Falling for My Shifter Enemy (Wild & Forbidden Mates #4)

Epilogue

Theo

The full moon bathes the Moonlit Ridge in silver, its power thrumming through my veins like a second heartbeat. Beside me, Chloé stands tall, her quiet strength a balm to my restless spirit. Through our mate bond, I feel her contentment mingled with anticipation—emotions that mirror my own. Around us, both packs gather for the run, and the sight still catches me off guard: Whispering Pines and Howling Pines wolves mingling without the usual undercurrent of hostility.

My attention snaps to a familiar figure leaning against a tree at the edge of the clearing. Olivia, wearing her trademark leather jacket and ripped jeans, watches the gathering with a carefully crafted expression of boredom. But I know better—beneath that facade, she's as alert as any wolf.

"Who's that?" Chloé asks, following my gaze.

"That's Olivia," I explain, unable to suppress a slight smile. "She's a friend of the pack."

Chloé's eyebrow arches. "A friend? She doesn't look like she's about to shift."

Before I can elaborate, Olivia catches us watching and pushes off from the tree. She approaches with deliberate casualness, but there's a sharp intelligence in her eyes that reminds me why Derek is so protective of her.

"Let me guess," she drawls, crossing her arms. "You're wondering why I'm not in a fur coat like the rest of them." Her voice carries an edge of defiance that I've come to recognize as her armor.

Chloé laughs, clearly caught off guard by Olivia's bluntness. "The thought crossed my mind."

"Not much point in dressing for the occasion when you're not part of the festivities." Olivia gestures toward the pack with her thumb, her tone dripping with practiced indifference. "Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my favorite jeans. Some of us still care about fashion, even if we're surrounded by wolves who think birthday suits are appropriate evening wear."

I lean down to whisper in Chloé's ear, though I know Olivia can hear every word. "Derek has taken her under his wing. He's... protective of her."

"Protective?" Olivia scoffs, but there's something vulnerable beneath her sharp tone. "That's one way to put it. Overbearing is more like it." She turns to leave, calling over her shoulder, "Make sure to tell Derek I'm not planning on running off into the woods tonight. He can stop lurking in the shadows like some kind of furry guardian angel."

I watch her disappear into the crowd, noting how Derek's eyes track her movement from his position near the treeline. "That girl is going to be the death of him," I murmur.

"What's the story there?" Chloé asks, curiosity coloring her voice.

I hesitate, weighing my words carefully. "It's complicated. Derek sees Olivia as a sort of 'ward.'"

The moon reaches its peak, and I feel its pull in my bones. As I strip and let the shift take me, my last human thought is of Chloé. My deep brown fur ripples in the moonlight as I nudge her hand with my snout. She threads her fingers through my fur, and the mate bond pulses with love and acceptance.

We run together, Chloé keeping pace beside me as we lead both packs through the forest. Her movements are sure and graceful, no longer carrying the hesitation of someone who feels like an outsider. She may not shift, but her strength shows in every stride, in the way she holds her head high as she runs with wolves. My heart swells with pride—this is my mate, powerful in her own right.

After the run, I shift back and pull her into my arms, breathing in her scent. "You were amazing," I murmur against her forehead, letting my pride and love flow through our bond.

"I couldn't have done it without you," she replies, melting into my embrace. "I never thought I'd feel this... complete."

Our peaceful moment shatters as Derek approaches, his expression grave despite the successful run. "The run went well," he says, "but we've got a problem." His eyes meet mine, carrying the weight of years of shared battles. "The hunters haven't left. They've been scouting the area again, and they're getting bolder. We found signs of them near the Ridge—fresh tracks, surveillance equipment."

My muscles tense as memories of my mother's death flash through my mind. Through our bond, I feel Chloé's concern and her steady resolve. "We need to be ready," I say, pulling her closer. "We can't let them threaten what we've built here."

Derek nods, but there's a new tension in his voice when he speaks again. "I'll take care of it. I've got my own reasons for making sure this area stays safe."

"Your own reasons?" I probe gently, recognizing the protective fury in his eyes—the same look I get when Chloé is threatened.

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, his stoic mask slips. "Yeah," he says quietly, his gaze drifting toward where Olivia disappeared earlier. "There's someone I need to protect." The words seem to cost him something, and he melts into the shadows before I can respond.

I pull Chloé closer, feeling the strength of our bond pulse between us. Above us, the moon continues its journey across the sky, casting its silver light over our territory—our home. The future holds its share of threats and challenges, but for the first time in years, I'm not facing them alone.

I lean down to whisper in her ear, letting all my love and devotion flow through our bond. "No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Chloé's hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining as naturally as breathing. "Always," she whispers back, her voice steady and sure.

We stand there, united under the moonlight, ready for whatever tomorrow brings. Because now we have something worth fighting for—not just our packs, but our future together. And nothing—not hunters, not old rivalries, not even our own fears—can tear that apart.