Epilogue

^ONE YEAR LATER^

RHIANNON

I’m pacing nervously outside of Isaac’s office. He had to go to the pack house today for a morning meeting.

Of course I would do this today.

I didn’t plan it like this. I just get so lost in him when we’re together. After he left for the morning, I had a moment of clarity.

I don’t know what I would do without Laren. She always comes through when I need her. In my panic, I didn’t know what to do, but she was cool as a cucumber.

I turn again, walking my little path, wearing the carpet down in front of his door.

The door opens abruptly, and Isaac peeks his head out, his brows knit in confusion.

“Why are you just standing out here? Come in.” His voice is soft, but I know he’s concerned. He can sense my nervousness.

I follow him into his office. When he sits in his chair, he gestures for me to join him. My heart beats like a drum in my chest, banging so loudly I can hear it. I’m sure he can, too.

I sit on his lap and keep my eyes down, looking at his hands. We sit quietly for a moment. I can feel him waiting, curious.

“Little mate?” his voice hums lightly, sending a pleasant shudder down my spine.

I let out a shaky breath before turning slightly and looking into his eyes.

“Isaac,” my voice raspy, whispering, filled with nerves, “I… I’m pregnant.”

“What?”

When I peek up at him, his face is covered in a million-dollar smile. His eyes are bright and excited.

“Did you just say…?” he asks, disbelieving.

A small smile creeps across my lips.

He jumps up from the chair, pulling me further into his arms as he kisses me with desperate force.

The kiss is dizzying. I have to steady myself against his chest. I can feel his heart under my palm, beating wildly.

“Does anyone else know?”

“Laren bought the tests, but she doesn’t know the results.”

“We’re having a baby?”

I nod as a laugh bursts from my lips. He looks like a child being given a puppy. The carefree smile on his face makes me wonder why I was nervous to tell him.

“Let me call the pack doctor. I’m sure she can see you today.”

As he makes the phone call, my mind drifts. I think back over the last year. Isaac is everything I ever dreamed of having in a man.

If he’s even half as good at being a father as he is at being a mate, then our baby is incredibly lucky.

“Ann?” His voice makes me blush—he must have been talking to me.

“Hmm?”

“She’ll see us right now.” He’s adorably excited as we leave his office.

We have to pass the outdoor training center to get to the medical facilities. Everyone waves and smiles as we walk slowly and watch Rhodes spar with a young warrior in training.

He has become one of the favorite trainers here. Isaac placed him in charge of the youth warriors.

We both stop behind the fence, watching them, impressed by the hard work and dedication the next generation of warriors has displayed.

I find myself feeling a deep swell of pride, like a mother looking at her child.

Isaac squeezes my hand. “We can come back and watch later, Luna, let’s go,” he says, his smile wide.

Dr. Cooper is waiting for us when we arrive. She takes us quickly back to an exam room before anyone can see us here.

As I lie back on the table, Isaac looks nervous. I squeeze his hand as she rolls a Doppler over my exposed stomach.

The grainy black-and-white screen rolls over an open, black area.

Then we see it.

My breath hitches in my throat and Isaac squeezes my hand tighter.

“There is your baby,” Dr. Cooper tells us, pointing out the head, arms, and legs, the tiny flickering heart.

She pulls a small line across the body. “Measuring right on schedule with your dates, eight weeks and three days,” she says with a smile. “Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”

Isaac chokes out, “Yes.” His voice is serious and he looks overwhelmed.

She clicks a few buttons and a rhythmic whooshing sound fills the room.

For a moment we don’t move, completely mesmerized by the sound, the tiny beating heart of our baby.

Isaac rolls his neck and wipes his eyes, trying to act casual, but I can feel him through the bond, the love pouring from him.

Dr. Cooper prints us a strip of pictures and takes a few blood samples for different tests.

When she leaves the room, Isaac pulls me into his arms and kisses me like he’s been desperate to do it all day.

“We’re having a baby,” he whispers as he pushes his forehead to mine.

I inspect the strip of pictures. “It kind of looks like a shrimp with human arms and legs.”

He snorts, “Don’t say that about our baby!”

“We should throw a party! We can gather the pack together for a celebration and we’ll announce it then.”

He rolls his eyes. “Is this idea coming from you, or Laren?”

“Me!” It’s the truth, but I definitely thought of how excited she would be before I suggested it.

“The blue moon is in three weeks,” he says. “We can have a celebration for that.”

“That’s perfect!”

“Do you think you can keep it a secret for that long?”

I place my hand on my chest in mock offense. “Yes! Can you?”

He bites back a smile—he’s going to have a harder time being quiet about this than I am. I know he’s going to spill to Beta Noah and Rhodes as soon as he sees them.

“I love you, Rhiannon.” He rubs his fingers softly over my mark before bringing his hand down to my stomach, emotions swirling in his eyes.

“I love you.” I kiss him softly. “Let’s go plan a party!”

He rolls his eyes but he can’t hide it from me, he’s warmed up to parties over the last year. It might have something to do with our time spent in the supply closet.

His eyes darken and he bites his lip; I know he’s already thinking about it. He groans against my lips.

“Maybe we can stop at home first?” His voice is raspy and low.

Looks like party planning is going to have to wait...

^The End^