Five years later
“Merry Christmas!”
Gage opened the door and greeted his son and his son’s mate.
“Hey, Dad,” Tanner said.
“Hello, Mr. Silver,” Eliza said.
He laughed. “Please, you can call me Gage.”
“Honey, Tanner and Eliza are here.”
Connie appeared on the stairs with their baby girl on her hip. “It’s about time you guys showed up.”
Gage stepped away from the door to pull his wife into his arms and kiss his daughter’s head.
The past five years had been surreal. By mutual vote within the pack, Tiffany was expelled for her crimes, and they demanded he mark her so other packs would know what shame she brought on. When the pack made such a decree, there was nothing he could do about it. Tiffany had been banished.
Connie had recovered from turning into the wolf to help her heal, and that Christmas, Gage had married her. The pack had been present to witness it. They didn’t go away for a honeymoon as he was the alpha, however, for three blissful days, he got Connie all to himself. Then the pack had needed him. Now three days, once a year, was what he got to spend with his woman.
Tanner had found his true soulmate, Eliza. She was a small woman, sweet, kind, with a snorting laugh, and a wicked sense of humor. Connie and his son were friends. Neither of them brought up the rejection, and in a way, they’d been able to become a family.
Even though he’d wanted to have kids immediately, Connie had wanted to spend time with him. They had four years of bliss until she finally caught, and now they had a baby girl.
“You’ve already put the tree up?” Tanner asked.
“What can I say? We love Christmas around here,” Gage said.
“Your presents are already underneath the true,” Connie said. “This little girl is feeling hungry.”
Gage closed the front door to follow his wife into the kitchen. She sat their daughter in a high chair and went to the fridge, where he had already prepared several foods for her to eat. He didn’t want her eating any processed foods.
“You don’t mind Tanner being here?” Gage asked.
She chuckled. “You ask that every single year, and I keep telling you, we’re a family. I’m happy he’s around because I know he’s important to you.” She started to feed their baby girl. “Besides.” She put a hand on her stomach. “I think it’s only fair for our children to have a big brother.”
“Children?”
“I took a test today. I’m pregnant.”
He went to her, cupping her face and kissing her hard.
“Have I told you today that I love you?” he asked, breaking from the kiss.
“Only once or twice.”
“That’s not acceptable. I love you. I will keep telling you every single day.”
“Good, because I love you, and getting rejected was the best thing that happened to me. I never thought I could be this happy.”
“Neither did I.”
But he was. Connie gave him everything: love, peace, a place to really call home. He loved her with his whole heart, and he would cherish her always.
The End