Fighting for her Mate: Shape Shifter Paranormal Romance (Sassy Mates Book 5) (16 page)

EPILOGUE

Caleb stood in the backyard of the newly built Rahound alpha house complex. Too many bad memories and too much blood had flowed through the old house. This was a fresh beginning for a new way of pack living.

And what better way to show that than celebrating their new alpha’s marriage. Yes, everyone knew Caleb and Ellie had married quietly. So this renewal of vows was to show the world how much he loved Ellie. And how much Nathan loved Karla, Jake loved Nicole, and Mason loved Emma.

Hundreds had gathered from both Rahound and Wolfe families and packs for the grandest ceremony of love they had seen.

Aria and Trevan sat together. Each tried to look uninterested in the other, but were obviously leaning toward each other. Caleb was surprised, yet, he wasn’t. Trevan’s horrific past with vampires had devastated him completely. Maybe Aria was meant to get him through that and healed. They would be an interesting couple to keep an eye on.

Jaxon, Aric’s friend from Golden Falls, had become a good comrade. He and his men helped a great amount in taking out rogues Rocco brought in to take over the Wolfe pack. Jaxon leaned against a pole, flirting with Letty. Nicole was so going to kick his ass if she saw him hitting on her little sister. Glad not to be him.

Then there was the Central pack council and the beta couple. After explaining to the council that Mason was married, but their marriage certificate was delayed due to administrative issues within the office, the Central pack had no problems. They thought if one of the boys were available, they would push for a union to make the change as smooth as possible for the pack. They invited both Mason and his mate to visit.

When Mason and Emma arrived, Mason understood why the council didn’t think an unmated brother would object to marrying the alpha bitch. The woman was stunningly beautiful, but didn’t hold a candle to his Ellie. Caleb needed to ask Mason if he and Emma had decided to stay with Central and help them get back on track.

Caleb knew those two would make a wonderful alpha couple for the pack. He hoped Central didn’t have a history as dark as the Rahounds had. But even if they did, they had strong leaders to get them through.

Thinking about the brothers, he realized that each had their own pack now. Except for Nate. But he and Karla wanted to stay close to Grandma Barbara for support, and nightly dinners Nate so elegantly mentioned. Caleb had never seen an alpha family like the Wolfes. He was glad Tristan was around to be his role model. But now his father was back.

With Rocco and his enforcers gone, Caleb and Ellie, with the help of his father, had brought the pack together several nights a week for mutual healing and support. Stories were shared, faults where forgiven, and friendships renewed. The completion of the Rahound compound was the final expulsion of the old regime.

The compound housed entertainment venues, recreation for children, and a facility large enough for the entire pack to come together when the need arose. Educational courses for adults and children were supported by volunteers, as well as job placement opportunities within the pack and local communities.

Oh, and Caleb couldn’t forget the Olympic-sized community pool and water slides behind the alpha house. One hundred percent of the children voted on that requirement. Who was Caleb to ignore mass majority rule? Only a few yards to the side, the crystal clear water sparkled like millions of diamonds floating on the current.

Happy faces glowed with warm sunlight. Three adorable babies, two dressed in tiny tuxes and one in a pearly white dress, were passed around, each eager to have a bite of what their current holder had to eat. Well, until it came to the broccoli dipped in ranch dressing, then they were happy to just lick off the white stuff.

Grandma and the two grandpas helped the nanny load the triplets inside the house where they could safely, and quietly, sit at the floor to ceiling windows and watch the goings-on. Papa Nate made a face at them and they giggled behind the glass.

“Caleb!” He glanced from the makeshift stage to his beautiful Ellie dolled up in her mother’s wedding dress with a slight alteration that allowed for her little peanut bump. “Let’s get the show on the road. I’m hungry.”

“That’s right, honey. But you’re always hungry now.”

“Don’t make me come up there and hurt you.”

Caleb winked at her. “Of course not, sweetheart.” He picked up the mic and tapped the top. “Hey, everyone. It’s time to start.” He wiped his upper lip. “Good thing this is just a renewal, or you’d think I was nervous. Fortunately, there was a restroom nearby where we did get hitched.”

Ellie added, “I won’t tell anyone how you stayed in there until two minutes before you said ‘I do.’” Those paying attention laughed.

He grinned with a slight pink tinge. “Yeah, but be glad I could walk out on my own. The guy before me leaned on his best man to get through the restroom door.”

All the mates and brothers had taken their seats in the first row and most others had found a chair also.

“Welcome, everybody, to my and Ellie’s renewal of vows with specials guests, her brothers and mates, who also married too quietly for their mother’s preference. Aric and Jordan got a pass because they already did this, but technically they did get married before they got married again. To each other, of course.” Another round of laughter.

Ellie glanced at her watch and mouthed
I’m hungrier
to him.

“Right, moving on. Ellie and I would like to take this moment to say a few things before we get to the renewals.” He held a hand out to her. “Sweetheart, you want to come up here, too?” She made her way with applause from the crowd. Caleb noticed the red cheeks she sported. She was as used to be the center of attention as he was.

“We want to thank all of you not only for joining us today, but for believing and trusting in us to put this pack back on track. We’ve endured a lot, and it’s time to take off the last bandages and get to living normal lives again.” Applause punctuated his decree.

“Ellie and I promise to always put pack needs before our own and our door will always be open no matter the time. Just call if you’re coming over after eleven.”

Ellie leaned toward the mic. “Or before seven a.m. These toes don’t see daylight before then.”

Someone from the crowd hollered, “Wait a few more months and that’ll change.” Ellie placed a hand on her growing stomach and laughed.

Caleb continued. “There are a few people here I’d like to recognize because they’ve played such an important part in both our lives.” He glanced at the second row of seats. “My mom and dad, and Ellie’s mom and dad, Tristan and Barbara.”

A standing ovation roared. After a long minute, Caleb went on. “Both our parents taught us right from wrong, and how to give unconditional love. They showed us how to be good alphas and even better people. Ellie and I hope we can be as good at parenting as they are.”

Ellie leaned over again. “If not, we’re sending all the rugrats to the grandparents until they turn thirty.” Laughter came from the audience.

“Also, for those who don’t know, my dad is retiring as soon as he and I get everything wrapped up. He’s thinking about moving to the same area Mom lives.” His mother’s face flushed red. “Was I supposed to keep that quiet—”

Nate’s attention was pulled from Caleb. Around the corner of the house ran a pup dressed in a tux, in his mouth a steak the size of his head. Behind him was the catering chef, shouting and waving a spoon over her head. Next, two pups, one in a tux and one in a pearly white dress, rounded the corner. The bedraggled nanny, trying to catch up, bumped into the table display of Jordan’s new book
Scent of a Mate
. Bookmarkers, pens, key chains, and other swag spilled along the grass.

Nate and Karla whipped around to look through the windows. Nope, no babies sitting inside. They groaned.

The pup with the steak jumped on people’s laps and snaked through hands reaching out and grabbing. Seated ladies launched to their feet, knocking chairs over, not wanting to get steak juice on their dresses. Others raced after the young’uns to help the nanny.

Nate heard a familiar yippy squeal and turned to see a little tail sticking out of a white dress disappear over the ledge of the pool. He was on the other side of the stage and into the pool before Karla knew he was gone. He surfaced with a drenched rat, white dress clinging, licking his face.

Someone whispered, “Isn’t that why babies aren’t supposed to shift until they’re older?”

Elsewhere in the crowd, a hand shot up and Lael’s voice rang out. “Sorry about that. My bad. We’ll talk later.”

A dripping Nate handed over a dripping, lolling, wide-eye, tail-wagging happy camper to her nanny. The little girl yipped, making everyone in the crowd say, “Ahhhh, how cute.” A man and a lady brought the other two tail-waggers over. The chef stomped past with a half-chewed steak in hand.

* * *

After everyone was settled once more, Caleb’s dad, Conly, took the stage and mic. He looked around at the packs as tears came to his eyes. “This is a sight I truly believed I would never see again. So much has changed, yet, so much hasn’t. As Caleb mentioned, I’m retiring soon. I have complete trust and faith in my son to lead you all back into happiness and normalcy.

“I’m so sorry you had to endure what you did with that madman. But I’m not up here to talk about the old, I’m up here to bring in the new.” He looked at the front row. “Would you all take your places?”

The Wolfe brothers and their mates stood before the stage, Caleb and Ellie in the center.

Conly continued. “Since this a renewal, I get to see my son marry. And I can tell him what not to say that’ll get him into trouble later.” He winked at his son and moved the mic away. “Just joking, kid. Sort of.”

He cleared his throat, wiping a tear with his finger. “Since there are so many couples marrying, they decided to come up with one vow,” he pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pants pocket, “a rather long vow.” He unfolded and glanced at the paper, his head tilting down as he scanned the typing.

“I understand why this ceremony is this year and not last year. If the men had to come up with this on their own, it would be
next
year.” He straightened the paper. “Okay, guys, I’ll read to the audience while you look into the prettiest eyes you’ve ever seen and let your heart speak to her.

“I will care for and protect you, nurture you, and support you, and tell you your butt is perfect in every dress and adore everything about you.

I promise to love you tirelessly through perfect times and the merely fabulous times.

I promise to leave you alone one week every month, for my sanity and yours.

I promise to try to always put the toilet seat down.

I promise to try to remember to put my dirty clothes in the hamper and replace the toilet paper when the roll is empty.

I promise to use plenty of lube before trying to poke things in your bellybutton, no promise about your ears, though.

In the presence of our beloved family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your godlike partner and lover. In good times and bad and in joy as well as sorrow, I give you my heart, my love, my soul.

I love you, now and forever.”

Conly wiped his cheek. “Boys, that was beautiful. I truly believe you wrote this all by yourselves.” He chuckled with the group. He folded that paper, slipped it into his pocket, then slid another sheet out of his other pocket. “Okay, ladies. Let’s see what you’ve got to say. You boys, listen up. You’ve already said yes. It’s too late now.” He smiled. “I’m on a roll here. Maybe I’ll take up a gig as a stand-up comedian.” Several in the audience groaned.

His brows lowered. “Fine, maybe not. I’ll stay and do birthday parties for the kiddies. Think they’ll understand when I talk about payphones at the corner 7-11 store I drove to in my Pinto?” Those under the age of thirty looked confused. “That’s what I thought.”

Caleb cleared his throat. “Come on, Dad. Ellie’s eyeing the buffet table, and she won’t let me keep her waiting.”

“Okay, son. I haven’t talked in over ten years. Just trying to make up for all that time right now.” He mouthed,
kidding, I love you
. “Ladies, gaze into the most handsome face you’ve ever seen and say, “Yup, it’s too late.” He flicked the paper in his hand. “No, really, here we go.

“I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, and grow with you.

I promise to support your dreams and to respect our differences, and to love you and be by your side through all the days and nights of our lives.

I promise to create and support a family with you, in a household filled with laughter, patience, understanding, and love. I vow not just to grow old together, but to grow together. 

We shall bear together whatever trouble and sorrow life may lay upon us, and we shall share together whatever good and joyful things life may bring us. 

With these words, and all the words of my heart, I re-marry you and bind my life to yours.

“Grooms, you may kiss your brides. Karla, you can kiss your wet husband.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. The love shared between mates was what every child dreamed of having. Ellie’s mother beamed with pure joy, seeing all her children happily married. That was until Ellie decided to end the ceremony with, “Let’s eat!”