EPILOGUE
THREE WEEKS LATER
Ramsey
I walk quietly into the office, slipping through the door and watching Ruby lean over the desk, marking something on her textbook.
My heart flutters when I think about how happy she was to get new stationery, her face lighting up.
“I know it’s silly,” she said as we walked toward the checkout. “But it really does mean a lot.”
She’d said that a few times since the madness at the barn. She said it when I rented an apartment for her mother in our building so they could be close while still having privacy.
Ilsa’s doing much better, talking about starting therapy.
Ruby’s studying for her GED. She’s working hard to start the road toward becoming a nurse.
“After what happened,” she said to me last night as I held her gently in my arms. “I want to help people, even more, to heal them. I want to be a force for good in the world. I don’t mean to sound like I’m some wannabe hero, but you inspired me, Ramsey.”
“Me?” I said softly. “It all comes from you. All this goodness. All this love. It’s you.”
She squeezed me tighter. “No, it’s you. I know how hard you trained to control your wolf, all those lessons you and Liam did. If you can do that, I can do this. Iwilldo this.”
“I believe in you.”
Now, I move up behind her and softly wrap my arms around her. She makes a soft moaning noise, clutching onto my forearm and hugging me tightly. Her scent shifts, and I feel something that makes my heart race and my world spin around.
It’s different,new.
Can it be....
“Hey, you,” she says, turning to kiss me.
I find her lips and push down with warm pleasure. She returns the pressure as she reaches up, clasping onto my face.
“I have to tell you something,” she pushes her chair out and turns to me, staring up with her hands clasped in her lap. “Earlier today, I did a test... and not a school test. Sorry. Bad joke.”
I chuckle, leaning down next to her and gently kissing her cheek. “I don’t know. I liked it.”
She smiles, her cheeks changing shape against my mouth, reminding me of how I change shape when I drift into the change-joy.
It’s the same happiness burning up inside her.
“It was a pregnancy test,” she says softly.
“Yes,” I whisper, my voice shivering.
I can scent it so powerfully, roaring at me in the air.
“I can feel it. I know it’s true. You smell so perfect, Ruby. You smell like our future.”
She throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I squeeze her in return, pushing close to her. I’m melting into her with all the love in the world flowing through me.
She finds my lips, and we sink into a passionate kiss.
“If they happen to be a wolf, I know you’ll help them. I know you’ll make them strong, capable, and happy like you.”
“I promise,” I say seriously. “I’ll always protect our children. Our family. For the rest of our lives. I love you so much.”