Chapter 53: Epilogue

EVIE

I was gently swaying back and forth, cradling my sweet baby girl in my arms, while Noah welcomed our guest. We were in Noah’s office, waiting for him and the witch. I was buzzing with anticipation, eager to finally mark my mate, my husband.

Noah walked into the room, a tall woman with an air of magic about her following closely behind. She was striking, with jet-black hair, olive-toned skin, and eyes so dark they were almost black. She was dressed in an array of vibrant robes, dark leather pants, and high-heeled boots.

Her lips were a bold red, and her face was unreadable.

“This is my luna and wife, Everleigh.” Noah quickly moved to my side, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist. “And our daughter, Sage.”

“I am Mayze,” the witch introduced herself.

“Thank you for coming,” I said, dipping my head in a show of gratitude.

“I understand you’re seeking a way to mark your alpha,” Mayze stated.

I nodded eagerly. “Yes, please.”

From the depths of her robe, Mayze produced a wooden object that looked like an old-fashioned stamp.

“Once the alpha marks you, you’ll press this against your mark. The pad will absorb a copy of your mark that you can then transfer to the alpha by stamping his neck,” Mayze explained.

~So, it’s basically just like an old-fashioned stamp.~

“That’s it?” I asked, studying the stamp.

“That’s it.” She chuckled.

“Wow, okay, thank you,” I said, grinning.

“You’re lucky. I just did this for Alpha August of Rhode Island and his wolfless luna, so I was well prepared,” Mayze shared.

I glanced at Noah. “We appreciate you doing the same for us. Alpha August is actually the one who recommended you. He said you were extremely understanding of the cross-species mate bond,” Noah said.

“That’s true. Have you had a lengthy conversation with Alpha August?” Mayze asked, settling herself on the armrest of one of the large chairs in Noah’s office.

“We discussed his encounter with the coven of witches and the Council. We share a mutual dislike for the Council’s control,” Noah replied.

I was clueless about what he was referring to.

“Perhaps you would consider forming an alliance with the Crescent Moon Pack. There will come a day when they need your help,” Mayze suggested cryptically.

“Have you foreseen something?” Noah asked, pulling Sage and me closer to him.

“The rumble of change is near. There will be more like you, more bonds to be tested. Your packs must unite to protect your families and alter the course of destiny,” Mayze said, her voice melodic.

I jumped when she pointed at me.

“More like me?” I squeaked.

“More wolfless mates for powerful alphas,” she clarified, a distant look in her eyes. “The Moon Goddess has chosen strong partners for strong alphas—hidden treasures within other realms. You possess the luna command, don’t you?” Mayze asked me.

I turned to Noah, who answered for me. “She was able to use her luna voice even before her luna ceremony. She commanded alphas and vampires,” Noah explained.

“She has been gifted with something that will be crucial in the impending war,” Mayze predicted.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family. We’ll be ready when the time comes,” Noah declared firmly.

“It will require everyone’s effort to succeed,” Mayze warned before snapping her fingers and vanishing in a puff of smoke.

“What the hell was that about?” I gasped, turning to Noah.

NOAH

^FOUR YEARS LATER^

I exploded from the rear of the pack house, nearly tripping over my own feet as I landed on the patio. My wife, Evie, was there, her attention divided between me and our four children. Her blue eyes, wide and innocent like a doe’s, were filled with concern as she looked at me.

“What’s going on?” she questioned, holding our eight-month-old son, Shephard, close to her.

“The time has come. Alpha August and Luna Josie just got in touch. They need our assistance. The Council has crossed a line, and the packs from the four corners are gathering.” I could feel the wild look in my eyes as I pulled my mate into a tight embrace.

“Simon, Stella, Sage! Get over here.” Evie’s voice rang out, calling our older children, who were frolicking in the yard.

Our two-year-old twins trailed behind their elder sister, making their way to the patio.

“What’s happening, Mommy?” Sage inquired.

“We need to go inside now. Uncle Eli and Aunt Molly are waiting for us.”

We had a plan in place for our children in case of such an eventuality. They would stay with Evie’s brother and his wife in a safe house nestled deep within the bayou.

Greyson, his vampire mate Gena, Jack, Lucy, and Sawyer were already waiting for us in the front entryway. The patrols had been alerted, and the warrior wolves were ready to protect the pack house.

Thanks to the security measures I had implemented after Evie’s abduction by the vampire king, we were prepared for any attack.

Evie crouched down to be at eye level with our children.

“Mommy and Daddy need to go help a friend. You’ll be staying with Uncle Eli and Aunt Molly for a bit, okay? We’ll be back soon.” She was fighting back tears as she made a promise we weren’t sure we could keep.

She pulled our children into a tight hug, planting kisses on their cheeks. I followed suit, taking Shepherd from Evie to give him one last kiss.

“Mommy and Daddy love you,” she said. As Evie guided Sage, Stella, and Simon toward Elijah and Molly, I handed Shepherd over to my brother-in-law.

“Love you, Mommy. Love you, Daddy.” Sage’s smile was bright as she waved at us.

We returned their waves and watched as Elijah and Molly led them away.

“I promise you, Everleigh, we will see them again,” I reassured my mate, sealing my promise with a passionate kiss.

“Our children are safe, Noah. That’s what matters. We have to fight for a better world for them. They’re half-human, half-wolf. We can’t let the Council win.” Everleigh’s eyes were dark, her inner luna surfacing.

My mate might not have a wolf, but her luna was so fierce it didn’t matter. She had the spirit of a wolf, and that’s what made her dangerous and strong.

“They’ve messed with the wrong alphas and lunas,” I growled, speaking on behalf of all the packs from the four corners.

We had formed an alliance long ago, ready for the war we knew the Council would eventually start. Mayze was right. We would be the spark that would ignite the fire of our species.

Evie was given a gift for a reason, and I was given her for that same reason.

To create a unified realm for our children.

End of Book 2