Epilogue - 2
Epilogue - 2
Avery
Her belly is huge—she's due any day now—and Damian is right behind her, one hand steadying her while the other carries a cooler of beer.
"Sorry we're late!" Rachel calls out, slightly breathless. "Someone decided to take forever getting ready."
"I didn't want to rush!" she protests, swatting at Damian's arm with her free hand. "The damn Damian keeps telling me to rest! I'm so fucking sick of hearing that word!"
I can't help but laugh. "Oh, so now you know how I felt when you kept telling me to rest when I was pregnant! I remember you being very concerned about my resting habits!"
The group erupts in laughter, and even Rachel joins in, though she's still grumbling under her breath about overprotective mates.
"Uncle Julian!"
Razor's excited shout cuts through our conversation, and we all turn to see a familiar figure emerging from the tree line. Julian is carrying a large wooden bucket, and even from here I can see it's filled with fresh fruit floating in what looks like ice-cold stream water.
My heart does a little flip of surprise. Julian has been living alone in that forest cabin since... well, since Clara died.
He turned into this solitary bookworm overnight, kind of like Oliver used to be, preferring his own company to pack life.
He even gave up his Gamma position to Damian so he could focus on his hermit lifestyle.
We all accepted it because we understood he needed time and space to grieve. But I had no idea he was planning to join us today.
Razor has already broken free from our little gathering and is now wrapped around Julian's leg like a tiny monkey.
"Uncle Julian! I missed you! Daddy, look! Uncle Julian brought fruit!"
Julian looks genuinely pleased by the enthusiastic reception, reaching down to ruffle Razor's dark hair. "Little Razor, good to see you! I hope I'm not too late?"
"You're never too late," Dominic says warmly, and I can hear the relief in his voice. "Razor's been asking about you every day. He keeps asking when he'll see Uncle Julian again."
Rachel grins, still trying to catch her breath from the walk. "I think that's just natural nephew-uncle affection! Some bonds are just meant to be."
Julian actually blushes a little at the attention, looking uncomfortable but pleased. "I brought fresh fruit from the stream. Thought everyone might enjoy something cool."
As everyone settles into the picnic, I find myself looking around at all these faces—my family, my pack, my chosen people.
Rachel is arguing with Damian about whether she should be sitting on the ground in her condition.
Ethan is trying to help Lyra distribute pastries while keeping the two girls from getting into the food before everyone's ready.
Dominic is deep in conversation with Julian about pack business, while Razor and Tierra chase each other in circles around us.
This is what I fought for. This messy, chaotic, beautiful family that chose each other despite everything we've been through.
I think about the woman I used to be—broken, afraid, convinced I was worthless. That Avery could never have imagined a life like this. Could never have believed she deserved this kind of happiness.
But here I am, surrounded by people who love me exactly as I am. Watching my children grow up safe and protected. Married to a man who sees me as his equal, his partner, his everything.
The conversation flows around me—updates about pack business, plans for Rachel's baby, stories about the kids' latest adventures.
Julian even shares a few stories about his solitary forest life, though he keeps them light and humorous.
As the sun starts to sink lower in the sky, painting everything in golden light, I feel Dominic's hand find mine. He squeezes gently, and when I look at him, I see my own contentment reflected in his crimson eyes.
Goodbye to my old life, I think, watching Tierra and Razor play while the adults chat and laugh around us. Everything that comes next is going to be beautiful.
The End