Page 235 of The Alpha's Pen Pal

“What is it?” I asked him, crouching down to his level.

“Will you run with us, Luna Haven?” he asked.

“But I can’t shift. I’m not a wolf,” I reminded him.

“We can’t shift either,” he said with a shrug.

“And we don’t care that you’re not a wolf,” another chimed in. “You’re still our luna. And we want you to run with us while we chase after the big wolves!” she exclaimed.

A chorus of “Please, Luna Haven!” and “Run with us, Luna!” echoed and played around me, complete with pouty lips and wide, blinking wolf-pup eyes.

“All right,” I said with a smile. “Let’s go chase the big wolves,” I declared, standing and reaching my hands out for them.

They all cheered and took my hands, pulling me with them towards the clearing in front of the forest. The breeze blew again, stronger this time, pulling my hair and the skirt of my dress and drawing my attention back to the lake.

I paused, still holding the hands of the little pups, and looked over to the lake, to where the full moon hung over the water and was mirrored back to itself. The breeze wrapped around me, warm and soft, and caressed my cheek once before moving away to the trees.

I turned, and there in the tree line staring back at me, was my Wesley, in his lycan form, watching me as I ran with the pups of our pack. I smiled at him, picking my pace up again and bringing the children with me, laughing with each step I took.

His beast let out a howl and then took off in a flash, leaving only dust and dried pine needles in his wake.

And as I ran after him, a gaggle of unshifted wolf pups in tow, I realized what I should have known from that first night I found myself on the shore of Crescent Lake and stared out at the moon hovering over the water.

I realized I had finally found where I belonged.

EPILOGUE

SIX MONTHS LATER: NOVEMBER

WESLEY

Glittering lights. Rustling fabrics and programs. Instruments tuning. Whispering voices.

A theater filled with audience members for the opening night ofThe Nutcrackerthis season at The Redwood Forest Ballet Company. A full house, as Haven had taught me.

And all of them were here for her.

The pack had bought out the house for the evening, so every single member of that audience was here because they were supporting their luna.

Because tonight, she would dance the role of The Sugar Plum Fairy.

“Thank you again,” I muttered, turning to look at Imogen.

She rubbed at a spot on her red-painted fingernails, a wrinkle between her brows. “I told you already, I needed the break. Some time to breathe, kick my feet up, and remind myself that I’m not just good at ballet, I actually enjoy ballet.” Her eyes lifted to mine, and she smiled. “Plus, it was for a good cause,” she said. “Oh, the baby is here!”

She maneuvered around me and towards the theater entrance, completely bypassing Jack, Shirley, and Scott and heading right to Tiffany, who was holding her one-year-old daughter Stella.

Stella smiled and reached for her. “Immy!” she cooed, launching herself into Imogen’s arms in a flurry of purple and pink fabric.

Maya had made her dress from the leftover scraps of Haven’s costume for tonight. Tiffany had even put a tiny tiara on top of Stella’s tight dark brown curls. I followed behind Imogen but made sure to give my in-laws a proper greeting before I gave Stella any sort of attention.

“Are you excited?” Shirley asked me as I hugged her.

“Of course,” I replied. “I’m always excited to watch Haven perform,” I added with a wink.

“WESSY!” Stella squealed, again launching herself out of someone’s arms so she could have someone else hold her.

“Hey there, Stella Bella,” I laughed as I grabbed her and spun her around. “Aren’t you just the prettiest Sugar Plum Fairy I’ve ever seen?”

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