Epilogue Part II


    E’s POV


    Chaos was my new normal these days. Especially today, on Lucien’s sixth birthday.


    My son was currently running around with a wooden sword, chasing after his shrieking sisters. Lilith was the faster of the two, her blonde hair streaming behind her as she ducked behind a tree. Maria, slower but craftier, grabbed a stick of her own and turned to face her brother head–on.


    <b>“</b>You’ll never defeat me!” Lucien shouted, flourishing his sword.


    “Yes I will!” Maria charged at him with a roar.


    I watched from the porch, a smile tugging at my lips over my cup of tea. Alexander was beside me with his arm draped over my shoulders. The afternoon sun was warm on my face, and the smell of cake and grilled food made my mouth water.


    “Should we intervene before someone loses an eye?” Alexander asked.


    “Nah. They’ll learn their lesson better that way.” I grinned. “Besides, a good scar or two is necessary for a future Alpha, huh?”


    Alexander snorted. “At their current rate, they’re all gonna wind up as criminals.”


    He wasn’t wrong. The twins were five now, and they were handfuls. Lilith had my stubbornness and Alexander’s strategic mind. Maria had inherited a fierce protectiveness that reminded me of my mother, along with a mischievous streak that could only havee from me. Together, they were unstoppable, like a gale constantly billowing through the house.


    As for Lucien, he’d taken after Alexander more than I expected. He had grown into a sweet, thoughtful boy who loved his sisters even when they drove him crazy. He was gentle with them most of the time, but every now and then, he would get fed up and chase them around the yard with whatever makeshift weapon he could find.


    Like right now.


    “E!” Anya’s voice cut through my thoughts. I turned to see her walking up the porch steps, bncing a tray of cupcakes in her hands. She looked good–her hair was longer now, although she always wore it in a crown braid to keep it out of the way during her sewing. She was wearing one of her own designs: a flowing dress with pockets big enough to hide small sketchbooks and pincushions in. And sweets<b>, </b><b>of </b>course.


    “Need help with that?” I asked.


    “Nope. I’ve got it.” She set the tray down on the table and brushed her hands together. “Where do you want these?”


    “Wherever there’s space.” I gestured vaguely at the table, which was already overflowing with food and <b>decorations</b>.


    Anya had graduated from fashion design school two years ago, and she’d been running her own business ever <b>since</b><b>. </b><b>It </b>was small, but it was hers. She designed custom pieces for clients all over the territories, and she’d even <b>started </b>selling ready–to–wear collections online. She didn’t need Alexander’s money anymore. Didn’t need anyone’s money<b>, </b><b>really</b>. She was doing just fine on her own, taking care of her family, although they still lived in <b>their </b><b>cottage </b>on the property.


    <b>+25 </b>Bonus


    I was proud of her, but I was also d to have her around still. I didn’t know what I would do without her if she decided to leave.


    “Liam’s here,” she said suddenly, her cheeks turning pink.


    I raised an eyebrow. <b>“</b>Is he?”


    “Don’t start.”


    “I didn’t say anything.”


    “You’re thinking it.”


    I grinned. Afya had spent years ignoring Liam’s obvious interest in her, but something had shifted this year. She’d started looking at him differently. Started blushing when he was around. Startedughing at his jokes a little too hard.


    Liam, for his part, had spent thest five years traveling the world as a motivational speaker. He talked about his experiences with the camp his father forced him into as a kid, about quiet strength and internal validation. People loved him. He was good at it.


    But he always came back. Always found an excuse to visit. Andtely, those visits had gotten longer and more frequent.


    “He’s over by the grill,” Anya whispered, turning away. “How do I look?”


    “Beautiful. You should go say hi.”


    “I will. In a minute.” She pulled out a small hand mirror and began primping her braid.


    Iughed and left her to it.


    The party was in full swing now. Pack members from both Stormhollow and Ashw had shown up to celebrate Lucien’s birthday. Kids were running everywhere, and the adults had gathered in clusters, talking andughing. Hunter was manning the grill, flipping burgers with one hand and a beer in the other.


    I spotted Tony and Anthony near the dessert table. They both raised their sses at me as I passed. Their cancer treatment had finally hit the marketst month after years of trials and testing. It wasn’t a cure–all, but it was helping people. Saving lives. They’d done something incredible with my blood, something that mattered.


    Stormhollow was doing better now. It had taken five years of hard work, but the pack was finally stable. The infrastructure had been rebuilt. The financial records were clean. People trusted me. It wasn’t perfect. There were still daily challenges to tackle. But it was better. So much better than it had been under Richard’s rule.


    Alexander had been reelected as Alpha Kingst year. His first term had been rocky, but he’d pulled through The smear campaigns had eventually died down once people saw the results of his


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    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.