Page 94 of Curses and Casualties
As the moon rises bright above us, I pull her even tighter in my arms, and I swear I can feel the moon’s blessing. On Owen and Honey, on Georgia and me, and yes, even on Scarlett and her complicated mate, wherever they are.
This is what victory looks like. Not a battle won or an enemy defeated, but a promise of hope amid shadows.
It’s more than enough.
It’s everything.
Epilogue Two - Georgia
12 Months Later
I wake to the sound of my phone buzzing with a message and just stare up at the ceiling for a moment. The morning sun streams through the windows of our bedroom, casting everything in warm golden light. I can hear the sounds of our ever-growing pack outside. Laughter from the kitchen where someone’s making breakfast for the communal dining hall, the splash of young wolves playing in the lake, and the distant sound of Ethan leading the morning training session. But it’s all joyful noise now, not the sharp barks of orders and submission that used to echo through these lands.
When I reach for my cell to read the text, I find Ryan’s side of the bed empty but still warm, which means he’s been gone less than an hour. Through our bond, I can sense him in his office, probably reviewing the requests we’ve been getting from other packs wanting to learn about our ‘new model’ of leadership. The Soul Bond really did create ripples throughout the supernatural world. Just like the ancient texts promised.
I scan the contents of the message, stretching languidly and smiling as Luna’s contentment mingles with my own. She’sso much stronger now, her voice clear and present but never overwhelming. We’ve found our balance.
“Good morning, love,” I murmur into the empty room, knowing Ryan will feel my affection through our bond. “I have news.”
‘Good morning, love,’his voice responds in my mind, warm with the smile I can picture. ‘I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I have coffee ready.’
With my cell in hand, I pad out in one of his oversized t-shirts, bare feet silent on the wooden floors. The kitchen is one of my favorite spots in our cabin, with warm stone counters and a breakfast nook where we can watch the sunrise over the mountains.
Ryan’s standing at the counter, steam rising from two mugs as he adds honey to mine. The sight of him still makes my heart skip, even twelve months later, even with the complete mind-meld connection we share, there’s something about watching him do these simple, domestic things that fills me with overwhelming love.
He’s wearing jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt that hugs his shoulders in ways that make me want to drag him back to bed, but more than that, he looks... peaceful. The constant tension he used to carry has melted away. His wolf and human sides are completely integrated now, Kane’s strength balancing Ryan’s compassion in perfect harmony.
“Heart,” I say, accepting the mug but setting it down on the counter without taking a sip, “do you remember how we got kinda... stuck when we were having sex a few weeks ago?”
Ryan nearly chokes on his coffee, his cheeks flushing pink. “Jesus, Georgia. Good morning to you too.”
I grin at his embarrassment. Even after everything we’ve been through, he still gets adorably flustered at times. “You know what I mean. When you...” I gesture vaguely toward him.
“When I knotted you,” he finishes, his voice dropping to that growly tone that makes my knees weak. “Yeah, I remember. Surprised the hell out of me too.”
“Right? So...” I move to take a sip of my coffee but think better of it, instead just sliding my phone between my hands to keep my fingers busy. “I’m guessing it works the same way as with regular wolves. You know, when a female is in heat.”
Ryan sets his mug down very slowly, his eyes sharpening with sudden focus. “You think you were in heat?”
I shrug, trying to play it casual even though my heart is hammering. “I mean, it makes sense, right? Who would’ve thought that me being extra horny was actually a biological imperative?”
His mouth curves into that devastating smirk that made me fall for him in the first place. “That’s because you’re always horny, love.”
“Of course I am!” I gesture toward his whole…him. “Have you seen who I’m mated to? I’d have to be dead not to want to jump you every five minutes.”
He laughs, the sound rich and warm, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. The hope and wonder starting to build in his eyes.
“Georgia,” he says, my name a question as much as a statement. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
I take a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow. “I’m two weeks late. And I’ve never been late. Like, ever.”
His eyes widen, the blue darkening to midnight as his pupils dilate. He’s at my side in an instant, hands hovering over my abdomen as if he’s afraid to touch.
“Really?” he whispers, and the vulnerability in his voice nearly breaks me.
“Really,” I confirm, placing my hands over his and pressing them against my belly. “I went to see Owen about it yesterday,and he texted the blood test results through this morning.” I show him the text on my phone.
Owen:Congrats, sis-in-law. HCG levels confirm what we suspected. You’re pregnant. Come by today for a proper check-up. And tell that brother of mine I can’t wait to be an uncle, but to please teach his pup not to bite.
