Behind The Mask

Épilogue

Epilogue

"Mommy!" my four-year-old grinned happily. It's been seven years since I moved in with Joden when I turned 18. Emilio was great Alpha material with minimal Alpha training. I was proud of him. Joden and I had a baby first. My little ray of sunshine. My little Atlas. Now, we're expecting Sylver's child come spring time. Seven months.

"Come here, Little Man," Joden intervened, swooping the mini him up into his arms. I chuckled as Sylver sat down next to me. He gazed at my not-yet-showing stomach. Joden was thrilled to hear about the pregnancy, but Sylver seemed a bit more nervous than even I was. It's like he didn't know what to think or how to feel about the unexpected surprise.

"Are you all right, Sylver?" I asked in worry. He never talked much to begin with, but he was awfully quiet for someone who was going to be a new dad. Atlas ceased his squirming in his father's arms to look at the other male. Atlas cocked his head in curiosity. Sylver didn't say anything, so Joden sat on the other side of him.

"I hope it's a sister so I can beat people up," Atlas commented, punching his left palm with his right fist. Joden flicked his nose. It was his way of disciplining him, and it definitely worked on him. "But, Dad," the boy complained. "I can't just be a pushover! Not when I have a little brother or sister to protect!"

"You're four, Kid. Leave the dirty work to your dad for now," Joden sighed. Atlas grinned at him, curling up on his chest. I would have never expected my kid to be so aggressive. Well...actually I did, but regardless...I have a feeling I should be worried. Sylver got on his feet, heading for the door right before there was a knock.

Joden tensed, sniffing the air. Atlas, a heavy admirer of his father, copied his movement. He sniffed the air, curious as to what his dad could smell. He gave him a confused look instead. Joden chuckled a bit.

Emilio bounded in, and he was awfully giddy. I stood up for not even a moment before he embraced me tightly. I laughed at his childish behavior that has never once faltered. I clung to his neck, taking in his scent. I missed him. He kissed my cheek gently as he set me on the ground.

"Hello to you, too, Emilio," I greeted. Sylver leaned against the doorframe of the living room after Emilio's mate entered. "Aww, hi, Lydia!" I called, heading over to give her a hug as well. "I hope Lio is taking care of you."

"He's amazing," Lydia smiled. "How have you been?"

"Busy. Busy."

"You work too hard sometimes," she sighed. I shrugged a bit.

"Keeps me occupied," I giggled. Mom, Dad, and Grandma showed up a few moments later. Mom was being held back from squishing my son while Grammy just laughed whole-heartedly.

"Hey, Kiddo," Dad greeted, hugging me, as I smiled at my parents.

"Welcome. You should have told us you were coming over. We would have better prepared," Joden told them softly. Mother waved him off after putting Atlas on her hip and straightening up. I rolled my eyes with a chuckle.

"Do you know what it's going to be?" Grandma wondered. I smiled, nodding my head a bit.

"It's a girl," Sylver announced. He grit his teeth, looking away. Dad put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Everything will work out just fine," Dad promised. Emilio grinned, giving him a much needed embrace, and Sylver visibly relaxed.

"My sister is tough. She will pull through just fine. You've got nothing at all to worry about," Lio insisted.

"I know but-"

"No buts," Joden intervened. "I'll be right here. Nothing will happen to them as long as I breathe."

"Yeah! And I'll kick some butt!" Atlas cheered. Joden sighed, and Sylver finally gave a small snicker.

"All right, you little monster. That's enough threats for one night. Time for bed," Joden ordered, taking him from my mother and putting him on the ground.

"But, Papa," he whined. "I want to protect Mom."

"We'll protect Mom while you're asleep," Emilio promised. Atlas looked around warily before huffing in anger.

"Better do a good job," he muttered before he stomped to his room down the hall. I laughed a bit. What a kid I have created. I smiled at Sylver and Joden, and they had pride written on their faces. I noticed Joden had straightened up a bit more with his chest puffed out. He was obviously proud of his son's reactions and silently flexing his teachings. I shook my head a bit.

"He's my nephew, huh?" Emilio chuckled. "I think you did pretty good, Joden," he praised, clapped his upper arm with a giant smile. "Feisty and protective of his mom. That's all I could have asked for."

Joden snickered, "I taught him well."

"You taught him to be a fighter. What a pain," Sylver huffed, heading out for a walk. I'm smiled sadly after him as he shut the door.

"Is it true he's part werewolf?" Lydia asked quietly. Joden and I nodded before looking at each other. My second mate kissed my neck, gently holding a hand protectively over my stomach.

"I think it's the hunter in him that's more worried," Joden murmured. I glanced at him. I had been really worried about Sylver's behavior since we found out about the new baby. He's been distant, tense, and jumpy. Joden wasn't like that, so I didn't know if Sylver was being a more normal first time dad or if something else entirely was going on.

"Hey, you two!" Dominic grinned when he casually strolled through our front door with his father, Sylver, Tom, and Caine. "Nice to hear about a new addition!"

"Welcome," Joden laughed. Sylver looked at my stomach, and his eyes seemed broken. Tom noticed, and he put a hand on his brother's shoulder in comfort.

"You're nothing like him, Sylver," Tom promised. "She'll love you." The two weakly smiled at each other, and the pieces finally fell into place. Sylver will make it through. We all will, even if we all are a little frightened at times. I have my mates and my son. I've got a great future ahead of me.

"So what are you going to name the gal?" Dom's father questioned curiously.

"Better not be too girly," Caine grumbled. "She's a warrior like her mom." I rolled my eyes with a defeated grin at him.

"Sylver?" I urged. "Wanna enlighten them?"

Sylver finally answered after a moment of silence, "We...were thinking...Lyric."

"Lyric and Atlas. That's a beautiful duo," Mom teared up. Grandma and Dad nodded approvingly.

"I love it," Emilio agreed. Tom and Dominic smirked and chuckled. I glanced at Caine. Time to see if he approved. He looked away for a moment, thinking. Then, his eyes locked with mine. They were calm, gentle, and full of emotion.

"I can get behind that one," he beamed.

❤ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
💏 💋 👪 💘 💑 💌 👫❣ 👬💍👭

And that's the story! Thank you guys so much for reading this entire series! I hope you guys check out some other books of mine! See you in the next one!

FINAL WORD COUNT: 26,340 words.