Page 100 of Knot Your Romeo

"You'll never wake up without me again," I promise, sealing it with a soft kiss on her forehead.

From across the room, I hear Jude and Elias chatting quietly before they join us; the bed dipping as they settle on the other side of Emmie.

Emmie's scent shifts back to the sunshine she exuded on occasion since she turned up at my estate. The happiest place she'd lived in years, she told me.

"Is this real?" she whispers, looking around at all of us.

"As real as it gets," Jude murmurs, his arm wrapping around her middle as he kisses her.

Only now do I finally understand that we are all the same. We all needed to find a love strong enough to build something beautiful from the broken pieces.

And I found it.

We all found it.

Epilogue - Emmie

Six Months Later

Today marks six monthssince our bonding ceremony, and Beck insisted on throwing a celebration to match the occasion.

The estate grounds have never looked more beautiful. Spring has transformed the landscape into something from a fairy tale. The garden bursts with cherry blossom, and the air carries the sweet promise of my scent.

Two long tables are draped in white linens, both laden with food and flowers, while strings light up the evening.

I stand at the edge of the terrace, watching our guests mingle below, and marvel at how much has changed. How much I've changed.

"You look like you're thinking very serious thoughts," Jude says, appearing at my elbow with two glasses of champagne.

"Happy thoughts," I correct, accepting the drink gratefully. "I was just thinking about how different everything is now."

"Good different?"

"The best different." I lean into his side, breathing my omega in. "How are your new students treating you?"

Jude's face lights up with genuine enthusiasm. "Brilliant. Challenging. Eager to learn about pack dynamics beyond traditional models." He pauses, grinning. "And art. Is it everything you hoped for? Or are you missing my tutoring?"

"I like the break because sometimes you're as bossy as our alphas," I say with a laugh.

Eli emerges from the house carrying a tray of something that smells incredible. He's traded his usual gardening attire of flannel shirt and muddy trousers for casual slacks and a button-down that brings out his eyes, and he's looking more relaxed than I've ever seen him.

"Romeo's outdone himself with the appetizers," he announces, setting the tray on a nearby table. "Though he keeps muttering about 'fancy rich people's food' under his breath."

"Who'd have thought that Romeo would have set up a kitchen for the homeless, and use the estate's produce?" I say.

Romeo has had quite the transition over the past six months. From a rich boy who cared only for himself to someone who gives back.

"I like the direction he wants to take the business." Eli's smile is wide. "I like he reflected on his treatment of you."

Me too.

"Where is Beck hiding?" Jude asks, scanning the crowd.

"Kitchen, I think. He wanted to thank Romeo personally for today."

Eli moves closer, his hand finding the small of my back with a casual possessiveness I've come to love. "How are you feeling about everything, sunshine? Not overwhelmed?"

The question touches me. Even now, months later, they all still check in regularly, making sure I'm comfortable with large gatherings, and with being the center of attention.