Page 13 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #5)

KRISTA

SIX MONTHS LATER

The roar of the crowd was deafening as Levi and I stepped out of the limousine onto the red carpet. A sea of flashing cameras and eager voices called his name in a never-ending chant. Levi, ever the stoic alpha, gave a curt nod to the paparazzi, his hand tightening around mine as we made our way into the theater. His new film was premiering tonight, and while the chaos of the last six months still lingered in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as I watched him navigate the frenzy with ease.

"You're glowing," Zane murmured in my ear as we paused for pictures. He was dressed in a sharp navy suit, his trademark glasses perched on his nose, and his grin was as mischievous as ever. "It's disgusting, really. I hope you're not planning to make this a habit."

I laughed, elbowing him gently in the ribs. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Zane."

"Jealous? Me? Never," he said, feigning offense. "I'm just saying, it's a little unnerving to see the great Krista Fortune so blissfully domesticated."

"Domesticated?" I raised an eyebrow, my tone playful. "I'm still the same person, Zane. Just happier."

His teasing smile softened, and he nudged me with his shoulder. "Good. You deserve it."

Levi appeared beside me then, his arm sliding around my waist in a possessive but tender gesture. "Am I interrupting?" he asked, his voice low and slightly gruff, though the glint in his eyes told me he was only half-serious.

"Not at all," Zane said, throwing Levi a mock salute. "Just admiring your handiwork, Storm. You've turned our fearless leader into a lovesick fool. Bravo."

Levi's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The three of us laughed, the sound blending with the hum of the crowd. It was moments like these that reminded me how far we'd all come. Zane was still the same quirky, loyal friend I'd always known, but now that he had his own clients at the PR firm, there was a new confidence in him, a sense of purpose that had been missing before.

And Levi who was once so closed off and guarded, was now unabashedly affectionate, his walls crumbling bit by bit as we built a life together.

Inside the theater, the air buzzed with excitement. The flickering lights and the hum of conversation created an electric atmosphere, but Levi's presence beside me was a grounding force. His hand never left mine, a silent reassurance that we were in this together.

Garrett appeared as we found our seats, his tall frame commanding attention even in the dimly lit theater. He gave a rare smile, his usually stoic demeanor softening as he approached. "Krista," he said with a nod, his deep voice carrying a hint of warmth. "Happiness suits you."

I grinned, feeling a swell of gratitude for the man who had become an unexpected ally. "Thank you, Garrett."

He glanced at Levi, his expression shifting to something more serious. "You've got a good one here, Storm. Don't mess it up."

Levi smirked, his grip on my hand tightening. "Not planning on it."

The lights dimmed, and the film began. As the opening credits rolled, I felt a surge of pride watching Levi's name flash across the screen. The audience was captivated, their laughter and gasps a testament to his talent. But my attention kept drifting to Levi himself. There was a quiet intensity in his eyes as he watched the film, a mix of pride and relief that mirrored my own.

After the premiere, the after-party was a blur of champagne toasts and congratulations. Levi was pulled in every direction, but he always found his way back to me, his hand brushing against mine or his arm slipping around my waist in a silent declaration that I was his anchor amidst the chaos.

As the night wore on, Levi leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "Let's get out of here," he murmured, his voice low and filled with promise.

I nodded, my heart skipping a beat as he led me away from the noise and into the quiet night. The limousine ride faded into the background, my focus entirely on the man beside me. When we arrived at the animal shelter, I blinked in surprise. The place was transformed. Rope lights strung overhead twinkled like stars and the rescued animals watched us with curious eyes from their kennels.

"Levi, what is this?" I asked, my voice soft with wonder.

He turned to me, his blue eyes glowing with a mix of nervousness and admiration. "I wanted to do something special," he said, his voice low but steady. "Something that felt like us."

I looked around, taking in the scene. The lights glowed soft and golden, the animals wandered lazily or curled up in cozy corners, and a small makeshift altar sat near the center of the shelter. Behind it stood Zane, Garrett, and Dean, their expressions ranging from amused to solemn. Even the animals seemed to sense the significance of the moment, their usual chaos replaced by a quiet, almost reverent stillness.

"You didn't..." I started, my voice catching in my throat.

Levi took my hands in his. "Krista," he began. "You walked into my life like a storm and turned everything I thought I knew upside down. You've seen me at my worst and somehow still choose to stand by my side. You're my mate, my partner, my forever. I want to make that official."

My breath hitched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple, elegant ring. The golden band and diamond at the center shimmered under the lights.

"Krista Fortune," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "Will you marry me?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded, unable to find the words. Levi slid the ring onto my finger. The cool metal was a perfect fit. A chorus of cheers from our audience interrupted our private moment. Zane whooped loudly, and Garrett gave a rare clap. Even Dean offered a crooked smile from the corner.

Levi pulled me into his arms, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was both tender and possessive. It was a vow to face whatever came next together, as equals, as partners, as mates.

As we broke apart, I looked around at our makeshift family. Zane's infectious grin, Garrett's quiet pride, Dean's reluctant approval, and the animals who had become symbols of Levi's hidden compassion. It was a reflection of the life we'd built, imperfect, chaotic, but filled with love.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice trembling with joy. "More than anything."

Levi's chest rumbled. It was a contented hum that echoed through me. "I love you too, Krista," he said. "Always."

We spent the rest of the evening surrounded by the animals and our friends, the string lights casting a dreamlike glow over everything. Levi and I exchanged vows in a simple, heartfelt ceremony, our words carrying the weight of everything we'd been through together. Zane officiated with his usual flair, cracking jokes that had everyone laughing, while Garrett stood as Levi's witness, his gruff exterior softened by the occasion. Dean, ever the recluse, had somehow managed to program the shelter's speakers to play a soft, instrumental version of our song, a surprise that left me speechless.

As the night wore on, Levi and I danced under the stars, his arms wrapped tightly around me. The animals watched us with curious eyes, their presence a reminder of the sanctuary we'd built. I leaned my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear.

"Do you remember when we first met?" I asked, my voice soft and teasing. "You were all growls and scowls, and I thought, 'This guy's going to be a nightmare to work with.'"

Levi chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "And now look at you," he said, his tone equally playful. "Stuck with me for life."

I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

His expression softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Neither would I."

We stayed like that for a while, swaying to the music and basking in the quiet joy of the moment. The night was perfect, but it wasn't just about the ceremony or the celebration. It was about everything we'd overcome, the battles we'd fought, the scars we'd healed, and the love we'd found in the process.

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Levi and I sat together on a bench, watching the animals start to stir. Sunny, the one-eyed Chihuahua trotted over, wagging his tail furiously before curling up at our feet. Levi reached down to scratch behind the dog's ears, his expression softer than I'd ever seen it.

"This is it, isn't it?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Our future. Together."

Levi turned to me, his blue eyes filled with warmth and certainty. "Yeah," he said, his voice steady. "This is it. And it's only the beginning."

4 YEARS LATER

The sanctuary was alive with laughter, the kind that twinkled in the afternoon breeze like a song. Levi and I sat on a wooden bench, watching Riley, our three-year-old son, chase Sunny across the grassy field. Over the years, we'd expanded the shelter in the city by adding a sanctuary out in the country. It soon became a haven not just for the animals, but for us. It was a place where we could escape the cameras and noise of the city, and where our little family could grow in peace.

Riley squealed with delight as Sunny darted around him, his chubby little legs trembling with excitement as he stumbled. Levi chuckled beside me, his arm draped over my shoulders. "He's got your energy," he said, his voice fond.

"And your stubbornness," I shot back, grinning.

Levi smirked, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Fair enough."

The sanctuary had become everything we'd dreamed of and more. It was a place where animals that would have otherwise been forgotten, found a second chance, just like us. Our lives were far from perfect, but they were ours, filled with love, laughter, and the occasional chaos that reminded us of how far we'd come.

As I watched Riley climb into Levi's lap, his little hands tugging at his father's shirt, I felt a surge of gratitude. Out of chaos, death, and violence, we had created this little piece of paradise.

Levi caught my eye, his gaze softening. "What are you thinking about?" he asked. His voice was warm and carried that familiar gruffness that always made my heart skip a beat.

I smiled, leaning into his side as our son babbled happily, completely absorbed in the Chihuahua's antics. "Just how far we've come," I said, my voice soft. "This life we've built is everything I ever wanted, even if I didn't know it at the time."

I leaned my head on Levi's shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek. "This is my forever," I whispered, the words carrying the weight of all the battles we'd fought and the love we'd built. "And it's perfect."

Levi pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his voice a low, contented rumble. "It is."

Sunny barked, drawing our attention as it bounded back toward us, tail wagging furiously. Our son squealed with delight, wriggling out of Levi's lap to chase after him. Levi and I exchanged a look, equal parts amusement and exasperation, before he stood, brushing off his jeans.

"I'll get him," he said, his tone resigned but fond.

I watched as Levi scooped our son into his arms, the dog dancing around his feet. The sight of Levi, once so guarded and untouchable, now laughing and playing freely filled me with a sense of peace I hadn't known was possible.

They returned to the bench and Levi's hand found mine, his grip warm and reassuring. "We did good, didn't we?" he murmured, his voice low and filled with a quiet pride.

I squeezed his hand, my heart full. "We did more than good," I said softly. "We built something beautiful."

Levi turned to me, his blue eyes shining with love. "And we're just getting started," he said.

I smiled, leaning into him as our son yawned, his small body curling into Levi's side. Sunny, now exhausted from playing, nestled at our feet, his tail thumping lazily against the ground.

"I love you," I whispered.

Levi's arm tightened around me. "I love you too, Krista. More than anything."

This was our story. Our love. Our forever. And it was perfect.

Thank you for reading Krista and Levi's story.

Check out Dean and Nina's story in the next book: Billionaire Wolf Needs a Maid