed furiously. I glanced around, hoping no one had heard his open threat.
I curled up against him, pressing my belly to his. “Will you still fuck me there if we go inside?” I asked pointedly, staring into his dark gaze with sordid desires of my own.
“Definitely. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever wanted and more, little wolf. Now get inside, you’re testing my patience,” he warned, and I squealed with glee as I scampered in the door with my bottom still bare and exposed.
I bent over the bed and waited.
He growled behind me. My entire body tensed with anticipation.
I couldn’t wait for what came next.
The End