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“Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. Mariah offered me a soft smile, her eyes shining with love and devotion.
Footsteps sounded from inside, and I sensed Abi and Lucas approaching before they stepped out onto the porch. My emotions swirled when I sensed the same thing radiating from them: relief and grief. Abi bent down and wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace.
“It’s over, son,” she whispered. “Sebastian can rest in peace.”
Lucas sat down beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder, offering his own solace and support. The four of us sat there for a long time, with only the sound of soft cries breaking the silence as we all let go of the pain that had haunted us. We’d finally found justice for Sebastian. The peace that now enveloped us felt surreal compared to the turmoil we’d endured.
After a while, Abi gave me another hug, then stood and made her way down the stops of the porch. I followed her gaze as she looked toward the back of the property near the tree line: Sebastian's memorial plot. Her eyes filled with tears as she gave us a tremulous smile, then turned to make her way toward it, her steps slow and deliberate. Lucas gave my shoulder a squeeze before rising and following his mother, leaving Mariah and me alone.
We continued in silence until she finally said, “Are you going to be able to live with what you did?” Her eyes searched mine as she continued to hold my hands in hers. Her touch was a soothing balm to my soul.
I took a deep breath as I recognized the weight of my actions. “When I was a boy, when Tomas came for me…”
My voice cracked, and sorrow shone in Mariah’s eyes as she squeezed my hand.
I took a deep breath. “When Tomas came and murdered my family and my clan, there was nothing I could do. I was a scared little boy running for his life on the orders of his mother. I was too small, and too young to stand in her defense. He took her from me forever, and I couldn’t stop it.
“Last night I protected my family in a way I wasn’t able to before. You and our children will be able to live safely without the fear of Tomas Hawthorne hanging over us. I will never regret that.”
Her eyes softened before she lifted our joined hands and pressed her lips to my knuckles, her warmth seeping into my skin. “You did what you had to do, Evan, and I'm proud of you. I will be forever grateful for you standing up for us. For all of us," she said, bringing our hands to her belly.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth despite the pain that still clung to my heart. “Thank you,” I whispered. “You’re what keeps me going, Mariah. You’re my world. You and our babies.”
My chest swelled with love for this fierce, independent woman who’d become my everything. As I looked into her eyes, I knew we were bound by more than just fate. We were bound by a fierce, loyal devotion that would carry us through even the darkest times.
I pulled her into my arms as the sun began climbing in the sky, shining its light on our lands. It was symbolic: the dawn of a new day, the beginning of the future that’d been so hard won. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to bask in the moment. Peace came over me, and it was as if Sebastian's presence was with us, watching over from beyond.
Two months had passed since the fall of Tomas Hawthorne, and our lives were slowly returning to a semblance of normalcy. Jax left the mansion in order to spend time with Rosalind, hoping he could start fresh and form a new relationship with his sister now that they were out from under the machinations of their father. Tomas had been a villain in every sense of the word, yet I empathized with Jax's struggle. He deserved every happiness, and I hoped that when he returned to us, he’d find it.
Matthew hadn’t exactly been pleased that Tomas wouldn’t serve time for his crimes, but he hadn’t given me much grief over it, either. Perhaps that had something to do with Jax finding a way to siphon what remained of Tomas’s funds to pay for all his years of tax evasion. Matthew had gotten one hell of a bonus as a result, and he was rather grateful. I knew we had a friend and ally in him should we ever need it, but I also hoped that day would never come. I was ready to live a simpler life.
While I stood outside in the crisp winter air, with the sun just starting to set, I reflected on all that’d happened in just one year. Sometimes it was hard to believe all the time that’d passed since my mate came into my life. She was such a vital part of me, I simply couldn’t imagine life without her anymore.
I walked up and down the length of the newly finished farmhouse on the northern side of the clan lands. It was tucked away from the rest of the land as a private refuge for me and my family. Mariah would be here any moment, and I couldn’t wait to give her this surprise. She had no idea I’d had this built, and it was finally time to show her.
My heart was full as I imagined our family growing within these walls, the laughter of our children filling the air, their small hands tugging at Mariah while they begged for one more bedtime story. This place would be our sanctuary, and a testament to the strength of our love.
I had promised my mate a beautiful life once everything was over, and I intended to make good on it.
My phone buzzed. I glanced down and smiled in anticipation.
Lucas: Mariah is on her way. Get ready.
I looked back up in time to see a dust cloud appear in the distance, signaling Mariah's arrival. Her brand new SUV that was big enough for us to add several more hatchlings to our family made its way down the dirt drive. I was practically bouncing on my toes, and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction.
I ran back inside to light the candles I’d set up, then hurried back out when I heard the car come to a stop in front of the sprawling farmhouse.
Mariah climbed out, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the scene before her. She angled her head, eyes narrowing. “Evan, what is this place?”
My dragon buzzed within, just as excited as I was to see her reaction.
“Welcome home, sweetheart,” I said, my heart full of love for this incredible woman who’d captured my soul and changed my world forever.
“What?” she gasped, hurrying up the steps to join me at my side. She was finally showing, and her baby bump did me in every time I looked at it.
“This is our future, where we'll raise our children and create that beautiful life together I promised you.”
Her eyes welled up as she rushed toward me, throwing her arms around my neck, and burying her face against my chest. “Are you serious? A place of our own?”
