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Cohen bundled her into his arms and lay back on the pillows. “Alana Wixx, my mate.”

She sighed happily. “Cohen Pierce, my match.”

“I’m happy it’s you, Alana. That life led me to you. Fate might have chosen us for each other, but I would’ve chosen you.”

She snorted. “I’m not sure that’s entirely true. We fought so hard.”

He grinned. “Only because I knew that the second we were together, I would never be able to let you go. Turns out I was right.”

He flipped them over until Alana was sprawled on top of him. She giggled, using her hands on his strong chest to steady herself. “What’s happening?”

“I’m gonna show you just how much I love you, Alana. All night long. All life long.” He kissed her gently, and she melted into him, letting go of her fears and loneliness.

Alana was home, and that home was Cohen Pierce, the surly sheriff. “I’m so happy you stole my heart just like you stole my booth. Both are yours now.”

Cohen chuckled. “Right back at you, love.”

EPILOGUE

MRS. FRANCIS

Only a few short days had passed since the latest big bad had come to town. Not that anyone would be able to tell from the looks of it. Everything was untouched, from the residents to the peaceful lake to the quaint shops lining Main Street.

Untouched and protected in a very big way.

Half Moon Key might be a small town hiding in a forested mountain with a nice lake, but the little town was home. It was a safe haven for a whole lot of people ... humans, witches, and shifters alike. It would always be a safe place for their kind, for anyone who needed to find where they belonged.

Mrs. Francis and the other elders had this dream, but it was her dearly departed husband who had led the charge. And to think that now, his legacy was going to be protected forever. The old woman was thankful on all levels. She walked by the police station on her way to the diner just as Alana and Cohen walked out of his place of work, holding hands.

“Hello, there,” Cohen called out with a smile that was a bit warmer than was usual for the typically gruff wolf shifter.

“You two are a sight for sore eyes. This is what an old woman wants to see. Young love.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “So wonderful, truly.”

“Well, we owe it to you.” Alana laughed. “Sure, I didn’t want you to hire this guy, but I’m definitely glad you did.”

Mrs. Francis tapped her nose. “I’m good at this stuff. It comes with age.”

Alana was waved forward by another Half Moon Key resident walking by. Apparently, there was a young child with a high fever, and the mother wanted to know if Alana had any tips and tricks that could help. The witch beamed. Being asked a question like this definitely solidified how the townsfolk saw her.

His mate. The alpha mate. A witch. A good witch. Half Moon Key’s own witch.

Taking the opportunity in hand, Cohen stepped closer to the elder. “Mrs. Francis, I’ve got a question for you.”

The old woman grinned. “Oh? What can I do for you, Sheriff?”

“I was just wondering how it is that you know. How is it that you can guess who will be a good fit for Half Moon Key?”

She shrugged. “I have no clue, to be honest. I just feel it. With Jack, it was a bit different, of course. I can’t explain it. I just knew that he would die if he stayed out there in the world. He’s a good man, and I didn’t want that on my conscience. That’s why I brought him here.”

“And me?” he pressed. “Why me?”

She grinned that knowing grin. “You’re another one I had a feeling about … I didn’t think you would die out there like Jack, but I could tell you were hurting, that you needed a safe place to land.”

“And there is no place safer than Half Moon Key,” he added with a chuckle.

Mrs. Francis beamed at him. “That’s exactly right. It is the safest place in the world for our kind of people.”

“Shifters?”