36 Epilogue

♔ Tristen (P.O.V.)

My father's office hasn't changed much, except now it feels like mine. The stacks of papers come and go, I color-code them just like my father had before me. The picture frame that once held the photo of my father, mother, and me on a picnic is now in a two split frame. The picture that fills the right side of the frame is of me and Eustacia on our wedding day six years ago, right in front of our house. I wear a solid black tuxedo and a baby blue tie, while she wears a strapless silky baby blue dress and veil. We embrace each other under a mistletoe hanging from the arch over the stairway in an eternal kiss.

Over the last six years, everything has gone smoothly.

After the war, very few members who stormed my pack from The Rushing River Pack survived. Those who did where executed, it was after all an offense in an attempt to kill me, the king.

My pack- no, my family had a few casualties. We lost a few young warriors, a total of seven, they all had just joined into the pack. Gedeon was wounded and induced into a coma for a little over four months, but he recovered. Eustacia almost died that night, but I was able to bring her back after marking her.

Eustacia recovered before Gedeon did, and she demanded to go back to her pack and gather those left. So we did, we brought back Leah's brother and a few elders that had been left behind. The women and children were nowhere to be seen, and the remaining members whispered about them being sent off somewhere. To where I don't know yet, but that's written down on my red post-it note.

Finally, once Gedeon recovered, we officially welcomed Leah and him into the pack. Of course, Eustacia demanded that they be given a room in the 'palace,' although normally high ranking members live here; I made an exception.

A lot of things are changing, and today is another day of change.

Tap, tap, tap. "Tree," a soft honey voice calls as the door squeaks open, sending chills down my spine like it does every time.

Without looking up, I know who it is, a smile creeps across my face. "Stacy," I coo.

Eustacia's raven black hair reaches down to her ass now, silky and smooth. Her once blue eyes are now a striking yellow. As always, she wears black sweatpants, gray socks, and no shoes. Her shirt is different today though, it's a light purple button-up shirt with a fluffed up collar.

"Tristen, I can't find Liam," she groans.

"Have you checked in Leah's room? You know how she is," I state.

"I have and he's not there," she groans once again, sounding like a deflating balloon as she rubs her hands down her face dramatically.

Standing up, I walk over to her by the door and grab her right hand off of her face, smiling widely. "I have an idea on where he is," I suggest as I quickly drag her behind me to Jakub's room.

~~

"Why is Granpa Tiger not here?" Liam questions looking back at Jakub, causing his hood to fall off. Liam has a solid head of black hair with a blond spot the size of a quarter in the front of his bangs. his left eye shines a vibrant silver and the right one a vibrant yellow.

Jakub chuckles at him softly, booping him gently on the forehead. "Grandpa Taega isn't here because of a law your Pa had to follow before you were born."

Liam crinkles his nose and looks back down at the picture scowling. "It's a dumb rule," he mutters.

Eustacia holds me tightly at the mention of it. It hurts, knowing Liam wants to see his grandfather. It hurts worse knowing there's nothing I can do about it.

Jakub stands Liam on the floor and points at me and Eustacia. "That's why you're going with your Ma and Pa to address a new rule in the pack."

Liam's eyes light up brightly as he sees us. He rushes with his dinosaur hood flopping behind him and jumps into my arms. "Daddy!" He shouts sending warmth through my heart.

"There you are, you little stinker," I laugh, poking his nose. "Let's go change that stupid rule, shall we?"

"Yeee!" Liam shouts, bouncing in my arms his dinosaur hood smacking against my arm.

~~

"Ladies and gentlemen! It's been six years since we experienced an attack, six years since you gained a new king and queen. It's been five years since you gained a new prince. Well, today will be a new day, I am changing the rules for taking over power to the monarchy. Instead of a required fight to the death, the oldest heirs will receive the throne and can be challenged as seen fit!" I shout into the crowd of my pack members, receiving cheers and applause.

I reach over with Liam still in my arms and embrace Eustacia in a kiss. "Thank you for such a wonderful life," I whisper to her.

Her face lights up as she kisses Liam on the forehead. "Thank you for finding me," she whispers back.

"I love you," I coo.

"I love you too," she says looking into my eyes.

"I love you three!" Liam shouts bouncing in my arms and makes grabby hands toward Eustacia, "Mommy, hold me!"

Eustacia smiles, grabbing Liam from my arms. "I wouldn't trade this for anything."