The Vampire’s Servant
Epilogue

Even though he wasn't thirty yet, he longed to replace his mate, like his cousin Randy had. Becky, Randy's mate, was away at college learning to design clothes. She wanted to be a designer of clothing made for shapeshifters. Things that were easy to get in and out of and was easy to carry in animal form.

"You got me, baby Belle. Just thinking about cubs. Maybe waiting until I'm thirty is silly. Randy found Becky young. I could start setting up my sleuth nearby. There are some bears in your collective. I could have them join." He replied.

"They're mostly black bears. Would they be okay with being in a grizzly sleuth?" She asked.

"I don't mind having a mixed sleuth. If your collective has taught me anything, it's that combining species might be the healthiest idea." Stanton chuckled.

"Is it being surrounded by all the babies that's getting your biological clock ticking?"

"I wouldn't mind a cub or two. I certainly wouldn't keep my mate pregnant like Lucien seems to be doing with you." He winked.

"So you caught the scent?"

"You always smell sweeter when you're pregnant. I think it's your happiness. With your luck it's going to be another set of twins." Stanton laughed.

"Probably. They run in the family. I don't mind it, though. Want to trade babies?" She asked.

He stood up and carried Helene over. Bellamy finished burping Elisabeth and he easily handed one off and took the other. Stanton looked at the tiny baby in his arms. She cooed and reached up. He wasn't falling for that one again. Last time, she grabbed his hair and slobbered all over his nose.

Stanton had his long black hair pulled back in a ponytail. He let her creamy tiny hand grab his dark finger. She gurgled at him and squealed a little. He walked her back to the couch and sat.

"You should go with Richard to see the witches." Bellamy said, pulling Stanton's attention from the chubby little girl in his arms.

"Is he still doing that?" Stanton sighed.

A few months earlier, Richard felt the pain of his destined mate dying. They hadn't met, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. He was hopeful that there was a new mate for him.

Bellamy had been watching him for a new connection to a mate, but none had formed yet. It was understandable, though. It could take a while for the goddess to replace just the right girl for him.

Richard wanted desperately to replace his mate and start his family. The pack house was filling up with babies. Not just Bellamy's, Cara just had her first pup and was making plans for a second.

Soon, Bellamy would be up to numbers five and six. Jean-Claude and Dillon were in the process of adopting a few orphaned ex-packs from the collective's orphanage. His little sisters were babysitting a lot and talking about when they found their mates, since they were getting ever closer to seventeen.

Talia came into the room. She had a big smile as she swooped in and took Elisabeth from Stanton. She danced the baby around the room.

"What's going on, Tallie?" He asked.

"I'm going to be a grandmother. Victor left a message while I slept. Echo's pregnant!" She replied cheerfully.

"Congrats! I thought she was waiting." Stanton smiled.

"Accidents happen. How long before you're ready to replace your mate and make me an auntie? I'm not getting any younger, you know." Talia scolded. A familiar question from her.

"To answer your question, Stanton, he is still doing that. Richard gets grilled about as much as you do. I think Talia stays here for all the babies." Bellamy chuckled.

"I just love babies. They grow into such interesting people." Talia sighed happily.

"Maybe I should go with him. I think I might be ready to settle down early. I've been running my business out of your collective for long enough. It's time to make my own permanent territory, replace my mate, and start a family of my own. So Talia can have some cubs to play with." He laughed.

"All my little pets. I'm so happy. To think we'd all end up in a place like this, surrounded by love. I should have my Zendaya come visit. She isn't as fond of shapeshifters as I am, but she would love all the babies. We've raised our share of orphans after several of the major wars." Talia said.

"She is welcome. The usual rules apply." Bellamy stated.

Stanton stood. He towered over Talia at his full height of 6'8". It made him smile that the deadliest adult in the room was the tiniest one. Even Bellamy had grown stronger than he could have imagined when he was just a boy taking care of the tiny wolf girl.

"I think I actually will go see the witches. It will give me a head start on replaceing my future Ursa." Stanton said.

"Good. Tell Tonya I'll see her on the next vampire night." Talia told him.

"Will do." He nodded and headed out.

It didn't take much searching to replace Richard. He was in his office, reading through files that were neatly stacked on his desk. Stanton knocked briefly and was called in. He sat in one of the guest chairs.

Richard looked up with a smile. He had the same eyes as Bellamy with copper colored hair, like his brother, and an elegant build. Stanton knew he was a keen fighter and a hard worker.

"How's it going?" Stanton asked.

"Good. Just getting used to the Gamma's duties. My dad is bumping me up to three days a week. I think he's just trying to replace more time for all of Bellamy's babies." Richard sighed.

"Bellamy suggested I go with you to see the witches. I was wondering when you were going next."

"Looking to know your future? I get that." He got a distant look in his eye.

"Still no news on your mate?" Stanton asked.

Richard shook his head. "I wish I had found her before she passed. Maybe I could have saved her. I wonder what she was like. I bet she was amazing."

"If she was supposed to be one of Bellamy's supports, you know she was. The moon goddess is working some sort of design with your cousin."

"Let's go now. I've finished everything important for today. Come on." Richard smiled and stood.

Stanton pretended he didn't see the tears that were forming in Richard's eyes. He couldn't imagine living through losing a mate. He wouldn't judge the young wolf for his feelings. It was enough to make anyone tear up a little.

They grabbed their light jackets, went downstairs, and left the pack house. Richard led him over to some SUVs and pulled out his keys. A light layer of snow covered the vehicles.

"I have the keys to the Gamma's transport. They won't mind when I tell them I was driving you. You don't exactly fit in my car." Richard chuckled.

"I don't fit in most cars." Stanton snorted.

After they pulled out, they headed from the pack lands and toward the city. Richard explained that they were going to the old downtown area. He went on about how good the tea was at the witch's teahouse. They did tealeaf readings for customers who requested it.

Stanton didn't really like to have things floating in his drink, but he wanted to know if there was anything that could help him replace his mate sooner. The city felt nice. He'd noticed it on a

few of his trips in.

The old downtown area was actually on the edge of town now. The city planners had made the change so they could keep the authenticity of the original city while still having the tall buildings and more modern look in their new downtown.

It was quaint and homey. They pulled into an alleyway and parked. Stanton got out of the SUV and heard the sound of someone struggling with something.

He scanned the lot and saw an older woman with a long, salt and pepper colored, braid, trying

to pull bags out of the trunk of a car. It was a bit slippery out, and he wanted to help the older

lady.

Carefully, he went over and caught her attention, startling her a little. She put her hand over

her heart.

"My goodness. You scared me, young man. You shouldn't sneak up on old ladies like that." She

scolded.

"I'm sorry. You were very focused. Would you like some help?" He offered.

"Thank you. I'm Tonya Wilson. What's your name, sweetie?"

"Stanton Bruinwald, ma'am." He smiled.

She blushed. "No ma'am, just Tonya. Oh! Richard! Have you met Stanton?"

"I brought him, Tonya. I can help, too." Richard offered.

"The goddess has answered my prayers. Two strong and handsome men to take care of me in

my golden years." Tonya laughed.

"I would be honored to have an Ursa as lovely as you, Miss Tonya, but the goddess has not made it so, sadly." Stanton winked.

"A flirt. Of course. I always attract that sort of man." She giggled. "If you two help me I'll give you some tea and do your readings for free up in my apartment. I have some things I need moved around and I can't do it myself."

"I'm more than happy to help." Stanton smiled.

"Me, too. You only have to ask and you know I'll help out with whatever you need." Richard

grinned.

"If you handsome boys don't stop flirting with me, I'm going to keel over before I get the chance to retire." Tonya laughed.

Richard looked up from where he was gathering bags. "You're retiring, Tonya?"

"Oh, yes. I've booked a cruise around the world, then I'll start traveling to the places I particularly liked, or didn't get to see. Don't look so sad. I've selected the granddaughter of one of my sisters to come take over the shop. The girls will keep doing readings. You can keep

coming each week, Richard. I want to know as soon as you replace that new mate of yours." She smiled.

"If I get one. I'm afraid I never will, Tonya." He sighed.

"Let me read for you, I'll replace out what we need to know." Tonya said as she patted his shoulder.

"If nothing else, you could choose my niece as a mate. She could use a nice boy like you for a

husband."

"I appreciate it, but I'd prefer my destined second chance mate." Richard chuckled.

The men carried the groceries up to Tonya's apartment above her shop. They helped her put away her groceries while she sat and directed, occasionally making comments about their butts or their muscles. Stanton was impressed by the height in the ceilings, most older buildings couldn't accommodate him.

When they were finished, she asked them to move some boxes from the master bedroom to the guest room. She worked on brewing the tea for doing their reading. That morning, when

she had been trying to figure out how to move those boxes herself, she felt like she should go on a big shopping trip in the afternoon.

It had worked out perfectly. The goddess was certainly looking out for her. Not only had she

gotten more than enough food for the month, but someone else had brought it up and put it away. And shapeshifters were always good looking.

She'd had some shapeshifter lovers in the past. Never one as large as Stanton. She wondered what he was. He said 'Ursa', so he must be a bear. She'd never had a bear before.

After the men had finished with putting things away, she sat them down on the couch and

served tea for all of them. She wanted to see if her grandniece was going to make it in the next month. Her sister told her about the troubles she was going through, refusing her arranged marriage had angered most of the coven.

Poor thing. Tonya hated the idea of arranged marriages. Her parents had tried to get her into one and she threatened to poison the groom. She said she would either be a spinster or a widow and it was their choice. That was the end of that. No parents would risk their son's life.

Richard finished his tea first. He was always eager to know what was next for him. The local

water witches got regular visits from him when he had the money. Leaf readings weren't nearly as expensive.

Tonya looked into his cup. "I see success and happiness. I see nothing about your mate. Maybe

you should focus on your work. The goddess wants you to be happy. She won't forget you."

"Thank you, Tonya." He sighed.

Stanton finished next and handed her his cup. Tonya looked at the leaves. They made a familiar shape in the cup. She smiled.

"I see good luck and prosperity. If you are looking for something, you will replace it, if you want to

learn something, you will learn it, and if you desire something, it will come to you." Tonya told

him.

"Thanks." Stanton grinned. "Talia says that she'll be at the next vampire night. She seemed excited."

"Vampires do love their nights at the teahouse. Let her know I look forward to seeing her."

The men stood and shook her hand before heading out. She watched them walk down to their vehicle and went back to the table. Looking into the cup, she saw a bad omen. Her grandniece wouldn't survive to come take over. She hoped she wasn't too late to stop whatever it was.

Quickly, she ran to the phone and called her nephew, Gareth. He picked up his cellphone,

sounding a little angry.

"What?!" He growled.

"Where are you? Are you near the house? Clover's in danger!" Tonya shouted into the phone.

She heard the sound of tires squealing and an engine roaring. Her nephew's wife took the

phone from him and Tonya told her what she saw. They kept her on the line while they returned home and ran into the house.

"Oh, dear goddess! She took a poison! Gareth!" Leticia screamed.

"I know this one. I can make the antidote, keep her still so she doesn't metabolize it faster. I

need all the time I can get." Gareth said urgently.

Tonya stayed on the phone trying to soothe Leticia. She heard her niece faintly.

"I'm sorry, mama. I won't marry Steven. I can't. I'd rather die." Clover whispered.

"You don't have to. I'm so sorry we tried to force you, baby. I'll tell your father. Just stay with us.

We love you." Leticia sobbed.

"I'll try."

"Tell her she can come run my shop and you won't arrange any other marriages for her." Tonya

insisted.

"We won't make you marry anyone, baby. You can go to Auntie Tonya's. I promise."

"Thank you, mama." Clover murmured.

It didn't take long before Gareth returned with the antidote. Once he had given it to Clover,

Tonya knew she'd be alright. She sat heavily in the chair next to the phone. Her favorite

grandniece had almost died because her parents kept pushing that damned marriage arrangement.

Tears formed in her eyes as she listened to her nephew and his wife taking care of Clover. If any of her sisters' children or grandchildren were like her own, it was Clover. She'd spent a couple months every summer with Tonya. They'd grown incredibly close.

When they were sure she was on the mend, Tonya hung up. She felt the weight of her age on

her. Even at eighty, Tonya looked and behaved much younger. Now she truly felt like a little old

lady. She started making a plan to ensure Clover never felt trapped like that again. She called Rhea, the coven leader for the area, and let her know Clover was coming and wouldn't join if they were going to arrange a marriage. That the girl needed to be free to choose if she would marry. Rhea agreed that she would let Clover make the choice and she would not force her into a marriage if she decided to join the coven. Tonya was relieved. Now she just needed to prepare someone to help in the shop, she already had the teahouse covered by two girls.