Her Forever
Chapter 81

Epilogue

Evelyn ran through the deep halls of the castle. Her hair cascaded down her back in tangles as she ran from small screams from the throne room. Evelyn took a swift right at the top of the stairs and landed in her parent’s bedroom. The royal suite was decorated in white and tans. The large chandelier hovering over the large bed twinkled as the evening sun showed through the large balcony windows. Small lights danced across the floor as she breathed heavily, leaning up against the large double doors she had just run through.

Steam came through the bathroom to the left of her. Her mother’s hair was freshly dried and curled, make-up done in a pristine natural look with her signature cat eye liner.

“Evelyn, what are you doing? You should be ready for the dance tonight!” Her mother fussed at her appearance. Evelyn had her dress, crimson red, a color meant to draw in her mate. She wore a different dress each dance but the same color to every ball since she had turned eighteen.

“Mom, I haven’t seen or smelled him yet. What makes you think he would be here tonight anyway? I can’t be dressed so royally all the time.” Her mother squinted her eyes and put her hands on her h**s. Her mother’s short stature compared to other werewolves was something many women wanted but could not have due to their werewolf genes. Evelyn towered her mother in both physical strength, like her father, and in height. At exactly 6 foot she towered over her 5 foot 4 mother. This always troubled the 19-year-old, wondering if her mate would reject her due to not being petite and beautiful like her mother.

On the contrary, Evelyn was beautiful and strong enough to be next in line to the throne. Her mother, Queen Sabrina, or Sadie as she liked to be called, was blessed with all of Sadie’s looks, just in a taller form. Sadie reached up and put a tangle behind Evelyn’s ear and motioned her down for her to k**s her cheek.

Her mother was regal, even for only ruling for the past five years after her own parents had ruled for 1,020 years before her. Everyone loved her mother, but most of all, Evelyn and her father, Alpha Seth, loved her the most. “Now, let’s do your hair. I have a good feeling tonight you will meet him.” Sadie’s eyes sparkled as she guided Evelyn to her vanity, curling iron in hand.

With a huff, Evelyn sat down and her golden hair that she inherited from her grandmother on her father’s side. Sadie brushed the tangles from her hair carefully until a loud bang from behind them caught their attention. Two small male pups came in the room growling in an offensive position, “we found you, Evelyn!” One of them screamed as both pounced and grabbed her legs, pretending to gnaw on them.

“Yes, yes, you found me.” Evelyn huffed while crossing her arms. Sadie threw her head back and laughed. Theon and Thaddeus grinned mischievously as they hugged their dear sister that they had become quite attached to. “Working on your tracking skills, I see,” Sadie chided.

“Mom, we found her in less than five minutes, a new record!” Theon roared. Both of the twins, who were now 5 years old, showed strong wolves. Their senses were keen, and their sight was unmatched for other pups their age. They demonstrated their strength when they were in the womb by constantly breaking her mother’s ribs. Luckily, she always recovered quickly with her werewolf healing abilities, but it never settled well with Seth. Her mate was always on edge when she was pregnant last and even told Sadie he couldn’t handle another pregnancy if she had to go through such torture again.

The twins held Evelyn while Sadie curled her hair and pinned it up into a half do. Small curls were left on the side of her face to frame it, giving her the girly look that Evelyn loved so much. Sadie placed small pearls in her hair and sprayed a bit of perfume near her neck. Taking a bit of her makeup, she did Evelyn’s electric blue eyes that she inherited from her father. Seth didn’t like his oldest to wear makeup, but tonight was special, and Seth understood that Sadie wanted everything perfect for her and her mate.

Sadie was carrying a secret that she had held since the day Evelyn was born, one that she only spoke to her mate about. Evelyn was born in the pack house with doctors around her. Sadie didn’t make a sound even though her pain was unbearable. Seth was a constant by her side, wiping her forehead from sweat, rubbing her shoulders, and massaging her belly when her body wasn’t trying to contract their firstborn. The doctors assured her the first wolf was always the worst, but Sadie wasn’t so sure. Her body felt it would break in half, but she gave birth to Evelyn with the force of nature and her own strength.

Small cries filled the room, and Seth beamed with pride. “A girl!” the doctor declared as she wrapped her in a swaddle. The small girl cried for her mother, and as Sadie held her to her chest and Seth’s large hand covered her daughter’s head, her cries went to a small whimper. Sadie held her close, and Seth looked at both of them adoringly. His first pup, the future queen of the Moon Kingdom if she accepted, once her own mother ascended the throne in a few year’s time.

After all was settled, Sadie cuddled her daughter while Seth held her in his arms. The small family felt complete for the moment and were basking in each other’s presence until they heard a small knock at the door. They both knew who it was by his smell and welcomed him in. In his small uniform that Sadie had gifted him during her mating ceremony to Seth, Max was standing shyly at the door. He held a small bouquet of orchids, Sadie’s favorite flowers. Max was still enthralled by his future queen, and his oath to protect her and her family was fresh in his mind.

“May I enter, Luna?” Sadie smiled and held out her hand to the 6-year-old as he came closer.

“They are beautiful, Max, thank you!” Max beamed at her but quickly diverted his attention to the baby in her arms. The baby was so small, yet she already had a wonderful smell to her that he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. Sadie continued to call Max, but his eyes lingered on the baby in front of him. Sadie and Seth both looked at each other and smiled. This could only mean one thing, and Sadie beamed with pride. Her little warrior would grow up to be a mighty captain one day and be mated to the little princess.

Finally diverting Max’s attention, she held the baby out for Max to hold. His eyes grew wide and he pointed to himself. “Here, Max, why don’t you hold her?” Max stepped up beside Sadie, and Seth moved over so there was enough room. Sadie gently placed Evelyn in his arms, and Max held her like he had been holding babies all his life. Evelyn automatically nuzzled into Max’s embrace, and Max smiled widely at her. Max knew nothing of what a bond was, for he was too young, but Seth already saw the look in his eyes. The same look he had for Sadie when he first met her, love.

After their meeting, Max, who was already scheduled to travel with a special pack of warriors to train for the next 20 years, had his bags packed ready to leave. He bid his future queen goodbye and promised to write every week, and he never did break that promise.

Today was the first day Max would return to the kingdom and be present at the ball that night. Evelyn’s hair was now curled to perfection, makeup in place. She looked like the future queen. Seth walked in. He was in complete king regalia, showing off his bands of leadership and heroism. He gave his queen a quick peck and looked down at his loving daughter. He still stood at least a foot above Evelyn.

“When you meet your mate tonight, he still has to ask my permission.” Seth scolded. Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Dad, I won’t meet him tonight. No one except a few warriors are coming, and they are long past due to having their mates. I’ll be fine. Let’s just celebrate the peace, alright?” Seth chuckled as he looked at Sadie knowingly. If it had been any other wolf, Seth would integrate the pup, but since it was Max, Sadie’s beloved little boy whom she saved all those years ago, he would let it slide. Besides, he had prepared for this for almost 20 years. Max was approaching 27 and his warrior marks had been exquisite, enough to protect his queen as well as his own princess.

Mia walked into the room, their second-born daughter, who was now 18 as of last week. The age where she would replace her own mate. Seth knew it was possible for her to meet her mate, and he wasn’t quite ready. She was still a bit naive like her mother was when he first met her. The thought of some mate taking her tonight would irritate him to no end.

Mia wore a green strapless gown, and her long brown hair was done straight with a small diamond pendant in her hair. “Mom, they are asking our presence for the ball. It’s starting,” Mia announced elegantly. Mia was a poised princess, not as rambunctious as her older sister and younger brothers. She was regal, serious but did know how to smile and let loose at the right times. Sadie often commented how her mate would be a man of much mischief or commonly known for saying things at the wrong time, causing her to smooth things over. Mia laughed at the notion saying she would have a mate that would be diplomatic and regal as her.

The family walked to the ballroom. They were all standing on top of the grand staircase when the announcer presented them. Even though Sadie had the final say and was the true ruler of the Moon Kingdom, Seth did all the talking. Sadie was quiet in a large crowd still and as innocent as they came to her mate.

“Welcome to the annual Peace Ball. We hope you enjoy the beverages, food, and dance. Please help yourselves, and for those of you replaceing mates tonight, congratulations ahead of time!” Seth used his large Alpha voice to welcome them all.

Sadie smiled at him and put her arm in the crook of his and descended the stairs. The rowdy boys took to the food tables and ravaged the candies and desserts. Mia and Evelyn escorted each other down and started laughing and giggling with each other. Only with Evelyn did Mia feel light-hearted.

Max entered the ballroom in complete warrior regalia. It was a pristine white uniform that held metals, patches, and rank. In the short 26 years of his life, he had gained top 3 of the warrior ranks. He was the chosen general of the Royal Guard, now the official protector of his Luna, now queen. He searched for her to say hello. It had been so long since he had seen her in person, only being able to see her in pictures.

She-wolves and shifters alike stared at him. He was tall at almost 7 foot, his uniform outlined his muscles, and his hands were large as he held a glass of champagne in one hand. Once he caught sight of his queen, he started to walk over when he caught the most intoxicating scent. It smelled closely of the queens but a hint of something more, orchids. Champagne and orchids, and he was drawn to it. Changing course, he followed it, pushing people through the crowds until he stumbled upon,.. Her.

Evelyn’s hair swayed as she twirled her sister Mia. Once Mia waved goodbye, Evelyn turned around to see the most handsome werewolf she had ever seen. His hair was black as ebony, and his eyes showed a determination in them. He was a wolf on a mission. As if in a trance, they both walked to each other. Their eyes were glued to each other’s faces, and their slow walks turned into a fast-paced one as they met each other.

Seth and Sadie watched longingly as they both fell into each other’s arms. Seth kissed Sadie at the shell of her ear. “Isn’t it wonderful? Evelyn never thought she would meet him tonight. I’m glad she let me do her hair.” Seth’s chest rumbled in laughter. “You are right, my queen. They do make the perfect pair.” Max grabbed Evelyn and roared, “Mine!” for the crowd to hear and held her close as he kissed her in his embrace. Members of the ball erupted in laughter and cheers, and Max guided her back to the dance floor for their first dance.

Mia stood by the food table looking at Evelyn. A small smirk came to play on her lips as they both danced together. “That won’t be me,” she thought longingly. “I’ll be more composed than that.” She started to fill her plate with shrimp when she felt a large body behind her. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as she thought it would be. It was rather nice. Taking a large sniff, she smelled her favorite smell in the entire kingdom, cinnamon, and pine, like Christmas.

Mia slowly turned around to meet his chocolate brown eyes. The man she grew up with knowing as a family friend that had only visited once every five years or so, stared back at her longingly. His hand came up to cup her cheek, and immediately she leaned into it. Shocked was, to say the least. The man didn’t realize the feelings he had the several times they had met could be this: she was his mate. He had waited almost as long as Seth to replace his mate, and there she was.

“Hmm,” he thought. “This is going to get interesting.” A large smile came to play on his lips. “Mate,” he whispered. Mia looked back at the tanned, muscular man, and never in her wildest dreams thought it would it be him. Deep down, she might have known if her mind didn’t come into play. Marco grabbed her h**s, hugged her tightly, and sniffed his soon-to-be marking spot.

Mia pushed him back a little and started back up into his eyes. “Mate?” She questioned. A man of nearly 120 was to be her mate, and here she was turning 18 only a few weeks ago, the age to replace a mate.

“I’ve waited so long,” he almost whined. “To replace you, to take care of you, to make you smile.” Mia continued to stare, studying and fighting with her mind and heart. To accept this age gap or make him wait to claim what was his. What would mom say? She would be thrilled, actually. Father was surely going to freak. This was his long-time best friend and alpha of the Warrior Pack.

Marco waited for her to say something, she had only questioned his intentions of him being her mate, but now she was stuck in thought. Marco’s smile started to falter until Mia’s began to rise. This was her mate, the Moon Goddess paired them together, just like her father and mother, and they had been happy for years despite their age gap.

“Mate,” she whispered. Marco took it on himself to gently k**s the innocent thing he called his mate. He would need to be patient with her as she was inexperienced in life, and he, well, had a past. One that would surface in due time. “Mine!” He roared, and the crowd looked over at the two new mates in adoration. No one expected for the two eldest princesses to replace their mates tonight, especially the father to them both.

As Sadie tried to hold back her mate, Seth’s forearms were flexing in anger. His teeth grind in aggravation that his best friend was fated to his second-born daughter, the level-headed innocent one.

“Honey, it is the will of the goddess, and they will be perfect for each other.” Sadie tried to calm his beast, which was working since she started to nibble on his ear. Even through Sadie’s still comparably short life of his own, she was wise beyond her years. The beast within him started to be calm, and knowing his pup would actually be protected greatly by his friend gave him a bit of ease.

“I will help her along the way, and you will help Marco. We were both there at one time.” Sadie’s soothing words caused Seth to bury his face in her neck. “Our children are growing up, my love. We have a while before the twins go off and replace their mates.” She smiled and kissed Seth passionately.

“Yes, and the twins will be starting their warrior training soon, so we will have a bit more alone time,” He winked seductively.

“Mhmm, my king. Maybe a vacation is in order after two mating ceremonies.” Seth g*****d and held his mate close. “Good thing I love you,” He growled.

“And I love you, mate.” Seth grabbed her a*s and gave a gentle squeeze as they kissed each other passionately in the corner of the room while many ate and drank until their hearts’ content.