The hours pass by in a blur as we become lost in each other’s company. There is no pressure to rush off anywhere or do anything but just be with one another.
We spend the time talking and laughing, feeling relieved that we are together again. The warmth between us radiates into every part of our beings, like an eternal flame to remind us both just how precious our bond really is, one which not even time can diminish.
As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, I can see my beloved Flora illuminated by the soft rays. She looks even more beautiful than ever before, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders like silk ribbons, her eyes sparkling with love and laughter.
It is clear to me now that this is where I belong, here with Flora in this moment of perfect contentment.
I lead her to the center of my garden, where she gasps in awe at the beauty of the assorted wildflowers that have grown up around us. The dew-covered grass glistens like diamonds.
“This is my favorite place,” I tell her softly.
She turns to me and looks deep into my eyes, a silent understanding passing between us.
Without saying anything else, we both move forward and kneel down together in front of each other.
Taking her hands in mine, I find myself overcome with emotion as I stare deeply into Flora’s gaze. “My love,” I whisper, feeling my heart swell with devotion, “will you marry me?”
Her lips curl up into a beaming smile. “Yes,” she murmurs, and she seals our promise with a sweet kiss. We both know that from this day onward, no matter what happens we will remain together forever through thick and thin.
We are now bound by something far greater than just being part of the same pack. It is our love for one another that will keep us strong and invincible throughout all our lives.
* * *
I secure a special license so that we can wed at once. I do not even wish to wait three weeks for us to be man and wife. We will be wed in the morning, but I am loathed to leave Flora’s side for even a moment.
“You and I will be alpha together,” I assure her. “Neither one of us is beneath the other.”
“Our pack will grow,” she tells me. “We will have many children.”
“And they will have your bravery.”
“And your conviction.”
“And your heart.” I touch my forehead to hers. “There is one more thing I would like to do.”
“Might it have something to do with Roger?” she asks.
I nod. “I might have known that you would guess,” I murmur.
“They have not been far from my mind,” she confesses, “his people.”
“Whatever we can do for them, we will,” I promise her. “I cannot give Roger back his life, but I can make certain that his people do not suffer for his loss. It is the least I can do, considering what Erasmus did.”
“Let us not speak of your old pack nor mine,” she says, squeezing my hands. “The future is what matters now. We will make things right, and we will strive for peace, always.”
“As will our sons.”
“Our sons?” She laughs. “What if we have daughters?”
“Then they will be as strong as their mother and not tolerate any of the rakes among the ton.”
“Ah, I see. And our sons?”
“They will certainly not be rakes themselves. They will respect ladies and see them as equal.”
“You do realize that they will then be considered different from their peers?”
I chuckle and draw her close for a long hug. “They are already different from their peers.”
“A new pack,” she whispers, sounding amazed.
“Only the two of us, but not for long.”
* * *
Our wedding is beautiful, or so I choose to believe because I had eyes for only my beautiful bride, and I heard nothing but her soft breaths, her every contented sigh, and her utterance that she will be my bride for as long as she should live.
Once our vows are finalized and the form signed, I kiss my new wife.
“Not until death,” I inform her. “I will always be yours and no others.”
“You are so ridiculous,” she says with a laugh, pushing me away playfully. “You will be our children’s as well.”
“I will live for them, yes, but you are my heart, my breath, my life. If you should die first, I will be there for the children until the moment they do not need me any longer.”
“Please, Leo, do not speak like this,” she begs. “We have years and years to be together. Let us not speak of death.”
“Whatever you wish of me, I will grant you.”
* * *
Not one year has passed, and we are blessed with the first of our children, a son. I hold him in my arms, marveling at how small he is and yet how strong already as his tiny finger curls around mine.
Already, all my dreams have come true. The people of Thornford have granted us Roger’s land, and we have been acquiring more in order to create a safe pack for our growing family.
Our son coos with delight as I pass him over to Flora. He is perfect, with a head of thick black hair, huge brown eyes, and a nose that is just like my own. I gaze at him in wonderment, this small miracle that has been given to us who had thought themselves undeserving of such joy.
Life is splendid. This little being has brought me more happiness than I could ever have imagined. As Flora holds our son close and whispers words of love, I lay a hand on her back and know that this moment will be etched in my heart for all time. We will remain together forever, despite what happens. Our pack will grow stronger each day because we are bound by something far greater than just being part of the same pack—our love for one another. We will forevermore be united by an unbreakable bond that shall never be broken.
“I love you, Alistair Buckingham,” I whisper.
“I love you more,” Flora teases, and I laugh and hug them both, delighted and ever for our future.
* * *
Continue the tale of the Buckingham werewolves with A Wolfish Duke! Alistair’s tale!
* * *
About the Author of A LADY’S WOLF
Nicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances with a fantasy or paranormal slant. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!
When she’s not writing about fae, vampires, or monster hunters, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic boys, and three precious little girls. She has a black belt in mixed martial arts and enjoys going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are Supernatural and Stranger Things.
Connect with Nicole Zoltack on Instagram: @NicoleZoltack