Page 45

Six Months Later

Today marks six months since 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.

"Happy," I say simply. "Grateful. I'm a little amazed that this is my life now."

Movement near the garden gates catches my attention, and I let out a delighted gasp. "River is here!"

River bounds up the terrace steps with the energy of a man who just signed a massive hockey deal, his now famous smile even brighter than usual.

Behind him, two men I recognize from sports coverage follow more slowly—Crew Banks and Steele Oliver, former Boston players who now play for the Scented Scorpions.

"Emmie!" River sweeps me into a hug that lifts me off my feet. "Look at you, all glowing and gorgeous. Pack life agrees with you."

"It does," I agree, laughing as he sets me down. He fell out with his father for months, but came around one day—out of the blue—he arrived at the house with flowers and asking for forgiveness. He never needed our forgiveness—he needed time. "How was the flight?"

"Long, but worth it. I wouldn't miss celebrating your half year anniversary." His expression grows more serious, though no less warm. "I'm thrilled for all of you. What you've built here—it's special."

"Are you ready to talk to Remi?" Remi is in Italy, readying herself for the Olympics. In two days, we're flying out to watch her.

"Yeah. Oh, Emmie, Jude. Do you remember Crew and Steele?" River says, gesturing to his friends.

Crew steps forward first. "Congratulations on your bonding. River told us a lot about your pack."

"All good things, I hope," I reply, shaking his offered hand. Jude follows..

"The best things," Steele adds with a grin. He's smaller than Crew but radiates the kind of confidence that comes from being exceptional at what you do. "It's not often you meet a pack that's rewriting all the rules."

"We're not trying to rewrite anything," I protest. "We're just doing what works for us."

"Which is exactly why it's so revolutionary," Crew says with obvious admiration.

Beck chooses that moment to emerge from the house. He's with Romeo, and the reunion that follows is warm enough to make my chest tight. Watching him with his sons—proud, affectionate, completely at ease—reminds me of how much healing has happened here.

Before I can respond, another voice calls my name, and I turn to see my mother approaching with two women who make my heart leap with joy.

"Ava! Ella!"

My older sisters converge on me in a tangle of hugs and tears and excited chatter. Ava looks radiant as she rushes to me with her beta, Seb. Her two alphas trail behind. Silas holds their toddler on his hip, while her other alpha, Max, has their daughter on his shoulders.

Ella hugs me after Ava. Her three alphas crowding her like she was their world. I suppose she is.

"Look at you," Ava breathes, holding me at arm's length to study my face. "You're absolutely glowing."

"Pack life suits her," Ella agrees, then lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Are we going to get to meet these famous mates of yours properly?"

Over the next hour, I watch my sisters and their families integrate with my pack. Beck charms them with his easy confidence, Eli wins them over with his genuine interest in their lives, and Jude fascinates them with stories about his research.

But it's my mother's reaction that touches me most. She stands slightly apart from the main group, watching me interact with my pack and extended family, and when our eyes meet, hers are bright with unshed tears.

"Happy tears," she assures me when I approach her with concern. "I just... I never imagined seeing you like this."

"Like what?"

"Free. Confident. And completely yourself without apology." She reaches out to cup my cheek gently. "You spent so many years hiding, making yourself small. Look at you now. You're the biggest person here."

I cover her hand with mine. "Thank you for fighting for us, even when it was dangerous."

"I should have fought harder. Should have gotten you all away from him sooner."

"Mom." I turn to face her fully. "You did everything you could. And look how it turned out—we're all safe, we're all loved, we're all free."

Well, almost all of us.

The thought of Lottie casts a shadow over my perfect day, and I step away from the celebration to pull out my phone. I've tried calling her twice today already, but both attempts went straight to voicemail.

This time, I don't even get that much. The call fails to connect entirely.

"Still no answer?" Beck appears beside me, his alpha instincts clearly picking up on my distress.

"Nothing. The call won't even go through now." I try to keep the worry out of my voice, but Beck knows me too well.

"I'll make some calls tomorrow," he promises immediately. "Dmitri's people can track her down discreetly to make sure she's safe."

"What if Carlos isn't as understanding as we thought? What if Blake's death changed things for her?"

Beck's arm comes around me, solid and reassuring. "Then we'll handle it. Whatever she needs, whoever she needs protection from—we'll handle it."

The certainty in his voice soothes the anxiety that's been building all day. This is what having a pack means—knowing that your family's problems become everyone's problems, that no one faces anything alone.

"Thank you," I whisper against his chest.

"Always, baby girl. Always. Are you ready to talk to Remi?"

"Definitely." We rejoin the celebration, and I let myself be pulled back into the joy of the moment.

Beck disappears into the house for a moment, returning with Romeo and River as we all get ready to watch Remi on a large screen. The evening air fills with excited murmur as our guests gather around, curious about what's happening.

"Connecting now," Romeo announces, fiddling with his laptop until the screen flickers to life.

Suddenly, Remi's face appears larger than life, her dark hair pulled back in a messy bun and her cheeks still flushed from training. Behind her, I can see the gleaming ice of an Italian rink.

"There's my girl!" Beck calls out, his voice thick with pride and emotion.

"Dad!" Remi's smile is radiant as she takes in the crowd gathered on screen. "River! Romeo! Oh my god, is that everyone? This is amazing!"

"We couldn't celebrate without you," I tell her, stepping closer to the screen. "How are you feeling?"

"Incredible. Terrified. Ready." She laughs, the sound bright and confident. "Just finished my practice session, and everything feels... right. Like all the pieces are finally falling into place."

"One week to go," River says, shaking his head in amazement. "My little sister at the Olympics."

"Not so little anymore," Remi grins, then her expression grows more serious. "I wish you could all be here for the opening ceremony."

"We'll be there for your events," Beck promises. "Front row, cheering loud enough to embarrass you."

The gathered crowd erupts in cheers and well-wishes, voices overlapping as everyone calls out encouragement. Remi's eyes are bright with tears as she takes in all the love and support.

"You're going to be amazing," Ava calls out. "We're all so proud of you!"

"Bring home that gold!" someone else shouts, and soon everyone is chanting their support.

"I love you all so much," Remi says, her voice breaking slightly. "This means everything to me. Having all of you behind me... I can do anything."

Everyone cheers before the screen goes black.

The celebration continues around us, but for a moment, the four of us stand in our own little bubble of perfect understanding.

This is what we've built—not just a romantic relationship, but a family.

A place where everyone matters, where no one gets left behind, where love multiplies instead of dividing.

"I want to say something," I announce impulsively, then immediately feel my cheeks heat as dozens of faces turn toward me.

"Go ahead, sunshine," Eli encourages softly.

I take a deep breath, drawing strength from my pack's presence, and raise my voice so everyone can hear.

"Less than a year ago, I thought my life was over," I begin, my voice carrying clearly in the evening air. "I thought I'd never be free, never be safe, never be truly loved for who I really am."

The gathering has gone quiet. Everyone's attention focused on me with warm encouragement.

"But I was wrong. Because of all of you, I've learned that love doesn't follow rules or traditions or other people's expectations. But if you're brave enough to reach for it…if you're willing to build something new instead of settling for something safe. That's when you find it."

I turn to look at each of my mates. "You all taught me to believe in me." My voice wavers slightly, but I press on. "That I am enough, exactly as I am. That I deserve happiness, deserve love, deserve a place to belong."

"You do," my mother calls out, her voice thick with emotion. "You all do."

A chorus of agreement rises from our guests, and I feel overwhelmed by the support, the acceptance, the sheer amount of love surrounding us.

"So thank you," I continue, "for choosing us, for celebrating with us, for believing that love wins even when it looks different than expected."

"To love," Beck says, raising his glass.

"To love," everyone echoes, and the sound of clinking glasses fills the air like music.

Here I am, living proof that fairy tales don't always follow traditional scripts. Sometimes the princess saves herself. Sometimes she chooses three princes instead of one.

Sometimes the happily ever after looks nothing like what anyone expected.

And sometimes, that makes it even more beautiful.

The End.