Epilogue

Kerry

The smell of freshly cleaned hardwood floors and bittersweet excitement lingered in the air as Kerry stepped into the banquet hall with Demetria.

They’d spent the last week alone in his house, healing from the guilt that Demetria held inside.

It’d taken Kerry days to convince her to go shopping for a dress for the coronation.

It’d taken him even longer to convince her that none of this was her fault. He wasn’t sure she really believed him, but she believed him enough to attend the coronation.

It was her niece being announced as Luna. She had to be there.

Kerry tucked Demetria into the crook of his arm and admired the way she twisted her hair into a braid on top of her head, and the way it exposed her slender neck. He’d made her pick out an expensive dress, one that curved to her body, and showcased just enough, but not too much because Kerry’s wolf wasn’t having any of that.

Kerry caught a glimpse of Dan and Cynthia sitting at a round table in the midst of the main floor. They didn’t use the room often, but they did for parties and whatnot. Grace had outdone herself with an amazing setup and even invited a neighboring pack from two towns over.

The pack needed a party with good food, and dancing, after the funeral of Alpha Davers, and the other wolves.

“You want to sit by Dan and Cynthia?” Kerry leaned in and asked over the music.

Demetria glanced at the bar. “I need some wine first. I’ll meet you over there. Do you want one?”

“A beer,” Kerry said.

Demetria slipped through the crowd of new faces, while Kerry grabbed two seats with Dan and Cynthia. Dan looked more uncomfortable than Cynthia, most likely because he was a lycan tossed into the middle of a wolf party.

Cynthia beamed over at him when he sat down. “Grace did such a great job decorating. I offered to help her, but she was dead set on doing it herself.”

“She probably needed the distraction,” Kerry said, looking over his shoulder at Demetria downing a glass of wine, and then asking for another.

“She’s still upset,” Cynthia leaned in and whispered.

“Yeah,” Kerry said. “But she’s better. The guilt will subside, especially when everything goes back to normal.”

“Maybe you two should go stay at her house for a bit,” Dan offered.

“Maybe.”

The seat next to him pulled out, and he glanced over at Roan. Kerry gave him a deadpan look. “Are you still here?” he asked.

Roan smiled. “I’m in no hurry to find a new home, Kerry. Why do you want me out so bad? I already promised I wouldn’t look at your mate naked again—”

Kerry’s wolf growled, and Roan laughed softly. “Calm down, we don’t want to cause a fight, and ruin Grace’s beautiful decorations, Kerry. Stop being selfish.”

I’m going to kill him, his wolf growled.

“I’m right there with you,” Kerry grumbled.

Demetria slid in between Cynthia and Kerry, finding Kerry’s leg underneath the table, she latched on.

He leaned in and whispered, “Calm down, D. You’re fine. We’re just here to eat and enjoy Claire and Axel’s new rank in the pack.”

“I know, I know,” she mumbled, sipping her wine. “I’m just taking the edge off.”

Kerry rested his head against the side of her head, and smiled. “I’ve got something that will take the edge off.”

Grace tapped on the mic from the stage, drawing everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming out. We’re so excited that so many of you showed up. Thank you to all that sent flowers. If you didn’t make it out, the funerals were beautiful.”

Grace glanced over at Axel and Claire standing hand-in-hand on the corner of the stage. “We’re here to announce our new Alpha and Luna—my son Axel, and his mate, Claire. Come on over, honey.”

Axel took a step, but Claire didn’t, making everyone laugh. Demetria giggled beside Kerry, and rested her head against his shoulder.

He tugged Claire toward the microphone, and glanced out around the room. “I wasn’t ready for this, not really, not like this at least. I thought I would have my dad to walk me through it, but I don’t, and it sucks.”

Demetria’s hand tightened on Kerry’s leg.

“But it’s part of life, and no one’s fault. I’m proud to call Alpha Allaire Davers my dad, and I’m proud to take his position. Claire and I have a lot of growing to do, but I plan to step into this role as best I can. Thank you all for coming. Let’s have a good time, and celebrate my father’s life, not mourn his death.”

Axel gestured the mic for Claire, but she just waved awkwardly. She’d grown, but obviously, that shy little girl was still there.

Grace chuckled. “To our new alpha and luna."

Everyone in the room stood up, and Kerry felt proud of them both. Becoming Alpha would be hard, but he’d help Axel any way he could.

“You heard the boy!” Grace yelled. “Let’s have a good time.”

One of the young wolves turned up the music, and some people made their way out onto the dance space. Demetria stood up abruptly. “Dance with me.”

Kerry cringed. “I’m not a dancer, D.”

She gave him a stern look. “You are tonight. Come on, before I ask someone else.”

Kerry snarled softly but walked with her toward the middle of the swaying people. The song was fast, but Demetria put her arms around his neck and glanced up at him.

Her eyes were heavy from drinking, and her smile soft. “I have savings.”

Kerry eyed her up and down. “I didn’t mate with you for money, and I don’t plan to rob you.”

She laughed in her singsong voice. “I know. I want to go on a trip. To Ireland. It’s always been my dream. Will you take a break from being Beta and come with me?”

He swiped her hair from her face. “Of course I will, love. What’s got you thinking about a vacation?”

She shrugged. “I just want to get away with you. Have a couple of weeks with just the two of us. A honeymoon of sorts. I am human, ya know.”

“Humans don’t open portals to Hell, D,” Kerry said with a chuckle.

“I want to put my magic to rest for a while, only use it if we need protection. I want to be a cat lady that takes care of her mate,” she whispered, playing with his hair.

“You can be whatever you want to be. I just want you,” he said.

Demetria rested her cheek against his shoulder, inhaling his scent, and making Kerry smile. “You have me, Beta. Forever and always.”

Kerry lifted her chin in his palm. “I will always want you, no matter the guilt, no matter the day, no matter the circumstances. If another warlock comes out of thin air for you, I will fight him just as I did the other. You’re my always, D. Don’t ever forget it.”

She smiled, a single tear raced down her cheek, and Kerry caught it.

Like he always would.

THE END