Epilogue

People often say that everything happens for a reason, and that life has a way of coming full circle. I wasn’t entirely sure I believed that, but I’d seen enough to make me think there might be some truth to it.

Despite everything that had unfolded since I’d entered the Veil and met Jekia and Sage, I felt like my life had landed exactly where it was supposed to. I was a human who never quite fit into the human world.

But as we’d learned, the worlds often overlapped, and our involvement with Sage’s creation would come back to us within a month of the festival and our wedding.

That day had started like any other. Jekia and I woke up, then roused Rin and Rayne.

Breakfast came and went, with Emelio outlining the day’s plans, which weren’t particularly extensive at that point.

Jekia had a few documents to sign for some of the villages, and we had a meeting later with the new leaders of the fairy glen. They were working on rebuilding trust with us, so these meetings were crucial to both Jekia and me. During that time, Vishu would look after the twins.

Jekia had also been trying to lighten his workload. He wanted to spend more time with his young family, especially with me, and to teach Rin and Rayne more about their heritage and help them develop their abilities.

They were already showing signs of being very intelligent and powerful little beings, and most people had no doubt they’d make excellent heirs if the time came.

I watched from the glen as Jekia taught Rin and Rayne how to defend themselves. He couldn’t really spar with them yet, but he let them try to reach him, turning it into a game. He’d tie a cloth to his waist and challenge them to snatch it.

They hadn’t succeeded yet, but they were getting closer, showing they were getting faster and reading moves better.

“You’re still too fast!” Rin complained as they both sat on the ground, panting. As usual, their father was unfazed.

“Don’t be so hard on yourselves. You’re getting much quicker, and I’m impressed with the moves you made this time.

“You both have taken my advice on thinking ahead instead of acting on impulse,” Jekia praised them.

Rayne’s ears drooped as he pouted. “But we still can’t do it!”

Jekia walked over to them, knelt down, and patted their heads.

“Now, now,” he comforted them. “I couldn’t do this either when I was your age, and it took me a lot of effort to even get close to my father. I had to learn just like you.”

“But we have to do it faster. We need to protect our little sister when she comes!” Rin protested.

I smiled at this, stroking the bulge under my dress. Yes, I’d been right about that night.

We’d been allowed to have one more pup for now, and we’d already been told she would be a girl.

This had brought out a protective streak in Rin and Rayne. They were determined to always look after their sister once she was born, and it pushed them to train harder with their father.

I wondered if this was part of the reason we were allowed to have her now.

“I know you want to, and you will. I’m sure of that. You don’t need to push yourselves so hard,” Jekia told them.

“You both are already becoming very strong. I’m certain Selenia will always feel safe with you both,” I added.

The three of them came over and sat with me, and Rin laid a hand on my belly to feel the baby moving inside. We’d already chosen her name, Selenia, which Jekia had insisted on.

He wanted her to have a beautiful name that represented the moon, the symbol of the Luna Dog clan, and I’d agreed wholeheartedly.

“Is Selenia still too small to come out yet?” Rin asked me.

“Yes. She still needs another month, then she should be ready,” I reminded him.

“I can’t wait to see her. Do you think she’ll look like us?” Rayne asked.

“It’s possible, but I hope she looks more like your mother. It’s only fitting that she’ll be as beautiful as her,” Jekia stated.

“Yes. Mommy is always beautiful,” Rayne agreed.

“You’re flattering me again,” I giggled.

“Everyone says that, because it’s true,” Rin interjected. He had his ear to my belly now. He and Rayne were so fascinated knowing that their baby sister was inside of me.

“I bet Selenia will be just as beautiful too, and we’ll have to keep the other boys away from her because of it.”

That made Jekia and me chuckle. Yes, this little girl pup was going to have some very protective big brothers.

Our moment was interrupted by a soft gust of wind as Emelio appeared near us. Jekia immediately stood up beside me.

“I take it something has come up,” he guessed.

“Yes, unfortunately so. We’ve received an order from the Higher Ones, which was passed down to them from Azrael,” Emelio explained, handing Jekia a parchment he’d brought.

Jekia took it from him, reading it over.

“You’re kidding me. A fox in my lands has created Astartes?”

He sounded incredulous as he said this. As for me, I wasn’t sure what he meant. I’d never heard of Astartes before.

“I’m afraid so, and Azrael has requested that since they’re in these lands, he’d like you to send them back to their original resting places, along with dealing with the fox who broke the laws to create them.

“They’ve left that part to your discretion for what you wish to do with him,” Emelio responded.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but what are Astartes?” I asked them.

“It’s fine. I honestly never thought you’d have to hear of them. Astartes are beings created by foxes from the souls of humans who have taken their own lives.

“Most are female, and they’re given a new body through forbidden spells that only the foxes know.

“Creating souls like that messed with the natural order of things, so it was banned centuries ago,” Jekia explained to me.

“Does that mean you have to kill them, Dad?” Rin asked.

“I hate to say it, but yes. I have to send them back and free them from the fox’s control. It sounds terrible, but it’s better for them in the end.

“Besides, we can’t ignore orders from Lord Azrael. He’s the archangel in charge of life and death, and this falls under his jurisdiction,” Jekia gently explained to Rin and Rayne.

“But they already died once. It doesn’t seem fair to kill them again,” Rayne argued.

I put my hands on their shoulders. “We understand, but we can’t ignore these orders. And your dad is right. They’re probably suffering under the fox’s control.

“Isn’t that even more unfair to them?” I reasoned.

Rin and Rayne’s ears drooped as they conceded.

Jekia knelt down to us. “Don’t worry about them. I won’t let them suffer. I’ll make sure to send them back without them feeling any pain,” he promised.

“Okay,” Rayne reluctantly agreed.

“As long as it doesn’t hurt them,” Rin added.

“All right,” Jekia turned to me, touching my cheek. “Will you be okay while I’m gone?”

I nodded. “Yes, I’ll be fine. The boys and I will stay in the glen, and we have Vishu with us.”

“I’ll also stay with them,” Emelio added.

“Very well,” Jekia conceded. He gave me a quick kiss before standing up again. “I’ll do my best to make this quick and return to you.”

We watched him leave, then Rin and Rayne got back up.

“Let’s practice what Dad was showing us. Maybe we can surprise him when he comes back,” Rin suggested.

“Okay,” Rayne nodded.

I smiled as I watched them go off, laying a hand on my belly and feeling Selenia moving inside of me. I said a silent prayer for the souls that Jekia had to send back.

I knew he didn’t like doing such things, but he was right. There was no choice in this matter. It was just sad to think of how those people had died in the first place.

Emelio walked over beside me, leaning down to speak to me. “Are you okay, my lady? I’m sorry you have to know about such a thing while you’re pregnant.”

“I’m fine. These are things I had to accept long ago, and I just wanted to say a prayer for them,” I reassured him.

“Those poor people. They suffered in life, and they’re still suffering after death,” Vishu commented as she came down from the tree behind me.

“It’s sad, but remember that humans can be fragile. Some of them can be redeemed after such a desperate act,” Emelio stated.

I looked at Vishu, deciding to change the subject. It was getting heavy.

“Have you finished your work today? It would be nice to have your company,” I told her.

“I still have a bit to do, but it can wait for now,” Vishu agreed. Emelio helped me to stand, and she smiled as she saw the roundness of my belly.

“I can’t believe we’ll soon have another little one. She’ll be so beautiful when she’s born.”

“I’m curious to see if she’ll have more Luna Dog traits, or if she’ll look more like her mother. Even children like her could,” Emelio added.

I smiled, rubbing my belly as I looked at it. “I’ll be happy either way, as long as she’s healthy.”

The three of us headed back into the palace, where I decided to help Vishu prepare some new clothes for the boys and the baby.

It helped pass the time, and I didn’t have to think about Jekia’s grim task.

But as we were preparing for lunch, a surprise came.

I was about to sit down with the boys when Emelio suddenly appeared. Jekia was with him, and he was carrying a bundle in his arms.

They both looked subdued, which was worrisome.

“You’re back early. Did something happen?” I asked as I stood up.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Jekia sighed.

He moved the blanket for me to look, and my eyes widened when I saw a baby fox with little silver ears and light green eyes.

“Oh my, they’re so tiny. Were they just born to that fox?” I asked him.

“They were just born when I got there, but they don’t smell like that fox.

“I’m not sure who they belong to yet, but I think they were born to one of the Astartes,” Jekia admitted.

“Could you tell who the mother was?” I asked.

Jekia shook his head. “No. The fox had already killed all of them when he found out I was after him, and he tried to kill this baby too. But I stopped him.”

My heart ached as I heard this, and I gently took the baby from him, cradling them lovingly.

“I see. Well, until we find their family, we can take care of them,” I stated.

“I’d like to do that too. At least until we figure out what’s going on with them,” Jekia agreed.

Rin and Rayne followed as we took the baby fox to the nursery. We had set it up for Selenia, but it was coming in handy now.

“Is it a boy or a girl?” Rin asked.

“He’s a boy. I saw that before I wrapped him up,” Jekia told him.

“He’s really cute. And his eyes are so pretty. I’ve never seen a fox with eyes like that before,” I said as I laid the little fox on the changing table to unwrap him.

The little one squirmed a bit as I held him. Jekia was right; he was as fresh as a newborn. Traces of birth fluids still clung to him, and his umbilical cord was freshly cut.

But he seemed unharmed, as far as I could tell. That was a relief.

“Why don’t we clean him up and make sure he’s comfortable? He’s had quite the introduction to the world,” I suggested.

Jekia agreed, and I carried the baby to the nearby washroom while he stayed with the boys. Vishu joined me, and together we washed the little one, then diapered and dressed him.

I swaddled him in a clean blanket to keep him cozy, then carried him back to the nursery to feed him.

I was grateful that I was far along in my pregnancy. At least I had some milk to offer him.

The nursery was quiet as I sat in the rocking chair, watching him hungrily latch onto my breast.

“You’re such a beautiful little one,” I whispered to him. “I’m sorry you had to come into the world like this. I hope we can find your family. But for now, at least I can give you this.”

As he continued to feed, there was a soft knock at the door. I looked up, expecting to see Jekia, but instead, a young man with white hair covering one of his golden eyes entered. A sense of familiarity washed over me, and I felt a jolt of surprise.

“Sage?” I whispered.

He smiled, placing a finger to his lips as he approached.

“As I told you, I can’t be known to be alive in this world. But a disguise works well enough among the Sumarians,” he said, his voice soft.

“I understand,” I sighed. “But why are you here? Is something else happening?”

“No need to worry. I’m actually here to talk about this baby.

“I’ve already spoken to Jekia. He’s gone back to the fox’s den to wait for the baby’s family.

“They’re definitely looking for him and his mother,” Sage explained.

“You know who they are?” I asked.

Sage let out a long breath, gently stroking the baby’s head. He looked sad. I could feel the baby’s suckling slow as he drifted off to sleep, his belly full.

“Yes, I know them. This little one is related to me. He’s my son Sean’s grandson,” Sage revealed.

I stiffened at his words. “This baby is your great-grandson?”

“He is,” Sage confirmed. He looked at me. “Lana, could you do me a favor and watch him a little longer? His family will be here soon to take him home.”

“Of course. We’ll take good care of him,” I immediately agreed.

Sage smiled, leaning in to give me a quick kiss. “Thank you, both you and Jekia,” he whispered.

He then kissed the baby’s head gently. “It’ll be okay, little one. You’ll be home soon.”

“Can you visit us more often? It would be nice to see you again, and Rin misses you terribly,” I said as he stood up.

“I know, and I miss him and my other children. Maybe they’ll let me visit more often now, since the secret can be kept here.

“But for now, I need to go and report on this.

“Jekia and I have agreed to tell Sean and his son a version of the truth about my death. We’ll say the lycans killed me.

“I’ve also given Jekia something for them. If you could go along with the story, I’d appreciate it,” Sage said.

“Okay. I’d rather have Jekia’s name cleared. He doesn’t need to carry that guilt,” I agreed.

Sage smiled. “No, he doesn’t. I’ll make sure of that.”

I returned his smile, then watched him leave the room. The baby was asleep against me now, and I gently burped him and rocked him back to sleep.

My mind was buzzing as I sat there. This baby was related to Sage, to one of the children he had with a girl named Sara. I wondered if the green eyes came from her side.

Time passed, and Rin and Rayne came in to tell me that Jekia had company, and they were here for the baby.

It was bittersweet as I sat in the chair in their room. After a bit of waiting, there was a knock on the door, and Emelio opened it.

With him was a young man who looked to be in his mid-teens. He was handsome, his eyes a mirror of the baby’s. But his hair was strikingly similar to Rin’s.

His name was Sevee, Sean’s son.

He was about to turn sixteen, and he hadn’t expected to become a father so soon.

But he had fallen in love with an Astarte who had escaped the fox, and he hadn’t realized he could get her pregnant until it was too late.

But now, he was overjoyed to have his son and to know he was safe.

I felt for Sevee as I watched him cradle the baby in his arms.

He was trying to hold it together, but I could see the pain in his eyes. He knew the Astarte he loved was gone. The only silver lining was that his son had survived.

We sat together for a while before the rest of his family arrived with Jekia to take him home.

But as they entered, I couldn’t help but stare at the black-haired young man with them. This must be Sean.

He bore a striking resemblance to Sage, despite his jet-black hair and vibrant green eyes. I felt compelled to pull him aside for a private conversation. I couldn’t resist the urge.

“I’m sorry for pulling you out here like this,” I said, standing in the hallway with the door shut behind us.

“No problem, but I’m a bit surprised. You’re Jekia’s wife, right?” Sean asked.

“Yes, I am. I’m Lana,” I introduced myself.

Sean nodded, offering a warm smile. “I’m Sean. Nice to meet you, Lana. I remember my mom talking about you when I was a kid.”

“Sara knew about me?” I asked, taken aback.

“Yeah. My dad mentioned you to her quite a bit. From what I gather, you and Jekia were good friends of his. I have to admit, though, I’m a bit shocked to see you now.

“You look a lot like my mom, except for your brown eyes,” Sean confessed.

I let out a soft sigh. “I can’t say I’m too surprised. Your dad and I were close friends since childhood, and he’s the reason I ended up here and met Jekia.

“There were probably some things left unsaid between us before he had to leave.”

As I said this, the door to the room creaked open, and Rin slipped out to join us. I felt a twinge of anxiety as he looked up at Sean.

The two locked eyes for a long moment before Sean crouched down to Rin’s level. He seemed a bit taken aback at first, but soon a gentle smile spread across his face.

“I think I’m starting to see the bigger picture. You remind me of my dad, especially your eyes. You’re my half-brother, aren’t you?” he guessed.

“You caught on pretty quick,” I remarked.

“To be honest, this little guy’s scent is familiar to me, and so are his eyes. But even though I’m surprised, I’m glad to know this now.

“I hope you wouldn’t mind if we dropped by to visit you when we can. I’d like to get to know him and you,” Sean said.

Rin perked up and extended his hand. “I’d like that too. I’m Rin.”

Sean smiled and shook his hand. “I’m Sean. Nice to meet you, Rin.”

“I know this is a lot to take in, but we’d also ask you to keep this to yourself. Jekia has claimed Rin as his own, and the authorities here recognize him as a legitimate heir,” I told him.

“I understand, and I won’t say a word about this, although I would like to tell my mom the truth,” Sean replied.

I nodded. “That’s fine. Also, I wanted to check if she’s doing okay now. We’ve been worried about her and you since what happened to Sage.”

“She’s doing well. Actually, she’s now married to the Nephilim named Michael in there, and she’s very happy with him, just as I am with my wife and twins,” Sean reassured me.

He stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about us anymore. We’re doing fine, and we owe you and Jekia so much for what you did for us.

“I feel that even more for how you both saved and took care of Sevee’s son. I don’t know how we can ever repay you for everything.”

I smiled, gently patting my belly. “Maybe you can just stay in touch with us. Your dad was always a very close friend of Jekia’s, and as I said, he was also my good friend here.

“We’d love it if we could continue that friendship with you and your family.”

“I think we can manage that,” Sean agreed, returning my smile.

We chatted for a while longer before they finally decided it was time to leave. As I stood with my children, waving goodbye, I felt a mix of peace and longing in my heart.

It felt like I was finally closing a chapter of my life that had lingered for far too long.

Not only would Sage continue to be a part of our lives in some way, but now Jekia and I could also connect with Sage’s other children.

Jekia seemed to share my feelings as he returned, and we talked about various things while sitting outside with our boys.

“Do you think they’ll come back to see us again?” I asked.

“I think so, and it wouldn’t hurt for us to build relationships with their family.

“The Nephilim family that Sean married into is one of the three sanctioned families and is considered a crucial bridge between the worlds.

“It would be in our best interest to collaborate with them as much as we can,” Jekia advised.

“I want to see the other world soon. I bet it’s cool,” Rin piped up.

“Can we?” Rayne echoed.

Jekia raised his hand. “Hold on now. Maybe one day you will, but you’re still very young and have a lot to learn before that.”

“You’d be okay with that eventually?” I asked.

“I don’t see why not. I think it would be beneficial for them to know both sides of our worlds.

“But for now, we belong here. This is our home,” Jekia replied, giving me a peaceful smile.

I returned it, feeling that familiar sense of tranquility within me.

He was right. There might come a day when my children and I could visit the other side and I could see the mortal world again, but that didn’t need to happen anytime soon.

I was content with the life I had built here with the man I loved and our family.

After all, they were all I could ever need.

^End of Book One^