A Werewolf Fantasy
Chapter 58

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Erin and Devon responded in unison.

They walked hand-in-hand out of the City Hall where they'd just tied the knot. It was one month later than the original date but they didn't really mind.

That horrific showdown at the hospital had led to Darren's death. Devon had bitten him fatally, slashing through his blood vessels and killing him instantly. His obsession with power had blinded him and made him mad. A period of mourning had been declared for him by Gary.

Although nobody said it aloud, it was obvious that the clan was better off without him. Even his pack was relieved to be finally free of him and his tyrannical ways.

The dream stone became just an ordinary stone after Ezra's manipulation spell. It had lost its power to transport them back into the past but Devon didn't mind at all. It was no longer useful to him anyway.

There was no need for him to time travel back to the past anymore. He had found his mate and she was now happily his. End of story!

The newlyweds entered the waiting car that was parked in front of the hall. It was driven by Farida and her husband who were more than happy to chauffeur them to their reception venue.

The after-party took place in Gary Silver's backyard because he was too sick to leave home. It was like a huge family reunion featuring both humans and werewolves.

"Wanna go somewhere quiet for a bit?" Devon whispered in Erin's ear.

"Sure," she whispered back.

They slipped past their guest and went into the house. Everyone was so absorbed in the festivity that they did not notice the two of them leaving. They went to Gary's in-house bar and sat on the leather couch. "What a day!" Erin laughed.

"I know, right," Devon chuckled. "We are married and mated. Everything is signed and sealed."

She smiled and absently rubbed the little scar on her neck. It was from that time when Devon marked her as his mate on the night of their official mating.

"So... there is something I wanted us to talk about," he began tentatively.

His tone made her sit up straighter. "What is it?" she asked warily. "Is something wrong?"

He sighed. "I'm not sure."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I noticed that since that incident at the hospital with Darren, we've never really talked about it. Each time I try to bring it up, you change the subject." She exhaled. "Jeez, I thought you were about to say something scary," she said with a shaky giggle. "What's there to talk about?"

He took her hands in his and squeezed them gently. "I hope you know that I only did that to protect. You were in danger and I simply followed my instincts." "Devon, what are you talking about? I was there, remember? I saw what happened."

"Yeah... I just want you to know that I would never harm you. I am not a killer by nature but I had to take Darren out because he was going to kill you."

Erin smiled warmly. "My darling mate. I would have been disappointed if you didn't react the way you did."

He grinned. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course, I do. I would have killed Darren over and over again if the situation was reversed and I was in your position. I am not afraid of you, Devon. I can never be." His grin widened. "I am glad to hear that."

He kissed her and she embraced him tightly. The intimate moment was shattered when someone barged into the bar.

"Oops, sorry!" said Jade with an embarrassed smile. "Gary is looking for you two. He has been wheeled to his bedroom, so you should just go upstairs."

"Sure," Erin replied, smiling at the receptionist.

"Thanks, Jade. We can replace our way there," said Devon, since Jade was still standing there and grinning at them sheepishly.

"You two look so cute together," she said before bouncing off.

"Isn't she adorable?" Erin laughed.

"And nosey," Devon added. "Come on, wifey. Let's go see what Gary wants."

Erin knew what this little meeting was about but she didn't say anything. She had kept that information to herself because she didn't want Devon to replace out about his new position from a second-hand source. When they entered the clan leader's bedroom, they found the head of each pack there. They were standing around the bed with solemn expressions on their faces.

"What is going on?" Devon asked with concern.

"It is time, Devon," said Antoine Brown.

"Time for what?"

"Time to pass the baton of leadership to you," Gary answered with much effort. He was fading fast and barely able to speak.

"I don't understand," said Devon. "What do you mean?"

"Devon, I have chosen you to be the new Prime Alpha of the werewolf clan of Fairbanks," Gary rasped. "As you can see, all of the pack leaders in the clan are here to witness your rise to power." Devon was shocked. "What?"

"It is your destiny," said La'Toya Black. "It is your turn to lead us."

"But... I am only a new member of the clan. I'm not even the oldest," he protested.

"Leadership is not always by age," said Gary. "Many years ago when you were born, our ancestors came to me in a vision and told me that you were the next Prime Alpha after me. You were divinely chosen for this, Devon." It took a while for all of that to sink in. He was blown away by this revelation and he didn't even know how to react. He looked at Erin and was surprised to see that she was taking it all calmly.

"You don't seem surprised," he said.

"That's because I'm not," she admitted. "When Darren forced me back to the past, he told me that Gary had chosen you to be the next Prime Alpha of the clan." "And you never told me?"

"It wasn't my news to share. Isn't it better this way?"

"You are a wise mate," said Gary with a weak smile. "Come, Devon. It is time."

He stretched out his hand, letting Devon know that he wanted the new Alpha King to hold him.

Devon stepped forward and clasped Gary's hand. The older werewolf began to shiver slightly.

"Are you ok?" Devon asked him.

"From this moment, I pour out my power and all of my strength into you," said Gary. He drew a deep breath and when he exhaled, his soul left him.

Devon held onto the older man's limp hand as he did his best to control his emotion. And just like that, Gary was gone and he was now the new leader of all the packs in Fairbanks, Alaska.

As if on cue, everyone in the room lifted their heads and howled in unison. It was a tribute to the old leader and a salute to the new one.

Aubrey was summoned from the party scene downstairs and they broke the news to her on her way upstairs. She ran into her father's room, crying and calling out his name. Eric joined her and held her in his arms as she cried. Their human friends were notified of Gary's passing the next day. His funeral took place a few days after and was well-attended. Gary was loved by all and it showed in how they mourned him and spoke well of him. Devon's first duty as the Prime Alpha of the clan was to host the next Full Moon Feast. He gave a moving speech about his plans to keep Gary's legacy alive. Then they gave the customary seven howls to the moon. "How does it feel to be the leader?" Erin asked him afterward.

He snorted. "I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do."

She laughed. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon."

"I hope so," he smiled. "What about you? How does it feel to be the leader's mate?"

Erin grinned. "It feels like heaven!"

"I'm happy to hear that," he said. "As long as I have you with me, there's nothing I can't do."

"Do you mean that?"

"With all of my heart."

"I love you, Devon," she said softly.

"I love you, Erin," he replied. "You have made my world come full circle."

"That makes two of us," she said happily. "Cheers to the future!"

The End.