Epilogue

In the months to come, life outside became colder still. When the first snow fell, she wistfully snuggled against his soft fur, nestled comfortably in their bed which now was layered with animal skins and smelled entirely of their combined scents. Aislyn smiled at the fact. Her love truly did support her and their wishes to be alone, on their own, free from society.

It was bliss.

While his warmth never cooled, their life would need to shift. Plenty of animals would be on the move, looking for food or getting ready for hibernation. The thought that they’d need to do the same and leave the home they built together for survival burned her deeply.

There were other times she felt the same burn deep in her chest, but this one was different. It spread. It pricked at her entire consciousness and jolted her forward towards him.

“Calm down, baby girl,” Derek hummed against her skin. His wet nose brushed against the nape of her neck as if it was searching for something.

How she wished he’d