Epilogue

Epilogue
Emmalee
Five Years Later 
I stare out the window and watch the rain slide in soft lines against the glass. The weather is starting to change—it gets colder by the day, but to be fair, I've always been a massive fan of winter. 
I just love the sight of everything blanketed in snow. 
Besides, the end of winter marks the end of the war and the start of everything wonderful that's happened to me so far. The day Romain and I left the rogue hideout was the very start of winter. That night, we huddled close in wolf form to ward off the cold. We had no plan, just dreams and a vague idea of what we wanted to do with our liberty. We're in a world of our own out here, Romain and me. We don't ever come across anyone and at first, I thought that would bother me, being so far away from civilization, but over time, it sank in that I was never overly fond of people. 
Sybille was the one stranger who turned out to be one of the best people I ever met before. I still think about her sometimes. 
Romain feels the same way I do. There's not much that we disagree on. 
How we're not fated mates is still a wonder to me. I haven't fallen out of love for him, not for a second. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. It's always been him—since we were kids. I was supposed to treat him like a brother but my heart always beat for him. 
A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I watch him run through the rain, a basket filled with eggs in his hand. We have a small barn where we keep a few animals. Living in the middle of nowhere requires self-sufficiency to an extent and hunting everyday got exhausting. Brent helped us with this part—he sent animals over, as many as we needed. 
I used to worry about him all the time but since he took over the pack, things have been peaceful. We receive important information from Fang, who as promised, keeps us up today with all that happens in Iron Claw. I was devastated when Brent got married—we couldn't show up because it was in the eastern lands, but Trudy was there with him. 
I miss her so much. I miss all of them. Sometimes, I'll lie awake at night and reminisce. The past has many painful memories, that's true, but before Soren showed up in my life and ruined everything, things were great. 
I can't lie about that. 
I guess that's just life. 
We see Brent whenever we can. He's a copy of Romain, through and through. His temperament, however, is anything but. He has more Fang in him than Romain does, which is astounding to me. They never even met, as far as I know. 
My attention returns to Romain. His face is scrunched up in concentration as he tries not to slip on the wet earth. I chuckle. 
He bursts through the front door of the cabin we built with our own hands, calling my name. "Em? Emmalee?"
"Here," I say, a laugh escaping me. 
Romain looks my way, relief flooding his face before he scowls, confused. "What is it?"
I close the distance between us, limping slightly. My leg has had plenty of time to heal but it'll never be the same. I'm fortunate to have it, though. It could've been a lot worse and I have Fang to thank for that. 
If I'd shifted, I would've lost it.
I push all of this to the back of my head and say to him, "You looked so comical, running all the way here."
Humor flashes in his eyes, mimicking my own. He encircles me with his arms and smiles softly. "Really?"
I offer nothing in response. We're rooted to the spot, staring at each other. Romain's eyes drag over my face like he's committing it to memory for the hundredth time, and warmth explodes inside of me, traveling low until it reaches my core. 
He moves his right arm, bringing his hand up to my neck slowly, taking his sweet time. He's always liked to torture me with his touches and caresses, and this time is no exception. The air stretches tight between us, thick with tension and our growing desire to be in each other's arms. For intimacy. I feel the thud of my pulse against my throat and Romain inches toward me as his hand finds my ass. 
Slowly, he leaves a trail of kisses along my neck. His touch is electrifying. We've had more than enough time to get to know each other's bodies. I know his just as he knows mine. 
"Breakfast," I remind him, panting. 
"It'll wait," he whispers huskily against my skin. "Unless you want me to stop. Go on," he sucks my skin into his warm mouth, "tell me to stop."
I won't. I can't. He knows me too well. 
Seconds later, his mouth finds mine. His kiss isn't as gentle as his caresses—it's hungry. Claiming. My hands venture under his wet shirt. His skin is hot. Sticky. We walk backward, going to the living room easily. We've memorized every corner of this cabin. 
Gently, with his hands on my hips, he guides me to the couch. I break the kiss for a moment, breathing harshly. "No. I'm on top this time."
Romain offers no protest. I push him onto the couch before straddling his legs. I tug his shirt over his head and run my hands over his skin. I'm wearing a nightdress he bought me ages ago from the nearest town, nothing underneath. My fingers fumble with the button of his pants, which he tugs down just enough to free his cock. 
I wrap my fingers around his smooth length while riding his thigh slowly, my hips going back and forth. Warmth trickles down my spine, centering in my clit. I fist his cock, twisting my hand and moving it up and down his length. Our lips meet once more, his tongue exploring my mouth as I position myself over him.
A similar sound escapes us both as he sinks into me. I grip the couch behind him and roll my hips against him. His lips find my achingly hard nipples, which he sucks through the soft material of my dress.
I moan, nearing the edge of my climax. His grip on my hips tighten and judging by his grunts and the feel of him inside me, I know he's close, too. Eyes locked, we ride the wave of euphoria together, falling apart only to be stitched together moments later. 
I catch my breath while peppering his face with kisses. This is the best part of the morning, hands down, though if I have to be completely honest, he does make fantastic eggs. 
"Hungry?" 
"Starving," I reply.
He gives my ass a soft slap. "Let's get breakfast going, then."
I nod and we clean up before moving barefoot  into the kitchen, back to our life—the one he promised he'd give me. Quiet, ordinary, and hard-won. 
A life finally ours.