The Human Wolf

Epilogue

"How many plates do we need, Tee?" I shouted from the kitchen pantry, trying to look for the stack of plates.

"10 dear." He shouted from the dining room.

"Does that include the kid's plastic plates?" I grabbed the fine china white plates, carrying them out of the pantry to place onto the kitchen counter top.

"No, dear. We would need another 5 for those." Turner came into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around me from behind, gently placing them onto my large bump. "Hopefully not another one between now and Christmas dinner." He kisses my forehead gently.

"This little one isn't due for another couple of days." I tell him, as I waddle around the kitchen island bench. "Why did we agree to host Christmas dinner?"

"Because you insist that our first Christmas together, we'd host everyone. I still call you crazy for even thinking about it, considering you were five months pregnant when you offered." He chuckled, grabbing the china plates and taking them to the dining table. I followed him, taking the napkins that I had folded into little Christmas trees, placing small homemade yarn pompoms on them as a decoration.

As Turner placed the plates down, I followed by placing Christmas tree napkins down. The music hummed in the background and the moment Turner had placed the last plate, he danced his way over to me. Grabbing my hips, wrapping his hands around my hip and my free hand. He swayed to the music, singing the lyrics of the Christmas tune.

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful..." His voice sang. "Since we've got no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

I giggle, as we dance around the dining table, listening to Turner sing 'Let it snow.'

What stopped us for dancing, mucking around and having fun in our house was the front door opening and two little kids came running in.

"Aunt Nyla!" They both squealed, followed by their parents, Conri and Natasha.

"There are my favourite godchildren!" I smiled, as they wrapped their arms around my legs to give me a hug.

"How's the baby going, Aunt Ny?" Junior, Conri and Natasha's oldest asked. He was three.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Jesse, Conri and Natasha's youngest asked.

"The baby is doing fine, Junior and we are keeping it a surprise Jesse." I tell them both. "Why don't you go to the Christmas tree and find your presents?"

The pair cheered and ran into the other room. Natasha came over and gave me a quick hug. She placed a hand on my belly, giving it a quick rub before moving over to Turner.

"I'm surprised you haven't popped yet." Conri chuckled. He came over and kissed my cheek gently and handed me something. "Leon gave me this to give to you. He asks that you read the card first before you open the gift up and to read it in private."

"Thank you..." I grab the present from his hands and turn to walk towards the office. "Tee, babe. Can you make sure the boys have their presents? I just need to do something first."

I didn't even wait for his response. I don't even notice when Clara and Jordon walking into the house carrying their little bundle of joy only a month old. My sole focus is on the card and gift from Leon. It's like everything else blurred out and all I cared about was what Leon had sent. I didn't even know why I had reacted in such a way, but I just needed to get this over with.

Shutting the door to the office, I leaned up against it opening the card that was attached. It was a Christmas card with a glitter green Christmas tree, gold star and some red glitter baubles. I opened it, waddling over to the couch to seat down and read. It was more of a letter than a Christmas card.

Nyla,

I'm happy that you're finally happy. No matter what happened between us, I'm glad you finally found something that was worthy and deserved you. You are an amazing and beautiful woman with a big heart. I may have once thought you to be stupid and weak, but now I understand you are much more than that. You are one of the bravest people I know and a strong one at that.

I have news.

Barrett and I have finally made up, despite me not entirely forgiving him for everything that he has done. He is slowly making progress, but his beautiful baby girl is my niece and I couldn't do that to her and my own blood. Surprisingly after everything, Rubi and Barrett are stronger than ever. I've met someone myself, Beta Malenia, from our neighbouring pack. She may have been slightly stubborn to give up her Beta status, but after much convincing she moved in, after training her replacement.

Malenia and I are expecting. I'm going to be a father. I cried when she told me the news. I thought I'd never be able to experience that after losing you. But Malenia has sparked something that I needed to spark. I'm in love and she has given me my heart back, a purpose in life. She is mine.

After everything, I wish you a very happy Christmas and I am forever grateful to you for everything that has happened between us. Mates or not, you will always mean something to me, Nyla. Please enjoy the gift and cherish it.

Yours truly,

Your Lion.

A few tears shed as I placed the card back into the envelope and chucked it between my arm and breast. I picked up the gift and unwrap it, tearing the paper apart. I chucked that aside, flipping over the gift in my hand. It was a small photo frame with Leon and I assumed Beta Malenia, standing outside the family house with Barrett, Rubi and their little baby girl. I couldn't help my smile, letting the tears of joy roll down my cheek and fall onto the frame. I wiped them off my cheek, before wiping them off the frame.

I flipped the frame over and saw a little insert tag sticking out and I pulled it. A single photo popped out from behind the frame. It was a photo of me, laughing. I couldn't help but smile, as I placed the photo back inside the back of the frame and placed the card behind that. I gently placed it onto the office bookshelf with various other trinkets and photo frames.

The tears of joy finally stopped, as I thought about Leon and how happy he finally was. He found someone and moved on. He had chosen a chosen and was finally happy in life. I knew exactly what he wanted to talk to me and why he wanted me back at Clara's engagement party. He wanted me back, Conri had even informed me when he had rushed up to my office, demanding to see me.

I was thankfully outside in the stables. Conri had lied to Leon about my whereabouts.

But I was happy. Leon was happy. Even Barrett, goddess, he was happy. Despite everything that had happened between us, we were all happy. Yes, we were destined and we were each other's mates, but neither of us ended up together. I was kind of glad that I didn't end up with them. Somewhere inside me, I knew it was never going to work.

Taking a couple of steps back to admire the frame, I heard the door close behind me.

"There you are." Turner said, wrapping his arms around my belly and gently kissing my neck where he had marked me. "I was worried you went into labour without me."

"Not yet..." but as I say that, I felt something trickle down my leg.

"Nlya, please tell me you dropped a glass of water..." Turner asks.

I turn around. "Turner, I didn't drop a glass..." He eyes go wide. "My water just broke."

[-] The End [-]