EPILOGUE

2nd FRIDAY OF THE 3RD AGE:

It was dripping from the branches everywhere. The snow began to melt, leaving its glistening wetness behind. The birds sang of the end of winter.

I stared at the sky, which was traversed by still bare branches. Beyond, the sun shone through puffy clouds. The stream had already freed itself from the clutches of the cold and was bubbling with joy.

"Spring is coming," I said, pulling the keeper of the western forest out of his thoughts.

He looked my way and smiled.

“Yes, spring is the time of renewal. Like the trees, we can shed the old and unfold new leaves, and grow tall in our adventures."

"The next adventures can be a long time coming," I said and the old wolf grinned. By now he needed a cane to walk, but he insisted on going for walks in his forest.

He would be here until his death and he would be happy with that.

"We are all part of the same forest, and even though our trunks sprout in all shapes and patterns, our roots are deeply intertwined," he said, smiling.

"Are you giving my mate speeches again?" asked a deep voice behind me and I was the only one who was shocked by Zelo's arrival.

His hair was hanging in strands and he was grinning.

"At least she's listening to me," the Keeper replied, tapping the forest floor with his stick.

Zelos put his arms around me and I breathed in the fresh dew. My head rested against his strong chest where I could hear his heart beating. He kissed my mark like he did every day.

"The foxes are doing better," he said, and the keeper nodded.

"Good Good..."

Since our arrival here, Zelos had almost completely taken over the task of the guardian. We had peace and quiet and nothing could disturb us.

And yet I cried most days.

Out of joy that Zelos was still alive.

Anger that he hadn't warned me.

For fear that tormented me at night.

I turned in his arms.

His eyes lit up with joy and he planted a real kiss on my lips. The shimmer in the ruby could not bode well.

"Oh no, what are you up to?" I asked, putting my hands on his chest.

Zelos grinned even wider.

"I have a little surprise for you," he said.

A moan snapped us out of the moment.

Kerberos trotted toward us through the thawed snow. His fur was soaking wet and dripping as if he had bathed in water. The vengeance in his eyes was only aimed at Zelos, whom he stared at with drooping ears and angry, yellow pairs of eyes.

"What happened to you?" I asked, walking towards the giant dog. He looked at me pityingly from below, and if it weren't for the stench of wet dog, I would have petted him.

"I knew I forgot something," Zelos replied and Kerberos grumbled again.

Suddenly he shook himself and I jumped back to my companion to escape the splashes. Zelos laughed.

"Don't be like that," he said.

I shook my head.

"Will you finally tell me what really happened in the castle?" I asked with wide eyes, but Zelos just snorted.

"Better," he replied. "We have visitors."

Even before I could open my lips, Zelos looked behind me.

"Boo!" a voice called in my ear and I screamed like a chicken.

A hearty laugh escaped Zelos and mingled with a high pitched cackle as I spun around.

Tommy grinned at me, unharmed.

"Surprise," he said, and my heart clenched.

I took him in my arms. And a few yards behind him, Davin was leaning against a tree trunk, his face looking a bit misshapen. Still, he lifted the corners of his mouth and nodded at me.

"You're fine," I murmured, kissing his hair.

How could I lose hope?

I could feel the fresh tears I'd shed enough of lately.

"I think it's time you tell us everything," I said to Zelos.

"There's not much to tell," he replied, shrugging. "I just turned into the monster people wanted me to be."

"But we all saw it. Astor hit you with a silver dagger..."

My words trailed off as I thought of the throne room.

Zelos put his paws on my shoulders.

"If that had happened, I wouldn't be standing in front of you now," he said. "I admit, I couldn't do it alone. I had a lot of help and support. First, there was Demetrius, who made a deceptively real knife. But don't ask me how he managed that hiss and smoke..."

"So Demetrius," I said, distaste tinged in my voice.

If Alpha Eros wasn't careful, Lia would become just like the grumpy old man...

“Of course, Astor was also in the know. He should do it so that the pack could accept him as the new alpha", Zelos said, but when he looked back at Tommy, his grin disappeared. "Only one thing wasn't planned... But when you came back completely distraught in the night and Dana asked me what was going on that morning...I moved to town myself. It was easy to find Luna Mayra."

He left it at that, but I could imagine what had happened.

"And then we still had to stay in that cabin," Tommy grumbled, crossing his arms.

"Why didn't you let me in on it?" I whispered.

"I couldn't, even if I didn't want anything more," Zelos replied and a pang of pain flared up in his eyes. "Everyone looked at you after Astor pushed me out of the window. I admit, the fall was the worst of the matter. But the bones healed quickly. Your reaction had to be genuine... I couldn't tell you, and for that I apologize. And besides, you probably would have tried to stop me."

I punched him in the chest.

"Yes, I would have. You have no idea how worried I was..."

"But now we're here and we're fine and the world is better," Zelos murmured. "Wasn't it worth it?"

My lip began to tremble under the pressure of the tears I was trying to hold back at all costs.

"Yes," I whispered. "But don't you stage your death again. Then I will hunt you down, Lycan or not."

Zelos laughed, the most beautiful sound in the world. More beautiful than the singing of the birds or the babbling of the brook.

"What you wanna do? Put me back in a silver cell?" he asked, winking.

"If it brings you back to your senses, maybe."

A warm feeling radiated from my chest.

I leaned against Zelos, who wrapped his arm around me without hesitation.

"I'd like to see you try. My wolf would love to accept the challenge..."

The whisper of the wind mingled with the sounds of the forest.