Fairy lights glittered all around the dance floor set up in the middle of Gage’s sprawling ranch, with tents and tables nearby. The air was warm, the stars bright, and Tory had her hand in Pierce’s as they started their first dance of the night.

All around them, couples joined Will and Joanne’s first waltz as a married couple, gliding onto the floor in a flurry of sweeping dresses.

“Time to see if all that practice has paid off,” Pierce grinned, placing his hand on her back.

“I’m not worried,” she shrugged. “You had a great teacher.”

“And she’s also so humble, you know?” he nodded, taking the lead as the music began to swell.

Tory couldn’t help but laugh as she followed along, noting how Pierce’s brow furrowed slightly as he counted along with the beats in his head. He might not have been the most graceful dancer in the world, but he was the only one she wanted for a partner.

They moved smoothly among the other couples, swirling around in a sea of smiling faces. In the middle of the floor, Will was dipping Joanne back to plant a kiss on her lips, and the people still seated cheered from the sidelines.

Tory couldn’t have been happier for her new friends. The ceremony had been beautiful, and with everyone in such great spirits, the party was bound to be one to remember.

“Look at those two,” Pierce shook his head, following Tory’s gaze to the newlyweds. “It’s actually ridiculous how over the moon they are.”

“I bet Joanne is thrilled everything went according to plan. This is a beautiful wedding. And Gage’s ranch is the perfect place for a bunch of shifters to celebrate,” Tory replied.

“It has all fallen into place, hasn’t it?” Pierce asked in response, but his gaze was locked onto her.

Tory had to smile.

“It has,” she agreed.

It had only been a month since Bonnie’s plans had been unraveled, but her relationship with Pierce was stronger than ever. In a way, Bonnie had actually helped Tory tear down some of her walls.

She had realized that waiting for someone to disappoint you was no way to live your life. And that her instincts were better than she had given them credit for, especially when it came to Pierce. Her soul knew his, so trusting him came easily for her, now that she was no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The only thing that mattered to her was what she knew to be true of the man she had fallen in love with.

And as far as Bonnie was concerned, a friend of a friend of Joanne’s had let it slip that the woman had moved away to be closer to her sister. Tory figured that learning she was Pierce’s mate had shaken something loose in the fantasy Bonnie had created.

Maybe being around family would do Bonnie some good. Tory only hoped she was getting the help she needed, and had moved on with her life. Other than that, she didn’t think about Pierce’s ex all that much. Her initial anger had subsided as soon as it was clear Bonnie was dealing with some serious issues, and was pretty much delusional.

Anyway, that chapter of her life was closed, and her future in Black Oak looked brighter than ever. Now that she had her steady schedule of classes, she had really hit her stride as a teacher. Nothing felt better than seeing a student’s face light up when they finally nailed that move or step they had been struggling with, whether that student was a child or an adult didn’t even matter.

It was not the life she had ever envisioned for herself, but the bitterness stemming from how her former career had ended had finally faded away. Maybe all of this was always meant to be. Looking into Pierce’s eyes, that got easier and easier to believe.

Who would have thought I would find my soul mate here, in the middle of nowhere, when I hadn’t even been looking for him?

Definitely not Tory herself. A short time ago, she hadn’t even really believed in soul mates. Yet here she was, being twirled around the dance floor by a man she could no longer live without.

The music changed, slowing down into a smooth, slow jam that had couples holding each other a little tighter. Pierce grabbed her closer, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his warmth against her.

“You make me happy,” she whispered, resting her head below his shoulder.

“That’s the goal,” he chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “Now and always.”

As they swayed in tune with the music, Tory let out a content little sigh. It was a perfect moment, one of many she had shared with him. There were many yet to come, that she was sure of. A whole lifetime’s worth, right here, in her new home of Black Oak.

She wouldn’t have it any other way.