Page 108 of Wolf It Down, Knot Me Up

I cozy up between them, breathing easy, unable to remember the last time I was this ecstatic about my life and what tomorrow will bring. Because I’m no longer doing this life thing alone.

It turns out that returning home is exactly my kind of happily-ever-after fairy tale.

EPILOGUE

LUCY

Six Months Later

“You’re free!” I shout, cheering with my hands in the air in front of my three Alphas. Behind me, Mr. Colby’s driving away, never to be seen again. He’d just handed them the paperwork confirming they were released from the reintegration program.

“Fuck, this day couldn’t come soon enough,” Wolf hollers, grabbing me up into his arms and lifting me off my feet. He spins us around, kissing me, and I’m giggling. This is my life, loved by my Alphas as I bathe in the gorgeous spring sun.

“Did you see his sour face and how hard it was for him to finally announce that we were free?” Grayson asks. “Glad to see the back of him.”

Roman’s at our side and snatches me into his arms. Now, I’m glued to him, throwing my arms around his neck. His mouth finds mine, and I kiss him back with unrelenting passion.

“Congrats,” I whisper against his mouth and pull back as they all crowd closer. “You can go anywhere now, be anyone,” I tease.

Wolf hooks an arm around my waist, and I crash into his side with an “Oomph” spilling from my mouth. “Anywhere we go, you’re tagging along. It’s too late now to get rid of us, songbird.”

They all stare at me.

I drag the other two into a close-knit hug, the warmth of their bodies pouring over me. “You think I’ll let any of you go anywhere without me?” I pout for effect. “But seriously, you’ve earned your freedom, dealt with too much heartache in your past. And now, your new life starts at this very moment. We can do anything as long as we’re together. That’s my only requirement.”

Roman bursts into laughter. “Pretty sure you don’t need the disclaimer.”

I’ve been thinking about this moment all morning, about how the world is at our feet, and yet I have never been happier in my life than here at this lodge. It’s where the universe keeps bringing me back to. So I’m going to listen to it from now on.

Spring blossoms around us, sunlight sparkles, and the mountains stand as giants over us. Everything’s greener, with tiny violet flowers everywhere, and the days are longer. I take a deep breath of the fresh breeze. How is this my life?

Grandma emerges from the lodge in a red dress and steps down from the porch. She walks carefully, holding on to her cane, and grins in our direction. “Well, it’s finally done, then. Saw that Mr. Colby left. It’s now official,” she says with a smile stretching her lips. “I am truly proud of you three completing the program, working the logging job, and helping us run the lodge. Plus, taking care of my granddaughter, which is a huge thing.”

“Oh, yeah, that last one is the most challenging.” Wolf nudges me and chortles, while I roll my eyes.

“Thank you, Eve. You gave us a chance when others wouldn’t have,” Roman says.

“And for that, we will forever be in your debt. Without your support, we wouldn’t be here today,” Grayson adds.

“Hush, you’re going to make me tear up. But congratulations, boys. You earned your freedom. Regardless of your past, the most important thing is the kind of man you are today.”

They nod, and I adore how much respect they have for my grandma. It means the world to me.

“Lucy, dear, I have something for you that I know will benefit all of you.” She pulls a small box with a ribbon out of her pocket, much like a ring box from the jeweler’s.

Curious as to what it is, I accept the gift and study it.

“Girl, open it already,” my grandma urges with a laugh.

So I pull at the ribbon and push the lid back. At the bottom of the black box sits a single gold key. I blink a couple of times and lift my gaze, my rib cage seeming to squeeze the life out of my lungs. “Is this…?” My next breath comes out as a hiccup that goes all the way down to my stomach. “You didn’t… You can’t⁠—”

“Lucy.” She’s closer, patting my arm. “This was my intention all along, and why I renovated the place. I’m giving you Crimson Pine Lodge and all the land. It’s yours. I’ve got the contracts drawn up and ready for your signature.”

Wolf gasps behind me, while my vision blurs from tears because this is everything I could have wanted. I wipe my eyes and hug my grandma, taking her into my arms, realizing how much smaller she is compared to me. She’s getting older, and being here by her side now means the world to me.

“I love you,” I whisper and sniffle as tears slide down my cheeks.

She pulls back and wipes her eyes. “Now you’ve got me all teary-eyed.”