Epilogue

Rayne watches her daughter sleeping in the beautiful crib Declan gave them. It was the only family heirloom that was recovered by the old lady who lived next door to the in Ireland. There are many woodland creatures on the edge of the headboard. It is a scene that fits perfectly with the shifter family it came from.

Lia is only a few days old so they will have to wait to see what their combine genetics gave her or didn’t give her. Dillon called in favors to find information on hybrids. So far, no one has given her anything sold to go on.

So, time will reveal that mystery as she ages, just like it does will all things in life.

Parker’s soft snoring makes her look behind him. He is laying on the chaise lounge across for the crib. Lia was fussy this morning, so Parker came in here so that Rayne could get some sleep. Looking at him now, with his shoulder length hair all messy, she just can’t believe that he is hers.

Five years ago, she was a scared, beaten, and broken soul. The night Sebastion’s cruel words woke her sleeping wolf and propelled her out of Jade Moon to find her future. A future that started in a small dirty hotel on a rainy night.

Her future was on a collision course with a shifter by the name of Parker Donovan.

What she found with Parker is the best friend she never had, an amazing lover, and her soul mate in every way. The Moon Goddess’s plan for Rayne worked out just as she intended. She was given two mates, but only one was meant to stay. He was always meant to have a recurring role in her life. Like a regular guest star in a tv series. While the other one was always meant to be her guiding light.

Sebastion was always meant to be a part of her life. Just not in how either of them expected. His path was always to go a different direction than hers. A path of redemption for all his selfishness and thoughtless actions.

He returned to her for selfish reasons. It was only after he learned what the woman he loved was truly like that he came looking for Rayne. Not because he loved her but because to him, she was his mate and destined Luna. A possession.

When he made the choice to set her free of their bond, it put him on his road to redemption. That selfless act set them both free to be with their true mates. For Rayne, it was the man she already knew and loved more than she ever thought possible.

Parker, the wild man who stormed into her life and made her dream of the future. A future that she never dared to think about beyond surviving one day at a time. Now, with their daughter sleeping, she turns to curl up with him on the lounger.

“Is she still sleeping?” Parker asks. His voice is thick with sleep, but his eyes are clear when he opens them.

“Yes. Our beautiful little girl is sleeping. For now.”

“Then I think now is the perfect time for us to grab something to eat.”

Rayne laugh’s softy. “Always thinking with your stomach.”

As quietly as possible, they get up off the lounger, then walk into the kitchen. Since cooking would make too much noise, Parker suggested roast beef sandwiches. They ate in silence with their feet playing footsie under the table.

“How long do you think Lia will stay asleep?” Parker whispers.

They are both standing at the kitchen sink when he whispers his question to her. When she looks over at him, he takes her hand, then leads her to the sliding doors that lead to the deck. He opens the door as quietly as possible, then pulls her out with him.

A sigh of surprise leaves her lips as she sees what is on the table. With her hand in his, she walks to the table to get a better look at what Parker has set up. When did he even have the time to do this?

Two white candles are sitting on opposite sides of the table. In between them is a large mahogany trunk. The wood is polished to perfection and gleaming in the sunlight. Engraved on the rounded top of the trunk are her initials, along with Parker’s and Lia’s. Underneath their initials is a Celtic knot that represents family. Beneath the knot in beautiful flowing script are the words The Donovan Family.

“Oh, Parker, it is beautiful.”

“I had the idea before Lia was born. So, I talk to Argyle about it.”

She turns to him in surprise. “Argyle made this?”

Parker nods his head, then opens the latch that holds it closed. With a smile on his face, he opens the lid of the box to reveal its contents. The inside of the box is lined with green velvet cloth. The craftsmanship is exquisite. She can tell there was a lot of care and dedication put into the making of the box.

There is only one object inside. A red velvet jewelry box. With tears in her eyes, Rayne reaches for it, then looks into Parker’s eyes.

“What is this?”

“Open it to find out.”

“When did you set all of this up?” She asks.

“I had help from our friends. Argyle set most of it up last night while we were asleep. Arabella did the rest of it while I was getting Lia back to sleep.”

Rayne lowers her eyes to the red box in her hand. He has given her so many gifts already. The first gift he ever gave her was his unwavering friendship and loyalty. The second gift he gave her, even though she didn’t know it until much later, was his heart. Then the next one was his complete and utter devotion to her as his mate.

However, the most precious gift of all was the one that is sleeping inside right now. Their beautiful daughter, Lia. Rayne knows in her heart that there will be more children between them. There is so much more love for her and Parker to give.

With a shaky breath, she opens the jewelry box. Inside is a heart-shaped locket on a fine golden chain. Pulling it free of the box, she opens the locket. On one side is a small picture of Lia and on the other is a picture of Rayne and Parker on their wedding day.

“It is so that if there is ever a time when we are apart from each other for work, you will always have that to remind you of how much we love you.”

Before she responds to him, he scoops her up in his arms and walks to one of the lounge chairs. He sits down with her on his lap. The kiss he gives her is tender but passionate. He pulls away the cups her face in his hands.

“When I first saw you in nothing but a bath towel, lust was the first thing I felt. It was like lightning going through me. Then later, when I had the chance to leave here or go home to Montana, something deep inside me told me to stay. I was drawn to you. As time went on and we became friends, I respected you, even admired your bravery.”

His thumbs strokes over her cheek as he stares into her eyes. Rayne smiles at him but stays silent, as she can tell there is more that he wants to say.

“I think I fell in love with you before I even knew what hit me. From that moment on, there was no going back for me. I knew that there would be only one woman for me for the rest of my life. When the Moon Goddess gave us her blessing as mates, it was the happiest day of my life. That was until you gave me Lia.”

“I was thinking the same thing a few seconds ago. She is the best gift you have given me.”

“Let’s go check on our daughter. Maybe if she is still asleep, we can work on giving her a sibling.”

With a soft laugh, she kisses him before she gets off his lap. “That sounds just perfect to me.”

Much later that night, Rayne lays Lia in the bassinet next to the bed in her and Parker’s room. After a fresh diaper and a fully belly, Lia drifted off to sleep. Parker is still fast asleep where she left him thirty minutes ago, after they made love.

On silent feet, Rayne walks back outside to the mahogany box. Parker told her it is a memory box for all the memories they will make as their family grows. Lifting her face to the night sky, she looks up at the bright moon.

“Thank you for giving me the push I needed by putting Sebastion in my life. With his selfishness and hurtful words that night, my plan to leave Jade Moon was cemented in my mind. That anger fueled my life until you put Parker in my path. Without them both in my life, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.”

With that said, she grabs the box off the table and carries inside. After sitting it down in on their bedroom floor, she slips into bed. Parker’s arms pull her close to his chest. Exactly where she belongs.



“Love doesn’t erase the past, but it makes the future different.”

- Gary Chapman.

*Dear readers*

This is the last chapter for this book. Fear not for the series is just begining. Read His Redemption, which is book 2 of The Gathering Shadows Series. It tells Sebastion's story. You will see Rayne, Parker and all the others from the bar Shadow's Retreat in the rest of the series as the bar will be a hot pivital point for the war against The Collectors.

Follow me on Instagram @northrose28 for updates on all my books and the progress of the series.

Thank you for joining me on this amazing journey.