8. Epilogue
Epilogue
Roman stood alone in the clearing they’d claimed as theirs, early-evening moonlight coming down through the pines. Itching for the run, he’d already started stripping out of his clothes when leaves rustled and a twig snapped, and he turned.
Lance came out of the shadows, amber eyes drinking in the sight of him. Roman’s pulse kicked. “You’re late.”
“Blame your brother. Merry-Boy kept me after the pack meeting, wanted to talk.” Lance moved closer, breathing in the pine and the warm scent of Roman. “So. Turns out you were actually listening to my drunken ramblings.” He folded his arms and raised a brow. “Thought you said I was nuts.”
“I never said you’re not nuts.” He smirked. “Keep undressing me with those eyes and we’re never making it out of these woods for a run.”
“Win-win,” Lance drawled.
They both laughed.
“Merritt looked into whether a half-blood could even become a Venator. Never been one in the ‘nat ranks. He offered to put my name in for the trials, if it’s really what I want.” Lance searched his face, uncertainty in his eyes as the reality of it settled.
“You get how much I’d be gone if I’m chosen, right?
You’re good with that? Even with leave, the bulk of pup care would land on you, if we ever have pups.
You’ve thought this all the way through? ”
“As long as you remember where home is, I’ll back your every play. You know that.” He set a hand on Lance’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’ve taken on half my pack duties and, for some insane reason, you seem to like them. You’ve made my life easier. Happier. I want to do that for you.”
“You might have to take some of those duties back if I get into training,” Lance pointed out. “But if you’re really fine with it, I want to try. Even if my fighting doesn’t measure up, I could land a desk job. And if that flops, maybe I’ll try university.”
“My money’s on your stealth more than measuring up.
You dodged them for months when they were hunting you.
You can do anything you set your mind to, you just never got the chance.
” He groaned. “And if it means I’m stuck back in long, boring pack meetings, I’ll find ways for you to make it up to me.
” He looked Lance over, frank about it. “Interesting ways.”
Lance laughed. “‘Interesting’ is the only kind of relationship I’m after, dear Romeo.” He leaned in for a hard kiss, then pulled back and tugged his shirt off. “Now come on. That run I promised you.”
“You’re on. Race you to the cabin?” Roman’s pants hit the grass.
“No cheating with that damned shortcut through the culvert,” Lance shot back, already kicking out of his own. “Last one there cooks breakfast.”
They shifted together and threw a single howl at the rising moon, then vanished into the dark.