Epilogue

Grayson ran through the forest of their new home with Adam and Russell by his side. Running in wolf form through the snow was fun, and after three weeks at the castle, they’d gotten used to the constant snow. Approaching the castle, Grayson was surprised to see Beema waiting for them.

Don’t freak out, but we have a visitor. It seems Queen Arabella had a letter for Ethan that just had to be delivered. The poor Fae is sleeping in the guest quarters, and he wrapped himself up into a warm cocoon.

Of his own choosing? Or did Ethan slip him a little something? Adam asked, sounding unhappy about the visitor.

After having changed into a dragon, Beema had somehow linked the five of them so that if they wanted to, they could all communicate mentally. Beema had assured him that the link he had with Ethan was different and special, and no one other than Beema, would ever be able to breech it. The new link had saved Grayson the time it would have taken to repeat everything to Adam and Russell. It also gave them an advantage when they were hunting. Grayson suspected that no other wolves could communicate like they now could.

A bit of both. Ethan is in the living room now.

Grayson ran past Beema and made his way to his mate, his wolf not liking the idea of another man in the castle while his mate was alone. Skidding to a halt at the entrance of the living room, he found Ethan sitting on their couch, staring into the flames.

Releasing a sigh of relief, Grayson padded into the room. As soon as Ethan turned to him and smiled, Grayson shifted back to his human form, chuckling when Ethan saw that Grayson had kept his sweats on when he had shifted and pouted.

Are you okay, my mate?” he asked, striding over and sitting next to Ethan. He draped an arm over Ethan’s shoulders and pulled him close.

I’m fine. The poor man is exhausted so he’s sleeping in one of the guest rooms. He brought me a letter from my aunt,” Ethan stated, holding up a fancy looking envelope.

What does the letter say?”

Ethan shrugged. “I don’t know, I haven’t read it.”

Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Adam said as he strolled into the room followed by Russell, both of them wearing sweats. Sitting on the couch opposite them, Adam bounced in his seat. “Open it, open it, open it.”

Grayson shook his head at the beta while Ethan laughed. “Okay, I’ll open it.”

Ethan tore into the letter and quickly scanned the contents. “It looks like Queen Arabella is trying to get me to accept a title in her court.”

Frowning, Grayson wondered what she was up to. “Why?”

She probably wants to officially link the Fae to the Shades of Power. Also she might think that if she gives me a title, I’ll be more inclined to use my powers for her benefit. At the very least, it would bring me back to the castle for a while, where she’d probably try to apologize again and convince me to forgive her.” Ethan sighed. “As much as I want to forgive her, I don’t think I can trust her yet—maybe not ever. She may be my aunt, but in this instance, that doesn’t matter. What matters is my title and currently I don’t have one.”

What are you going to do?” Grayson asked, only mildly curious.

I’ll decline nicely and send the letter with the Fae when we send him on his way tomorrow.”

Grayson leaned over and kissed his mate softly when Adam interrupted, calling an end to their kiss. “But you do have a title.”

They both turned to focus on the man, who seemed to be looking at them as if they weren’t very bright.

What title?” Ethan asked.

The title of alpha mate. It may just be the three of us in this pack, but Grayson is still the alpha and you are his mate, therefore your title is alpha mate.”

It should also help with avoiding other titles. If it doesn’t, get Beema to transform into a dragon and threaten to eat everyone,” Russell added.

Ethan snickered before falling back against the couch, laughing undoubtedly at the thought of Beema eating even one Fae. Especially considering how many times Beema had said that being around the Fae was enough to give him indigestion.

As his mate laughed by his side, Grayson was thankful that he’d managed to find him. He hadn’t realized how lonely he’d been, always searching for something without knowing what it was, and then he’d found Ethan and everything seemed to click into place.

They’d already gone through a lot in the short time since they’d met—evil sisters, a battle, and the Queen’s lies—but Grayson didn’t care about any of that. As long as he had his mate and his best friends, and Beema, he was happy.

 

****

 

In the ruins of the castle of the Midnight Coven, a secret door popped open and a lone figure stepped out. Walking through the debris, the figure looked down at two black witches on the floor, one with a raven pin on the collar of her outfit.

I see that the fools guarding my castle were even more incompetent than the last lot.”

Just as the figure was about to leave, a noise came from one of the witches.

How very interesting,” the figure remarked, bending to pick up the barely alive witch.

Turning, the figure headed back to the secret room before pausing in front of the door. There, in the magic on the door, was a scorch mark. A mark that could only be made by one thing.

So, the time for the Shades of Power is here, and it looks like there’s a bonded blue flame dragon around, just what I need. Wouldn’t you agree, my little witch?”

From within the figure’s body, the trapped witch screamed, Noooo!