FOUR YEARS LATER...

ARI

11:54pm

My head turned away from the bright light of my phone. In six minutes I was turning 22. Is it possible to feel yourself getting older?

I was only in my twenties but I couldn't help but miss being in my teens. Well, late teens anyways.

I found my love and myself. Wow, I didn't know I was cheesy.

I laughed to myself feeling stupid in the dark.

Four years ago, everything changed. Not in a bad way but in the best way. My heart was content and I wouldn't want to change it in anyway.

A few days after Rodricks death, I turned 18 and it confirmed what Alex and I already knew. For some reason though, Alex seemed to open up to me. Maybe he felt the undeniable connection between us and he knew how I felt about him, he knew I loved him with all my heart.

A year after that, I graduated from High School. Which I still find shocking considering how many days I had missed but I guess being the Mayors "daughter-in-law" had it's perks.

My mother surprised me at the graduation party by showing me the ring on her finger. I swear we squealed like a couple of pigs for almost 10 minutes.

A few months later and I watched my beautiful mother walk down the aisle. I watched as Zander's jaw literally dropped to the floor as he looked at my mother. I also watched the way Alex was looking at me, a great big smile on his face, his eyes twinkling at me.

I've never cried as much as I did watching my mother being happy. I knew Zander was technically my father now but I was still sad that my real dad wasn't here anymore.

Another year passed and Alex was on his knee showing me a ring that almost blinded me. Of course I said yes.

We were married within 6 months. And a few months after the wedding, I was welcoming my first child into the world. A baby girl.

My little Ava, who was sleeping soundly in her crib.

I can't believe my life has changed so much within a few years and I wouldn't change them for anything.

I glanced at the empty bed side next to me and my heart hurt, missing my husband.

Although this pack had Anthony and his Mate, Alex's duties couldn't be avoided and I knew that but I wish he would come home already.

I picked up my phone and watched slowly as the time changed to 12:00.

Happy Birthday Ariana. I said to myself.

Just as my eyes closed, I heard something thud downstairs. My super werewolf hearing picked up footsteps. I listened around the house to find everybody sound asleep. Nathan and Jen seemed to be consoling their year old son back to sleep but other than that, it was quiet.

I decided to investigate.

After checking on Ava, I grabbed my black silk robe and made my way downstairs.

I sniffed the air and I instantly relaxed, smiling. Rounding the corner into the kitchen, I found Alex, stifling through some drawers looking for something. A small chocolate cake that said Happy 22nd Birthday, was perched up onto the counter.

Alex was too busy muttering under his breath to notice me. I cleared my throat and I swear he jumped 10 feet into the air.

I mockingly tapped my foot and crossed my arms.

"Why are you sneaking around your own house?" I narrowed my eyes at him and then looked at the cake which he looked at too with a pout.

"I was looking for the stupid lighter." He groaned before bringing the cake to me.

"Happy birthday I guess." He was still pouting which made me chuckle.

"Here." I opened the same drawer he was looking through, grabbed the lighter and lit the candles on top.

Alex's mouth opened in disbelief. "But I just opened that and checked! Nothing was in there!" He seemed to glare at the drawer.

I giggled before tugging his arm towards the kitchen stools.

He set the cake down onto the counter and grabbed my hands.

"Make a wish."

I closed my eyes and blew out the candles, my heart feeling content.

"Happy birthday." He whispered before giving me a small, love filled kiss.

"Thanks." I still blushed every time he kissed me. He liked it but I always mentally slapped myself for it.

"What did you wish for?" He asked, pulling me closer to him.

"I'm not telling! You're not supposed to if you want the wish to come true."

Alex laughed before pointing to his head.

I frowned, remembering the bastard could hear everything.

This time I pouted. "Why are you even asking me if you know what I wished for."

I turned my head away from him, a little angry he was eavesdropping into my thoughts.

He grabbed my chin and pulled it towards him. "I'm sorry. I can't help it. When you feel strong emotions, I can feel them too and I get curious." He kissed my nose before kissing my jaw and then started to tease me by kissing down my neck.

"Yeah, yeah." I said trying to brush him off but eventually laughing when he licked my neck.

He's such a weirdo.

"Did you really mean it?" He asked, his eyes filled with so much emotion.

"Yes." I said, kissing his cheek.

"I want you in this life, the next life, in any life I'm going to have." I told him sincerely.

"And the next life, and the next life, and the next life." I barked with laughter when I realized he was mocking Mr. Krabs from spongebob.

Alex gave me a wide smile, his eyes twinkling in the kitchen light.

"Me too. Okay maybe not the next life but every other life you can be there."

I gasped dramatically before punching him in the arm.

"I'm just kidding!" He sucked in a painful breath, rubbing the place where I hit his arm. Comically groaning and moaning.

"Seriously, I hope you're a little bit more mature in the next life because I don't think I can deal with this." I said, while inspecting my nails.

This time Alex sucked in a gasp before laughing.

I cracked a smile as I watched him being so carefree.

Alex cut a piece of the cake before shoving it in my mouth, making me gasp with surprise.

Alex nearly fell off the stool laughing. "Here's to being with you in this life and the next." He wiped away a tear from laughing so much.

Grabbing a piece of cake, I smeared it all over his mouth.

This time it was my turn to laugh at his surprised face. And with two words, I brought the biggest smile onto his mouth.

"I agree."

THE END

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

FINALLY!! Finally I'm done! I feel so damn free, it's crazy.

First, I would like to apologize for the ending. It was weak, and well, it sucked. I just wanted to finish since I've been telling you guys that I will update like almost 6 months ago!

I can't believe I finally finished!

Second, I would like to thank anyone who read the book and liked the book. It's crazy to think I had actual people out there who wanted to read more of what I wrote. I'm thankful for you guys because you always put a smile on my face every time I read a comment/message.

Third, IM FINISHED! 🤯🤯🤯

Please leave any comments about anything I left out about explaining something or something you didn't understand and I'll try to go back and include it in the story or fix it. I wrote the last chapter within an hour and half, so I'm sure I left a lot of stuff out.

Thank you so much for being there from the start of Enemy of my Pack, to the end of In This Life and the Next.

Until next time.

😘😘😘