Page 93 of Rising Reign

My jaw went slack. I’d only heard the term a handful of times. Nocturnae were what vampires came from. An ancient race with gifts that were whispered about but never known for sure. It was said they’d lived for most of their lives in another dimension. And if our supernatural world here on Earth got word that one was in our midst…

My eyes burned. “He risked everything for me.” I was already throwing off the covers and rising from the bed. “I have to thank him.”

“He’s gone.” There was such sadness in Ender’s voice. “He left the night after the battle without saying a word.”

An ache took root in my chest. “He’s all alone,” I whispered.

Ender’s gaze collided with mine. “He wants it that way.”

I shook my head. “He needs someone.”

“I know. But he has to make that choice,” Ender said.

Kingston pushed to his feet and wrapped me in a hug. “We’ll find a way to thank him. But for now, the rest of your friends—your family—want to see you.”

Those words were the best balm. I quickly showered with a spot from Brix to make sure I was steady. Puck blow-dried my hair while Locke picked out my comfiest sweats. King and Ender helped me dress. And then we were heading downstairs.

The sound of laughter and voices came from the kitchen, and those were a balm, too. I let them wrap around me as I moved toward them. When I stepped into the space, all talking ceased.

Clyde was out of his chair first, ambling toward me and pulling me into a hug. “Girlie.”

“I’m good.” My throat clogged with emotion, making it hard for the words to escape.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again,” he whispered hoarsely.

“Damn straight,” Dina said. “You know I’ve got a bat, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

A choked laugh bubbled out of me.

“You don’t want to cross her, Wren,” Franco called.

Juan let out an exaggerated shiver. “She scares me.”

Clara stood from where she was cuddled with Hera on a window seat and crossed to me. She cupped my cheek as Clyde released me. “Truly worthy of the name your men have given you, Little Warrior.” She tipped her head to mine, the ultimate show of respect from an alpha.

“Clara,” I choked out.

“Honored to have you as a sister.”

“Beyond honored.” My gaze moved to Hera. “Thank you. For everything you have done.” That gaze trailed over everyone in the room. “All of you. You are truly the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.”

EPILOGUE

WREN

FIVE YEARS LATER

The warm spring wind lifted my hair as I looked out from the stage to the crowd below. So many happy faces framed by the stunning landscape of the Colorado campus. Almost everyone was in attendance, and that was the greatest gift of all. The only thing that would’ve made it better was if Rhys had been here, too.

It had been a hard five years of accelerated coursework and in-practice training, but it had all been worth it because I had found my calling. The place where my supernatural and human halves could come together in service of others.

And I’d made it through the long hours of studying, my internship, and endless tests because of all the amazing people in the audience today. My gaze tracked over the three rows they took up close to the front.

Clyde and Dina sat together, their hands clasped, smiles beaming. They’d finally gotten married last year, and we’d had the party of all parties to celebrate. Next to them was Franco and his wife, Marilee. He bounced their two-year-old boy on his knee as he giggled. Juan was next to them, his hand in Mei’s. Not long after the battle, the two of them had realized they were mates, and his inappropriate jokes were now cast only in her direction.

In the row behind them was the one friend I’d managed to make before coming to Crescent Creek, Hayden. She beamed up at me with such pride and happiness. When her eyes began to fill, one of her mates, Cillian, pulled her against him and kissed her hair. Hayden’s four other mates looked on in a mix of worry and thinking she was adorable. And, gods, it was good to have my friend fully back in my life.

In the third row of family was Hera, who cuddled a baby girl to her chest as Clara kissed her temple. Their other mates hadn’t been able to make the trek from the UK, but Puck’s parents had. All of them looked on with such joy in their faces. Helping Puck find his family again was just another gift in my embarrassment of riches.