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

Bonus Epilogue

Chloé

I stand at Theo's side in the Howling Pines pack house, his large hand resting protectively—almost reverently—over my still-flat stomach, while the scent of fresh-baked cookies mingles with the joyful energy filling the room. Our pack—my pack—celebrates the news of our pregnancy with an enthusiasm that brings tears to my eyes.

Through our mate bond, I feel Theo's love and pride washing over me in waves. His emotions are so strong they almost overwhelm my own—almost. Three years ago, I never would have imagined this moment: standing tall as the Alpha's mate, completely secure in my place within the pack, despite my inability to shift. The quiet, insecure wolf I used to be feels like a distant memory.

"I always knew you'd make an excellent mother," Derek says, approaching us with a rare, full smile. "The pup will have the whole pack wrapped around their little finger, just like their mother."

I feel my cheeks warm at his words, remembering how far we've come from the days when he viewed me with barely concealed skepticism. "Thank you, Derek. Though I think you might be a bit biased now."

"Biased?" He chuckles, the sound rich and warm. "I'm just stating facts. You've earned every bit of respect this pack has for you. Not through dominance or shifting, but through your own kind of strength. Sometimes the strongest wolves aren't the ones who can shift."

Theo's arm tightens around my waist, and through our bond, I feel his fierce agreement. His thumb traces small circles against my stomach, a gesture so tender it makes my heart ache. "Our pup is going to be the most loved child in both territories," he whispers in my ear, his voice thick with emotion. "Just like their mother."

The words make me turn in his arms, reaching up to touch his face. His eyes are bright with unshed tears, and through our bond, I feel his joy, his pride, and underneath it all, a touch of wonderment that still surprises me. This powerful Alpha, who once thought love was a weakness, now lets his emotions flow freely between us.

"I can't wait to see you as a father," I tell him softly, and his smile is radiant.

Mia, one of the younger wolves who often seeks my guidance, bounces forward to hug me, her enthusiasm infectious. "This is so exciting! Will you still help me with my college applications even with the baby coming?"

I laugh, touched by her concern. "Of course I will. Being pregnant doesn't mean I'm going to stop being here for the pack. Some things might change, but my heart will always be open to all of you."

"Good," she says firmly. "Because no one gives advice like you do. You actually listen."

As the evening progresses, I find myself surrounded by the love of my pack—wolves who have become family in ways I never thought possible. The moon rises outside, its silver light mixing with the last rays of sun, and I smile, knowing that our pup will be born into a pack that values all kinds of strength—even the quiet kind that comes from a mother who can't shift but loves with her whole heart.

Theo pulls me closer, nuzzling my neck where his mark rests. "I fall more in love with you every day," he murmurs against my skin. "Watching you with our pack, seeing how they love you... you've changed everything, Chloé. You've made me better, made us all better."

I lean back into his embrace, letting his warmth envelope me. Our pup will know both power and tenderness, and will understand that true strength isn't always about sharp teeth and claws, but about the courage to be exactly who you are. Through our bond, I feel not just Theo's joy and pride, but also his absolute certainty that this—us, our pack, our future—is exactly as it should be.