Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

23. Epilogue

Lena

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of my office, casting a warm glow over the framed photos on my desk.

My eyes lingered on the newest addition, a picture of Tanner and me on our wedding day, standing hand in hand outside our cabin by the lake.

I couldn't help but smile, remembering the intimate ceremony we'd had just a year ago, surrounded by pack lands and the people we loved most.

I picked up the frame, running my thumb over Tanner's face.

If someone had told me two years ago that I'd be here - married to an Alpha, part of a pack, and genuinely happy, I would have laughed in their face.

Back then, I thought I was content with my life as a rogue wolf and nurse. But now? Now, I knew what it meant to feel truly complete.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my reverie. "Dr. Wilde?" My nurse, Sarah, poked her head in. "Your last appointment is ready in the exam room."

I nodded, setting the photo back on my desk. "Thanks, Sarah. I'll be right there."

As I gathered my things, my phone buzzed with a text from Tanner.

Tanner : Don't forget - dinner with my parents tonight. Dad's actually excited about it. Can you believe it?

I chuckled, shaking my head. We'd come a long way since those tense first meetings with his family. Now, our monthly dinners with Tanner's parents were something we all looked forward to.

I made my way to the exam room, my heart lightening as I saw who was waiting for me. Daphne sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting protectively over her slightly rounded belly.

Larry hovered nervously beside her, his fingers intertwined with hers.

"There's my favorite patient," I grinned, hugging Daphne carefully.

"And there's my favorite doctor," Daphne laughed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready to show us our little wolf pup?"

I nodded, gesturing for Daphne to lie back. As I prepared the ultrasound machine, I couldn't help but marvel at how life had turned out.

Daphne and Larry were still our best friends, and now we were embarking on this new journey together.

"Alright, let's take a look," I said, applying the gel to Daphne's belly. "This might be a little cold."

Daphne shivered slightly but kept her eyes glued to the screen. Larry leaned in closer, his face a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

As I moved the wand over Daphne's abdomen, the room fell into an expectant hush. Then, suddenly, a rapid, rhythmic whooshing filled the air.

"Is that...?" Larry's voice trailed off, his eyes widening in awe.

I nodded, smiling. "That's your baby's heartbeat."

The sound filled the room, strong and steady, a rapid drumbeat of life.

Daphne gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. Larry stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the monitor, his mouth slightly open in wonder.

"Oh my God," Daphne whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "That's our baby. Larry, can you believe it?"

Larry could only nod, too overwhelmed to speak. He squeezed Daphne's hand tighter, and I could see the sheen of tears in his eyes too.

"There's your baby," I said softly, pointing to the screen where a small, bean-shaped form could be seen. "Everything looks perfect. Strong heartbeat, good size for the gestational age."

I watched as my friends marveled at the image, their faces a beautiful mixture of joy, love, and awe. It was moments like these that made me love my job even more.

"Can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?" Larry finally managed to ask, his voice husky with emotion.

I chuckled. "Not yet. It's still a bit too early for that. But we'll be able to tell in a few more weeks if you want to know."

As Daphne and Larry continued to stare at the screen, completely enraptured by the sight and sound of their growing baby, Daphne turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"So, when are you and Tanner going to join the parent club? I bet you'll be expecting your first pup soon too. Just wait until you experience this for yourself, Lena. It's... indescribable."

I felt a warmth spread through my chest at the thought, suddenly imagining myself in Daphne's place, with Tanner beside me, listening to our own baby's heartbeat for the first time.

"We'll see," I said, unable to hide my smile. "For now, we're just enjoying being newlyweds. But I have to admit, seeing this... it's pretty amazing."

As I finished the ultrasound and printed out several pictures for the expectant parents, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and anticipation.

Watching my best friends embark on this new chapter of their lives was incredible, and for the first time, I found myself genuinely excited about the possibility of starting a family of my own with Tanner.

After finishing up with Daphne and Larry, I headed home to get ready for dinner. Tanner was already there, looking handsome in a button-down shirt and slacks.

"Hey, beautiful," he greeted me with a kiss. "How was your day?"

As I filled him in on Daphne and Larry's appointment, I could see the longing in Tanner's eyes. We'd talked about starting a family, and I knew we were both ready. Maybe Daphne's prediction wasn't too far off.

An hour later, Tanner and I are seated at Tanner's parents' dining table. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with easy conversation and laughter, definitely a far cry from those first tense meetings.

"So, Lena," Tara said, refilling my wine glass. "Tanner tells me the pack's been keeping you busy at the clinic."

I nodded, feeling a surge of pride. "It's been amazing. I never thought I'd find a place where I could use my skills as a doctor and also embrace my wolf. The pack has given me that."

Lockwood raised his glass. "And we're grateful to have you. The pack's health has never been better."

Tanner chimed in, his eyes shining with pride. "Lena's been instrumental in implementing our new wellness program. We've seen significantly decreased injuries during training, and overall pack fitness has improved dramatically."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at Tanner's praise. "It's been a team effort. The pack has been incredibly receptive to the changes."

"Speaking of changes," Lockwood said, leaning forward with interest, "I heard about the success of the inter-pack games last month. That was your idea, wasn't it, Tanner?"

Tanner nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Lena and I came up with it together. We wanted to foster better relationships with neighboring packs, and what better way than through some friendly competition?"

"It was a resounding success," I added. "Not only did it strengthen our alliances, but it also boosted pack morale. You should have seen how proud everyone was, especially when our relay team took first place."

Tara's eyes sparkled with approval. "I've heard nothing but good things from other pack elders. They're impressed with how you two have been running things."

"We're just getting started," Tanner said, reaching across the table to take my hand. "Lena and I have been working on a new initiative to help lone wolves integrate into pack life. We're hoping to roll it out next month."

As we continued to chat and laugh, discussing pack matters and future plans, I caught Tanner's eye across the table.

He gave me a soft smile, one that still made my heart skip a beat. At that moment, surrounded by family, I felt a sense of belonging I'd never known before.

Later that night, as Tanner and I walked hand in hand under the stars back to our cabin, I couldn't help but reflect on how far we'd come.

From reluctant fake dating to true mates, from outsider to integral part of the pack.

"What are you thinking about?" Tanner asked, pulling me close.

I leaned into him, inhaling his comforting scent. "Just how happy I am. How complete I feel. Today at the clinic with Daphne and Larry, and then dinner with your parents... it's all so perfect."

Tanner kissed the top of my head. "Me too, Lena. Me too. And tomorrow's the full moon run. I can't wait to lead the pack with you by my side."

I smiled, remembering how nervous I'd been before my first full moon run with the pack.

Now, it was one of my favorite nights of the month. The entire pack running together under the moonlight, our wolves reveling in the freedom and unity.

"I love how you've brought the pack together," I said, squeezing his hand. "The way you lead, Tanner... it's inspiring. You're firm when you need to be but also compassionate. The pack respects you, but they also trust you. It's beautiful to watch."

Tanner stopped walking, turning to face me. His eyes were intense in the moonlight. "I couldn't do any of it without you, Lena. You balance me, challenge me, and make me better. We're a team in everything."

As he leaned down to kiss me, I felt that familiar spark ignite between us. Our love, our bond, our partnership. It was the foundation of everything we'd built, both in our personal lives and for the pack.

Tomorrow, we'd run with our pack under the full moon.

Next week, we'll start implementing our new lone wolf integration program.

And someday soon, maybe we'd start our own family. But for now, in this moment, everything was perfect. We were mates, partners, and leaders, facing whatever came our way together.

As we continued our walk, the forest around us came alive with the sounds of the night.

Crickets chirped their evening song, and in the distance, we could hear the soft hooting of an owl.

The path beneath our feet was dappled with moonlight filtering through the canopy of leaves above.

"Remember when we first moved here?" Tanner asked, his voice soft with nostalgia. "You were so nervous about living on pack lands."

I chuckled, remembering my initial hesitation. "And now I can't imagine living anywhere else. It's funny how things change."

"Some things don't change," Tanner said, pulling me closer. "Like how much I love you."

I leaned into him, savoring his warmth and the steady beat of his heart. "I love you too. More than I ever thought possible."

We walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, each lost in our own thoughts but connected by our intertwined hands and synchronized steps. The trees began to thin, and I could smell the crisp scent of the lake on the breeze.

As our cabin came into view, silhouetted against the moonlit lake, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was home.

This was where I belonged.

And whatever the future held - pups, pack challenges, or just more quiet nights like this - I knew we'd face it together.

Because that's what true mates do. And Tanner and I? We were mates in every sense of the word. We were chosen by fate, but more importantly, chosen by each other.

As we approached our cabin, Tanner suddenly swept me up into his arms, eliciting a surprised laugh from me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Just remembering how I carried you over the threshold on our wedding night," he said with a grin. "Who would have thought our fake dating scheme would lead to this?"

I kissed him softly. "I think deep down, we both knew we weren’t faking it from the start."

Inside, Tanner set me down but kept his arms around me. "I have some news," he said, his eyes twinkling. "The council approved our proposal for the new pack training program."

My heart swelled with pride. It was a project we'd been working on for months, aiming to help integrate lone wolves into pack life - something I wished I'd had years ago.

"That's wonderful," I said, hugging him tightly. "We're really making a difference, aren't we?"

Tanner nodded, his expression turning serious. "We are. And Lena, there's something else I've been thinking about..."

I looked up at him, recognizing the mix of nervousness and excitement in his eyes. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath. "I think... I think I'm ready. To start trying for a family. If you are."

Joy burst through me like fireworks. "Yes," I whispered, tears pricking my eyes. "Yes, I'm ready."

As Tanner kissed me, lifting me off my feet in his enthusiasm, I felt a sense of excitement I hadn't experienced since our wedding day.

We were stepping into a new chapter of our lives, and I couldn't wait to see what adventures it would bring.

Whatever came our way, I knew we'd face it together.

As mates, as partners, as one.

Our story was far from over.

In fact, it feels like it was just beginning.

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