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EPILOGUECADEN
Four Months Later
Winter is ending and the first signs of spring are making themselves known. Things have calmed down, the pack enjoying peaceful times once more.
My uncle’s compound has been torn down. Every pack member questioned whether they were happy or not. Those that sided with Lorne and still showed any sign of discontent were given the option to leave because Lorne’s promise to them of living in the old ways will never fly as long as I’m Alpha. Most bent their necks, respecting my authority once more. The enforcers keep a careful eye on them.
My days are spent seeing to the needs of my pack. It no longer feels like a burden. Instead, it brings me pride to see how much stronger it’s become.
Avery’s herbal remedies have taken off, not only increasing our trade between packs, but the demand has soared amongst humans wanting to get their hands on supernatural-made goods. I haven’t gone as far as Timber Hollow Pack does, inviting humans into my territory, but it’s nice not feeling the need to rely as heavily on traded resources between packs thanks to her success. We’ve yet to hear word from Jade or from the other packs about Lorne’s witch or any missing wolves, but we’ll be ready when we do.
As long as Avery’s the first one I see when I wake and the last before I fall asleep, I’m happy. More than happy, I feel like I’ve become who I’m meant to be. The alpha my father saw in me. It’s all because I have her as my mate, my guiding light that gives me the strength to accomplish anything and the anchor that keeps me grounded.
Without Avery, I’d be incomplete.
Evenings are my favorite lately. The two of us usually end up sitting on the porch swing I installed at the lodge watching over the commons. Kids run around the clearing and people strum banjos. Pipe smoke tinges the air along with chatter and laughter.
Sometimes Lena joins us to read her book outside, bundled in a heap of blankets until Avery stops fussing over her. Then Beatrix or Callie will come out, and Taryn inevitably makes her way over at some point. They fill us in on pack gossip until Liam joins us when he finishes his nightly patrol and squints at Taryn to figure out if she’s causing trouble.
Then I’ll thread my fingers with Avery’s and invite her on a run. I love ru
I can’t wait until tonight. My wolf is restless and she’s the only one who can settle him. I need little push from him, taking any excuse to track down my mate. I head for the cottage she’s turned into her apothecary, nodding to anyone I pass on the road. They don’t comment on me hauling ass, everyone aware of the direction I’m going.
The cottage has transformed from all those months ago when my wolf dragged me to her doorstep, claiming her whether I realized how much I needed her or not. The greenhouse is full of lush foliage, her propagations filling the steamed windows. I’ve built new additions to expand the shop, giving her more space to grow.
My heart swells when I spot her through the lattice windowpanes, a breathtaking smile illuminating her face as she chats with two elder females. She brushes the loose strand of hair that’s escaped her braid aside, probably explaining something about the uses and benefits of ginger root or butterfly weed. Warmth rushes through me, building in my chest with a pulsing glow.
Avery looks out the window, our gazes colliding. The corners of her eyes crinkle as her smile grows wider.
I rub my chest, giving her a lopsided grin. Mine.
My wolf strains to get me moving, tail wagging and paws dancing in excited taps. He doesn’t have to pull hard. I vault up the steps, taking them two at a time, bursting through the door. Avery levels me with an exasperated, affectionate look.
“Alpha,” she greets. “Welcome in. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Very particular.”
She blushes, browsing the shelf Beatrix helped me build to display the ready-made items. “Is that so?”
“Yes. It’s the only cure for what ails me. Do you have it in?” I hold my hand at her height level. “Gorgeous. Amber eyes and golden brown hair. Smart mouth. A bit of a stubborn streak if you piss her off. Smells like the summer sunshine after a fresh rainstorm. I’m afraid I’ll need your entire stock. Nothing less will do.”
She covers her mouth to hide her smile. “Is that right? Sounds serious. Maybe I should examine you to see if there’s anything else to give you relief.”
I waggle my brows, catching her in my embrace when she comes near. “I can think of a few things. A kiss, for one.”
She obliges, lifting her chin, eyes sparkling. I seize her mouth in a deep kiss, my world realigning. She melts against me, lips parting with a faint sigh that embodies exactly how I feel, the bond resonating between us.
“That does make me feel a little better,” I rasp.
“Does it?” Avery teases.
The customers titter amongst themselves, not hiding that they’re watching.
“How charming. I’m glad to see the alpha so taken with his mate,” one observes.
Her friend nods with a fond smile. “Reminds me of when my Fergus and I were that young.” She drops her payment on the counter. “I must go find him. Right now, in fact. I’m off. See you next week, Avery.”
The elder female hustles out, leaving her companion behind stifling laughter. She waves to Avery with a sly look and makes her way out.
“Enjoy your afternoon,” she calls.
“Oh, I intend to,” I murmur to my mate. “Want to go for a run first?”
She hums, pretending to consider. “Tempting.”
“And after my wolf chases yours down, I’m going to lay claim to you.” My lips drag along her jaw, teeth scraping the edge of my mating bite.
A moan sticks in her throat. “Let me—” Her breath hitches as I draw her shirt aside for better access and dart my tongue out to trace the mark. “I’ll finish up quickly. Then we can go.”
I allow her to slip free, adjusting my erection without taking my eyes off her. She flits around her workspace, tapping ground powders into their pots and sweeping dried leaves from her bench. I tease her with a quick tug on the bond, gri
“Fuck,” I hiss. “You’re getting much better at that.”
She hums in amused satisfaction. “Have you seen Taryn?”
“No. Why?”
“She said she’d stop by. She’s thinking about joining me here as my apprentice.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Liam’s probably chasing after her tail for getting into mischief again.”
It makes me wonder if there’s something more there. Maybe the Fates are at work in the same way I was drawn to Avery before I knew she was my heart’s destiny.
“Okay.” Avery steals my attention back. “I’m ready for our run. And to kick your ass hunting.”
I smirk. “We’ll see about that. Your wolf’s improved, but she’s still not a seasoned hunter like mine. He likes taking down things for her.”
“And she likes showing off,” she sasses.
The curve of my mouth stretches into a grin. “He likes that, too.”
I offer my hand and she slides hers into it. Outside the cottage, I strip her, burning for every inch of skin I reveal. She helps me out of my clothes, pushing her hands beneath my t-shirt, palms gliding over my muscles as she takes it off.
We leave our things draped over the railing, gazing at each other without needing words for the love and need flowing within us. Our mate bond glows with it.
My knuckles graze her cheek. I dip my head, hovering my lips over hers.
“Run for me, little wolf. Run so I can always catch you and remind you that you’re mine, mate.”
Her lashes flutter. I trace the curve of her mouth with my thumb. She kisses it, then meets my gaze with a challenge flaring in her eyes. She dashes for the woods. I admire her, ignoring my wolf’s impatience to take her in with a hungry focus.
She is mine. And I’m going to get her.
Her shift is beautiful, her wolf bursting free from one step to the next, roan coat gleaming when the sun hits her.
Mate, my wolf howls in my head.
I give him control, bolting after her in hot pursuit, paws pounding the ground. She’s fast. I could push harder and close the distance swiftly. Instead, I draw it out, hunting her beautiful wolf all across our territory. She doesn’t make it easy on me, outsmarting me by doubling back on her scent trail and hiding in the spots she likes to forage.
We encounter other packmates out for a run in their fur, joining them for a while before our game is back on. By the time I catch her, we end up at our secret spring. Rays of warm sunlight cast our spot in an ethereal glow, sparkling off the cascading falls.
My wolf pounces on hers near the bank and she concedes with a warbling cry. She swats him with her paws when he rolls her to her back and straddles her in triumph.
Avery shifts back with laughter bubbling out of her, arms going around my neck as best as she can reach. My wolf wags his tail, flopping down on her with a happy rumble, licking her throat to enjoy more of her delectable scent.
I force him out, taking my skin back, his tongue becoming my lips, kissing and licking a path across her collar bone, moving lower, intent on spending a long time lapping between her thighs until she’s wrung out from coming before I bury myself inside her. She arches, sinking her fingers in my hair.
“Caden,” she whimpers.
“I’ve got you. Now and always.”
Thank you so much for reading ALPHA’S BURDEN! The Rejecting Fates series continues in Wolf’s Scorn.
If you can’t get enough growly shifters and their fated mates, enjoy a free bonus scene of Avery and Caden.
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Need more fated mates romance? Meet three wicked demons in HELL GATE. Enjoy the fated mates whychoose standalone.