Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Wolf’s Secret Twins Epilogue

Virginia

Cheers filled the air as Slater bent to kiss me. In just a matter of hours, our lives had changed for the better. Both of us had physically changed as well, sporting the white attire routinely attributed to traditional mate rituals. While ours was quickly thrown together, it didn't bother me in the least.

We were both impulsive creatures. It made sense for us to speed everything up. And honestly, after how things had gone lately, I didn't want to risk waiting another second.

Patrick Sharman, a lanky man with a goofy grin, stepped aside so we could greet the pack as an official mated couple. Applause continued throughout the open field, reminding me of just how big the properties were that were shared by the pack. Laurencia clapped excitedly next to Francine who was crying. No one seemed to be hiding their emotions.

That was the benefit of living in truth. Because giving my secrets to Slater meant being able to see the truth in everything-and the beauty that came with it.

Once the activity died down a bit, I trailed in the direction of the food table. All that celebrating had given me a huge appetite. Adhara and Anthony came barreling toward me with those light-up spinners that they loved so much. Archie was close behind them with a kazoo. The three of them danced around me while I held a plate of biscuits and gravy.

I laughed and shook my head. "Looks like somebody gave you candy."

The three of them stopped at the same time and pointed at each other. That just made me laugh even more. After I assured them it was okay to indulge for the evening, they ran off to replace Francine.

A man with dusty white hair and green eyes stepped up after they took off.

"Hi, Fred," I said with relief. I yanked him into a side hug. "So, you got the text."

"And the security dudes," he squeaked while pointing to Isaiah and the others. "Real friendly buds if you ask me."

I chuckled. "They wouldn't take no for an answer, huh?"

"Your alpha is nice. Bloke, right?"

"Blake."

He smiled playfully. "Kidding. He loves jokes, right?"

"I'd go easy on him."

"As long as he doesn't mind me bringing a greenhouse of plants." He glanced around. "Actually, would he mind if I started a greenhouse?"

I shrugged. "I'm sure he wouldn't."

Fred stared into the distance for a while with his mouth hanging open. It took a few snaps of my fingers just to get his attention back to me.

He shook his head, fixed his polka-dot bow tie, and then smoothed his hair okay?"

"Yeah, you look fine. Why?"

"I gotta go see a woman about a cheesesteak."

"Do I lo

I couldn't even try to question him at that point. Fred was a muscly-armed enigma. It was usually best to let him do whatever it was he was going to do.

As soon as he had disappeared, my brand-new husband located me and planted a sloppy kiss on my forehead. I swatted him away playfully. "Come on. Nobody is letting me eat. I want to eat, Slater."

He grinned and pulled me under one of the tents nearby. "Sit down. Eat. I'll keep everyone away from you."

I felt good about his protection until I spotted his parents. Even with their kind expressions, my appetite was ruined. I set the plate aside and did my best to smile even though I was screaming inside.

Slater stopped them when they got within talking range. Tammy stepped forward, holding up a bouquet of flowers that must have been from her garden. She handed them to me.

I accepted them with a sort of entranced reverence. "Oh, thank you."

"We're terribly sorry about what happened," she said. And then she grabbed her husband's hand and yanked him over.

He made a few coughing sounds, cleared his throat, and straightened his tie. "Yes, we're terribly sorry. We had no idea about how that dreadful alpha treated you."

"That doesn't excuse what your grandfather did."

Slater coughed rather loudly, causing his mother to straighten her posture and nod quickly. "Yes, okay, yes, I get it, Slater." She smiled at me and extended her hand. "Can we start over again? As friends?"

Some generous witch must have blessed my timeline because there was no way this was happening because I deserved it. Regardless of how it was happening, I stood up, tossed the bouquet aside, and pulled Tammy into the hardest hug she'd probably ever get from me.

Surprised yet eager to please, she returned the hug and then kissed each of my cheeks. "Welcome to the Duff family, Virginia."

Jeremiah beamed and offered me his hand. "A warm welcome to you and our grandkids."

Slater watched the whole scene with equal parts shock and amazement. Truly, he must have been at a loss for words, for I felt much the same, my mouth refusing to formulate anything coherent at all. A tornado of affection swirled around me, the breeze adding to it and lifting the table skirts, rustling paper plates that weren't weighted, and knocking over empty cups.

The universe spoke her approval. Who was I to deny such a wonderful sign from nature? All those years spent in isolation with hatred clutching my heart were finally gone. What I had left was a deep well of love, one that begged to be filled with every bit of affection I had missed from a family over the past ten years.

My parents were gone. My grandfather was dead. But my children were with me, I had a wonderful mate, and my entire pack was at my back. Nothing could ever hurt me again. For the millionth time that day, I started to cry the happiest tears of my life.

***

The party lasted well through the evening. At some point, Francine offered to take the twins home with her and Archie. I didn't argue with that. Having a family friend was proving to be wonderful for the kids-and for me as well. I took her up on the offer and then dragged Slater into the woods, not stopping until we reached the clearing.

We fell in a heap on the ground. Laying my head on Slater's chest felt like the most beautiful moment of the entire day. Funny how that worked when the day itself was chock-full of things that were gorgeous. Slater's parents had met us with grace and civility. I hadn't expected them to show up. More than that, I hadn't expected them to accept us. I had to guess that years of reflection had given them pause.

Much like had happened to me. And Slater too.

The clearing felt just like that-like it had been cleared of the harm from the past ten years, the horror, and the hatred. It was a clean slate, a brand-new start where Slater and I could establish our bond. The past few weeks had been such a roller coaster that left me wanting to be fulfilled more than thrilled.

With his heart beating steadily in my ear, I didn't have to worry anymore. I didn't have to shy away from him. Every truth was out in the open for him to see.

And he didn't turn me away.

His hand came to rest on my hip, fingers dipping beneath the hem of my white halter top to trace my skin. "You sure know how to make a man dizzy"

"Yeah, well..."

"Well?"

I chuckled while sitting up, observing the way the shadows billowed around us like we were each an individual light source. "You make me dizzy too."

"Can I do anything to fix that?"

"I can think of one thing."

Warmth, as if from a hearth, ebbed and flowed between us, unlike the static fire that had

detonated upon our reunion weeks ago. This was a steady fire with enough burning embers to keep us safe through the night. He cupped my face and kissed me lightly, little pecks that trailed over my jawline to my ear, that dropped to my neck and then to the mate mark on my

right shoulder.

As his lips danced over the scar tissue, I closed my eyes. I focused on our entwined bodies,

noticing how easy it was to slide my leg over him, to shimmy right into his lap. He caressed my legs and massaged my white skirt away until my bottom was exposed. Lace panties decorated my bottom, inviting his touch.

Each eager stroke conveyed his love for me. He didn't have to say a word. His touch alone signaled his feelings, dousing me in adoration that I never thought I'd ever receive. To be accepted by my pack and by him meant my heart was no longer in pieces. I didn't have to live

in fear anymore.

I just had to live.

He scooted my panties down and swept his fingers between my legs. Arousal soaked my slit as

he played with my c**t, coaxing my hips forward. I managed to slide my skirt off over my head along with the halter, revealing the layers of me I'd tried to hide in the past. But not anymore. With Slater, I never had to hide anything again.

Seconds later, he was as exposed as me and nudging his cock into my slit. I bit my lower lip while long moans surfaced, intermittently broken by gasps for air. Slater commanded my gaze as he held me up by my hips and teased my entrance. A tingle trailed through my core, causing

me to shiver as I lowered myself on his cock.

He smiled while holding me still. "Not yet."

"But, Slater-"

He sat up to steal my lips, his grip on my hips strong enough to keep me from taking him entirely. I whined between kisses, squeezed his shoulders, begged in heated whispers for him to let me ride. But all he did was chuckle ruggedly and slide another inch inside. Pure madness would have taken hold if I hadn't deeply enjoyed the way he played with me.

A guttural purr escaped me. "Am I your favorite toy?" "Yes, you've always been my favorite toy, Ginny darling." He slid further inside. "You'll always be my favorite." Another inch... "And I'm going to remind you of that every single night." His arms circled my waist as I engulfed him, pleasure coursing through me hard enough to

force my head back. He didn't waste a second, plunging into my neck to sample the skin that cried for his attention at every waking second. Steady gusts of air fed the fire that lived inside

us both, increasing the heat a thousandfold, turning us into winding flames that twisted and

danced joyfully.

Sheer satisfaction exploded in my center. I loved riding Slater. It was one of my favorite positions. I loved how he took control and teased me. I adored his commitment to my pleasure. Every thrust drove me closer to freedom, to that ecstatic drop that I knew would just

make me want him that much more.

"That's it," he whispered. "Right there, baby..."

The way he spoke to me made me feel like I was precious. It made me feel like I belonged to

him. Being in his arms was the safest place, and I knew he wouldn't ever let me fall again. I knew his heart now. I could feel the rhythmic beat match mine as I raced him to the finish line. I hugged him hard while letting my hips roll freely. Lava welled inside me, taking over the flames in the fireplace and coating every inch of my inner home. Heat like that would make me explode at any second, and he knew that. He was dragging it out because of that.

Our secret song circled me, a loving chorus that spoke of our impending eruption. Only we

could hear the tune. Only we could respond to its loving notes, contribute to the joy it created in the surrounding forest. Soon, our hearts would beat to it like drums and our moans would rise above nature's orchestra.

White heat took over my body as I came. The staggering force of my orgasm blew me apart, causing my movements to become jagged and feverish as Slater did the same. Our dance came

to a halt when he gripped me tight and came hard, burying his face into my neck while beckoning for me to bite his neck.

Did he mean it? Was it his turn this time?

A smile broke out on my lips. I called forth my canines and bit him without hesitation, tasting

the desire in his blood, tasting the delicious and creamy pleasure that shuddered through him

as it did me. After licking the wound closed, I collapsed back into the soil, groaning with

delight at the cool sensation of grass and dirt.

Slater draped his arm over my waist. Moonlight kissed our skin. Seeing the bite on the right

side of his neck glowing in the dim clearing made me feel more alive than ever. Because now I

belonged to him, and he belonged to me. Now, we were truly mates for life.

*****

THE END