Too Beautiful For the Alpha

Epilogue

The sun's rays warm me, my skin illuminating with life. The golden glow brings a heavenly filter to the forest around us, like walls protecting our castle. This is our land, the True Alpha's. In the middle of the calm meadow is my home, James' home, our families home. In the trees is an army of men. His men. Guards that protect us from the jealous and the evil.

In the morning I wake up and quietly tiptoe downstairs, meeting Gail in the kitchen. She hands me a cup of coffee and we sit together outside on the porch. I took her with James and me to the new house. She's family to us. I wish Theresa was here too, but she's passed away, she's in the Goddesses hands now.

"I can already feel him," I murmur, lifting the mug to my lips, warmed even more by the coffee, feeling as if true happiness is an external and internal warmth that makes one comfortable where ever they are.

"Should we get the children?"

I shake my head. "I'll let him wake them."

The pack is close by, a few minutes walk. We offered the pack house to Will, but he insisted we let Theodore and his mate have it. Our children like to play with his—a set of twin boys who look exactly like him. Theodore loves his family with all his heart, I see it when he looks at them. It makes me proud to be his friend.

"There he is. I'll get breakfast started for the little ones," Gail says, heading inside.

My eyes are entranced by the sight of my mate. He walks with two guards, talking, glancing up to me, shooing them. I make my way down the porch steps, meeting him halfway. An animated smile stretches over my face as he wraps his arms around me. His scent engulfs me. "This one was too long," I mutter, my face pressed into his shoulder.

He pulls back, looking down at me. "I know. There were land issues between the York pack and Kenn pack that I had to settle. Both were very adamant about not giving in."

I nod, running my hands down his arms, simply happy that he is here now.

"Where are they?"

"They're waiting for you to wake them up."

I follow James inside as he surprises the children one by one. First, James, the oldest at seven, named after him, carrying on his family's tradition. Then Bridgette who's four, and the most loving little girl I've ever met, and finally our baby Lea who is only thirteen months, cozy in her crib.

With everyone downstairs eating breakfast, and little Lea in her highchair, I tell everyone, "You're going to visit Theodore, Madeline, Camron, and Aidan today while Dad and I handle some things. I need you two," I look at James and Bridgette, "to go get ready after you're done eating." Gail will go up with Bridgette while I get Lea ready.

Soon enough James and I are alone with Lea, but she's far too busy staring off and eating dry cereal to interrupt. I look up at him. "You know, it was nine years ago today that we met."

"I know, and I remember everything," he says, surprising me. "I remember you stumbling onto the pathway, I remember forcing you to come back with me, I remember being so incredibly cruel, but you never left, not genuinely. And even now I still am not sure why, but I'm ever so thankful that you didn't."

We share a short kiss before Lea speaks her baby language and begs to be set free. Before getting up and leaving our bubble, I gaze into my mate's eyes and say, "I love you, James," which is the most honest statement I will ever say.

He smiles at my words, at our family, at the little world we built. "I love you too, Julianna."

"What?"

Confused, but joyful, James says, "I said I love you too, Rae."

THE END

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New note 9/3/21:
I get many comments regarding the last bit where James calls Rae Juliana. If you want to keep your own theories, please do not read the following!
The way I see it, James does not actually call her Julianna; it is only what she hears, like her mind is playing games with her. I added this to solidify the idea that not everything is perfect and happy now that Rae has her mate and her family. Rae is not completely cured, James is not entirely redeemed, and the mental consequences of her struggles won't just disappear. Yes, they are doing better and Rae and James have a healthier relationship, but the past will always linger in the back of her mind.