Epilogue

Lee

Steam lifted off the surface of my bathwater. I breathed deeply, soaking the moisture into my lungs. The late winter air had been rubbing my insides raw from all the running around I'd been doing. Being Alpha Female was no fucking joke.

My ears pricked at the sound of approaching footsteps. As there was a soft rap at the bathroom door, Tandan's woodsy smell drifted in.

"Come in."

My eyes remained shut as he let himself inside my steam chamber. He coughed a little.

"How are you not drowning in here?" he asked.

"In addition to being a werewolf," I explained, "I am also a mermaid. Surprise, dearest."

He made a snort in the back of his throat that was as close to a laugh as I could usually get. Basileus might be the literal big, bad wolf, but Tandan was a close second. No wonder they worked well together—aside from the occasional Alpha male cock-strutting. It had been nice that Basileus and Anna had been away for a while. Tandan had taken up the role as local Alpha very well. It was nice to be home, in our little city, in my dream home. Alone.

"I have words for that later," he grumbled in response to my sarcasm. "Anna is on the phone for you."

I peeked an eye open and blinked away the steam to see the phone in my mate's hand. Arching a brow, I lifted my hand from the tub rim and opened my palm. He leaned forward and stole a kiss before resting the device in my palm.

I couldn't help a small smile. He winked and then strode out, leaving the door open behind him. I rolled my eyes.

"Considering we haven't heard from you in a while," I said grumpily into the line, "I'm hopeful your family is alive and well?"

"'Hello' to you too," Anna retorted.

"Sorry. I miss the old fleabag and my best friend. Forgive me if I miss a phone call every now and then to know you're alive."

She swallowed audibly over the phone and I knew my mushy comment made her uncomfortable. My victorious smirk was reinstated.

"Well, what's up?" I pressed.

"My parents are alive and well," Anna said. "They've changed a lot . . . it's been an adjustment. I've been catching up with them and dealing with meetings. Basileus and Matt have been working with local councils to get more protection rights for both humans and wolves. Some areas are still hotbeds for violence."

"Now I feel like I'm at a meeting. I'm glad you two are getting things accomplished up there, at least."

"Believe me—I wish we were back. I'm tired of working. This was supposed to be a fun trip." She sighed heavily, exhaustedly.

I understood her. This was exactly how I felt today. Overwhelmed by everything we still needed to accomplish. Basileus' campaign for reign had been successful, but we'd washed out a lot of people in the process. Those families and communities would never forget and likely never forgive. Peace was up and down across the world. Some alphas stopped reporting, so we had to deploy groups of trained wolves to enforce the law. Which meant we had to hire and train more wolves to keep here. Many people would be glad to have Tandan's and my head on a stick.

Even my chubby ass had been learning more self-defense. Tandan insisted I learn in case I was ever alone without him.

"When you get back," I assured her, "we'll have a girls' day. The boys can piddle around without us for a few hours. Shops are open again and we can stimulate the local economy or whatever. I need a haircut and, god, does a massage sound good."

"That sounds amazing. I'm going to do some convincing and see how soon we can come back. Matt is really getting into local politics. It's cute but annoying."

"You mean seducing." My lips curled mischeviously. "I know you can have the beast on his knees with a blown kiss."

She chuckled. "Something like that. Maybe I'll check out some lingerie stores around here."

I snapped my fingers. "Mhmm. That's what I'm talking about."

"Well, I'll let you know if that works or not and when we'll be back."

"Just let me know. I'll make a spa appointment as soon as you give me the word."

We hung up and I pulled the drain plug. After watching the water slink down into the abysmal hole, I stood up, set the phone aside, and toweled off. Tandan was laying on the bed when I stepped into the bedroom. His glorious, muscled body was on full, unclothed display. My thighs squeezed together as a surge of heat moved through my center.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Returning the favor."

My brow twitched in suspicion. "What favor?"

"Letting me see your sexy little body in that tub, mermaid."

"Oh, I see." I padded over to the bed, dropping the towel as I went.

He sat up immediately and drank up my naked figure. My tingling palms pressed against his bare chest and pushed him flat against the bed. Climbing up, I straddled his thighs. His rock-hard member pulsed against my bare pussy.

"Babe," he hoarsely moaned.

"Who's the best mate in the world?" I asked.

"You."

"Who do you love the most in the world?"

"You!" He whined wolfishly. It was hot.

"And who gets this dick whenever she wants?"

His eyes flashed dark and I felt him tense beneath me. I knew it was coming. The Alpha never lay dormant and submissive for long. A grin danced across his face as he threw his leg up, tossing me forward into his chest. He used my off-balance to flip our positions so I was pinned under him. My snatch throbbed with need. Damn, how I loved a good tussle in the sheets.

"You, Lee, the love of my life and future bride. This dick is yours. This heart is yours." He leaned down to lick at my mark and kiss it. "And I am going to make sure you're screaming my name before you forget it."

His large, strong hands clamped on my thighs to spread them. I eagerly propped them open as far as they'd go. He dragged the tip of his cock up and down my slit until I cried out with hunger. Kissing my lips deeply, he plunged into me.

"Oh, Tandan!" I screeched, ecstasy at being full with him.

It was just like the delirious bliss I felt the first time we mated. Minus the insecurities. Minus the mistrust. My mate had been a straggler at first. I had hated him, rejected him, and somehow fell even harder for him again. He'd bought me this house and this ring, but the best gift he'd ever given me was himself.

"I love you so much," he whispered, pulling back and thrusting in. "Now I'm going to worship these curves."

I buried my fingers in his hair and moaned as pleasure shot up from my pussy. Yeah, I could get used to this.