A Therian's Trail: Epilogue, Book 3

Instructions

The warm aroma of stew wafted through our den as I finished opening the last of the presents. "Thank you," I smiled as Bone handed me a hand-woven bracelet. "Of course!" she waved it off, leaning closer to Aspen, who had his arm around her. Ava winked at me as she watched me rest my head against Shadow's chest. The cozy blanket around us had been pulled up so I could lay in his lap with his head on my neck. "Last one," Percy handed me a small pouch from the fireplace. I nodded a thanks and read the words on the side. "From, Shadow," I grinned. I could feel him blush, his hands start to sweat and his chest heat up. "I-It's nothing much," he swallowed, one hand coming around my waist. "You didn't have to get me anything," I rolled my eyes playfully. "But I'm thankful." I unclipped the top of the leather pouch and found a beautiful, black necklace. A shard of my amethyst was held with tiny silver branches obviously hand-made. "Shadow!" I started as he revealed his own from underneath his shirt. "Look - they connect," he pulled me closer. I shifted in his lap so he could gently take my amethyst and snap it together with his. "Thank you," I gazed up into his beautiful amber eyes. "There's one more thing," he cleared his throat, his cheeks turning red. I slipped out a small paper, carefully folded and closed shut with a piece of tape. My brows furrowing in curiosity, I gingerly opened it and immediately gasped. "Yes!" I threw myself on top of Shadow, who laughed and pulled me against him. "Really?" he whispered as I pinned him down, sitting on his waist. "You wouldn't mind, you and me?" "Shadow, are you joking?" I leaned toward him. "I would die to be your girlfriend." He pulled my face to his, and we lay there, crying and looking at each other as the fire crackled steadily into the night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Everyone ready?" Aspen asked as we clipped on gear and tied our laces. "Yup!" Bone yipped, already racing across the field. Percy and Ava ran after her, leaving me standing beside a blushing Shadow. Aspen gently elbowed him with the roll of his eyes and dropped to his fours before toppling over Bone. "Ready?" I turned to Shadow. He grinned, crouching in the grass. I sighed dramatically but leaped on his back, allowing him to carry me across the moon-lit meadow. "Woo!" Percy laughed, rolling around in a patch of flowers. Ava giggled and motioned for Shadow and I to join them. "We're coming!" I called and kicked Shadow's sides. "Come on!" "Yes, ma'am," he saluted, holding my holding me tighter before immediately falling in the grass. I laughed so hard that I had to crawl off him and catch my breath, tears streaming down my face. Shadow groaned and wiped dirt from his cheeks. "Really?" he crossed his arms. I lay on my back in the meadow, still wheezing with laughter. He took the opportunity to come beside me, his hand taking mine. We both lay, there, watching the stars twinkle steadily in the night. The moon glowed in Shadow's eyes like a ball of fire, flickering and pulsing as he blinked. "I love you," he murmured. "I love you more," I snuggled against him, staring up at the little candles and diamonds in the sky. And somewhere, somewhere out in the stars, The Wolf was watching down on us and the therian's trail we had paved. AUTHOR'S NOTE Yes, yes. This is the last "chapter" of the series. I absolutely loved making this and I'm so glad to be able to share it with you all! Thank you SO MUCH for reading!!!!!! Shadow says hi!!!!!