Page 82 of Dark Auctioned Mate

“This is nice,” Alanis sighed in contentment, with her head on his chest. “Just being together with no missions, no threat or crisis hovering on our heads.”

“Yes. We should make it a habit.”

“Revolutionary concept.”

They remained in silence for a couple of minutes, then Alanis whispered, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me the freedom to make this decision. For not pushing me or making me feel guilty or trying to manipulate me to stay here.” She planted a kiss on his chest. “For loving me enough to let me go if that was what I had to do.”

“Always. Whatever you need, Alanis. I am always here.”

“I know,” she said. “That’s why I’m staying.”

And as sleep pulled her under, warm and safe in Rael’s arms, Alanis finally felt something she hadn’t felt in eight years—she finally felt like she was truly at home.

Epilogue - Rael

The Weston Pack territory was completely transformed three months later.

Lanterns were hung in the trees, bathing the clearing in a warm light. Tables lined up with food, music filtered from the speakers that had been rigged up, and the air was filled with laughter and conversation.

Alanis was the one who came up with the idea of a clearing. “We fought so long,” she said. “We ought to have a moment of rejoicing over what we have done. As a team.”

They had invited allied packs, Lumen operatives, and anybody who had assisted in the destruction of the trafficking network. The attendance was good—almost a hundred of them mingling in the summer evening, telling stories and making acquaintances.

Rael stood close to the drinks table, looking at Alanis, who was a couple of steps away. She was speaking with Deva and a circle of the women whom they had saved. Her eyes crinkled slightly at the edges as she laughed deeply.

She looked happy. Healed. Whole.

The last three months were a whirlwind. Alanis continued to liaise with the Lumen on rescue missions. She did as she promised—she continued to be involved in the organization, but she also built a life with the Weston Pack.

They had both built something beautiful. A relationship filled with trust, respect, and love that was strengthening day by day.

“She looks good,” Javi appeared by his side, grabbing a drink. “Happy.”

“Yes, she is. We both are.”

“Nauseating,” Javi said, but there was no heat in it. Over the past months, even Javi had come around to accepting Alanis. He’d never admit it, but Rael had caught him actually smiling at one of her sarcastic comments last week.

“You are just jealous,” Rael teased.

“Of domestic bliss? Hard pass.” He downed his drink in one motion. “I like my life simple, without complications and—”

He did not have time to complete the sentence. A red-haired lady walked towards them, holding what seemed to be a vodka tonic. The look she gave Javi was of pure rage. Then she poured the whole thing into his face.

Javi coughed, gasping for air. “What the fuck—”

“That is what you get for vanishing in the middle of the night, like a coward,” the woman said, with a cold and clipped voice.

Rael recognized her—Kiara, one of the Lumen operatives. Alanis mentioned her a couple of times. They had trained together. Kiara had taught her the tricks of the trade when she first became part of the Lumen.

But Rael never imagined that she and Javi even knew each other.

“I am not a coward,” Javi growled, wiping his face. “I had to leave. There was a mission and I could—”

“Bullshit,” Kiara interrupted. “You have been ignoring me all evening. You will not even look at me.”