69. Epilogue 1
THREE WEEKS LATER –
SEBASTIAN.
Life has been great. We spent New Year’s out in the mountains, and it was the perfect time, getting to talk about everything and enjoying that time alone.
Simply making up for lost time. It was memorable, and there was plenty of time to simply enjoy each other’s company as well as with the children and still have time to make love.
I could never get enough of her, and every kiss and every smile just made me fall harder for her, something I didn’t even think could be possible.
We returned once Zaia’s work was completed and then getting her all settled into our new home took a little time. Not to mention the kids bringing everything as well.
I’m looking forward to having my pups there constantly in the mansion I had built from scratch for our family, hoping that one day I would have her here beside me and that there will no longer be silent days.
It’s incredible to see the twin sinks in the master bedroom being used every morning, see her beauty products on the counter beside mine and enjoy the large shower together.
The happiness of falling asleep and waking up to her face every morning is unexplainable.
Regarding my proposal, we’ve planned to simply sign our marriage papers and have a small dinner in the evening with our loved ones in a few weeks, since neither of us wants something big. Although if she did want something big, I would have willingly agreed.
I liked the idea and so did the rest of our family. Everyone’s happy for us and today we are having a little get- together with our close friends and family.
Zaia looks gorgeous, wearing an elegant black backless dress that hugs her sexy figure as she talks to Valerie about the food.
I’m sitting here, a glass of wine in my hand, unable to keep my eyes off her and thinking of how I’m going to fuck her tonight.
“She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” I turn to look at the man who has just spoken, and Atticus takes the seat beside me as he looks over at Zaia.
“Yes, obviously,” I reply coldly. He smiles as he swirls his wine in his glass.
“I’m happy for the both of you, she’s always loved you and I hated that you kept hurting her,” he says softly, the music is loud enough that talking quietly can blend in a little and the children are playing and laughing too.
“I know,” I say quietly. “You’ve never been competition for me.”
He smirks as he nods. “I know, and I realised that five years ago.”
He means it. I can see it in his eyes, and I feel a sliver of guilt. “Good to know.”
“Just keep her happy, because she deserves the world.”
“She sure does,” I respond, drinking my wine. I watch as she turns, bending down to adjust the trays on the far table.
That ass… I shift in my seat, trying not to get turned on and instead force myself to look at Atticus. “I heard that you and Zaia were working with Cole?”
“Ah yes, we’re working on a training course up there on his pack grounds as he has the land to accommodate it, especially for ranked wolves. It would be good for us to have some form of training available.
“Yeah, an incredible idea of hers,” I say, making Atticus chuckle.
“Well, of course, she is the Alpha,” he responds with a small smile.
“That she is…”
I watch her, feeling proud of her, just as Hugh walks in with Shelby on his arm and Dad on his other side as they laugh over something Dad has said.
I smirk as I sit forward. “Well… I hope the two end up happily married. I’d love to see you and Zaia as step- siblings, I taunt, making Atticus frown. Smirking, I stand up.
That one’s for you Jai. He may be gone, but I won’t ever forget him.
“Sebas-” I don’t bother waiting for him to finish. Downing my glass and placing it down, I stride over to my girl, grabbing her from behind and kissing her neck.
“Bastien!” she exclaims, before relaxing against me and tilting her head up.
“Zaia,” I respond in the same tone before claiming her lips against mine.
Life is indeed fucking perfect…
VALERIE.
Life has changed a lot and with time, the pain becomes bearable. I lost the man I loved, yet I am still bound to the man who killed him.
A man who somehow always makes me curious about what goes on within his mind. It’s been five years, yet he has not once spoken a word, almost as if he’s taken a vow of silence.
Cara was exiled from the pack when her sentence was over, like Annalise, but Zade? He still remains in prison… his sentence will be completed when I deem it fulfilled. A decision Sebastian had decided to leave to me when he himself wanted to tear him apart.
It’s been on my mind, yet despite no pressure from anyone, I’m not sure what to do…
I had told Zaia to make the decision, or even Sebastian, but both said it was my call and stuck by it.
No one knows that, but… knowing that it’s in my hands, I feel conflicted. Deep down I feel he’s served his sentence but at the same time, I’m not sure… Not sure if one can ever serve enough time for taking someone’s life, but he has behaved in the last five years.
He won’t eat or let anyone administer the vitamin serum. Yet, when I go down there, he remains still – allowing me to do what I need to… Simply watching me everyone knew it… knew that he would only behave for me even if they didn’t know that we are mates…
For the last few months, I’ve wondered about it more so… but now, seeing Zaia happy with Sebastian, I’m taking it as a sign that it’s time to move on from the past too.
“Are you ok, Val?” Zaia asks as she tugs free from Sebastian, who is clearly ready to fuck her right here if he could. I’m happy they’re together again because they have always loved only one another.
“I’m fine,” I say, smiling at her, but she tilts her head, knowing me better than that.
“Talk to me, if you like.” She says gently, I love how she always respects my boundaries.
“It’s about Zade,” I admit, turning the heat beneath the grilled chicken strips to low.
“What is it?” she asks with concern, a wave of sadness clouding her eyes.
I stare at the blue flame, frowning slightly.
“I think we should let him out, let him leave the pack… even if that means under curfew or whatever,” I say quietly. “I don’t want to have to watch him any longer. I want him gone.”
Sebastian pauses, and I know he’s listening as he turns back to face us.
“Despite what he’s done, he did stand down and has remained in prison for the last five years. I want to move on too. I don’t want to have to visit him every few days to make sure he lives.” I say quietly, there were times I never visited him, and when he fell unconscious, someone would give him the nutrition he needed but I hated seeing him in that state, although he is a killer, I’m nothing like him and I have compassion even for those who don’t deserve it.
“I think it’s a good decision. He’s behaved, and maybe he can go somewhere where he can try to find a purpose in life,” Zaia says with a small smile.
I’m glad she’s reassuring me and not just because I said it, this makes me feel better…
I nod, and she hugs me tightly. I close my eyes, hugging her back. I’m grateful for both her and Atticus. They’ve both always been there for me.
Jai… if you were here, I know you’d be in agreement with me, because you were always forgiving, no matter what someone did, you always gave them chances… always saw the best in people, even when I didn’t think some people had any good in them, you did…
I’m doing the right thing, right Jai?
A sudden sharp wind blows, swirling around me, and I freeze, pulling away from Zaia as I look up at the sky. The glowing moon shines down on me and I stand there frozen as the wind stills.
I suddenly smile and nod.
Yes. I am doing the right thing…
