The Last Alpha

Epilogue

A/N: Well, here it is. The final chapter of "The Last Alpha"

I really hope you enjoy it!

Epilogue

"Are you sure you want to do this, Mom?" Henry asked, as he sat down next to her. "We can wait another few years."

"I've been ready for this since you and Jacinda got married." Regina laughed, fixing a stray piece of hair. "I should be asking if you're ready for this."

"Yeah. We are." Henry smiled, looking over at his Wife.

Regina took a deep breath and stood up, demanding everyone's attention. They were in their backyard, the rest of the yard filled with tables of food, chairs filled with Pack members, enjoying themselves on the perfect summer afternoon.

"Excuse me, everyone. May I have your attention please?" Regina said. "Thank you all for coming today. I'm sure you're all wondering why we threw this celebration." Regina said, as she waited for everyone to quiet down and take their seat.

"You got this." Emma whispered, as she squeezed Regina's hand quickly.

"Too often, an Alpha is only replaced with their heir when they pass away, leaving far too many Alphas in leadership positions well past their prime. That's when they make questionable decisions, instill questionable policies, that could lead to the destruction of a Pack." Regina explained, glancing down at Emma next to her. "Today, I am here to announce that I have reached my prime. I have been your leader for over forty years, and I have reached the end of my reign as Pack Alpha. Today, I officially abdicate my position as Alpha to my heir and son, Henry Swan-Mills." Regina said, pausing as the uptake of voices rang through the backyard. "In addition to stepping down from the role of Alpha, I am here to announce that, at the end of this month, I will also be stepping down as town Mayor, passing the torch to my daughter-in-law, Jacinda Swan-Mills, who was unanimously elected as my replacement." Regina explained, waiting for the applause to die down. "I now present to you, your new Alpha and Omega, Henry and Jacina Swan-Mills, as well as their daughter and heir, Lucy Swan-Mills." Regina said, taking her seat next to Emma, their fingers instantly laced together.

"I'm so proud of you." Emma whispered, as they tried to focus on their son making his speech.

"Thank you, My Love." Regina whispered back, kissing the back of Emma's hand.

"Thank you for electing me your newest Mayor. My husband and I have very large shoes to fill. Regina Swan-Mills is an incredible person and an even better Mayor and Alpha. We hope we can follow in her footsteps and continue to make Storybrooke an amazing place to live." Jacinda said, addressing their Pack. "And as the first matter of town business, I will be swearing in Emily Lucas-Gale and the newest Sheriff of Storybrooke, following the upcoming retirement of the current Sheriff, Sheriff Emma Swan-Mills." More applause rang through the yard, as Emily stood up to wave towards the Pack, her face blushing before taking her seat again next to Ruby.

"With all new beginnings comes change. Today's change of leadership also comes with a large announcement that affects the future of our Pack." Henry says, looking over at his pregnant sister, seated next to her Wife. "As most of you are aware, my sister is the current Omega of the Boston Pack, her Wife, Margot assuming her rightful position as Alpha earlier this year when their previous Alpha passed away. Before his death, he and his Wife met with myself and Jacina, Margot and Hope, as well as my mothers Regina and Emma. The six of us discussed the possibility of joining the two packs. We believe there was a reason that destiny chose two sets of siblings to be destined to be together. We all agreed that, for the greater good of both Packs, we would join the two together." Henry said, motioning to Margot to take her turn speaking.

"As of today, we would like to officially announce that the Storybrooke Pack and the Boston Pack are officially one Pack. Henry and I will continue to lead our respective Packs in our respective towns, but when it comes to the bigger picture, we will lead together, side by side, as one unit." Margot explained, as the chatter continued in the crowd. They couldn't hear the individual conversations, but it sounded overwhelmingly positive.

"If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any one of us, as well as our parents. We will be more than happy to address any concerns you might have. And as always, if you do not agree with any decisions we collectively make today or at any point in the future, you are welcome to leave the Pack. This also means, you are welcome to any resources that the Boston Pack has to offer, and vice versa. We are one family now. To the future!" Henry said, lifting her cup. "Now please, enjoy the party!" He added, sitting down next to his Wife, as the rest of the attendees went back to their conversations, the food being served.

"How does it feel?" Emma asked a few hours later, as she finished her third pink cupcake, a simple request from Lucy.

"To not be Alpha anymore?" Regina asked, pausing to think about the answer. "A little weird, to be honest. I've been Alpha for over forty years. I don't know if I remember what it's like to not be Alpha." Regina answered, picking at the cupcake that Lucy had personally delivered a little while ago.

"You'll always be Alpha to me." Emma said, kissing her quickly. "And not just because I'm your Omega. Because you're the strongest and bravest person I have ever met. Henry and Jacinda are right. They have some enormous shoes to fill." Emma said, wiping the stray tear from Regina's cheek.

"Have I told you that I love you today?" Regina whispered.

"Only fifty times." Emma said, tucking a piece of salt and pepper hair behind Regina's ear. "But the day is still very young."

<~**~>

The air was cold, as they stood outside in the backyard, blankets wrapped around their bodies, watching as the sun set behind the horizon. Regina, Emma and Ruby had long ago stopped running during Wolf's Time, their advanced ages keeping them inside during the full moon, enjoying a quiet evening together instead. Tonight was a special night, it was the second night of the Wolf's Moon, and just as Granny had before them, they chose to always run during this most sacred night of the year. Henry, Jacinda and Lucy had their own special place to shift as a family, leaving the three to shift alone in their usual backyard.

Emma shivered under their blanket, as Regina wrapped her arms around her body tighter, holding her closer as they watched the sunset. Although their hair had turned white long ago, and wrinkles appeared across their faces, they were just as much in Love as they had been the day they met. Dorothy stood next to Ruby, her arms around her blanket clad body, her winter coat and boots keeping her warm. Although Ruby's hair had turned white as well, she always maintained her signature red stripes, which stood out even more against her white hair.

"It's been quite the journey we've been on, old friend," Regina said, looking at Ruby.

"It's been one hell of a ride! And you know what?" Ruby said, turning her gaze towards Regina. "I wouldn't have it any other way." Ruby laughed, as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

Regina and Ruby smile at each other, as the familiar clouds of smoke encase their bodies. They listened for the sound of Henry's howl before taking off slowly into the forest.

The End

A/N: I can't thank you enough for reading my story. This story means so much to me. I still can't believe these words came out of my brain. This is by far the longest and most intense thing I have ever created.

I really hope you enjoyed the story as much as I did writing it! This was definitely a labor of love, filled with my blood, sweat and tears! Please, let me know what you think of it!

I'm going on vacation in a week and a half (Off to Arizona to get my butt kicked by my niece and nephew for a week heehee :D) Starting when I get back, I will be posting my third SQSN story from last year "You Saved Me, Now I Save You." It's my DarkSwanEvilQueen creation and I'm so excited for you guys to read it. Hopefully I'll see you all over there in about two weeks.

Thank you so much for going on this journey with me!

Jen