EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
CHALICES FILLED TO THE brIM with wine and tankards with foaming beer slammed down onto long wooden tables draped in soft gray linen. As the smell of roasted meat and herbs drifted upward toward the full moon, laughter and boisterous chatter rose with it.
“Did turning into plants make you all thirstier? You’ve gone and emptied another barrel!”
Werewolves howled with laughter as Varek playfully grinned at the other side of the table.
An empty mug slammed down on wood, and the garlands fluttered in the center of the table. Strands of Brynn’s dark-green hair swished back and forth. She grinned back before she raised her mug.
“That’s why we’ll thank you and your pack for bringing a boatload more! Thank you, Caernith!” Cheers erupted all around them as other werewolves raised their mugs and chalices.
Varek laughed warmly. “More than happy to share with you all!” He took a long swig of his drink. “It’s a few weeks late, but nothing like a good drink to warm the spirit after all that, eh? Wasn’t it nice to wake up from your beauty sleep to see everything all cleaned up?”
“Cleaned up? I’m pretty sure the only thing holding up that entire wreck was a pillar!”
“Ah, but you see, it was the only bit of glorious evidence left of all that you missed.”
Next to Brynn, Gwyneth tore into a roasted bird leg, the gleaming browned skin crackling underneath her sharp canines. Juicy drippings fell onto her plate. As she chewed, she pointed the rest of the leg at Varek.
“Of course you’d say it like that. Didn’t you officially propose to Kyrie in some ruins?”
“He did,” Kyrie answered. She sat next to her mate, a hint of humor flickering through her eyes in her otherwise unreadable face. Her gaze turned to Varek, who gave her a sheepish grin in response. His arm was wrapped over her shoulders as she rested her hands over her rounded stomach.
“That’s because it was about seeing the beauty in the ruins! A moonflower among rubble!”
Kyrie reached out for a roasted nut, bringing it close to her mouth. Her lips curled slightly. “Well, Varek, if anything happens, I’ll have a vase ready for you.”
“I didn’t even get changed into vegetation in the first place!”
Mirthful laughter burst out once more, joining with the other tables that feasted away on the plentiful helpings of meat, bread, and wild fruits. Merriment ran freely like the flames that burned brightly on the ornate pewter braziers set up around the area.
Tiny stars sparked from the flames as wolfings threw special shards in. Kyrie’s children, Faustus and Minen, stood there, excitedly watching with the others at every toss. The silver stars shot upwards, dancing with the moon above before fizzling out.
Bursts of floral confetti colored the night sky. Flowy dresses fluttered with every twirl. Dried flowers drifted between the dancers before someone else would throw another handful again. Tiers of moon nectar streamed from a small fountain, into which chalices constantly dipped to fill.
Lively music layered the noisy atmosphere with background melodies.
A violin rested against Nox’s chin, producing rich notes with every stroke of his bow.
Charie played along on a flute, smiling as Auden sat nearby, his admiring gaze only on her.
He playfully winked at her at one point, causing her to blush and duck her head.
Chimes rang out on occasion as Cade struck the instrument, like a shimmer of moonlight upon the melodies. One of his arms wore a cast, and his other hand held a silver antler-tipped striker, his head bobbing to the rhythm.
Fia sat to the side with Beren, and the other Astras—engaged in their own quiet chatter that spiked with laughter and bouts of loud jesting.
The jubilation drew even curious pixies in, hovering by silver lanterns that glowed like bottled moonlight. Some of the strung-up lanterns were cut out with moon phases, casting crescent shadows upon the ground.
The pack’s joy pulsed with laughter and firelight, nestled deep within the forest depths surrounding them.
“Stars, I’m sure the entire forest and beyond can hear us!” Lenore laughed. She and Edmund had long since moved to a quiet corner of their own wedding, the spotlight on them lost to the partying that came after.
They sat tucked away under a canopy of garlands and burgundy flowers woven between, resting upon a low loveseat together that was covered in animal furs. Glass orbs containing candles cast soft glows of light around them.
Their cozy corner was a compromise with Auden, who insisted they stay a while, knowing full well Edmund would be ready to go the moment the vows were exchanged.
Lenore rested her head in the crook of Edmund’s neck, the familiar comfort of his scent melting her into his hold.
Her hand rested on Edmund’s chest, a silver ring adorning her finger.
Diamonds glittered on the ring, forming a crescent moon surrounded by tiny flowers.
Edmund’s was a simple silver band, etched with carved lines.
Small white blossoms adorned either side of Lenore’s hair. Shimmering sparkles gleamed in her beautiful waves. She wore an off-shoulder white dress, the fabric fitted tightly at her waist before flowing outwards, with a split on one side. The fabric glittered softly in the muted light around them.
The outer layers of Edmund’s wedding attire were tossed to the side, leaving him only in his dark-blue dress shirt that read almost black, loosely tucked into black pants. A pale-blue, gem-encrusted tie hung slightly loose at his neck. His hand held Lenore’s waist as she curled close to him.
Another loud wave of laughter rolled throughout the venue.
“The entire world can hear us now,” Edmund said. He let out an exasperated but fond sigh. “It feels like we brought the Lunar Ball into our own pack’s territory.”
“Inviting everyone in Lunavie, Noctaia, your other friends, plus all the ones out of formal necessity would do that, I guess.” Lenore looked out, still in disbelief at the sight of all the werewolves attending. “There’s werewolves from fourteen different packs here!”
She turned to look up at Edmund in amazement. “Is this what happens when you’re the pack’s Vesren?” Her arms held her weight as she shifted to sit up slightly. “You’re so popular!”
Edmund’s brow twitched. “Ugh... I can count all my actual close friends on one hand. The rest was obligatory.”
“Still, everyone seemed excited when they got their invitation. Or maybe they were curious how one of the most closed-off werewolves would act at his own wedding?” She giggled while Edmund lightly rolled his eyes.
With a quick wave of his hand, Azelf cast a spell that sent rays of light darting across the grounds.
Pip flew in between the beams of light, making a show of twirling all around them.
Kyrie’s other son, Rowan, chased after Pip in his wolf form with his friends, yipping excitedly at the magic displayed.
“It is nice seeing everyone having fun,” Edmund remarked. “And I guess that’s what makes it tolerable.”
“Tolerable?” Lenore couldn’t stop the string of laughter leaving her. “That might be the best thing you’ve said about everyone else.”
“The festivities might’ve gotten to me.”
A sudden burst of clingy fondness bloomed in Lenore’s chest. She leapt up onto Edmund as she threw her arms around his neck, a soft kiss quickly planted on his lips.
Her head lowered then, nuzzling him between the hollow of collarbones.
Her affection warmed Edmund’s cheeks, his eyes softened with adoration.
“But even with all these people here, I’m the most special to you, right?”
“... Lenore, we just got married.”
“No, you have to say that I am!”
“You are,” Edmund said. His fingers ran along her back as he indulged her request. “The most special to me. The most beautiful, and the one I love the most.” A faint sigh left him as he smiled into her hair. “Do you need me to go on?” he joked.
Lenore pulled back slightly to look at him. “I think you’re missing one more.”
Edmund raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”
“That I’m all yours, and you’re all mine.”
“That goes without saying but…” His hands reached out to hold her waist. A hint of passion wove into his low voice. His eyes relished her beauty, a sweetened fruit to his taste. “Yes, you’re all mine.”
Giddy giggles escaped Lenore as Edmund peppered her neck with light kisses, a whispered “I love you” feathering across her skin. She leaned forward, laughing from the ticklish sensation before she caught sight of moon-like lanterns floating above and into the night.
The lanterns drifted upwards to the sky as guests wrote their well-wishes and their prayers for the wedded couple. Azelf occasionally shouted a reminder to send out a lantern in between his liquor-loosened dancing, or that he’d send Pip after anyone who didn’t.
Edmund’s voice hummed softly against her throat, his breath warm against her skin—distracting her from the lanterns. He softly inhaled, greedily taking in her sweet, flowery scent. “I think we’ve stayed long enough.”
Lenore smiled softly at his touch before her smile turned playful amid her reddening cheeks. She grabbed his hand. “One dance, and that’s it!”
“I thought you didn’t like partying like me!” Edmund complained.
“Making special memories overrides that,” Lenore said gleefully. “I never got to dance with you at the Lunar Ball, did I?”
“Since when did we ever agree to that?” Edmund sighed, but allowed himself to be pulled up onto his feet. Though he tried to frown, his eyes were alight with humor. “One dance, and that’s it.”
Lenore pulled him along with her, the hanging greenery softly tickling her exposed shoulders as they passed through. “You won’t step all over my feet, will you?” she teased.
“If I say yes, would we skip the dancing part?” The corner of Edmund’s lips faintly tugged upwards.
“Hmm…” she playfully pretended to think. Her head tilted subtly to the side. “I guess it’s a risk I’ll just have to take.”
Cheers exploded around them as werewolves caught sight of the newly wedded couple heading toward the party. Lenore wrapped her arms around Edmund’s, leaning against his frame as she bit down on a smile when she saw how quickly the energy depleted from him.
“CARRY HER!” Azelf hollered.
“AWOOOO!” Brynn shouted next, hands cupped around her mouth. Cade struck the chimes repeatedly. Varek stood up, pumping his arm in the air as Kyrie lightly clapped in her seat. Gwyneth yipped with glee. Howls ensued.
“Give the werewolves what they want, Edmund!” Auden yelled. He interlocked arms with Azelf, both men laughing as they skipped in a circle.
“You guys are so done with the drinks,” Edmund muttered.
Lenore squeaked as her feet left the ground, and she quickly looped her arms around Edmund’s neck. The cheers grew louder.
She pressed her warming face against Edmund as he held her in a bridal carry. Edmund’s heart beat loudly against his chest, and she peeked upwards at his embarrassed face.
“You didn’t have to do this,” Lenore whispered into his ear.
“I didn’t,” Edmund agreed, but he held her still, keeping her close to his body. He smiled at her, a shining gleam in his eyes. “One dance. And that’s it.”
Flowers rained down on them. The music grew louder, Nox grinning at the couple while Charie twirled around as she continued to play the flute.
Lenore beamed at Edmund through the colorful petals that drifted between them. Her fingers caressed his cheek, tracing the jagged scars that ran downward. The sparkle in her eyes mirrored his, their gazes filled with a love that even words couldn’t describe.
“One dance,” Lenore repeated softly. She leaned in close, kissing the corner of his brow. Playful barks and howls made her shrink slightly back, an embarrassed whine humming from her throat. “Definitely just one.”
Edmund laughed and nodded. “Glad that we’re on the same page.” His pace quickened as he walked them toward the center. Flowers continued to flutter around them, tiny stars shooting by.
For a moment, the world hushed around them as Edmund set Lenore down.
Silent I love yous passed between them with every small gesture, their eyes never wavering from each other.
Fingers intertwined, the minuscule distance between them disappeared as Lenore was pulled taut.
Edmund’s firm hand held the small of her back.
As Lenore’s pearly-white dress swayed with the first step, liveliness burst free once more. All around them, werewolves celebrated a love that continued to blossom, gently wafting its sweetened fragrance under the moon.