Selling Myself To The Alpha
Epilogue

Six Months Later

Liana

POV

"Hi," I greet Drew as I kiss him against his cheek and sit opposite him on the porch. "Look at you all rested. Retirement becomes you."

"Honestly, I never thought I would say this, but I'm loving every moment," he grins from ear to ear. "Except for the part where Carol drags me to one of her dreadful classes." "I thought you liked the cooking classes?" I laugh.

"That one, yes," he sighs. "But pottery? And when in the world did paint and wine become a thing?"

"Ah, I'd like the last one," I smile wickedly. "I should definitely join you next time."

"Please do," he looks pleadingly at me. "Then I can stay."

"Didn't you say you loved retirement?" I laugh.

"Yeah, I do," he admits sheepishly. "But Carol should never know how much I enjoy it. She will milk it and drag me to knitting or something really boring."

"Where is she?" I look around curiously. Since Drew came out of the hospital, she rarely leaves him on his own.

"Shopping, what else?" He grins. "I refused to tag alone. I'll do groceries and shoes, but I draw a line at dresses. Speaking off, aren't you supposed to make yourself pretty for Adele's inauguration?"

"Yeah, I fled the scene," I sigh. "Mom is driving me nuts since we told them I'm pregnant again. She doesn't want me to lift a finger - and I mean that literally. And I can't even shift and go for a run. Don't get me wrong, it's great that she accepted me, and she's been more of a mother to me than my own. But taking a bath without her checking on me if I'm still alright, would be great."

"It still amazes me," Drew laughs. "She went from hating you to insisting you call her mom."

"She still refuses to get into a car with me and Axel," I lovingly rub my stomach where our baby girl is growing.

"Poor woman," Drew sighs theatrically. "You traumatized her for life."

"How's your dad doing since he moved back to the trailer?" Drew asks softly.

"Adjusting," I smile wryly. "I still wished he would stay here, but I understand this is his way of mourning his wife. He'll move back here once he's ready."

"And you?" Drew gives me a meaningful look. "How are you adjusting?"

"Well, I'm sad that she's dead," I shrug. "She was my mother, but honestly, I don't miss her. I parted ways with her long before she was dead."

"Uncle Drew! Uncle Drew!" Peter shouts as he runs towards us with a huge smile. "Mom said it's okay if I want to go fishing with you tomorrow."

"Then it's a date, buddy," Drew ruffles his hair. "Go look in the kitchen, there's a fresh batch of cookies."

"Thank you," he runs off excitedly.

"I'm going to miss him," Drew sighs heavily as he watches Peter.

"What do you mean?" I frown.

"Luna," Gwen speaks behind me before Drew can respond. "May I have a word, please?"

Gwen looks nervous as she stands next to us with her little girl on her hips.

"I'll take her," Drew stands up and takes the child. "We're m going to check on Peter and have a cookie." "Sure," I smile at Gwen. "But I've told you before to call me Liana."

"I know," she smiles sheepishly as she sits next to me. "But I can't. Not after the things I've done to you." "Come on, Gwen," I place my hand on hers. "We talked about it, it's in the past."

"Not for me," she looks sadly at me. "Not since I've met my mate."

"Really?" I asked surprised. "That's a good thing, right?"

"Yes," she smiles dreamily. "Neal loves the kids, and they adore him."

"So," I look eagerly at her. "When did this happen? I want details."

"He's from Adele's pack - or her soon-to-be pack," she continues. "He was part of the part of the crew that came to pick up the captives. But I only accepted him as my mate two days ago. I wasn't ready before."

"I understand," I smile sympathetically. "You went through a lot."

"I'm sorry," she looks at me with tear-filled eyes. "I'm so, so sorry for what I've done to you. I loved Wyatt, I really did but I had no idea how beautiful and sacred the mate bond is. I mean, you hear about it, but I didn't fully comprehend exactly how much until I met him. It's been eating me alive that Wyatt and I undermined your mate bond. I'm so sorry."

"Gwen," I say patiently. "You need to let it go and forgive yourself. I have. I'm happier now than I ever would've been with Wyatt. You did me a favour."

"I just want you to know that I never knew about his business with Wilson," she takes my hand. "I swear, I thought his dad gave him money."

"I believe you," I smile reassuringly. "It's in the past, Gwen. Leave it there. I don't think about it at all."

"I owe you everything," Gwen smiles through her tears. "And I'm so grateful. That's why it's so hard for me to leave this pack."

"Are you leaving to join Neal or are you running away from your feelings?" I ask thoughtfully.

"To join Neal," she smiles. "I'll follow him to the end of the earth. I told him everything and he still wanted to be with me. You don't get that every day."

"Definitely a keeper," I laugh. "I'm so happy for you, Gwen. You deserve happiness."

"Yeah," awkwardly she looks away. "I can't say I deserve it, but I selfishly want it."

"Gwen, look at me," I say softly, and she obeys. "You do deserve it. We all deserve happiness. We all make mistakes, but it's not your mistakes that define you. It's what you do about it that does. You have remorse, you've apologized profusely, and you made an effort to correct your mistakes. You're a great person, Gwen, let go of the past. Everyone else has."

"You're a great Luna," she sniffs. "Thank you."

"I'd much rather be your friend," I squeeze her hand. "The bad is behind us. Now tell me everything about Neal."

I listen intently as Gwen starts talking and I am amazed at how she lights up when she talks about Neal.

"There you are," Axel smiles as he walks over to us. "I should've known I would replace you here."

"Is everything alright?" I smile at him.

"No," he pushes his fingers through his hair. "Mother is concerned that you won't be ready in time." "Fine," I sigh. "I'm coming."

I say goodbye to Drew and Gwen before taking Axel's hand.

"How are my baby girl doing?" he asks as we walk home hand-in-hand.

"Growing," I grin. "She's much easier than her brother at this stage."

"In Connor's defence, you were a human then," Axel grins.

"I hope they get along," I sigh. "I don't want them to be like me and Leon."

"They'll adore each other," Axel stands still and pulls me into his embrace. "Because we will love them equally."

"I love you," I wrap my arms around his neck.

"I love you more," he grins before kissing me.