Epilogue

Leal squinted and coughed up the smoke that had been fanned in her direction. From beside her, Izzy flashed a sheepish grin that was immediately wiped from her face when she looked over to her boyfriend’s grill beside her.

“Seriously? You had one job.” She heard Izzy scold Ryker upon seeing his burnt steak.

“I told you, I’m not a cook!”

“Fine. Nice try anyway.”

Today is family day in the White Claw Pack. This has been an ongoing annual day for three years ever since they moved to this secluded town on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia. Every year, everyone would clear their schedule and just go outside to the center of the village, and prepare for whatever recreational activity they had planned. It was for the sole purpose of having families bond and letting everyone rest from the hectic happenings in the pack. Today, they opted for a quiet pool party and outdoor cooking.

“Daddy!” Instinctively, Anna’s squeal registered in her head as she frantically looked around, looking for her daughter—thinking she’s in trouble—only to see her giggling at her Daddy’s tickles while floating in the pool. She heavily exhaled and shook her head, smiling a bit.

The couple beside her continued bickering, turning quiet for a few seconds every so often, only to be caught making out. She’d shake her head at the two and continue grilling barbecues. When the food was done cooking, they ate lunch happily and enjoyed a few sports in the water. A few hours later, Leal’s face brightened as the Epsilon greeted her with some great news.

“Ladies!” She enthusiastically greeted the seven tall ladies who went out of their way to visit them here. Immediately after greeting her with a hearty hug, most of them scurried to Anna, who giggled at their kisses.

Fortunately, every one of the ladies is now succeeding individually and is living their best lives. They do not live together anymore because everyone has their own house or apartment, and are either living with their partners or their families. Everyone was waking up with smiles on their faces, they all buried their dark past and moved on together, with everyone having tattooed a semicolon on their wrist—a symbol of affirmation and solidarity, a symbol which proudly screams one has overcome a heavy problem.

“Damn, I missed you little one.” Big Rory pulled her in for another hug.

Of course, the other saw that and proceeded to squish her tiny figure under their big ones. She chuckled and hugged them all back, not before borrowing energy from Lilith—who, may she mention, gets energized almost every day—which resulted in a number of grunts and muffled curses.

“How is this petite kid so strong, really?” Big Trisha shook her head jokingly.

They joined in on the fun, completely dismissing jetlag and the immense time difference. The day passed by like a blur because she enjoyed it so much, not wasting an hour without laughing or smiling. When dusk fell, they started cleaning up and returning to their houses, all with contented and happy hearts. The small family of three took their time walking to their house, enjoying the silence and being in each other’s company.

It had been a fulfilling and joyful day—but to be honest, that was the whole year. So far, it has been a great year, one with tranquility, happiness, and simplicity. It was all she ever wanted.

It took a heck ton of sacrifice, but it was definitely worth it.

Anna, now age 7, looked up at them and randomly said, “I love you.”

They were surprised, but smiled nonetheless, both responding, “I love you too.”

That same night, a falling star caught Leal’s eye. She was still up until midnight, writing a new novel, when she coincidentally caught a falling star from the window. Being a firm believer in the falling star’s wishes, she fluttered her eyes close and whispered under her breath.

“I wish Anna lives a fulfilling and happiness-filled life.”

Because she and Axel have already lived a fulfilling life. Not happiness-filled, but fulfilling. She was content with her life right now. She hopes it’ll stay this way. She’s happy and safe, and so are her other loved ones. Everything is rightfully in place.

But three years later, on the day of Anna’s 10th birthday, they were caught in surprise.

Looks like things seem to go very wrong when Leal lives a stable and content life. Another page was flipped open. Unfortunately, it wasn’t theirs.

“Mommy, Daddy! No!” Anna screamed in despair, her vision blurred with tears, and her heart heavy with grief. On her 10th birthday, Axel and Leal Elcort met their demise.

The End.

Author's Note: Apologies for this ending. But our next main character, Anna, needs a springboard for her character. Killing our beloved Axel and Leal is the best way to develop Anna. Her story will be even more wild, don't worry ;)