Epilogue I

*Diana*

Emmett and I turned around in our seats and watched the explosion through the rear windshield. Whatever I've seen in the movies didn't prepare me for something like this. The sheer magnitude and force of it all made my heart stop for just a moment.

Our car actually felt some of the after effects of the blast, but instead of feeling fear, we felt like daredevils. We began to laugh, happy we were alive. There was a certain rush to it all.

Uncle Mike, Ethan, Emmett and I greeted each other a 'Happy New Year' while laughing maniacally as One's building came crashing down. We rolled our windows down and screamed "Happy New Year!" at anyone and everyone we saw on the street.

As we drove back to Wolf Hall, firetrucks, police cars and ambulances sped past us in the other direction towards Broadway. I felt bad that an explosion marred the great city of New York's New Year's celebration, however it meant a new start for the rest of us. Especially for One...who lost almost everything, including his freedom.

We arrived back at Wolf Hall where all the Elders and High Councilmen were inside waiting for the results. The banquet hall was packed with wolves and the band was on full swing. The high society wolves were snacking on appetizers, drinking champagne, dancing or making small talk, hoping to gain an alliance.

Before entering Wolf Hall, Uncle Mike and Ethan left their weapons in the car while I reverted back to my emerald green ballgown. Alpha Connor happily handed a 'noncompliant' One to Chief Hathaway. One continued to struggle with Captain Hathaway in an effort to break free from his grasp and flee, but I commanded him to stop. His mind may refuse, but his body was unable to withstand my commands.

"I saved your life, Connor. Actually, I helped save you," One said, pointing at Connor then at the rest of us, "and all your little friends...including you, black wolf." He looked at me, begging for me to command Connor and Chief Hathaway so they would let him go. Just last week he wanted to kill me, now he wants me to cut him loose? The nerve of this one.

"Just because you stabbed someone a couple of times doesn't make you a hero, One," Alpha Connor said.

"I disagree. If it weren't for me, you guys would have been in a pickle," One argued while Chief Hathaway placed silver cuffs on him.

"We would have been fine without you, One. Whatever you've done to help us doesn't erase the fact that you and your men almost exterminated my pack," Alpha Connor also reminded him. "So I don't owe you a debt. None of us do. BUT YOU STILL OWE ME FOR THE DEATH OF MY BROTHER. A lifetime of community service won't bring back my brother, but I know, every day when you wake up, it will remind you of the trouble you've caused, all the pain and suffering many wolves had to endure because you thought it would be fun to kill."

"This way, One," Chief Hathaway said, tugging on One's arm so he would enter the Wolf Troop van which was waiting to escort him to the penitentiary. One resisted, trying to pull away from Chief Hathaway's hold. He had a murderous expression on his face. If it weren't for me or his silver cuffs, he would have shifted into his wolf form.

"Connor, when I get out, I will come and find you," One threatened while Chief Hathaway handed him to a Wolf Troop who forcibly pulled him up into the van.

"You know where to find me. I still live at the same place you burned down to the ground eighteen years ago and I doubt if I will ever leave," Alpha Connor said before the Wolf Troop slammed the van's doors shut. He waved at the van as it sped away from Wolf Hall and smiled. He finally got the justice he deserved. "It's time for me and my pack to move on. I just hope they have beer aside from champagne so I can celebrate."

"I definitely want a beer," my dad said from behind us. "But I have a feeling we have to pay someone to get us some beer." He extended his hand to Alpha Connor for a handshake. "Sorry, we're late. We had to make a minor detour to the docks."

My dad had just arrived with Sixth who suddenly stood at attention to salute Chief Hathaway. Chief Hathaway smiled and saluted Sixth as well for a job well done.

"At ease, soldier," Chief Hathaway commanded. He put his hand on Sixth's shoulder. "Henry, welcome back, son! You've done your father proud!" Sixth smiled at the praise. He finally heard the words he has been hoping to hear all his life. He was happy of his successful mission, yet a sadness lurked. He had made friends with the rogues and knew it wouldn't be right to just leave them. He needed to help them like the rogue named Tony who once helped him when he rummaged through the dumpsters.

"Sir, I know this isn't the time nor the place, but I would like to be retired from the force. I have finished two consecutive terms and because of my undercover work, I have suffered immense trauma," Sixth said. He took an envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to Chief Hathaway.

Chief Hathaway opened the envelope and read the document that was inside it. He was surprised to receive a letter like that from Sixth, but nodded his head. He understood why.

"If you ever become fit for duty again, I'll make sure I have a position waiting for you, Henry. Perhaps, I can find you a position as a civilian so we can continue to work side by side" Chief Hathaway said while patting Sixth on his back. "Happy New Year, Henry!"

"Happy New Year to you too, Sir. I'll keep in touch." Chief Hathaway waved his goodbyes and entered Wolf Hall. Sixth waited for him to leave before speaking. "I had some of my friends return the collection to its rightful owner," Sixth said looking at my dad who winked at him. "And now that One is behind bars, I will be using his wealth to build shelters for rogues and give them warm food when they're hungry. I'll also provide them jobs so they can have a chance to build a life of their own."

"Henry, you're a good kid," my dad told him. "When I was Alpha, I had a shelter for rogues too. I'll help you. Maybe, together, we can help rogues get back on their feet. But for now, let's celebrate!"

We entered Wolf Hall, walked towards the entrance of the Grand Hall and waited for the Wolf Troops to open the doors for us. When the doors opened, the sound of bossa nova was playing and everyone was huddled together discussing their election choices. I told Onyx not to tell me anything, but as soon as the doors opened, Emmett grabbed a glass of champagne and began to thank certain wolves while he hexed the others.

"Take back those hexes," I told him through mind-link.

"I didn't hex anyone, Alpha. I just wished they would fall flat on their asses. That isn't a hex," Emmett argued through mind-link when an Elder he had just hexed tripped on the rug and fell on the floor. "Fine, Alpha, I will stop hexing these mongrels."

"There's Nana, Rose, Otis, Aunt Athena and Didi. They saved us a table," I said, pointing at them. We were about to walk towards them when a young wolf stopped us so an elderly wolf could pass.

"We weren't allowed to leave until the last vote was casted and it took a while for that wolf," Alpha Connor whispered, pointing at the elderly wolf who had a hunch in his back and used a cane to walk, "to cast in his vote and put it in the chest." The elderly wolf glared at us as he shuffled past us. "I know I didn't get his vote. I told him to hurry the hell up."

"First, Emmett thanked him. Second, he wasn't glaring at you, Alpha Connor," I whispered. "He was glaring at me."

"Why?" Alpha Connor asked.

"Every year after the Christmas Party, the High Lord Wolf hosts an exclusive party of his own. Sort of a grand orgy. Because of Onyx, the High Lord Wolf suffers from 'erectile dusfunction' so, the High Lord Wolf canceled this year's orgy...I mean, party," I said, correcting myself.

"So that old dude who can hardly walk on his own is a perv? Well, at least, between the both of us, he's getting some," my dad said before pointing at the stage. "There's Cavendish talking to the band. I guess this means The Wolf Commission on Elections are done with their count. Let's seat ourselves. Michael, grab that plate of hors d'oeuvre and that bucket with champagne in it."

"No problem." Uncle Mike took a whole tray from a server and placed all the appetizers on our table. He then swiped a whole cart of champagne. He popped a bottle open, poured a little in a glass and tried the champagne before serving it. "It's good. Sweet and bubbly. Just like our future." He filled all the glasses with champagne. "Here's to our new life!" He raised his glass and everyone else raised theirs.
"Cheers!" We said happily. After I took a sip, I wrapped my arms around Ethan's, content I could spend the New Year with my mate and without any more obstacles. It was now time for peace.

"I do hope Lucas and Alpha Connor win. It will be great to have two legends as High Councilmen," Ethan whispered. "So do you know who won?" He asked me.

"Sorry, love. I can't tell you. I even told Onyx or Emmett not to tell me," I said.

"Emmett knows?" Ethan had a certain twinkle in his eye. He was about to stand up and look for Emmett, but the High Elder had entered the Grand Hall and took the microphone from his assistant, Cavendish.

"Happy New Year, my dear wolves! Apart from tonight being a momentous occasion as we usher in a new year together, it is also the election of three High Councilmen. The Wolf Commission of Elections have finished their count and I am ready to announce the winners which I hold in my hand." He raised a red envelope for all of us to see. "However, before I announce our newly elected High Councilmen, I have an announcement to make." Whispers from the wolves began echoing throughout the Grand Hall.

"Quiet please. Quiet!" The High Lord Wolf exclaimed in an attempt to calm everyone at the banquet. He waited for the wolves to hush themselves before continuing.

"Aftet much deliberation, I have decided to step down as High Lord Wolf." The whispers became angry yells and protests from the Elders. The High Lord Wolf raised his hands to calm everyone down, but the shouts and complaints just became worse.

"Wolves, quiet," I commanded. Those who stood from their chairs sat back down. Those who were angrily shouting quieted down. After everyone composed themselves, the High Lord Wolf continued.

"Thank you, my queen," the High Lord Wolf said gratefully. "Again, after much deliberation, I have decided to step down as High Lord Wolf. I have been High Lord Wolf for more than 25 years and I feel it is time for me to retire. Again, I have checked the wolf bylaws for the appointment for High Lord Wolf. Our laws state I may appoint a successor if I decide to step down. I have checked with our High Councilmen and they have agreed to honor my decision and abide by wolf law."

The whispers began again, but nothing could be done to stop the High Lord Wolf. "I will stay on to aid in the transition period of my successor and serve as a mentor. I do hope that you all will also support my successor. I feel he will be great...an even greater leader than I." Cavendish interrupted the High Lord Wolf and gave him another envelope which the High Lord Wolf opened so he could read what was inside.

"It's a 'he'? I thought maybe it would be you," Ethan said, smiling. I smiled back. He was so cute.

"You know I'm too young to be High Lord Wolf and I already have enough power over the wolves. It isn't right if I govern everyone else. It'll be like tyranny," I explained. "Don't worry, Ethan. You'll definitely like our new High Lord Wolf." He raised his eyebrows at me.

"But it would be nice to have a female High Lord Wolf," he said, sighing. "For a change."

"Well, you have sisters. Or maybe we'll have a cute little girl who will become High Lord Wolf. You never know," I told him. We kissed, but instantly broke apart when the High Lord Wolf coughed in the microphone while opening the red envelope.

"Alright then. The newly elected High Councilmen are Lucas Lockwood, Elder Margaret Rose Collins and Elder Anna Hargrove. Congratulations!"

Everyone stood up at our table to congratulate my dad. He stood up and walked to the stage beside the High Lord Wolf and the two High Councilwomen.

"Ah, we have Councilwomen. This is a good change. It's also good my successor wasn't elected High Councilman or we would all have to hold a snap election," the High Lord Wolf chuckled. "Anyway, I am proud to announce I have chosen Alpha Connor Greene as my successor. He is a wolf who I know will surpass all Wolf Lords of the past. Alpha Connor Greene, please come up on stage."

Ethan instantly stood up and both he and my dad began clapping. Uncle Mike and I stood up, followed by the rest of the wolves at our table. Soon the whole banquet hall was filled with applause.

High Lord Wolf Connor Greene slowly stood up from his chair. He glanced at me with uncertainty. "I'll always be there for you when you need me, High Lord Wolf," I said through mind link. He grinned at me and all his self-doubt vanished.

He walked towards the stage and with every step, Ethan cheered loudly for him. I knew Ethan would like our new High Lord Wolf.