Epilogue
She parked the animal control truck in front of the new building for Almost Home Rescue. Though she would moonlight as an artist for Viktor, she still wanted to try to keep her job as one of the city’s animal control specialists, as long as she could be home before dawn. Her tattoo made her sunlight resistant, not sunlight proof.
Betty and Ken had returned from their honeymoon last week. Her werewolf best friend had been less than pleased to find Trixie with a new set of fangs.
Trixie’s phone dinged with a text.
Ruby: I don’t feel like going into work tonight. Can you introduce me to any hot, billionaire vampires?
Trixie: Sorry, they’re all poor douche bags in New Port. I got the only good one.
Ruby: Betty forgive you yet.
Trixie: No, she’s still angry. For now.
Ruby: When are you coming for a visit? I miss you.
Trixie: I’ll stop by on my break tomorrow night. Viktor will chaperone.
Ruby: Great, I’ll stock up on blood. TTFN.
A whimper drew Trixie’s attention. She reached back and scratched a floppy ear. “Betty is going to flip her lid over you, baby.” She led her latest animal retrieval to the service door of the rescue and rang the bell. It was late, but she knew Betty was still here unpacking. Her best friend opened the door.
“Look who I found wandering the park all alone.” Trixie stepped back so Betty could see the Great Dane puppy Trixie had on a leash. She had spent the last hour chasing the pup and it had evaded her, even with her vampire speed.
Betty sank to her knees and greeted her distant cousin with ear scratching and kisses. “She has a collar and a tag. You could have just taken her straight home.”
“I am taking her home. This is just a pit-stop for kisses. Am I forgiven now?”
“Trix,” Betty growled, sounding very werewolfy. “There’s nothing to forgive. I just can’t believe you didn’t call me when you became vampire. And I’m a little hurt.” Betty rose and hugged Trixie tight, and punched her arm. “Then you dragged Chris into this and my dad. Am I the last one to find out?”
Trixie shrugged. “My boss doesn’t know.”
“Oh, how reassuring.” Betty eyed her. “Everything okay at work?”
“Sure. Kennels retrieved and boss-man is thrilled I want permanent night shifts.” She winked. No one at her job had noticed anything different about her. Viktor always made sure she fed before each shift. “I haven’t bitten anyone.”
Betty frowned. “And Viktor?” Betty had expressed mixed feelings about him. He’d helped save Betty, but he’d also scared the crap out of her when she met him mid-blood-thirst-craze.
“No signs of bloodlust. Eoin hasn’t thrown his chains away.” They still owed the dragon for the car they stole. Viktor kept mailing the dragon miniature toy vehicles and she kept expecting to find the tattoo studio torched.
“You know I’m not a big fan of magic.” Betty rubbed the spot where her tattoo had been. “Especially when done by Jade.”
It technically wasn’t Jade’s fault, but Trixie would pick her battles. She just wanted her best friend back. “Time will tell.” She eyed Betty’s flat stomach. “Any signs of pregnancy yet?”
Betty snarled. “Stop that. I’m not ready. You’re as bad as Ken, my parents, and Ryota.” She sighed. “You know this puppy is super adorable. Let’s introduce her to Ken.” Betty gestured for Trixie to follow. “I have a pot of coffee on.” She paused as she crossed the threshold. “You can still drink coffee, right?”
“I’d stake myself if I couldn’t.”
Betty laughed. “I’d stake you too, if you couldn’t. Some things are sacred.” She went inside.
Trixie glimpsed a familiar shadow in the dark.
Viktor stepped into the light and dropped a seductive kiss on her lips.
“Are you spying on me?”
“Maybe I missed you.”
“We need to find you some customers to keep you occupied.” She took his hand. “I think Ken wants Betty’s name inked on his body.”
“No more werewolves.” Viktor shook his head. “I had my fill in Riverbend.”
She drew him inside the rescue. “Come on, it will be fun. You can even misspell her name if you want.”
His mischievous grin filled her with hope for their future.
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