Chapter 60: EPILOGUE
Chapter 60: EPILOGUE
Scarlet's POV
The surface I'm laying on is so soft and warm. Why do I feel so cozy? Where am I? My eyes begin to
flutter as they find the light streaming in. My hand is trapped and covered in tingles and I know it must
be because of Ethan. I finally manage to force my eyes open and find myself in a hospital bed. Ethan's
head is resting on my covered lap as he sits in a chair pulled up next to the bed. One of his hands are
clasped around mine and his eyes are closed. His breathing is slow and steady and it is obvious that
he's asleep.
Carefully, I try to sit up without waking him, but I'm unsuccessful. As soon as I move an inch, Ethan's
head shoots up and frantically looks around. When his gaze lands on me, a huge grin immediately
spreads across his handsome, chiseled face. His beautiful blue eyes light up but I can tell he's tired
and his face is covered in stubble. How long have I been out? Oh goddess! What about the baby?
"Ethan..."
My voice comes out worried and it's like Ethan can read my mind as he speaks softly, "Our pup is fine
my love. It's only been a couple days. You just needed some rest."
I let out a sigh of relief as Ethan reaches out and lightly strokes my cheek and I nuzzle into his hand,
savoring his touch. "And Cassia?"
"She's fine too. Just woke up this morning."
"And what about everyone else?"
He sighs and scratches the back of his head before answering, "There were a few casualties, but not
many. There were some injuries. Caleb got a chunk of muscle torn from his thigh so he's in the hospital
right now healing. And Will got a broken arm but he should be all healed within a week or so."
I nod and he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear as his eyes continue to watch my face. It's like he's
trying to memorize every single detail as he stares at me lovingly. Butterflies flit around my stomach
and my heart flutters in my chest. "I love you," I state to him and he moves to the bed to sit beside me,
cupping my face in his hands and giving me a deep, languorous kiss that leaves me feeling breathless.
When he finally pulls away from me, he replies, "I love you too angel." He sits there for a moment
before taking my hands in his and letting them rest in my lap. His gaze drops to our entwined hands
before coming back to meet mine with a questioning look. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?
How long have you known?"
"I just found out when the battle was starting. Cassia could somehow tell and had told me. I didn't really
have the chance to tell you," I answer.
"I wish you wouldn't have pushed yourself so much. That was really dangerous Scar. I don't know what
I'd do if I lost you," he remarks. His voice isn't angry or condescending, instead it is soft, reassuring,
even a little sad as though picturing his life without me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. We just needed to do something drastic. Did it help? What
happened after I passed out?"
"Almost everyone on the enemy side got knocked out. Several witches got away before we got our
hands on them though. As far as the Silver Shadow Pack goes, after killing most of their higher ranking
officers the rest swore their loyalty to us. They are sticking around for now until we can figure out new
commanding officers," he responds.
I simply nod as I take in all of the information that I'm being given. "And what about Lucien?"
Ethan's whole body instantly tenses at the mention of the insane Alpha who has caused us so much
trouble. His jaw clenches and his eyes darken with anger as I wait patiently for him to calm his wolf
before speaking. "Currently he's locked up in a secluded cell with round the clock guards. We've been
waiting for you to get better before performing his execution." My eyes widen, surprised that he's not
already dead. Ethan seems to notice my shock, adding, "I want to do it myself but I didn't want to leave
your side."
"You haven't seen him since he was locked up?" I inquire skeptically.
He grimaces. "I saw him once. It was right after I found out about the pup. I was angry that he had put
both of you in harms way. Alex and Isa offered to stay with you while I went to see him."
"What happened?"
This time, Ethan smirks, his gaze looking down as he remembers what happened. "I totally beat the
crap out of him until I felt better. Then I came back and stayed with you." I shake my head with a smile.
That's the Ethan I know. I would have been surprised if he hadn't bothered going to see Lucien at all,
even if he didn't want to leave my side.
His eyes light up with affection as his gaze meets mine and I caress his cheek. "So, there is no other
reason to wait any longer now, right?"
"Are you sure you don't need more rest?"
"I'm fine," I assure him though it's clearly not enough.
His sapphire eyes narrow at me before he states, "We'll wait until the doctor has checked up on you
and given you the okay to be released. You lie down and get some more sleep. I'll find her in a little
while."
I can't help but to smirk at my overprotective mate before doing as he says. I'm exhausted so in this
instance I have no desire to argue. Scooting myself back under the covers, Ethan pulls them up to my
shoulders and brushes my hair back before kissing my forehead. "I love you angel."
"I love you too."
*****
The next day I am standing on a makeshift platform beside Ethan in the early morning light. All of the
Crescent Moon Pack and the remaining Silver Shadow Pack are filling the square as Lucien is dragged
onto the stage. His wrists and ankles are shackled and his face is sallow. He's much dirtier than I've
ever seen him considering that he is typically a man who cares quite a lot about appearances. Not
being able to have a shower in three days must have been torture for him.
He stands tall, his confidence not wavering. I would have expected him to be cowering now, knowing
that he is being marched to his death. Does he expect to be rescued? Or does he simply not want his
last moments to be of him graveling and weak? When his gaze meets mine, he even has the audacity
to smirk at me. Ethan instantly growls lowly beside me and I reach out to grab his hand to calm him.
Once Lucien reaches the center of the stage the guards force him to his knees. He grimaces as he
lands roughly on the hard wood but quickly recovers as he looks up at the crowd while Ethan steps
forward. "We are here today to witness the execution of former Silver Shadow Alpha Lucien Fairchild.
Lucien has been charged with kidnapping the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack. He partnered with a
witch to remove her mate bond without her consent which goes against all werewolf laws. He then laid
siege and became a prisoner of war. His sentence to be carried out is a silver bullet to the head," Ethan
announces loud enough that his Alpha voice booms across the arena for all to hear.
Most of his former pack remain quiet though the Crescent Moon wolves clap and cheer. A guard comes
up and hands Ethan the loaded gun and he takes his place. "Any last words?" Ethan snarls as he takes
aim at Lucien's skull.
"As a matter of fact, yes," Lucien exclaims as an evil glint appears in his eyes and his lips spread into a
thin, wide grin that is maniacal. Then he turns his head in my direction. "I shall never forget you my
muse. I shall remember every inch of you," he begins causing chills to run up my spine and nausea to
roil in my stomach. His gaze slides down my body and seems to stop at my stomach and my eyes
widen. "Make sure to take care of MY pup."
For me, time seems to stand still as I gasp and cover my mouth, tears instantly filling my eyes. The
crowd becomes loud as everyone begins to chatter and try to understand his last words. We haven't
announced the pregnancy yet and I'm sure not everyone could tell where his gaze had landed. I don't
know how he even knew about it. A loud bang fills the air as blood and brain sprays out of him after
Ethan pulls the trigger, clearly fuming. The guards hurry to grab the body as chaos unfolds among the
pack. Ethan hurries over to me as I stare ahead, trying my hardest to remember what had happened
when I had been kidnapped.
I had been drugged multiple times. And I had woken up strapped to a bed and practically naked with no
idea how I got there. Could he have...? Oh goddess.... I feel sick. I clutch a hand over my stomach as
my knees give out underneath me. Ethan reaches me in time, wrapping his strong arms around me and
pulling me to him as we collapse to the ground. His face nuzzles into me as he whispers into my ear.
"He was lying Scarlet. I could feel it every time he touched you. There is no way it's his. Don't worry. He
just wanted to get into your head. Don't listen to a word he said. I promise that it's not true." He
continues speaking softly to me, soothing my anxiety and fears away as his fingers gently comb
through my long red curls while I cling to his chest, breathing in his intoxicating scent.
My breathing begins to slow as I calm down, allowing Ethan's words to sink in. Slowly, I turn to meet his
eyes as he continues to hold me close to him. His gaze softens with concern as he searches my face,
wondering if I'm alright. I simply nod to him before he helps me back to a standing position. "It's over
now Scarlet. Lucien is gone and he can't hurt you anymore. We have taken over his pack. You are
safe."
I shake my head. "Some of the witches got away..." I begin.
"Shh.... That's a problem for another time. They no longer have the numbers. They will need to come
up with a new plan and regroup. Cassia is still with us and we will continue reaching out for more
powerful allies. By the time they come back we will be ready for them."
"How are Cassia and Xander?" I ask, curiously. From what I've seen so far they barely speak and there
seems to be quite a bit of tension between them.
"He is still being stubborn. It's clear he cares for her but I don't know why he hasn't given in to his wolf
and the mate bond yet." My head bobs in understanding before he adds, "For now, let's just worry
about our pup that's growing inside you," he finishes with a small smile as his hand travels down to
caress my still flat stomach. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
I can't help but to grin back at him. It had been quite a shock, but I am so happy to be having his pup. I
can't wait to see how the rest of our story unfolds.
Book Two: Soon...