Chapter 77 Epilogue+Five Years Later
"Any news?" Danica asked Bella as she hovered around, fixing her hair.
"How many times do I have to say it? Mason will let you know if they find the harpies and trolls." Bella huffed, slamming down a blush brush. "Now, could you please be still so I can finish your makeup?"
"Yes, maam." Danica replied, snapping her mouth shut.
A month passed by in a blur; no matter how much Mason's scouts searched, they just couldn't seem to find Marie or her army. It was an odd occurrence because anytime they would get a trail, it would vanish as quickly as it appeared, leaving everyone at square one once more.
Though they had recruited the help of sorcerers to see if they could possibly find the harpies with their abilities, even they came up empty-handed. It was almost as if they had disappeared entirely from existence.
After two weeks of this, it was almost as if the war was nothing more than a bad dream, aside from the casualties that built up with it.
The warriors had all been buried properly in a newly formed warrior cemetery just beyond the training grounds. Mason insisted on making it in order to honor those who lost their lives for the cause, and he also used it to bury the infected as well.
After two melancholy weeks, the pack started insisting that Danica and Mason perform their mate ceremony and use it as a chance for a small wedding ceremony as well. Although Danica had been avidly against it, in the end, Mason convinced her that this would be what the pack needed in order to lift their spirits, especially after everything that transpired.
Unable to argue, Danica agreed, which led her to where she was currently, stuck with a very enthusiastic Bella being tortured with makeup and hair products.
"Almost done." Bella murmured as she dabbed something shimmery on Danica's cheeks. "Mason won't be able to take his eyes off you."
"Do I really need to be caked in makeup for that to happen?" Danica asked ruefully.
Since Danica became pregnant with his child, Mason had been like an annoying bug, constantly hovering around her. Even after Dr. Williams confirmed that everything was fine, he still insisted on keeping watch over her 24/7.
By this point in time, Danica was pretty ready to scratch Mason's eyes out due to the frustration of being watched like she was fragile.
"DONE!" Bella announced, stepping back and placing her hands on her hips. "Take a look."
Obeying Danica looked at herself in the mirror; the woman staring back at her was nowhere near the woman she had remembered. She looked so much older and wiser; her eyes held an air of mystery while her cheeks glowed with joy. The difference within just a few months was astounding, and she couldn't help but smile.
"Shall we get going then?" Danica asked Bella, standing from her seat.
"Lets." Bella agreed, wrapping her arm around Danica's.
As they exited the dorms, Danica could already see the entire pack settled in chairs that sat facing towards an altar decorated with flowers. Sitting in the middle of it was a table holding a single bowl filled with water and a rope.
Taking a deep breath, Danica nodded to Bella before untangling her arm. Bella gave her a smile as she headed to find her seat next to Chris.
Squaring her shoulders, Danica made her way up the aisle as everyone turned to take her in. Oh's and ah's could be heard all around as the pack took in their future Luna with appreciation.
Ahead of her, smiling from ear to ear, was Mason standing with Nigel, who would be performing the ceremony for them. Danica could feel her heart squeeze in her chest as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"You look beautiful." Mason whispered when she finally reached. "Bella did a good job."
"Thank you." Danica whispered before facing Nigel.
Taking the lead, Nigel began reading from The Book of the Goddess, stopping only long enough to allow Danica to first repeat her vows for becoming Luna and then for both to repeat their marriage vows. Once finished, he lifted a dagger off of the table before them, presenting it first to Mason, who sliced his hand. Turning, he held the knife out for Danica, who, in turn, took it and sliced her hand as well.
Clasping hands, they allowed their blood to intermingle while Nigel wrapped a rope around their entertwined hands while repeating the Celtic wedding vow of handfasting.
With the ceremony complete, Mason and Danica faced each other, leaning in for a kiss, as the watching crowd jumped up, cheering for their new Luna and for the newly married couple.
"I love you." Danica whispered to Mason, smiling ear to ear as tears fell down her cheeks.
"I love you too." Mason responded as he leaned forward, pressing his lips against Danica's once more.
5 years later...
"Luna, Bryllie is bullying the boys again." Bella announced, entering Danica's office loudly.
Looking up, Danica let out a long sigh. "I swear that girl is going to end up getting herself into some serious trouble one of these days."
"She is just headstrong." Bella laughed. "What do you expect of the Alpha heir?"
Standing, Danica stretched her back. She had spent most of the morning going through paperwork and had grown stiff. Even though she wouldn't admit it to Bella, this was a welcomed break that she was thankful for.
"I would expect her to not constantly bully Desmond and Armond every single day." Danica huffed, making her way out of her office.
Outside, the day was bright and sunny, with a clear blue sky overhead. The crisp fall air tickled Danica's cheeks as it tossed around her unruly hair.
"Where are they?" Danica asked, looking around the training grounds.
"Over near the edge of the woods." Bella answered, pointing.
Fixing her gaze on three small figures hovering in the distance, Danica began to make her way forward. Along the way, she passed by Mason and Chris, who were sparring, but stopped the minute they spotted her and Bella.
"What are you both doing here?" Chris asked, taking deep breaths. "I thought you had a lot of paperwork to do, Luna."
"Well," Danica smiled, "I was in the process of doing it until your wife came and found me. Seems my daughter is causing trouble again."
"Not our Bryllie." Mason chimed, smirking. "She is an angel that would do no harm."
"This is why she is so spoiled." Danica responded, glaring.
"Never." Laughing, Mason moved out of the way as Danica moved to hit him. "I'm just kidding. Come, let's go get her; the sun should be going down soon anyway."
Nodding Danica waved goodbye to Bella and Chris before heading towards where her daughter stood, fussing at two boys that were a few years older than her. One had bright blonde hair and piercing green eyes; his tan skin seemed to be covered in sweat, like he had exerted himself. The other had buzzed black hair and deep gray eyes; his pale skin appeared to be almost translucent in the sun's rays.
"Bryllie." Danica called, drawing all three children's eyes to her.
"Mommy!" Bryllie chirped happily, completely forgetting about the two boys existence. "Is it time to go home?"
"Yep, time to go home, pumpkin." Mason answered for Danica.
Smiling from ear to ear, Bryllie ran forward into Mason's arms, allowing him to lift and swing her around. A happy giggle left her mouth as her sandy blonde hair got messed up by the wind. Her golden eyes sparkled in delight at her father's attention.
"Armond and Desmond," Danica said, turning her attention from her husband and daughter to the two boys. "It is about time the both of you went home too. I'm sure your mother and father will start to worry."
"Yes, maam." The two boys called together before jumping up and quickly running away.
Shaking her head, Danica chuckled. "Bryllie, you truly terrify those two, don't you?"
"Nope, not me, mommy." Bryllie responded innocently.
"You will make a fine Alpha one day." Mason said instead, as Danica's gaze narrowed. "Make them all fear you."
"Mason." Danica hissed as a proud smile threatened to overtake her.
"She knows that gaining their respect is the biggest thing, and she will do an amazing job of it, I'm sure." Mason insisted, pride oozing from him for his daughter.
"I'm sure she will make a great Alpha." Danica agreed.
Nodding in agreement, Mason wrapped his arms around Danica, pulling her close and planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Let's go home." He murmured, pulling away and giving Danica a loving smile.
"Yeah, lets." Danica agreed, her heart soaring as she took in her two beloved's.
For her, life was perfect for the time being, and she would make the most of it until the inevitable war came for them.
TO BE CONTINUED.