Page 54 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

“You could join us, you know,” she murmurs, her voice low, enticing. Her fingers work the knot loose, and I catch the glint of mischief in her eyes.

Leaning forward, I press a gentle nip to her neck, feeling the quickened beat of her pulse against my lips. “And why would I want to do that?” I tease, my hands finding their way to her hips, drawing her up my thighs. “I have your full attention right now.”

She lets out a breath that’s half a laugh, half a sigh, and I can feel the tension in her body melt as she relaxes into me. There’s something about this moment—her warmth, her closeness—that makes everything else fade to the background.

Griffin’s voice cuts through the haze, his tone amused. “Well played, Conrad. I’ll remember this,” he says with a smirk as he helps Lorcan out of the tub, tossing him a towel. The two of them head out, leaving me with Grace in the quiet, dimly lit room, and I can’t help but feel a small thrill of victory.

Chapter 35

Epilogue – Grace

Five yearslater-

Having six under six was chaotic enough, but seven under seven? That was a twist I didn’t see coming. When I found out I was pregnant with Conrad’s baby during the next heat cycle, I could hardly believe it—especially since I thought I’d finally get a year or two off from having babies. Valentina was a surprise. And apparently, birth control is no match for shifter biology. But I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She was the least fussy of all my babies, sleeping through the night from day one. Thank the heavens she took after her daddy in that way.

Year two didn’t just bring babies; it brought changes to the entire pack structure. Ambrose, his mate, and her other mate took seats on the new council we’d set up to oversee the packs, helping toshare the load. Many other alphas who had stepped down returned to leadership roles, easing the pressure on my growing family. It felt like the pack was finally settling into a new rhythm.

By midyear, Ambrose announced Lily was expecting twins, and I’d be their godmother. I couldn’t help but smile, picturing the family continuing to grow, the bonds deepening, and knowing that through every twist and turn, we were building something lasting together.

Year three, and Ambrose brings his family over to visit, each of them beaming, with Lily’s twins cradled in their arms. I’m surrounded by my seven children, but the moment I hold those two new babies, my heart practically melts, and I feel something spark inside me. My ovaries damn near explode just thinking about adding to our own chaotic, beautiful pack.

Needless to say, the next heat cycle is intense, like I’m burning from the inside out, and it’s all hands on deck. Fair game for everyone, and let’s just say, we didn’t waste a single moment. I had thought the triplets might have been a fluke, a miracle that wouldn’t be repeated. Turns out, I was so very wrong.

Lorcan’s son, Alister, has my blonde hair and blue eyes, a soft bundle of warmth with the hint of strength in his tiny grip. Maeve can barely contain herself, her green eyes sparkling as she watches herlittle brother with the same awe I feel. She whispers softly to him, already making plans to teach him all she knows.

Ethan has a daughter. A fierce little thing. He named her Rook, and I can only hope he named her after a chess piece and not the latest video game he’s been obsessing over. Still, I can’t help but smile as I watch him cradle her, his expression one of absolute reverence. The sight of him with Rook tucked against his chest, her little hand gripping his shirt, is almost too much for my heart.

When Nicolai found out he had a son, he went down like a rock. Griffin and Ethan had to step in, each of them bracing under his arms, practically dragging him up just so he could get a proper look at his boy. And, of course, before Nicolai could even hold him, Nina was already pushing her father aside to scoop up her new little brother.

She and Ashina had clearly put their heads together for this one. They named him Elijah, a choice that makes me laugh every time I hear it. It has my influence all over it; they’ve caught glimpses of that vampire TV show I’ve been binge-watching. And they were extra sneaky, slipping in “Niklaus” as his middle name. I can only imagine the tiny spark of trouble in their eyes as they finalized that choice.When Barrett found out, he grinned ear-to-ear and gave me a high five, completely impressed that the girls had pulled that one off.

Honestly, sometimes I even impress myself.

Year four brings our last set of triplets, and after that experience, I had my tubes tied, fried, and hopefully destroyed beyond recognition. Griffin’s daughter, Avery, was the firstborn, and from the moment she entered this world, she came out screaming. And, really, she hasn’t stopped. Avery’s lungs are as strong as her spirit; I swear she’s allergic to sleep. Compared to Deacon, who was a downright angel as a baby, Avery’s got a fire that keeps us all on our toes.

Baby number two, my little Delilah, is Barrett’s daughter. She’s a quiet, observant little thing, with her daddy’s dirty blonde hair and the most stunningly mismatched eyes. One eye is a deep, familiar blue like mine, and the other a soft, earthy hazel that mirrors her father’s. I believe she’s an omega, just like Barrett, and that thought brings a mixture of warmth and worry. Barrett’s already expressed his fears about her safety, the way female omegas often bear the worst of society’s ignorance and cruelty. It’s a fight my mates and I are taking to the shifter council, pushing for protections foromegas. This is a war I’m more than willing to wage, especially for her.

Then there’s our last little arrival—Conrad’s son, Liam. He was born growling, his eyes a fierce shade of hazel, so close to his father’s wolf it’s uncanny. Out of all my sons, Liam seems to be a true-born alpha. He’s got Conrad’s shade of golden-brown hair and came into this world holding the record as the biggest baby yet, weighing almost eight pounds.

Year four was unforgettable, especially with our trip to Yellowstone. Leaving Nicolai’s father in charge of the packs gave us the rare freedom to escape and just breathe for a while. Every night, we shifted, running wild through the vast acreage, our paws pounding against the earth as the crisp air filled our lungs. Above, the stars were endless, shining with a beauty that made the entire world feel timeless. Moments like these remind me of just how lucky I am. I’ve built a family of my own, surrounded by men who love me for every part of who I am.

One night, beneath those stars, I realized we needed to do something special. An impromptu hand-fasting ceremony for Conrad and Barrett. The idea felt so right, like it had been waiting for us there, among the trees and sky. We set it up on the spot, live-streaming it for our families back home. Wewatched as they joined hands, speaking their vows with the night as their witness, and I knew this was exactly where we were supposed to be. We celebrated under the open sky, laughter echoing through the park, our family more complete than ever.

Year five, and I’m finally in the right fur. The ember wolf, my true self, has emerged in all her brilliance, with a rust-colored pelt that shines in the sunlight, each strand alive with a fierce, fiery glow. I feel whole, grounded, like I’ve shed the weight of all the years of uncertainty and become exactly who I was meant to be. This fur, this form—it’s everything I didn’t know I was missing.

When I revealed myself to the other packs, there was fear at first. The ember wolf is a legend, an untamed force of nature, and I could see the wariness in their eyes. But Ethan and Griffin, standing beside me, were the first to speak, recounting the story of my creation. Ambrose joined them, his voice carrying a strength that calmed the unease in the room. They told of the war inside me, the relentless battles I fought in my mind. And when I added my voice, telling of what I went through with Griffin, and what I did to get him back—it seemed to connect, to make sense to them.

The last two original elders call me the calmest and most stable ember wolf they’ve ever encountered. I’m different, they say, because my wolf was created out of love. Ethan loved me so fiercely that he willed me to live, his strength becoming my own. His wolf is my foundation, the one constant in a world that tried so hard to break me. Together, we endured. And now, I am no longer just a wolf, but the ember wolf—steady, strong, and unafraid to blaze my own path.

Therapy is still ongoing for me, though now it’s down to once every two weeks, with check-ins in between. It’s become an anchor, a reminder that even the strongest need help. Too many beings refuse to get it, and it’s that stigma that leads so many of them to the edge. I know—I almost fell over it myself. If my mates hadn’t pushed me, hadn’t urged me to be honest with myself, I might not even be here.

They’re all still going to their own sessions, too. Griffin and Ethan are facing down the grief and guilt over their father’s death, feeling the weight of not being strong enough to save him. It’s a wound they’ve carried for too long, the loss woven into their lives.

Conrad... well, he’s untangling a lifetime of hiding who he is. His father had a way of twisting his reality, forcing him to hide how he felt about Barrett until they turned eighteen. From what I was told, Conrad’s father was already arranging a marriage for him, trying to shape him into something he wasn’t. Even in death, that influence lingered.

Then there’s my sweet, gentle Barrett. His wounds run deep—scars from his mother and stepfather that refuse to fade easily. His stepfather lost his wolf because of me, and not a single part of me feels sorry for him.

Nicolai’s struggles weigh heavily on my heart. Each pregnancy brings an additional layer of worry to him, intensifying with every step closer to delivery. He can’t shake the guilt over Nina’s mother, blaming himself for her death, as if he had somehow sentenced her to it by giving her his child. He insists I see the doctor almost immediately after each delivery, needing that reassurance that nothing’s wrong. His therapist says it’s going to be a long journey, one that may take years to unravel.

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