Page 132 of Knot That Difficult

My smile is so wide my cheeks hurt.

I’ve found my pack, and my family has grown in size.

Little Devyn, the one that grew up in those foster homes, bouncing from house to house, will never be alone again.

I am loved.

EPILOGUE

DEVYN

1 YEAR LATER

It’s my birthday!

It’s my birthday, and I’m surrounded by the people that matter most to me.

April and Skylar made sure to decorate the packhouse with lilac and pink balloons, and every guest wears a glittery party hat.

Including Vincent and Donovan, the broodiest Alphas from my friend’s packs.

There’s a three-layer pink-and-white cake, and our kitchen table is full of presents.

Happy Birthday, Devynhangs from a banner in the living room in silver writing.

“You guys didn’t have to do this,” I say, but I don’t sound very convincing.

Iwantedthem to do this.

“Of course we did,” Ace insists, looking ridiculous with a pink cardboard hat on his head. “You said you wanted a party, right?”

Our home is packed. Skylar has her entire pack of detectives here—Landon, River, and Vincent. River and Ace have made the effort to get along with each other in the last year, even though they have a rocky history.

River’s party hat even matches Ace’s, though he wears his with a scowl.

April’s pack is here as well. Liam, Hunter, and Donovan mingle with everyone and help themselves to the snacks laid out on the buffet table.

I nibble at a potato chip topped with caviar and crème fraiche—my new favorite snack—and look at Ace thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a party this big,” I murmur.

My birthdays were forgotten about growing up, which is why they’re such a big deal to me now.

When it’s any of my friends’ or packmates’ birthdays, I make sure to go all out for them.

I’ve never given my friends ten-thousand-dollar caviar before.

Ace chuckles. “Next year we’ll rent out an arcade. You deserve to be spoiled.”

I grin widely.

Having a pack is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, besides meeting April and Skylar.

I adore being cared for.

They’re not overbearing, either. Ben, Connor, and Ace all grant me space when I need it, but also step up and support me when I struggle.

Our bond is strong, and so overwhelming that sometimes I cry tears of gratitude.

Connor’s coffee company is also taking off, thanks to me. He’s trying a subscription box with his coffee, just like we do with the macarons at our cafe.

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