Five years later:

Zelda

"And when your Daddy comes home, he'sgoing to make sure those rooms are clean!"

Screams and giggles were heardthroughout the home—a home we made sure to make so very wonderfulfor our children.

Hushed voices carried across the roomas I waddled my way over to where the three little ones were hiding.

"I wonder where my pups are.." Ispied them underneath a table, but continued on, holding my evergrowing belly, "Hmmm....I guess Zoey doesn't want my famoushomemade brownies!"

I heard a gasp and then another giggleas our middle child, Zoey, skiddled out from her hiding spot.

"I would love a brownie, Mama!"

"I knew you would!" I smiled, everso happy that my family was safe and sound in our little Fiddler'sDen, "Where are my other babies?"

Zebediah and Zachariah emerged fromunderneath the table with Zachariah eyeing me.

He was my little shadow—the one who'dallowed me to turn hybrid when defending myself from Eugene's wrath.

"Are you alright, Mama?"

"I am, little man," I said, "Youdon't need to worry so much about me. My job is to worry about you!"

I looked to my left where all of mycrafts lay, some projects started and multiple ones completed forsale.

"I love the little coat for Zara."

"Thank you, darling." I smiled,patting my belly, "She will be here soon."

"I cannot wait to have a sister!"Zoey stuck her tongue out at her brothers as they chased her backinto their rooms.

I loved them—I loved us...I loved itwhen my husband came home and swept me off my feet.

Zane

It was the most incredible life with mymate and our pups.

We even got a cat—much to my chagrinat first, but I could barely ever say no them.

We were the leaders of my pack—OURpack—and Marisol and Carver had been the best of leaders to theCrimson Fae. They were not dictators—not in the least.

It was the best thing to ever happen tothe people of that territory and all surrounding ones like ours.

I stayed in my zone doing constructionwith the crew—Cathy healed—and Chuck...

Chuck left and we only saw him everynow and then when he'd show his face accidentally in the woodssurrounding our Den.

Of course, my mate—my beloved pet—wasthe most sincere and loving person.

She brought him food, trying to coaxhim to come home—back to our home.

I was furious with her at first, butshe understood me and I...HAD to understand where she was comingfrom.

Even so, I hoped he'd come around formy mate's sake.

"I'm home!"

I burst through the door as I alwaysdid, eliciting shrieks and laughter from my brood.

My woman—my little CrimsonPrincess—made her way to my side as the children crowded me.

"Tonight is a full moon, Daddy!"Zebediah chirped, "Can we ALL shift tonight?"

I eyed my mate with a smile, "Shouldwe?"

Zelda nodded, "As long as we ALL staytogether. No running off to play with Auntie Marisol and UncleCarver's kids and absolutely not Cathy and Craig's. Little Wren isteething mercilessly."

I laughed.

This was what I wanted—something Ididn't ever think would come to me.

The kingdom was safe and healthy—myDen was doing quite well and our enemies had either taken to theother side of the hills or turned into our allies.

Zelda's wolf came and went—and herhybrid was brutal, but she usually maintained her half-vampire formfor the most part. It was something she knew our children wouldinherit and we were already seeing some more vampiric ways inZachariah and Zoey than in Zeb. It was an honor—even if I did jokeabout having bloodsuckers for children.

"I smell brownies!" I scooped upZoey and Zeb while Zachariah lead us into the kitchen with a waddlingZelda by my side.

"Happy, my handsome, rugged Wolfe?"

"Forever, my beautiful, feistyCrimson Princess."