Extended Epilogue
Five Years Later…
“Oh my God,” Alynna exclaimed as her eyes grew wide and her gaze landed at the women in front of her. “None of you breathe on me. I swear, if I have to spend another Christmas pregnant, I’m going to scream. Dr. Faulkner has come up with some sort of Lycan True Mate birth control. STAT.” She put down her youngest, 6-month-old Knox, in the bassinet beside the couch.
Daric laughed, and Meredith giggled as he rubbed her growing belly. Beside them, Jade was talking to Lara over video chat on her phone. The Lycan scientist was about five months along with her third child, while Lara was in the hospital, already in labor with her and Liam’s second. Cady was patiently waiting for her turn on the phone with Lara, sitting comfortably on the couch with a plate of half-eaten cake on her very pregnant stomach. She would be giving birth any day now too, to her and Nick’s fourth baby. The twins came after Zachary, and now everyone was betting that Lara would be having twins as well. Meredith may or may not have had a little bit of help from her husband when she placed her bet.
It was a long summer weekend, and as such, they all ventured out to the Anderson mansion on Long Island for a barbecue. Daric enjoyed weekends like this when he could just relax and spend time with his family. His work with Jade in the lab at Fenrir was satisfying and kept him busy, but he wanted nothing more than to just spend time with his wife and their two children (soon to be three). Meredith was now one Grant's head lieutenants, effectively 2nd in command of the Lycan security force, after Nick Vrost.
“What’s wrong, Alynna?” Grant asked as he and Frankie sat down next to Cady on the couch. The Lupa was the only other female currently not pregnant. She and Grant already had three of their own, twins and a young daughter who was two-and-a-half years old. “Aren’t you happy to be doing your duty to the Lycan race?”
“Oh, I’ve done my duty alright, I’ve done it four times!” she exclaimed, referring to her and Alex’s four children.
“Four times?” Alex interjected as he joined them. He was sweaty from playing with the children who were now being watched over by Sebastian. “I think we’ve done it more than that.” He bent down to kiss his wife. “Not that I’m counting.”
“Not that, pervert!”
Grant groaned. “I don’t want to hear this.”
“Grant, your sister is a married woman with four kids,” Frankie said playfully. “You know she has sex. Lots of down and dirty sex with her hot husband. This can’t be a mystery to you after all this time.”
“La la la,” Grant stuck his fingers in his ears. “Not listening.”
“Oh yeah, Mr. and Mrs. Super Alpha Lycan Pheromones?” Alynna quipped. “I would say half the time, you guys trigger us and,” she nodded to her kids, “at least two of those are a result.”
“And maybe this,” Nick said as he came over, rubbing Cady’s belly affectionately.
“Hey, we got those special seals installed in our apartment and Grant’s office after we got married!” Frankie said. “You guys,” she said pointedly at Alex and Nick, “did that on your own.”
“I’m hungry, baby,” Meredith said to Daric, her eyes pleading.
“You’re always hungry,” he retorted. When Meredith gave him a pout, he kissed her forehead. “I’ll get you some burgers.”
“Yay!” she said, raising her fist in triumph. “With mayo and ketchup—”
“And extra pickles,” Daric finished. “I know.” He stood up and walked over to the grill, where the burgers and hotdogs were keeping warm. As he piled a plate with food, something hit him on the ankle. Looking down, he saw a red ball by his feet.
“Oh, hello Zac,” he greeted the young boy as he bent down.
Little Zachary Vrost looked up at him and smiled. “Hiya, Unca Daric,” he greeted, his light blue eyes sparkling and chubby little cheeks pink from running.
Daric picked up the ball and held it out to Zac. As he reached for his toy, the little boy tumbled forward, and Daric quickly caught him before he hit the ground. As his hands touched Zac, he was taken aback by the vision that came to him. A tall, handsome man with ice blue eyes dressed in a tux. A young woman with long blonde hair and amber eyes in a white gown. The man whispered something in the woman’s ear as they danced under fairy lights and her face broke into a familiar smile. He couldn’t hear what the man said, but he caught one word. A name. Her name.
“Hey, you alright, bud?” Nick said as he stood over them. “Sorry about that,” the Beta said sheepishly. “I swear, you can’t take your eyes off them for a second, right?”
Having two boys of his own, Daric agreed. “Yes, indeed.” He picked up Zac and then handed him to his father.
“Thanks,” Nick said as he took Zac. He gave Daric a grateful nod before walking away to join the rest of the children, who were now piling on top of Sebastian as they played their favorite game, catch the dragon.
Daric wasn’t close friends with Nick and Cady, but over the years, they had come to some peace and understanding, and they all treated each other with respect and kindness. He accepted that there would always be some distance between him and Vrosts, but he didn’t mind because he was plenty happy with his family and circle of friends. He wondered what the Beta would think if he knew what Daric had seen in little Zac’s future.
“Hey, what took you so long?” Meredith asked as he sat down.
“Sorry, min kjære,” he apologized. “I had to make sure I got all your condiments.”
“Oohhh!” She made grabby hands at him, and he gave her the plate. Grabbing the hamburger, she took a big bite. “Hmmm…so…hmmm good…”
“Slow down,” he laughed. “I don’t want you to choke.”
“Oh yeah, tell that to your son or daughter,” she said through a mouthful of food. With one last gulp, she devoured the entire burger.
Daric sat down next to her and took the empty plate, placing it aside. He put a hand on her stomach. “I’ve thought of a name.”
“Really?” she asked. “Boy or girl?”
“Girl.”
“How do you know?” Meredith asked, her eyes widening. While she loved their sons, Daric always knew she longed for a little girl to spoil and introduce to Disney Princess movies. “Is this one different from the boys? Can you see her future?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m still unable to see visions from you or our children,” he said. “But I have a good feeling about this one.”
“So, what’s the name?”
“Astrid.”
Meredith thought for a moment. “Hmmm…I like it. What does it mean?”
“It’s a traditional Scandinavian name,” Daric explained. “It means godly strength or divine beauty.” He had no doubt of the beauty part, but, the strength would be something she would need.
“It’s settled then,” she said. “If it’s a girl, I mean.”
Daric drew her closer, and she laid her head on his shoulders, enjoying the cool summer breeze and the laughter of children around them.
The End.
(Maybe? Turn the page for a special announcement from Alicia, as well as Author Notes)
But before you go, do want to read a (hot, sexy and explicit) extended scene from this book, as well as an alternate scene that never made it? ! You’ll get access to my super secret goodies page where you can download this bonus scenes and other goodies!
Indie authors like me rely on your reviews to keep us going! If you love this book, please leave me a review:
I love hearing from readers and if you want to tell me what you think do let me know at
Connect with Alicia Montgomery: