Page 34 of Heart of the Rebel Mate (Wolf Billionaire #5)

EPILOGUE

ELARA

T he lecture hall hums with the soft rustle of papers and the low murmur of students filing out, their discussions still animated from today's lesson. I watch them go, their enthusiasm contagious. A year ago, I was leading a rebellion, fighting tooth and claw to tear down an oppressive system. Now, I stand here, shaping minds, guiding the future, teaching werewolves and humans alike how history shapes power—and how power can be reclaimed.

I lean against the desk, taking a deep breath. The air smells of newly-printed books and copier ink, the scent grounding in its familiarity. I never thought I'd return to this life, to the quiet rhythm of lectures and research. But I'm not the same woman I was before. None of us are.

As I gather my notes, a familiar presence fills the doorway.

"Ready to go?"

Adrian leans casually against the frame, arms crossed, his smirk as infuriatingly charming as ever. His golden-brown eyes lock onto mine, amusement flickering in them. He's still dressed in his usual combat gear—dark pants, a fitted shirt that does nothing to hide the raw power beneath. The warrior in him hasn't faded, but there's ease in his stance now, a lightness that wasn't there before.

I smile. "You're early."

He shrugs. "Couldn't help myself. Watching you teach is kind of sexy."

I roll my eyes, but my heart swells. Despite everything, despite the war and the blood and the scars we both carry, we made it through.

And we're still us.

The werewolf wrestling grounds are alive with energy, the air thick with the scent of sweat, earth, and the sharp tang of excitement. Wolves in both forms spar in the training pits, some in serious combat, others engaging in lighthearted matches. Laughter echoes through the clearing, a sound that still feels precious after everything we lost.

Adrian and I step onto the packed dirt, and immediately, eyes turn toward us. Some watch with admiration, others with mischief. They've seen us fight together before, know the undeniable competitive streak we share.

Adrian stretches, rolling his shoulders. "Care for a match?"

I arch a brow. "You sure you can handle me?"

He grins. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Without warning, I lunge. He's ready for it, sidestepping just in time, his hands catching my waist and twisting me mid-air. I shift, my body flowing into my wolf form in a seamless movement. My paws hit the ground, and I launch again, forcing him to shift as well.

We crash together, a blur of fur and muscle. He's stronger, but I'm faster. My teeth snap at his neck, missing by inches. He retaliates, using his weight to pin me, but I twist out, rolling back onto my feet. Around us, the pack whoops and cheers.

Adrian growls playfully. "You're getting cocky."

"And you're getting slow."

He lunges, and this time, I don't dodge. I meet him head-on, our bodies colliding with raw force. We tumble, shifting back mid-fall, breathless and tangled in the dirt. His body is solid above mine, heat radiating from his skin. His chest rises and falls rapidly, his breath mingling with mine.

The teasing edge in his gaze fades, replaced by something darker. Something hungrier.

The crowd around us blurs, fades. There's only him, only us.

His hand finds my wrist, pinning it above my head. "I win," he murmurs.

My breath hitches. "Debatable."

His thumb brushes my pulse, slow and deliberate. "You yield?"

I should say yes. I should end the game here.

Instead, I shift beneath him just enough that my thigh presses between his legs. His sharp inhale is satisfaction enough.

"Adrian," I whisper.

His grip tightens. His control snaps.

The world disappears as we slip into the shadows of the training grounds, our breaths ragged, hands searching. Adrian presses me against a tree, his body flush against mine, his lips crashing into mine with a ferocity that sets me ablaze.

I fist my hands in his shirt, pulling him closer. "I need you," I breathe.

A growl vibrates against my throat as he kisses his way down my neck, his tongue teasing, his teeth scraping over sensitive skin. His hands roam, urgent, desperate, sliding under my clothes to touch bare skin.

He lifts me effortlessly, pressing me harder against the tree, his hips grinding against mine in slow, deliberate movements that have me gasping.

"Tell me what you need," he murmurs against my skin.

"You. Always you."

His mouth claims mine again, his kiss deep and consuming, a promise of everything to come.

And when he finally thrusts inside me, it's with a force that sends my head spinning.

We move together, our bodies desperate, claiming, needing. The moonlight filters through the trees, casting silver light over his sweat-dampened skin. His name falls from my lips in a breathless cry as pleasure overtakes me, and he follows, his body tensing, his growl low and primal.

He rests his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling, our hearts pounding in unison.

Later, as we walk back hand in hand, the cool night air soothing against our heated skin, Adrian squeezes my fingers.

"You still sure about moving in?" he asks, his tone teasing, but there's a vulnerability beneath it.

I squeeze back. "More than sure."

His smile is soft. "Good. Because I already moved half your books."

I laugh, leaning into him, and for a moment, I let myself soak in the peace.

In the distance, laughter rings out—children playing in the open fields, their voices high with joy.

"Hunt the wolf!" one of them shouts, and the others giggle as they chase each other.

I glance at Adrian, finding the same quiet wonder in his expression. Once, we were hunted. Once, we fought just to exist.

Now, we're here.

Whole. Alive. Free.

And this is just the beginning.