Epilogue Four

Naomi (Continued)

“I meant to ask you something,” Finn murmurs sleepily as we watch yet another shooting star go by. “Did it bother you that we never had a ceremony?”

“No…no it just never felt the right time, then we had been together so long it almost didn’t matter?”

“It’s a shame. Your sisters had all promised to walk together.”

“We did it for Matilda. If things had gone differently, we would have walked for Eleanor and Rhett, but it all broke apart. I'm just glad we all found happiness, even if it wasn't in the same town square.”

“Did Sia give you an address for Eleanor?”

“Yes but I left it alone in the end. She knows where we are. She’s made a choice a long time ago,” I whisper sadly, clutching my King’s hand tightly. I know every wrinkle and line in his muscular frame. I could make his replica out of clay in every pose. The feel of his body is a memory I constantly revisit.

“I found my memory box the other day when we were packing,” I add.

“I didn’t know you had one?” Finn replied.

“Leona had one, and it inspired me a bit. I only put a couple of things in it. I stopped after you became Alpha.”

“What was in it?”

“The arrow Leona split. I couldn’t think of a better item to remember her by. Two ruined pieces of leather, too.”

“Oh really?”

“Your belts. When I slashed them from your waist.”

“I know exactly where they’re from. The night after the pyre?”

“That’s right,” I smile, still able to feel the coolness of the kitchen tiles on my skin. I shut my eyes as Finn is clearly having his own flashbacks, bathing my senses in a warm, cosy adoration. "I didn't know you were keeping trophies of me," he jokes slyly.

"Well, I only took the two," I joke back as he gives me a mock scowl. "Hmph. What else was in there?"

“Some of Rami’s drawings. The first one he did of us as a three. His first arrow.”

“The one where I was so big I took up three quarters of the page?” Finn sniffs in amusement.

“That’s the one,” I chuckled softly, absorbed in watching the stars above.

“Wondered where that went. It was my favourite picture too. He put a big heart in the chest. He was Super-Rami, and I was his...helper?”

"His assistant," I chuckled. "You know why I didn't add much more to it?"

Finn turned and gave me a soft smile, his grey and brown hair still a mess of curls. "Because you were too busy living to be sentimental?"

The fact he remembers Rami’s drawing in such details had melted my ancient heart all over again. “I love you, Penkov.”

“Love you too, Kharkov.”

“How do you think Rami is coping without us?”

“He’ll be getting ready for his own retirement soon. He’ll be wanting us to clear out of this cabin so he can have it!”

"True, we definitely didn't put enough bedrooms in for the rebuild."

Rami took over when he turned thirty because that is when he finally met his mate. He told Finn privately he didn't mind the wait as long as the Goddess blessed him with someone who made him as happy as us. Goddess I am so proud of him.

Now, for twenty years, we have had the pure joy of seeing him with Sia. When she first appeared at Cragstone, we were a little hesitant. She came from Five Lakes. Her eyes dark as midnight with neon blue flashes. Yet she had her mother’s elegant blond hair.

Jane’s daughter. No longer Jane the Witch, now she lived in one of the restored manor houses in Five Lakes. A homely life in a slowly rebuilding, quiet little pack. It has no leader, but it appears peaceful enough.

But despite rumour and gossip, Jane is very much alive. She found her mate. She had a beautiful daughter named Sia, who utterly entranced Rami from their very first meeting.

We all knew it was love. Mainly because it was the first time since he was five years old he missed the archery target in front of his team. He might have messed around firing arrows at Diane Jackon’s cottage for me as a youngster, but never in front of his peers.

Sia strode in, long blonde curls swishing down to her waist, pouting lips and dangerously dark eyes. Finn declared our boy was sunk. Confidently, a backpack slung on her shoulder, wearing a pair of high-cut shorts, she asked Finn there was perhaps a place the Alpha could grant her to stay for a few nights.

Rami might as well have told her there and then he had no intentions of ever letting her go, the way his sea-green eyes blazed with his gentle orange wolf's glow. He might not have Finn’s blood, but he loves just as whole-heartedly.

Knowing she was Jane's daughter, we welcomed her with open arms even if Jane was too blissfully happy to ever return to us.

The very next full moon, their mate bond, snapped into place in front of everyone. Although we had a sneaking suspicion, their relationship was already underway weeks earlier. The cobbled courtyard allowed everyone to see their loyal, brave favourite finally find his matching half.

Rami and Sia had two sets of very busy, very noisy, very big twin boys. A completely crazy packhouse full of love. Sia is a wonderful influence to the pack with her adventurous spirit.

Twenty years ago, we stepped aside and Alpha Rami created his own kingdom. They have their own Beta’s, friends, and extended family. They don’t need us or Jane. Our era has ended. The men and women we once trained as tired and finished as ourselves.

We can step away and know everyone will be fine. Shadowlands, White Forest, and Rising Star have known fifty years of peace. Rami’s children or perhaps some other elected leader will bring forth the next decades of success and prosperity.

Except when I hear the cabin door rattle, I feel my heart chill. Finn lifts his head slightly, but we don’t move.

We had a feeling this might happen one day. /I think it might be time, my beautiful girl./

The risk of humbling a king might work for one generation, but it might fuel the next.

As the wolfsbane syringe hits my neck, I sigh and grip Finn tighter. Dying together, there is nothing else I would choose. I don’t panic because I know Rami and his family are fully prepared for whatever might happen. Even if it is war.

Rami, Elena, and Aisling. The trio of leaders our world can depend on.

“King Heath is dead. Long live the Queen. Your time is up shifters,” hisses a foul, tobacco laced breath. Silly humans.

Fifty years is a long time to play catch up. Shadowlands is so fucking ready for them. Rising Star Academy is producing genius new inventions. That wall won’t last a week. Bridgend will be in flames by the fortnight.

Silly humans never learn. The history books declare wolves the winners for a damn good reason.

I hear the water lapping nearby, a shooting star above my failing vision.

But Finn and I are tired now. Our wolves are tired. I remember to offer thanks to my loyal spirit for never steering me wrong, for always pushing me towards Finn instead of fleeing the chance of love.

As the lethal wolfsbane kicks in, I feel Finn’s adoration. Still warm, still pulsing across our bond even as we slowly drift away. A blue light seems to descend from the sky itself. I see my Mama and Papa waiting for me. Their faces are proud. Just as I remember them.

When I see 6 heart shatters and rebuilds itself in an instant. My twin. My stolen sister. Still in her twenties, vigorous and full of energy. I can feel Finn close by, no doubt reuniting with his loved ones.

We did good. We made a difference. I loved and lived and did everything I could dream of with my soulmate by my side.

I stride towards my heavenly family with open arms and await the chance for Finn and I to proudly watch our Rami lead from the stars.

**THE END - THANKYOU FOR READING!***