Hybrid

EPILOGUE

⫷ ARIA ⫸

Their graves shine under the blazing summer sun. There was no question from any of us where to put Carlos' body. Once everything settled, James started getting everything together before I could ask him.

The anniversary of his death is today, five years since. Taylor's, too, but she's buried back in Alpha Christopher's pack. Here, Carlos' body rests beside Talia's in the pack they both started out in.

I'd asked James if this area was a wise choice, all things considered. He told me everything would be alright, so I believed him. Both Carlos and Talia have their tombstones built in the middle of the sunflower field. James told me that's where they fell in love, before knowing for sure they were mates.

Over the years, James slowly mended the bond between him and his brother. His mother, who rarely shows her face around this part of the world, even tries to schedule more visits with her sons. It's nothing perfect, but they're trying.

I don't jump at the feeling of arms circling around my body; two hands rest on my protruded belly. James' scent wraps around me, as his arms do, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.

"It's about lunch time," he murmurs.

I place my hands over his. "I know. Just a few more minutes."

He gives me those moments, and we both stand their in silence for our friend. James, for his sister. Both who lost their lives because of the greed stemmed from power. Victor Cage is a thing of the past. It took years, but he no longer haunts my dreams. I no longer feel a zap go through my body when I see his face in my mind. He's gone from all of our lives. Forever.

James presses a kiss on my cheek. He's gotten more protective later in my pregnancy. I can't say I can complain. Especially his increased need to cook meals. I love his cooking.

"Okay," I sigh. "Lunch time."

James intertwines our hands. "I made us some mac and cheese. You good with that?"

I smile. "You know I am. Are the others still here?"

"Brea and Payton left a few hours ago." He pauses a moment. "I think they might have a thing for each other. Is Payton into girls?"

I cock my head to the side. "You know, now that I think about it, she's never shown any interest in boys. But, then again, she hasn't shown interest in anyone. I kind of thought she was asexual."

He shrugs. "I'm definitely seeing some sexual tension there."

"What about her mate?"

He lets out a laughter that scares some nearby birds. "It was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. He turned out to be some sexist jackass that wanted her to be a stay-at-home mom. Nothing wrong with a women being that, but you know Brea."

I shudder. "Yeah. She'd hate that."

"So, she rejected him in front of half of his pack. He cried all night."

"I don't know whether or not I should sympathize or not."

"Oh, he deserved it. A girl like Brea could set a guy like that straight, but she didn't feel like the effort."

I nod as I think it through. "Good for her. She deserves to be happy." Believe it or not, Brea and I came to an understanding a few years back. She never hated me, she's just naturally hard on people she has yet to trust. Slowly, and I do mean slow, she thawed out for me, and even started helping me train.

"Alpha! Alpha! Luna! Luna!" A squeaky voice rose from ahead of us. Tumbling down the dirt path is a little girl, just turned four a few months ago. Her baby blue eyes contrast against her sable skin and curly brown hair. Raya scrambles up and jumps into James' awaiting arms. "You took too long," she pouted.

James tugs on one of her curly strands. "Sorry, Ray. We were visiting an old friend."

Raya, also known as Ray for her vibrant smile, glances over at me. "Are you okay, Luna? You looked sad earlier."

"I'm fine," I reassure. "I'm just exciting for that mac and cheese."

Her eyes light up. "I tried some already. I love it."

James gasps. "Hey! You were supposed to wait for your Luna!"

Raya's cheeks tinge pink. "Oopsie. Sorry, Alpha."

Ahead, I notice Caleb and Kasey sitting at a picnic table. Caleb holds a baby in his arms, while Kasey holds the other. Twins. Twin boys, more specifically. Kasey waves at our arrival, though her mouth is too full of food to say anything.

James growls. "Guess nobody waited."

"As long as there's plenty for me," I say with a cheeky smile. Yeah. Pregnancy hormones give 'hangry' a whole new meaning for me. Unfortunate for everyone else.

I join the other two at the table and immediately glow at my awaiting plate of food. James sets Raya down. She starts running around the picnic table while singing some song about sharks.

"Be right back." James plants a kiss on my cheek before heading toward the front of the mansion. Tyler awaits him inside, no doubt.

As tension lessons between brothers, I've noticed this pack isn't as vacant as usual. Kids play outside, people hang about the main pack-house, and the overall atmosphere holds little to no hostility. Tyler is still a jackass, but he's leaning how to not be a carbon copy of his brother. All good things.

I squirm in my seat. "Baby kicking?" Kasey asks after swallowing a mouthful.

I rub the side of my stomach. "Yep. He's trying to claw his way out of me, I can feel it."

Kasey chuckles. "Try having two eager devils." She lifts Nate in her arms. "It was like I swallowed a chainsaw."

"Mm." My attention shifts to the food. It doesn't last long before I'm staring at an empty plate. I push the plate away with intentions of getting myself more, but another kick makes me groan. "Sweet mother," I curse. "Damn, that hurts." I rub my tummy some more.

When I stand, it happens.

"Shit," I mutter, causing both Kasey and Caleb to peer up at me. "Get James. The baby is coming."