Page 61 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

Finn wrinkled his nose as though he was considering whether to answer or insist that she needed rest. He allowed a small smile. “Dukiel is well and firmly trapped. I haven’t seen anything to indicate that his influence has been able to get out. We’ve put him in the Bluebell Valley vault with Zealuv.”

“Two archdemons that we’ve managed to put away. Not bad, huh?” Elin asked with a smile. How many more were outthere? “What about his journals?” she prompted. Maybe they would give answers.

“We’re still working on translating them,” Finn said. “Derek’s been reaching out to his old university professors.”

Elin’s eyes widened. “Derek went to university?”

“Yeah. He was studying ancient languages before he lost his funding and was recruited into the special ops,” Finn answered. “I keep telling him he should go back, but he thinks it’s too late at this point. But we know for a fact that this is a real language. That is, it’s an ancient writing system thatcanbe translated. We just haven’t fully figured it out yet.”

“With any luck, it will give us insights on the demons, and it’s not just Dukiel writing what he had for lunch every day,” Elin quipped. Her stomach squeezed with that nervous excitement that happened when you didn’t want to get too excited about something. If this could help them defeat the demons for good, then it would change everything.

A knock came on the door. Elin hurriedly took the opportunity to eat some more as Finn went to answer it. Derek and Christine came into the room, giving each other the stink eye.

Yeah. Elin mentally shook her head at them. The tension was obvious, but it wasn’t the sort of tension Finn thought it was. Elin had mentioned her theory to Mica and Tess the last time they’d talked—Tess had finally had her baby, a beautiful girl she and Ryder were thrilled to have—and both agreed with her. There was a clear sexual desire on both their parts.

Elin idly wondered what had caused them to react to that desire by acting as though they hated each other.

“You don’t have to say it that way,” Derek said under his breath, as though trying to get in a final shot at Christine.

“Well, you don’t have to—” Christine started.

Finn loudly cleared his throat.

Both jumped. It seemed they’d forgotten about his presence seconds after being let into the room. Elin shook her head. She understood why Finn was so annoyed with them. Though she was sure she’d cracked their code, having them be so hostile to each other was still frustrating. It had only grown worse now that the life-and-death situation had ended. Maybe she would recruit Mica and Tess to do some matchmaking.

“I take it you two have a good reason to be here?” Finn asked.

Christine nodded stiffly. “I wanted a chance to ask Elin how she was doing. I don’t know what he,” she jerked a dismissive thumb at Derek, “is doing, though.”

“I came to talk with Finn about pack business,” Derek answered, narrowing his eyes. “With everything getting settled, people are starting to get restless. They want an official announcement as to who your Beta will be.”

The look on his face simultaneously screamed, ‘I know it’s me’ and ‘I don’t want it to be me.’ Which was odd. As Finn’s best friend, it was only natural for him to take the role, but Elin wasn’t sure how well he’d do in the role. Or rather, if he would take it simply because he was expected to or if he truly was willing and able to shoulder the responsibilities.

“I think we need an official Luna ceremony for Elin first,” Finn said quickly. Did he have the same doubts about Derek?

Derek shrugged. “Fine by me.”

As he and Christine sat down, the topic changed to more lighthearted conversations. Elin relaxed into her pillows, smiling as the tension dissolved between Derek and Christine. The journey to get to this place wasn’t the path she expected. But as she smiled at Finn, she knew she wouldn’t take it any other way. She had her mate, and they had a beautiful son.

Their future was unclear, especially as far as more children were concerned. Finn was still adamant Hendrik would be their only biological child, though Elin was certain that without Dukiel’s involvement, future pregnancies would be smoother. But right now, it didn’t matter.

Whatever happened, they would make it work. Together.

Epilogue - Finn

Three months passed quietly. No new demon threat rose up to take Dukiel’s place, and the remaining rogues were easily hunted down. The biggest lingering threat to Moon Lake was the beast demons, but Finn set Derek in charge of hunting them down and destroying their nests. The town settled quickly, quietly recovering from their shared trauma.

Hendrik stayed in the hospital for a month in total. He was a strong baby boy, and Finn was pleased when she and Elin were able to bring him home. Since they hadn’t exactly had time to prepare for a baby, the pack rallied together for them. When they first brought him home, they found the house filled with everything they needed. Diapers, a crib, more baby clothes than Finn thought they’d need—he quickly learned he was wrong and that babies went through clothes fast—blankets, toys, and things he hadn’t even considered they’d need.

Once home, he and Elin fell into their quiet, sleep-deprived routine. They weren’t getting much sleep with a new baby, but both were so happy that he was healthy, and they cheerfully put up with the long nights.

It helped that Seth and Rosemary were happy to help out and they had Christine and Derek, too.

All in all, life was calm. Hendrik had no sign of demonic energy around him or any lingering symptoms from being forced to grow so fast or be born so early.

“How do I look?” Finn asked Elin one morning, showing her the new suit he’d bought. “I never had a suit before, but Seth said I needed one for formal affairs. I look ridiculous, don’t I?”

Elin, who was in bed after a nap, cast a critical eye over him. “Hmmm. You’re right. You can’t wear that. It makes youtoo hot. I’ll end up ravishing you on the dinner table, and people will be uncomfortable.”

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