Epilogue
Heath bounced Maia as he watched his sister standing next to the woman she loved under an arch made of wood and decorated with flowers. The crowd sat in rows in the backyard of the inn, not that it was standing anymore. Reconstruction was going well though. They'd laid the foundation and begun putting in the support beams. When they finished, the inn would be everything Maggie had wanted and more.
"As your lives are now interwoven, so shall your hearts become intertwined," Roscoe said.
The sky was clear and the wind calm as Gaia and Maggie spoke the words that would bind them in the eyes of the pack. Both of them smiled as their individual strands of yarn were looped and placed on the other's wrist.
"Together," Maggie said, her voice thick with emotion.
"Forever," Gaia replied.
When Roscoe announced them as a bonded couple, they embraced, kissing each other like they were the only two people left in the world.
The pack cheered as Gaia held Maggie's hand and turned to them. "There will be time for celebrating later. For now, let's get to work!" she said to the crowd.
Maggie pulled out a hammer from only god knows where and followed Gaia to the inn.
"Only Maggie would ask for a work party instead of a reception," Heath said, pretending to be annoyed as he strapped Maia to his front so he could work hands-free.
"She's perfect for my sister then," Garth replied.
Heath tried to hide his shock at the fact that Garth had said anything to him that wasn't snarky. He pulled a wheelbarrow full of potting dirt behind him to the side of the foundation where Maggie was plotting out her garden. "You're going to have to tell mom, you know," he said as he let the handles drop.
"Oh yeah," Maggie replied sarcastically. "I'll get in line after you tell her you had a baby and that she's a grandma."
Heath made a face. "Let's wait until Christmas." Maggie laughed as she unloaded the dirt from Heath's wheelbarrow.
When Heath turned back to get a new load, he ran into Angus who stood there with his impressive arms crossed over his broad chest. "What do you think you are doing, mate?"
"Helping?" Heath said.
"Pushing a wheelbarrow that could roll over your toe and cause you pain? No way, too dangerous," Angus said, but with a smirk.
"Maybe you could build me a shelf, so I have somewhere safe to sit," Heath replied with mock sweetness.
Angus leaned down, kissing him on the lips. "Finally an idea I agree with."
"Get back to work!" Gaia yelled at them from across the yard.
"Stay with me, mate," Angus said, tugging on his arm. "I'll do enough work for two," he said over Heath's head, most likely to appease the tyrant, Gaia.
"You're a shifter," Gaia taunted him. "Do enough for four."
"She's so snappy now that she's bonded," Angus said. "I should definitely go looking for pictures."
Heath laughed as Gaia growled at them.
The pack worked until after sunset. At this rate, the inn would reopen in time for the busy summer season, which was likely Gaia's plan.
They returned to the camp in waves, each group taking a different route back home.
Heath waited for Angus to help put the tools away and then rode back to the camp with his mate, Gaia and Maggie. He said goodbye to his sister, congratulating her once more, before opening the front door to his cabin and stopping in his tracks as he spotted two large men embracing.
"Uh, Angus?" Heath called over his shoulder. His mate, likely hearing his tone, was by his side in a flash.
To Heath's surprise, he surged past him, pulling the two men into a large hug.
"I take it you know these two?" Heath said, patting Maia on the back.
Angus turned to him, beaming. "This is my brother Julian and my brother from another mother, Hugh."
Heath waved hello with so many questions swirling in his mind. Like why Angus' two brothers had been kissing. Out loud, he only said, "Nice to meet you."
"Where's the doctor you sent word about?" Angus asked. "We expected you months ago."
Hugh sighed as Julian growled. "We lost him in Mexico. But don't worry, we'll get him back."
Angus returned to Heath's side, plopping his arm over his mate's shoulders.
Heath couldn't help but stare between the two shifters. Angus had said they looked similar, but Heath didn't expect them to move and act similarly as well.
"Well, it's nice to see you," Angus said dismissively. "But you can't stay here. I've got a mate to tend to."
Heath elbowed Angus, but he looked unapologetic. "You're welcome in our home," Heath said.
"We aren't here for long," Julian said.
"Where's Roscoe?" Hugh asked.
Angus directed his brothers to Roscoe's cabin and then shut the door on them, pulling Heath towards him.
"What was that all about?' Heath asked, starting at the closed window.
Angus shrugged. "We'll find out soon enough. I never quite know what those two are up to."
He kissed Heath passionately, making him forget any questions he had about brothers or doctors.
"I like what you said earlier though. About how they were welcome in our home." He kissed Heath's nose and then Maia's forehead.
Heath understood the sentiment. It may have taken them a lot of effort to get to this point, but Heath wouldn't give it up for the world. "Our home."
The End
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