A new home.
As I watch Varek and Zynar move about the kitchen, their easy camaraderie a balm to my soul, I realize that’s exactly what we’ve found here. Not just within these walls, but within the unbreakable bonds we’ve forged with each other.
Eleanor catches my eye from across the room, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She understands, I think. The enormity of what we’ve been given, and the responsibility that comes with it.
We are the pioneers of a new world, the first to bridge the gap between our species. And while that role is daunting, it’s also incredibly precious.
As Varek returns to my side, his arm slipping around my waist with effortless affection, I lean into his strength and allow myself a moment of perfect contentment.
Whatever the future holds, whatever challenges we may face, I know one thing for certain.
We will face them together.
Humans and Kari, mates and friends, an unshakable unit bound by love, loyalty, and the endless possibilities of a universe that brought us together.
And that, I realize with a brilliant surge of hope and joy, is the greatest gift of all.
EPILOGUE 2
VAREK
Two moons after the rut and we’ve moved back to Catherine’s farm. We’ve settled in. All the buildings are operational. All the tools.
The little farm has truly blossomed. The little garden by the side of the lodge is lush and vibrant, thanks to Catherine’s tireless dedication and the rich soil. I have treated the field too, getting rid of the pests in the soil, and fed it with fertilizers, ready for the new planting season.
The grasses have been cleared and the samplings of great trees planted along the perimeter. I have never seen a farm with such a thing before, but it was my mate’s idea. She drew in the soft earth, explaining her vision with a light in her eyes that made me pledge to do anything to see that line continue to shine.
Each dawn I wake, I head to the fields with a song in my throat the same melody as my core-rhythm. I have found happiness and it shows. Even the animals know.
The wild tilgran have begun to venture close. Catherine has even named a few. And the umus, those little puffballs that werethe reason I ventured out to this farm in the first place, have settled into their new home with ease.
Each morning, I wake to the sight of Catherine tending to them, her face alight with a pure, uncomplicated joy as she runs her hands through their soft fur. She’s experimented by shaving one and twisting the fibers into a thick string she calls ‘wool’. She’s confident she can make clothing from the string and even though I am happy about her joy and excitement, I’d rather she not put too much effort into something I will simply rip off her at the earliest opportunity.
“Clothes to sell in the town, silly!” She chuckles, setting down the umu she’s been petting. The creatures have taken to her as if she were one of their own, nuzzling into her touch and trilling soft melodies that seem to wrap around her like an ethereal embrace.
The oogas, too, have flourished under her care. Their enclosures now ring with the sounds of contented bays and playful yips, a far cry from the frightened creatures I first encountered. Catherine has even begun to train them, teaching them to come when called and to perform simple tasks.
She is…my mate is just magnificent.
As for me, I’ve thrown myself into the role of being everything she needs. I’ve reinforced the perimeter fencing, set up surveillance systems to monitor for any potential threats, and even constructed a small workshop where I can mend the equipment that breaks around the farm.
But my proudest achievement by far is the fail-safe lock on that thrice-damned water hole. The mere thought of Catherine falling in again sends icy shards of fear through my veins. Never again. Never again will I let carelessness put her at risk.
She teased me about it at first, calling me her fierce, overprotective mate. But I could see the warmth in her eyes, the unspoken gratitude for my efforts. She understands, I think, thedepth of my devotion. The lengths I will go to ensure her safety and happiness.
Which reminds me. I chuckle as I look at the relaxation device I’d gifted my kahl. Catherine admitted to using it to pleasure herself—a task it was not meant for.
“It vibrates, and you told me it’s to help me relax!” She’s laughing, but her cheeks are a vibrant red.
“Yes. You were to place it at pressure points to relieve tension.” Nonetheless, I’m shocked and intrigued as to how it brought her to her peak.
Catherine grins, her eyes sparkling with humor. “Well, Ididuse it on a pressure point that was really tense. You know, the one down south that needed some extra attention.”
A growl rises in my throat as I grip the device. “I want to try.”
Her eyes widen and she yelps as I go after her. She runs and I let her. I will catch her, but I like watching her try to get away from me.
“No, Varek! We just got out of bed!”