Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“I know it’s silly,” she said as we walked toward the checkout. “But it really does mean a lot.”
She’d said that a few times since the madness at the barn. She said it when I rented an apartment for her mother in our building so they could be close while still having privacy.
Ilsa’s doing much better, talking about starting therapy.
Ruby’s studying for her GED. She’s working hard to start the road toward becoming a nurse.
“After what happened,” she said to me last night as I held her gently in my arms. “I want to help people, even more, to heal them. I want to be a force for good in the world. I don’t mean to sound like I’m some wannabe hero, but you inspired me, Ramsey.”
“Me?” I said softly. “It all comes from you. All this goodness. All this love. It’s you.”
She squeezed me tighter. “No, it’s you. I know how hard you trained to control your wolf, all those lessons you and Liam did. If you can do that, I can do this. I will do this.”
“I believe in you.”
Now, I move up behind her and softly wrap my arms around her. She makes a soft moaning noise, clutching onto my forearm and hugging me tightly. Her scent shifts, and I feel something that makes my heart race and my world spin around.
It’s different, new.
Can it be....
“Hey, you,” she says, turning to kiss me.
I find her lips and push down with warm pleasure. She returns the pressure as she reaches up, clasping onto my face.
“I have to tell you something,” she pushes her chair out and turns to me, staring up with her hands clasped in her lap. “Earlier today, I did a test... and not a school test. Sorry. Bad joke.”
I chuckle, leaning down next to her and gently kissing her cheek. “I don’t know. I liked it.”
She smiles, her cheeks changing shape against my mouth, reminding me of how I change shape when I drift into the change-joy.
It’s the same happiness burning up inside her.
“It was a pregnancy test,” she says softly.
“Yes,” I whisper, my voice shivering.
I can scent it so powerfully, roaring at me in the air.
“I can feel it. I know it’s true. You smell so perfect, Ruby. You smell like our future.”
She throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I squeeze her in return, pushing close to her. I’m melting into her with all the love in the world flowing through me.
She finds my lips, and we sink into a passionate kiss.
“If they happen to be a wolf, I know you’ll help them. I know you’ll make them strong, capable, and happy like you.”
“I promise,” I say seriously. “I’ll always protect our children. Our family. For the rest of our lives. I love you so much.”
“I love you.”
She gasps, making that pleasure sound I know oh-so-well.
My wolfish instinct flares, howling, as I kiss her again.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
Ruby
I sit on the porch with Samantha in my arms, rocking her softly back and forth.
Samantha was my grandmother’s name; Mom told me. Her mother died when Mom was only a teenager. I remember how Mom’s eyes watered when I told her, and then how she beamed when she finally met her granddaughter.
Mom sits across from me in a flowing summer dress.
She’s fuller than she was even at the wedding, five months ago. She’s been going to therapy and doing her exercises, and now she’s working part-time at a florist, and she’s talking about possibly studying something at college.
She catches me looking and returns my smile.
“What?” she asks.
“Just you, Mom. I’m so happy.”
Mom smiles, her whole face lighting up.
Life’s only gotten better since the showdown at the barn. Liam and Ramsey were able to clean up the mess, even going so far as to anonymously offer to rebuild the farm owner’s barn, which was enough to keep him quiet.
None of the hunters have returned.
To be safe, we moved apartments a month after we discovered I was pregnant, but there’s been no sign of danger. And, of course, we have our place out here.
They’re staying away.
For now, a nasty voice hisses but will be ready if they ever come back.
“I’m proud of you,” Mom says. “You’re going to be an incredible nurse.”
A smile touches my lips as the sun blazes down at us, as though reminding us of how far we’ve come.
“One day,” I say. “I hope so.”
“I know you will.”
I smile, looking down at Samantha, shaded from the sun by the umbrella I sit beneath. She sleeps most peacefully in the shade, her eyes closed, with hints of Ramsey in her soft smile. I stare down at her and feel the love bursting out of me, so much it’s difficult to believe, so much I sometimes cry to release some of it.
It was the same on our wedding day, walking down the aisle.