The Panther

Epilogue

Yvonne

"Mom, what if we don't shift into the same thing? What if we're different?" My son, Ulysses, asks worriedly.

"I promise darling, everything will be alright, even if you and Sylvia aren't the same species, that doesn't make you less of twins," I assure him as I pull him in for a hug.

Today is the birthday of my two oldest children, they are turning 10, and I knew they would shift today. Copper had told me that their inner animals were ready to manifest and join them. Any time now and they will shift.

"Why don't we go join your siblings and dad for breakfast?" I say with a small smile. He nods and goes barreling down the stairs to join the rest.

I have five children. Ulysses and Sylvia, both 10. Ash and Clarke, my two beautiful boys at the age of 8 and my little girl Poppy at the age of 6. They are my pride and joy, Anthony has given me more than enough to live a life of happiness.

Between all of my brothers, I have 7 nieces and 5 nephews. So right now, there are more girls in the family than boys, and that makes me quite happy.

I sit with my children at the table just as Anthony brings in food for them and me.

He places a sweet kiss on my cheek before sitting next to me to eat his food. Damn, he's adorable.

'I heard that,' Anthony growls seductively through our mind link.

'Of course, you did,' I replied rolling my eyes slightly. 'What do you think our children will shift into today?' I ask him wondering what his stand in this is as we eat, the children laughing and entertaining themselves as they eat as well.

'I'm not sure, they could be canines or felines. There's really no way of telling until they shift.' He answers honestly as he takes my hand in his. I smile at him as we eat.

When we're done, I take all the dishes from the table and wash them in the sink. While doing so, Anthony comes from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, putting his forehead on my shoulder.

"Mom, dad, can we go for a walk in the forest?" Poppy asks. I look to see her siblings nodding frantically as well.

"Just give me a few minutes to finish up and then we can go," I reply with a small smile. They all nod and run to get their coats as it's cold outside, being it is the middle of December.

When I'm done, Anthony and I grab coats as well, finding the kids waiting excitedly by the door.

"Can we go to the river today?" Ulysses asks as we all exit the house, the snow crunching beneath our feet.

"Sure honey," I reply as I follow behind the over-excited children. All of them love this forest, they grew up in it together and have a connection with it, knowing every twist and turn. When they grow older they are going to be powerful leaders for this pack. I cannot wait.

When we reach the river, the kids carefully step onto it, knowing it's slippery but it's frozen through so we don't have to worry about them falling through.

After they are tired out, we sit on a blanket Anthony brought under a large tree. It was nice for family time during all the madness of being an alpha.

Often times I wouldn't see my children as much as I would like to, being a co-alpha is tiring. But I love Anthony and I love that we get to lead this pack together.

Breaking me from my thoughts, I hear a scream. I look to Sylvia to see her struggling hard. I know she is shifting. It isn't long before Ulysses is doing the same.

I hate to see them in pain, but I know I have to let it take its course. I hold Poppy in my lap as the two boys sit next to me, silent tears falling down their cheeks as their siblings are in pain.

I watch in amazement as Sylvia's body snaps one last time before there is black fur erupting from her pores. Her entire body reshapes until she is just a heap in the snow.

I then switched over to Ulysses to see the white fur coming from him, it wasn't hard to see that he was a white lion. But his sister was not.

Ulysses immediately got onto his feet warily and Anthony went to help him steadily, but Sylvia was still lying there.

I put Poppy on the blanket before getting up and going to my other daughter.

"Sylvia? Are you ok?" I ask as I put a hand on my back and rubbing slightly. When I hear purring I know that she is a feline. I look at her figure more to find out she is a panther, just like me.

I go around to her head and pick it up slightly, I gasp at the familiarity, the icy blue eyes looking back at me.

"Harriet?" I ask slightly. She perks up and nods her head and I can't help but let tears of joy fill my eyes. My daughter has my feline, what a miracle. "Why don't you try standing?" I asked biting my lip. She nods before slowly rising. I hold her steady as she wavers slightly.

When she finally stands alone, she gives me a lopsided grin and I can't help but smile back. Instantly, she's off playing with her twin.

I stand to my full height once more and Anthony comes to me and wraps an arm around my waist.

"We created that," I whispered happily.

"Yes we did," he replies in the same tone as we watch them play together. The other three jump to their feet and play with them as well. "I love you," Anthony whispers placing a sweet kiss on my lips.

"I love you too,"

---

Ahhhhh! Omg! I finished it! I never thought it would take this long.

I just have to say the biggest of thanks to all my readers and all those who enjoyed it. It really made my day to wake up and see the votes you guys leave so thank you so much.

This book was so much fun for me to write at times, and others it was a burden. But man, I a, so happy I managed to push past and finish it.

Now, I can't promise that my other books will be updated soon, but I've been working on it.

If you haven't read The One with Purple Eyes, I suggest you do because the first chapter is out of the sequel, The Ones Destined to Be, and I am so excited about it.

Again, I am so happy for all of you! Thank you for the good times!

Till next time,

-Anonymous