Epilogue 11

Epilogue 11

18 years later
Kaya

Sol had come for summer break, and I was so excited to see her. She had made friends in her first year at college. She seemed so much happier. I watched her engage with the pack like never before. She seemed more focused and relaxed. The first week she was home, she made the announcement that Quinten, her cousin, would be her beta. I knew there was disappointment from some of the pack members that she did not choose Mark's kids or even Kimi's kids. They had the pedigree for it, but Sol had insisted on her cousin.

I know some of the remarks were that the pack was turning into a family-run pack, and others were not having a chance. But Sol handled it beautifully, explaining her reasons, and anyone who disagreed could leave or get over it. She was more confident than I had ever seen her. The year she spent at college had changed her, and both Cade and I were happy about her progress.

She would be a great alpha. I knew she had three more years of school, and I was excited to see how much she would grow in that time frame. Cade and I had visited her at school several times and met her friends. Many of her girlfriends ogled Cade, which made me practically feral, but Cade never even seemed to notice. It was normal for humans to check our kind out. No one, though, paid me much mind. I was deaf, scared, and missing an ear.

Sol was happy we visited, and I was glad to be there for her. True to her word, she mind-linked Cade and me every morning and night. Often she also mind linking me just to talk. I loved our relationship; Sol always felt open and accessible to speak to me. We had an incident with a guy this year that left her unsettled and ill. Cade lost it when she said she was going out on dates. But, one seemed serious, and it turned out ugly when he wanted to do things she didn't want to do.

I really felt for her. She never dated, but it was weird for her not to in college with humans. The guy was more of a friend to her, and I had many conversations with her about it. When he kissed her, she flipped out. She called the whole thing off with him. The guy was furious and called her a prude, which upset Sol. I tried to explain humans didn't get what we went through and that we were a different species.

There was another instance where she had been at a party and was pressured into something, but that had ended badly for that guy. We had to come down there and settle some legal issues for her because she had attacked him, and being a werewolf, she had really hurt him. They had called assault. The boy's family settled, and it was not for a small price either. But Cade and I didn't care. Sol had protected herself and her values, and to both of us, that was important.

After that incident, no one had tried anything. She continued to date, but it was much more casual, and she never took it too far, only going out with guys twice and then moving on. Sol plopped down on my bed. Even though she had her own den, she was never excluded from our den. She never would be. She was Cade and my child. Like my family, I was allowed in my parent's den, but Cade and others were not. I never went in my brother's den as that was his, but the relationship parents had with their children meant we were allowed in our parent's den.

"Mom," Sol signed. "Yes, what is it?" "When do you think I will find my mate. You found Dad so young, and many of my peers have found their mates at this point." "I don't know the answer. Only the Goddess knows. Your dad waited a long time before he met me, so there is no way to know. But do you want to find your mate soon? I mean, you are gone most of the year. If you find your mate, won't you want to settle down?"

Sol shrugged. "You and Dad are going to be alpha and luna for a while. Still, I don't know why I couldn't bring my mate to college with me. We won't be needed here for a while." "Well, if you are serious, we do have mating balls during the summer; you could attend." Again, she shrugged. "You know I hate those things." She signed again. "I don't know, Mom. I just want to have what you and Dad have." "The balls are a good way to meet people. I met your father that way." "I know the story."

Sol changed the subject signing. "Do you think I can run the training this summer?" "You don't have to ask me. If you want to, you are free to do so. It is good that the pack sees you taking on more roles." Sol nodded and continued to sign. "I think I would like that. You know, it is weird. I actually like people, you know. Now that I know how to use my voice." "Well, that is good to hear." "So tell me, Mom, what is new in the world of wolves. I know you guys keep me in the loop, but anything you haven't said."

I looked around nervously. Cade didn't want to tell Sol about the growing threat that we were facing. We always had threats. We ran things differently than other packs, but it has gotten worse as Sol has gotten older. The impending threat that a loan woman would be taking over a pack really seemed to freak people out. Sol signed. "Mom, it is written all over your face. What is it?" "I don't think we should discuss this without your father."

"Mom, just tell me I can handle it." I let out a sigh. I began to sign. "Fine, your father is going to be pissed I told you. We have been receiving many threats recently, especially this last year. Other packs are demanding we choose someone else to be alpha after your father passes or steps down. As you know, outside our pack, no one recognized me as Cade's equal, and they didn't care if I was still around. They are also opting for us to pair you with someone, like an arranged marriage. You would become Luna of this pack, and whoever you mate with would become alpha. Several packs have asked for this or us to choose someone else."

Sol's face fell, but I signed. "Don't worry; your father and I have not changed our minds. You will be alpha with or without a mate, and you will be alpha. If and when you find your mate, you can choose if you will have two alphas or if you want to keep it like we used to have it in the north, with your mate having no title but still the respect of the pack. That call will be up to you." Sol nodded.

I knew this upset her, but it was just the way of the world we lived in. Cade and I had been adamant with our pack and others that Sol would take over eventually. We would not waver, and if we had to fight another war, we would. Though I prayed to the Goddess that we would never see another war. I could not do it again. I didn't have the strength to do what I did when I was younger. I signed to Sol. "Don't worry too much about it. Your father and I are on it." She gave me a smile and snuggled back into the bed. I was sure everything was going to be okay, and at that moment, I was so thankful that all those years ago, I had met Cade. My life was so much better for it.

Thank you so much for reading my story. I am considering writing a squeal about Sol, what she faces as she becomes Alpha of Shadow Pack and the challenges she will face, including her being mated to a werewolf who is an enemy in every sense of the word.