Epilogue

Epilogue....(self-edited so beware of mistakes)

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~~~~THREE DAYS LATER~~~~

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The rain poured heavily from the sky in torrents, plastering my clothes tightly to my skin. My hair was drenched and stuck to my face in curly tendrils but I paid it no mind.

If I were human, I would have been very cold, because this time of year the rain was icy and could be quite brutal. I glanced up briefly at the overcast sky, blinking away the drops that splattered against my face. The weather was perfectly suited for today. Today, we were honoring the werewolves that had died in the battle.

Three had died fighting the vampires. Rebekah, of course, had given her life so Cain would no longer walk this earth.

Another of the Black Mountains Pack members had gone down as well. I hadn’t been well acquainted with him, but I felt his loss through Gabriel.

I had been struck with no small amount of horror when I saw the last victim, because I recognized her. It was Bree, who had come with us on my first tour of the Black Mountains Pack. She had sparred with me during my first “test” upon coming to their land. Apparently she was brought down in a two-on-one fight, and had died valiantly. Still, my grief had worsened when I saw the others carrying her limp body.

The funerals for the latter two wolves had already come and gone, and their families carried away the bodies to have a few more minutes with them before nature took over.

Now, it was Rebekah’s turn.

I blinked away my grief-riddled thoughts as I saw my Mate’s large form approaching through the thick sheets of pouring rain. As always, the sight of Gabriel warmed my heart in ways I’d never thought possible. Even a day like today could not prevent my body’s natural reaction to him.

When he stood next to me, we locked eyes for a long moment. Rivulets of rain trickled down Gabriel’s face and this close, I could see the drops clinging to his dark eyelashes. His eyes were heavily-lidded with grief. I was sure I looked no better.

He had already laid Rebekah down on the large, flat rock, and the rest of the wolves were gathered on the other side of the massive clearing. The wolves that had formerly belonged to my pack were here, too, despite the fact that they hadn’t known her. Everyone knew of her sacrifice. She was a hero in our world, and apparently in the Angels’ world, too.

Thinking of Angels made my eyes flicker to where Raziel was standing, a few feet from Gabriel on his other side. The Angel’s ethereal features were inscrutable. I knew the concept of a werewolf funeral must have been uncomfortable to him, but he was vehement that it was what Rebekah wanted. I wondered when they’d had occasion to talk about it. Perhaps when she initially told him of her plan.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, an automatic reaction, when Gabriel’s fingers intertwined with mine and he pulled me to his side. I leaned my head against him, staring at the beautiful woman lying on the rock. Most of her body was covered, but her face had been left exposed so we could gaze upon her one last time.

Even in death, Rebekah looked commanding and regal. It was not hard to imagine her as a Luna. Her dark hair cascaded down the side of the rock, stuck to the surface because of the heavy rain.

Gabriel’s expression was smooth, but I felt his inner turmoil.

I squeezed his hand tightly, sending a wave of comfort through our mental bond. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Are you ready?” I asked quietly, so the others couldn’t hear.

He glanced at me and nodded once, pulling me even more tightly against him.

“It’s time.”

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When Gabriel and Raziel went to return Rebekah’s body to mother nature, as was custom, I wandered away from the clearing towards the nearest stream. It had been a beautiful and heart-wrenching funeral. The emotion had poured out of every wolf present, even those that hadn’t known Rebekah but for her sacrifice.

Gabriel had wanted me to come along with them, but some instinct deep down had told me it wasn’t my place. I was Gabriel’s Mate, so in some way I was Rebekah’s family, but I could sense that Raziel did not want me to accompany them. I couldn’t blame him. It seemed fitting that only her flesh-and-blood would accompany her to her final resting place.

When my aimless wandering finally brought me to the tiny nearby stream, I sat down on a rock next to the bank. The rain had slowed slightly but still fell relentlessly from the sky. I paid it no mind, letting it drip from my clothes and puddle on the rock around me as I sat in rumination.

The last three days were chaotic, but the simple knowledge that Cain was dead brought great relief to all of us. It was almost as if the air was cleaner now, knowing the bloodsucker and his coven weren’t around to pollute it.

I knew there was still a long journey ahead. I was Luna, and the vibrant red Mark on my pale skin was a daily reminder of how far I had to go. Gabriel’s Mark was still present, and I was going to cherish that fact every day. Maybe, in time, it would fade. Maybe it wouldn’t. All I knew was that I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

I couldn’t spend every day worrying about something that was not necessarily an inevitability. I wanted each moment with my Mate to count. I had to make up for lost time; especially for the years Gabriel had spent convincing himself he’d never have a Mate.

Finally, you’ve stopped overthinking everything and just trusted your instincts, my Wolf remarked wryly, and I rolled my eyes.

I tilted my head up, staring mindlessly up into the endless grey. I had a lot to be thankful for, really. I had met the one I was destined to love, and love him I did. My family and friends were safe. The pack would soon be constructing the third village, where a lot of us would be residing. And the two groups of werewolves were getting along exceedingly well, all things considered.

Still, there was some niggling thought at the back of my mind that I could not push away. Call it instinct, or sixth sense, or just my Wolf’s paranoia. But something told me that there was still going to be some great obstacle to overcome, whether one year from now or ten years from now. Or, perhaps I was paranoid.

With Gabriel by us, we can do it, my Wolf spoke up, smoothly and confidently. I agreed with her.

My Wolf’s tone suddenly grew more serious. He will definitely need us, though. He never really knew Rebekah, but she was still his mother.

He knows we’re here for him.

You should vocalize our feelings for him. I’m sure he senses them, but it can’t hurt to say it aloud.

Against my will, I felt my cheeks reddening with a blush. Of course, Gabriel had to know I loved him. But my Wolf had a point. I needed to say it aloud.

After another hour of deep thought, I heard Gabriel’s voice suddenly emanate in my head. Where are you?

I sent him a mental picture of where I was sitting, and I knew the instant he set off to come find me. The grief still riddled his thoughts, but a sense of peace was creeping it. His time alone with his family must have really helped.

I stood up to greet Gabriel when he emerged from the trees. I could not help but notice the way his eyes lit up when they met mine, and he made his way over to me in a few quick strides. His strong arms enveloped me, pulling me to his chest in a tight hug. I slowly inhaled his masculine scent, reveling in the calm that washed over me as I did so.

“It’s done,” he muttered quietly. I buried my face deeper in his chest, clutching him tightly for comfort. His shirt was soaking wet, and it was impossible to miss the hard contours of his chest beneath my hands. A prickle of heat emerged within me as Gabriel lowered his head, his nose skimming the side of my neck. His hot breath against my cool skin made me shiver.

“Are you okay?” I asked, trying to distract myself from my traitorous thoughts. I shouldn’t be focusing on such inappropriate things right now, not while Gabriel was grieving.

“I will be,” was his gruff reply. One of his hands trailed leisurely down my back, making my skin tingle.

I pulled away slightly and looked up at him, trying to emerge from the lustful fog that his presence always brought. “Where’s Raziel?” I asked, somewhat distractedly.

“He’s preparing to leave. He said that he wants to talk to you before he goes.”

I frowned in puzzlement, unsure why the Angel would ask for me specifically.

“Also, Jack contacted me. Your friend Maria is doing a lot better. It seems you helped her quite a lot.”

I mentally berated myself for nearly forgetting about Maria; all of the sorrow had distracted me. My best friend had been pretty badly injured in the battle. Eva had expended almost all of her energy healing everyone else, so I’d had to step in to aid Maria. It had been difficult at first, especially with my exhaustion, but I’d gotten my Affinity to emerge again. Seems I’d done some good. I made a mental note to visit her in the infirmary, as I hadn’t seen her since the night we’d gotten back.

The thought of my newfound ability to help people made my Wolf glow with pride. I could sense a similar emotion emanating from Gabriel.

“So, what now?” I murmured, drawing closer to my Mate again.

“We work on the new village. It will be a good distraction for those that are grieving.”

I wondered if Gabriel meant to include himself in that group. His eyes found mine, and a burning emotion glimmered in their depths.

“But, before that….”

The breath left my body abruptly as Gabriel’s hand fisted in the back of my hair, pulling it downwards so my chin tilted up. An instant later his mouth was crashing heatedly down upon mine, and all coherent thought deserted me. His kiss burned my lips and set my nerve endings on fire. When he pulled away before deepening the kiss, I felt incredibly bereft.

“I have to make up for leaving you.”

Slightly dizzy, I blinked and tried to get my bearings. “Y-you-“ I stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Gabriel’s eyes darted to my lips before meeting mine again. “Regardless of my intentions, I know I was wrong. And I’m sorry.” I could both hear and feel his sincerity and regret.

I opened my mouth to grant him forgiveness before my Wolf interrupted me.

I like this idea. Make him work to earn our forgiveness. Her tone was mischievous and I instantly caught onto her meaning. The old Skylar would have been too naïve and embarrassed to try something like this, but I was different now. I knew what I wanted and how I was going to get it.

I felt my lips quirk upward and I tried to school my expression into one of apathy. Part of me wondered if this was really a good time, before my logical brain realized that this was what Gabriel needed. It was my duty to provide him with comfort, companionship….and a distraction from his grief.

“Perhaps I can find it in me to forgive you…eventually,” I said slowly, keeping my eyes glued on his. I mentally willed my cheeks not to give away my shyness.

Gabriel’s expression was one of confusion before realization dawned, and one side of his mouth curved upward into a slight smirk. “Eventually?” He responded, an edge to his voice now.

I shrugged, feigning ignorance. “Well, you do have a lot of work to do.”

Gabriel’s arm wrapped around me and in a split-second I was pressed flush against him. He lowered his head until his mouth hovered just over the exposed Mark on my neck. His hot breath swirled around the scar, sending delicious tingles shooting throughout my body. Slowly, deliberately, Gabriel pressed his mouth against the Mark. I couldn’t help the gasp of pleasure that escaped me, and my hands automatically fisted in his shirt.

His voice was husky when he pulled away to speak, and I knew the more primal side of his nature was emerging.

But before Gabriel could echo the lustful thoughts swirling in his head, he suddenly froze and his brow creased in agitation. I was about to ask why when I caught a scent on the breeze: Raziel. The Angel was nearby and quickly approaching. Gabriel turned to face me, bringing his free hand to cup my cheek.

“He wants to speak to you alone.” His expression was regretful.

I was still puzzled as to what the Angel wanted, and a bit angry that the moment had been ruined, but I nodded anyway. “I guess I’ll catch up to you.” My tone clearly gave away how I felt about the situation.

“We’ll talk about…this….later.” There was a promise evident in his eyes.

Gabriel planted a light kiss on my lips before turning to leave, but my Wolf’s statements from earlier came back to me and I rushed forward. I had to speak before my courage deserted me. I knew it might come out as abrupt, but this was my chance to say it. There was no sense in waiting any longer.

“Wait, Gabriel.” I bit my lip as he turned to face me expectantly.

“I just….well, after everything that happened, I don’t see the point of hesitancy anymore. Which is kinda funny, because I was always the most hesitant person before. Cowardly, even. But now I feel braver. Especially since Cain is dead, and there aren’t any other threats around. Yet. So I think it’s time to tell you how I feel. Now I know this might come across as a weird time, but I want to say it before Raziel gets here. So, Gabriel, I want to tell you-“

“I know, Skylar.”

I froze, mouth gaping open, staring up at him. I hadn’t realized how badly I’d been rambling, but Gabriel’s faint look of amusement confirmed it. As his words sank in, though, I just didn’t care anymore. I felt my spirits soar as I recognized the emotion he channeled through our bond.

Gabriel’s eyes contained a burning, fiery, overpowering sentiment that I could now place. It radiated through our mental link, and I knew I was returning it. And despite the fact that I hadn’t vocalized my love for him, he knew. I wondered if Gabriel had known how deep my feelings ran as soon as he Marked me.

These thoughts were interrupted as Raziel’s scent grew stronger. The still-foreign smell was accompanied by the rustling of undergrowth as he pushed his way through none-too-gently. The Angel swiftly came into sight, walking quickly, electric gaze focused on me. He briefly nodded at Gabriel who, with one last, lingering look at me, departed and left the two of us alone. I got the impression we would continue our conversation in depth later.

I turned to face Raziel as he stopped a few feet away. I was still distracted by what Gabriel had said, and I blinked a few times to emerge from the happy daze. Clearly this must have been important for the Angel to come out here.

Evening was approaching, and the rain had stopped during my time with Gabriel. The Angel’s dark hair was still slightly damp, and I could detect the obvious grief in his normally unfathomable eyes. I idly wondered just how old Raziel was. His emotions seemed so…mortal…but every time I was in his presence, I could sense the otherworldly aura about him.

“I am leaving shortly after this,” he began, eyes searching mine. What he was looking for, I did not know.

“Thank you for your help…for everything,” I replied, unsure what else to say.

“I should be thanking you. You’re the one good thing that’s ever happened to Gabriel.”

“You helped us take down Cain, though. Our packs will forever be grateful.”

Raziel sighed, running his hand slowly through his hair. “Cain was a menace. I only wished I could have helped more.” I got the impression that his regret wasn’t really directed towards me.

“She really liked you,” He continued, and I knew exactly to whom he was referring.

“She must’ve been a wonderful Luna,” I said softly, echoing my thoughts from earlier.

“She may have been half-werewolf, and that may have been the heritage she stuck to, but she had all the makings of a true Angel.” Raziel’s mouth twisted in contemplation and he gazed upwards at the sky, almost as if he could see Rebekah there. I wondered if she was watching over us.

“Heaven agreed with you,” I replied.

His gaze returned to settle on my face, and I tried not to show my discomfort at the intensity. I didn’t think I’d ever completely get used to Raziel’s presence, not the way I was used to other werewolves.

“That goes with what I wanted to talk to you about, Skylar.” For some reason, I got the impression that Raziel was slightly more tense than before. I nodded for him to go on.

“While Heaven seems incredibly distant to you, as it does to all mortal creatures, the Angels aren’t completely ignorant to what goes on down here.”

I frowned, perturbed. “So they watch over Earth?”

“In a way. They don’t care about most day-to-day dealings, of course, but certain things…..interest them.”

“Like what?”

“Like Cain’s death,” was his short reply. I blinked in surprise, some awareness being triggered in the back of my mind. My Wolf stirred uncomfortably.

“They care about vampires? Wouldn’t they just think of them as….” I tried to find the right word.

“Scum? Indeed, they do.” The Angel crossed his arms over his chest, looking contemplative. “But Cain has been around for as long as some Angels have. He was one of the biggest scourges on this Earth. He left quite a stain, so to speak.”

My mind vainly tried to put together exactly where Raziel was going with this. I must have looked confused because he sighed and continued,

“The death of a great evil like that is something to celebrate. It’s a “big deal”, so to speak, even in Heaven.”

“So they’re…proud of us for killing him?” I felt like I was grasping at straws.

“You’ve caught their attention. Such a heroic feat does not go unnoticed.” Raziel’s eyes bored into me, and for some reason I got the impression that he didn’t think capturing Heaven’s attention was a good thing, despite how his words sounded.“More specifically, I should say Gabriel has caught their attention. He did the deed, and he has the Angel lineage.”

I swallowed, feeling a burst of nervousness for reasons I couldn’t explain. “You’re saying that’s a bad thing?”

“All I’m saying, Skylar, is that you all did well. But just know that you should keep an eye out. You’ve attracted Heaven’s attention.” His tone was solemn, but the Angel wasn’t finished.

“They’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

“What? We’ll have a bunch of Holy beings watching us, because we killed a vampire?” Now I was intensely disturbed. I glanced up at the sky surreptitiously as if I could see winged creatures lurking above.

“Don’t take this warning lightly. I thought you had the right to know.”

“Did you tell Gabriel? Should I?”

Raziel’s jaw clenched, and he slowly shook his head. “I would not recommend it. Now I have to go, Skylar. I’ve said enough.”

To my surprise and irritation, after speaking so cryptically, the Angel turned to leave.

“Good-bye, Skylar. Take care of Gabriel. He will need you.” He was making his way in the opposite direction of the village. The words rung with warning, an ominous promise.

I made an exasperated noise. “You’re just going to say something like that and then leave?”

Raziel hesitated, still turned away from me. A few seconds trickled by in complete silence, and I felt my frustration building. Before I could add anything else, though, he turned back over his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure I will be seeing you two again…sooner than you think.”

With that, he was gone.

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Later that night, I lay in bed next to my Mate, the man I loved. I was curled against him, our fingers interlaced and my cheek resting against his chest. I was sure my cheeks were lightly flushed. I could feel the faint sheen of sweat coating Gabriel’s skin and my own was dewy with perspiration.

If I’d had any doubts at all about how Gabriel felt about me, they were now erased after our lovemaking. He’d put every ounce of passion and affection into it, and I’d felt the sincerity of his apology resounding throughout our bond. His guilt still lingered, no matter how many times I told him I’d forgiven him for leaving me.

Truly, I understood why he’d left. It had hurt, but his actions had been selflessly motivated. Come to think of it, nearly everything Gabriel had ever done had been for a selfless reason.

I had been so wrong about him. I’d hated him and his pack from the day they’d started taking our land, mostly because of actions his father had taken before Gabriel was Alpha. I could still remember the vehemence with which I’d renounced him the day before the Meeting. Now, though. I knew better. Gabriel’s actions against my pack had been cruel at times, but he’d been providing for his own in the way he’d been taught. He didn’t want the power or land for himself….everything was for the Black Mountains Pack.

I could never think of my pack’s suffering in a positive light, but I knew what made Gabriel do what he did. Hopefully, he could go about things more peacefully now that I was Luna.

“Thank you,” came Gabriel’s quiet voice, interrupting my thoughts. I tilted my head up to examine his face. His eyes were half-closed, and I realized how exhausted he still looked. His eyelids began to droop as I watched.

“For what?” I asked, just as quietly.

Gabriel was silent for a long moment. As a minute passed, then two, without a response from him, I figured I wouldn’t get an answer. As I was about to return to my former position and close my own eyes, he spoke again.

“For being mine.”

My cheeks warmed and I felt a rush of excitement at the frank words. I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face as I rested my cheek on his chest again, wrapping my arm around the large torso. I didn’t need to formulate a response to that; Gabriel could sense the emotions infused in our mental link. I wondered if I’d ever get used to the soaring feeling I got in my stomach when my Mate claimed me as his.

Gabriel surprised me by letting out a small snort of derision. “And he said I would never be able to love.” He wrapped his arm around me and drew me even closer until our bodies were melded into one.

This brought me up short; I was at a loss for words. Hearing the word “love” escape Gabriel’s mouth in conjunction with me left me feeling lightheaded and dizzy. I had sensed the emotion through our bond, but by vocalizing it, it was just that much sweeter.

I had no doubt that the “he” to whom Gabriel referred was his father, David. The cruel Alpha that had been the first to start treating my pack like dirt, and apparently treated his own family worse. I couldn’t help the morbid curiosity that struck me as I wondered what ever had happened to Gabriel’s father. He never told me, but at a time like this, when my Mate was only temporarily distracted from his grief, I knew I shouldn’t ask.

Still, the thought of David telling his own son that he would never love made my blood boil. I vehemently hoped that he had gotten what was coming to him.

When I glanced up at him again, I realized Gabriel was asleep. I’d never seen him so peaceful. In fact, I’d never seen him sleep at all. I let my eyes run over the regal features, sculpted lips, and firm jawline. In sleep, he didn’t exactly look like the savage Alpha that his reputation made him out to be.

Perfect, my Wolf thought.

Ours, I replied. She growled agreement.

I watched him sleep unabashedly for several minutes before deciding it was time I do the same.

Yet, when I pulled the blanket up over my body and inhaled the masculine scent surrounding me, sleep would not come. When I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for it to take me away, I was still left wide awake. My Wolf stirred in my mind, something agitating her and leaving her uncomfortable. I tried to soothe her, not wanting the emotions to wake Gabriel up.

It only took me a minute longer to realize what was bothering me.

It was what Raziel said earlier. I could not get the Angel’s words out of my head. As I lifted my head again and gazed upon Gabriel’s face, seeing him sleep for the first time, the cryptic phrases echoed in my mind and kept me awake and restless. I gently ran my fingers down his peaceful face. I was unwilling to burden him with what Raziel had told me. I wanted Gabriel’s face to be this worry-free forever.

Careful not to wake him, I snuggled even closer, inhaling his scent in an effort to calm my Wolf. Like me, Raziel’s words had left her restless. I pressed my hands flat against Gabriel’s contoured chest. I was happy, and I was in love. Cain was dead. Despite our losses, I should be fast asleep next to my Mate.

But, even as I lay there, my eyes remained wide open. Despite the major obstacles we had just overcome, I could not sleep.

Because even though I knew we were safe here, and I knew that I was just beginning  a long and happy life with Gabriel, Raziel’s warning lingered. Because even though I should be thinking about how many pups we would have and what our home in the third pack village would look like, my eyes inevitably kept darting upwards….fixating on the ceiling, as if my gaze could bore through it and into the night sky beyond.

As I remained awake and unnerved, I knew I was still far away from sleep tonight despite the bright future ahead of me.

Because regardless of my happiness, my instincts would not let me sleep, and Raziel’s warning rang true in the back of my mind: no matter how far away they were, or what dimension or universe they were in, the Angels—powerful beings beyond my comprehension—were there.

Watching us.