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“Alpha Kaylee!”

I turn to the sound of my name being called, my hands cradling my stomach, to see who is calling me. Running towards me from the direction of the packhouse is Riley, the teen pup waving his right hand as he carries a basket to me. I grin, shaking my head helplessly at the pup, and wait for him to reach my side.

“Riley, you know you can just call me Kaylee,” I say as soon as Riley stops before me, the kid panting from running so far.

“I know, but it’s fun calling you Alpha.” I chuckle at this, ruffling the teen’s hair.

“So, why have you come to find me?” I ask, turning back to open the door to the greenhouse.

“I heard you were picking berries and wanted to join in,” Riley sheepishly admits, rubbing the back of his neck. I chuckle again, motioning for him to follow me inside as I waddle into the warm building. Taking off my winter jacket, I place it onto the coat hook and grab a spare basket from the shelf on the side.

Three months have passed since becoming one of the alphas of Gilded Moon, the name we chose to erase Oak Fur from existence. In that time, we’ve changed the pack from the ground up, starting with hunting, gathering, and patrolling schedules. At first, everyone was hesitant, but once our packmates started to see the results, whether that be a fuller food reserve or growing stronger, everyone became open to the changes.

The next step was completing the two greenhouses and four farm fields. Unfortunately, it was too late in the season for us to plant anything in the fields, but David had come by on the completion date, not only bringing my belongings from my cottage back at Ivory Fangs but also berry bushes that we had grown there. He helped plant them inside the first greenhouse with Lucas and four of our omegas while Amelia and the pups kept me company.

Today, they’re finally ready for their first round of harvesting. With Riley by my side, we slowly walk through the greenhouse, picking raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries from the bushes. The strawberries aren’t ready yet.

“I thought I would find you here.” With a handful of blueberries in my mouth, I turn to find Lucas walking towards me with a smile.

“You should be relaxing. You’re six months pregnant,” he says with a helpless sigh, reaching down and grabbing a handful of berries from my basket.

“I was resting, but there’s only so much work I can do on the computer before I get antsy,” I say through a mouthful of berries, getting a chuckle from both Lucas and Riley.

“Well, I have a surprise for you. Riley, do you think you can finish berry picking alone?” Lucas asks, turning his question to the wolf at my side.

“I can, Alpha Lucas,” Riley answers. Lucas nods, his smile growing wider at being called alpha. After throwing the berries into his mouth, he takes my hand and leads me back to the greenhouse entrance.

With his help, I put on my winter coat. Lucas takes my basket of berries with him and tells me I’ll get them back once I’m in the car. I roll my eyes at this, reminding him I have a whole greenhouse to pick from, but I follow him outside nonetheless.

The walk to his car—a 2024 Sierra 1500 pickup truck—is quick, but the early December wind causes me to shiver. I hate the cold and can’t wait for winter to be over, even though it has only just begun. Thankfully, Lucas had kept the car running, and the warmth surrounded me as he helped to buckle me into my seat and handed me my basket.

As soon as he climbs into the driver’s seat, Lucas takes off, and I’m left to watch the pack scenery pass by. Soon, the scenery becomes very familiar, and I wonder where he’s taking me. I know it isn’t to Simon and Evette’s house—it had been demolished two months ago and isn’t ready yet. So where else could he take me?

Then it hits me. He’s taking me to our home.

“It’s done?” I blurt out, my wide eyes staring at my mate. He lets out a soft chuckle, his eyes shifting to me for a moment, filled with love and adoration, before returning to the road ahead.

“Yes, it’s done,” he answers, his deep voice filled with happiness.

I return my gaze to staring outside, not wanting to miss a glimpse of our home, of the place we will be raising our family. It has been three months since the burned remains were cleared away, three months since I stepped foot in this area.

The drive no longer felt quick. Instead, it felt like the world was moving past at a snail’s pace. My legs started to shake excitedly, and I caught Lucas staring at me helplessly a few times. Finally, the truck came to a stop, and I was quick to unbuckle my seat belt.

Throwing open the truck door, I carefully climb out of the vehicle to find a two-story home waiting for me. The large front porch is just how Lucas had seen it in his vision, including a wooden rocking chair that I can’t wait to sit in with Aspen in my arms. With a grin, I take in every detail, including the large garden plot off to the left side where the lilac bush will be planted next spring. For now it waits for me at Ivory Fangs.

Strong arms wrap around the small of my back and I look up to find Lucas beside me, his gaze locked on me with tears in his eyes.

“Welcome home, Kaylee,” he whispers, his voice cracking with emotion. I smile, turning to look back at the house, its warmth beckoning me inside.

Turning back to Lucas, I stand on my toes and kiss his lips, the tingles from our mate bond making my heart skip a beat. When I pull away, I smile at him, feeling tears fall down my cheeks.

“Welcome home, Lucas.”

THE END