Epilogue

Epilogue
Cindy

Bryant needed to be careful. His eyes were sharp, scanning the Alpha’s grounds. If he lets his guard down, then he will be open to an attack.

But that was his first mistake. I watched him from the bushes, my gun ready and loaded. He’s been acting too careful. No matter how hard he tries, there is no way he will ever see this coming. 

I aimed. Ready or not, you won’t be the same after I’m done with you. 

I pulled the trigger.

Bryant yipped as a stream of water connected to his back. Once the shock wore off, he turned around and blankly stared as he let the water spray his face.

I hopped up from my hiding place, smiling. “Gotcha!”

He stayed in place. Water droplets dripped from his wet bangs. “Was all that really necessary?”

“What?” I placed the water gun on my shoulder. “Are you sour that you lost?”

Bryant wiped his face. He didn’t agree, but he didn’t deny it either. I smirked and glanced around. 

“Now, where are the others?”

Before I say another word, a splash of water hits my face. I used my hands to shield myself. Once it was over, my fingers balled into fists at my side. I was practically growling.

“Hey, that’s not how this works. You were already caught!” I argued.

Bryant turned and strode off. But I did make out a smirk. Not only that, but he even had the nerve to whistle. 

Jessica jumped out from behind the corner, gun at the ready, “Ah-hah.”

She saw me and Bryant, both soaked. She lowered her gun, pouting. “What did you idiots do?”

The sun shone brightly in the Highland pack. The threat was now gone. And the traitors? Eradicated. Thanks to Reiss taking the initiative, our packs had now gotten more comfortable with us. Friendships are being formed with the packs closest to us. I guess it’s true what they say, nothing brings people closer than a common enemy. 

It’s been around four months since the battle. It was summer vacation, which I definitely needed after that grueling torture that they call an exam. It took a while for the pack members to be comfortable with all these unknown wolves coming and going, but it gradually happened. Kind of. I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t a spat or two. Thankfully, it never grew into a deep issue. Just arguments due to differences in personalities. 

But the biggest surprise was what happened after the battle was over. Krystal and Berry committed to the promises they made to Emery. They cleared up the theft accusations, and that would have been enough for me, however, they took it a step further. 

Berry had warmed up to me. I didn’t know what caused the sudden change in her demeanor. She was friendlier, smiled more around me, and even helped me complete some tasks without scheming anything. She and Jessica might butt heads because of their differences, but they surprisingly worked well as a team. 

Krystral was busy with a new job, so I didn’t see her often. Despite that, if anyone dared to talk badly about me or spread rumors, she would be quick to correct them. Berry did the same. They were the two people closest to Emery, and since the wolves trusted Emery, they trusted their voices too. It also helped that I didn’t allow anyone to talk down to me.

Glen spent what free time he had studying with either his father or Reiss. His ambition to be there for the pack has only heightened. He no longer wanted to be a good Alpha, but a great Alpha. I can tell he looked to Reiss for inspiration. It warmed my heart to see them get along with each other so well. 

I got changed into dry clothes. Outside, some kids had joined in on the water fight with either miniguns or water balloons. I smiled, patting my hair dry with a towel. 

The door opened and I glanced over my shoulder. Cerberus was there, the shoulder of his sleeve wet. In his hand was a letter.

“The Council had sent an invoice,” He said.

I frowned. After all this time, we had heard nothing from them. Not a single thing. Do they have no shame after forcing us to do their job for them?

I strode up to him. “Have you read it?”

“Not yet since Reiss isn’t here. But his Luna is,” he said with a smirk. 

I knew what he wanted me to do and I smirked along with him.

I used a letter opener to tear into the envelope. The letter sitting was pristine and well taken care of. I removed it and started to read.\\

“Dear Alpha Reiss,

Good day to you. We would like to acknowledge your accomplishment and that of your comrades for all the work you do. After doing some revision, we have determined that Roger Bryce had failed to fulfill the role that he had so graciously been gifted. With that in mind, we will be stripping his family of all the assets under his name and using them as restitution for the victims. We heavily apologize for the pain he has caused. We want it to be known that this is not how the Council operates. Roger Bryce’s actions do not reflect us as an organization. 

That being said, the death of the chairman leaves a vacancy open for a responsible individual to be in charge of the Werewolf Shifters Division. After seeing the lengths you’ve gone to protect your fellow werewolves and humans, we have come to the agreement that you would be a great candidate for the Chairman Of Wolves. This is a position that would greatly benefit the members of your pack and elevate your pack’s status. Not to mention a very generous salary for all your hard work.

Please consider this offer carefully before getting back to us. We’re open to negotiations.

With pleasure,

The Council Of Shifters”

I had to stop myself from crumpling the paper. The frown on Cerberus’ face told me that he was just as happy as I was. 

How dare they? After sitting on their asses, now they’re acting like caring leaders.

“What’s with all the long faces?” Reiss asked. He and Glen had entered the house, bodies sweaty from hours of training. 

I took time off fuming to admire their builds. Hmm. Glen’s muscles were getting more developed by the week. Glen not so subtly contracted his muscles. I loved admiring him, and he loved when I appreciated his physique. 

I snapped out of it and handed Reiss the letter. “Our friends from the Council decided that they wanted to be the good guys after all.”

They read the letter. Reiss’ face had developed an expressionless mask. He headed straight for the stairs. 

We looked at each other, then swiftly followed him. 

Reiss ended up going to his office. He sat in his chair and opened the laptop. All of us hurdled behind him.

“Dear COS,

We have received your letter. Although we are grateful that the victims will receive some sort of compensation, I have to say that we are disappointed. The Highland, Maple, and other packs had suffered in a way that they should never have with this conflict when there was a council that was supposed to have our best interest at heart. There are numerous families that will never be the same after losing their loved ones. The previous chairman’s victims will be mentally scarred for the rest of their lives. While we do appreciate that you are taking action now, we do believe that the Council Of Shifters should consider the policies on which the organisation was built on and examine its management before coming to a decision as to who will take over his position. I trust that you will do what’s best for the future of the shifter world.

With exhaustion, 

Reiss, Highland Pack Alpha”

Reiss printed it, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to his Beta.

“Get in touch with the envoy. If he just left, then he shouldn’t be far away.”

Cerberus accepted it readily. Right away, Alpha.”

Cerberus started to walk off, but he stopped at the door. He glanced over his shoulder. The enthusiasm he’d displayed seemed to have left him. “What was that scent you had on you yesterday?”

My brows furrowed. “My scent? I wore some flowery perfume. Maybe that’s what you smelled.”

“No, it’s not that. It smelled… Forget it. It’s probably my mind making things up.”

He left the office, closing the door behind him. I thought hard about what he said. I didn’t do much yesterday except spend time with my family. We were cuddled together in our pajamas, watching a horror movie before falling asleep in the living room. Reiss picked me up early this morning. My little sis hugged me goodbye. I wonder what kind of scent caught his attention and caused him to react like that?

Later, Glen and I sat beside Reiss. In his bedroom, drinking lemonade. The two men were freshly bathed and wearing clean clothes. I sipped from my glass, smiling. What if we somehow combined the two packs? That way I wouldn’t have to make such a long journey. I shook my head. No, that wouldn’t work. There is too much distance. Plus, I can’t ask people to uproot their lives for my comfort. I should be grateful for what I have now and not ask for more. 

I glanced out the window. A man wearing sunglasses was walking up the path to our house. He looked up and saw me. The man in black took off his glasses. A smile slowly grew on Antonio’s face.

I smiled back at him. No matter what happens next, we’ll get through it just fine.