Epilogue 1
Despite Kier saying he would think about coming to our mating ceremony, I'm not surprised when he doesn't attend the midnight ceremony a few days later. Our brief meeting hasn't left me with the impression he likes to be around people.
Still, the night is as simple and as perfect as I was hoping. Marshall and I wear white. Him in a pair of white trousers, and nothing else, while I'm in a plain white dress that hits my knees and my hair loose.
The moonlight shines brightly overhead as surrounded by our pack, and family, Marshall and I invite the pack to share their joy with us as a newly mated pair.
This is nothing like the moon-blessing ceremony that Talis and Dayne had. Those haven't been popular in years. Decades. Or maybe in some packs they still are, I don't know.
But this version doesn't involve me and Marshall having sex in front of everyone. This is the Blackshaw moon-blessing ceremony. An event where it's as much about the pack celebrating the love and coming together of a newly mated pair as it is about the couple. It's about family. It's about remembering what we mean to each other and our determination to stay family. No matter what.
Although it's bittersweet not having Savannah and Jeremy here, she's been hinting in her texts and phone calls that they might not be in Paris for long.
Regan and Jackson couldn't attend either because they've been overwhelmed by an influx of shifters in search of a new home. Some are lone wolves who've never had a home before, and never known what that feels like, so I imagine they have a lot of challenges to deal with. But with Regan there, I can't think of anyone better to show them what a home is-what a home should be. And if there's trouble, I doubt there are many shifters who'll continue it for long when faced with Jackson Stone.
So, it's just us for now, though with the end of Talis' pregnancy fast approaching, I hope we can all come together to celebrate the first pack birth since Dayne became alpha.
After a long run together in the Blackshaw Forest, followed by Dayne and the rest of the pack wishing me and Marshall lasting happiness, we dress and head for home.
As the night is a mild one on our walk back from the lake, none of us are in a hurry to get back to the house. Since Talis is yawning more and more, I doubt she's going to stay up eating, drinking, and playing games in the den with the rest of us.
We're all moving so slowly that when Hallee suddenly sprints off ahead, we all notice. She's been quiet these last couple of days, a lot quieter than any of us are used to seeing. That Nathan hasn't been able to provoke her into an argument makes me think that what's going on is serious.
When we step through the forest and find Kier leaning against the back porch, looking like he's waiting for us, Hallee's sprint suddenly makes sense. So does her sudden quietness.
Despite Hallee getting to him before we do, he gives her no more than a passing glance before focusing his attention on a frowning Dayne.
Other than a brief nod at me, he doesn't offer a smile. He looks so sober that I'm sure something bad must've happened for him to be here so late, or that more of the shifters have come looking to cause more trouble.
As if sensing my unease, Marshall tugs my hand until I'm under his shoulder. "It's okay, I don't think it's anything too bad."
I dart a glance up at him. "You read that?" I ask. "From me?"
He smiles. "Jellybean, I don't need the mating bond to read you. I can do that without it."
Yes, he probably can. He's proven it repeatedly during our search for a new place which gives me the isolation I crave, but also the short distance that Marshall needs to get to his garage. He keeps saying distance isn't an issue as long as I'm happy, but it's an issue for me.
Right now, we're staying at my place, even though I keep telling him that I'd rather stay at his while we continue the house search.
Although we've looked at a couple of places, I know pretty much straight away if it's not right, and one glance in my face has Marshall turning around and telling the realtor that this isn't the one.
But we'll keep looking, and I'm sure we'll find something perfect for the both of us. And if not, then it's more important for Marshall to be close to town than for me to get what I want.
Marshall has said he's found a place that could be perfect, and we'll be going to check it out tomorrow afternoon. It's further out of town than I'm happy about, but he's insistent on us seeing it.
Just before Marshall dips his head to kiss me, Kier and Dayne's conversation distracts me, and I turn to listen.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not here for the ceremony. I need to talk to you for five minutes if you have the time. I wouldn't intrude on this special night if it wasn't important," Kier says.
Dayne's frown deepens. "I understand. Come to my office. What is it about?"
"The commission," Kier says, as they turn away from the rest of us. "I'm heading out of town to deal with a situation I can't delay any longer. I'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Leaving?" Hallee's soft voice has us all turning to face her.
She looks, for want of a better word, devastated, and I'm not the only one who heads in her direction to comfort her.
"But I thought…" Her voice trails off.
Kier pauses on the porch steps and looks at her for the first time. "I made it clear before, Hallee, there's no future for us. I have no interest in a mate. You'd be better off setting your sights elsewhere. I'm sorry."
Without waiting for a response, he continues up the porch steps with Dayne, who darts a glance at Talis before he and Kier disappear inside.
Talis approaches Hallee and places a hand on her arm. At the light touch, her face crumples, and tears fill her eyes. "Oh, Hales, I'm sorry. I'm sure that-"
"No." Hallee's voice is sharp as she dashes her tears away. Her face morphs into fierce determination as she stalks toward the cars parked at the front of the house.
"Where are you going?" Luka calls out.
"To buy handcuffs," Hallee snaps as she yanks her car door open.
We glance at each other.
"But it's after midnight. There are no shops open," Marshall comments.
"I'll drive to the next town over. They have a big Target." Hallee sounds as if she's got everything all planned out. Her confidence suggests one way or another she's not ending this night-or early morning at this point-without a pair of handcuffs in her possession.
"Never mind the shops being open," Nathan says. "What I'd like to know is what you intend to do with the handcuffs?"
Hallee pauses. Her large brown eyes narrow with focused intensity. "If Kier Savage thinks it's going to be that easy to get rid of me, then he's in for a rude awakening."
She climbs in her car and slams the car door so hard I can't help but flinch. Then she takes off into the night.
When Nathan clears his throat, we all turn to face him.
"But I still don't understand what she's going to do with the handcuffs. Like, handcuff them together? Would that even work with shifters? Because I don't think it would."
None of us have an answer for him.
Will Hallee get her handcuffs? Does Target even sell handcuffs?