Fallen Love
Chapter 28: Epilogue

Esra

Sitting around the council table, I take note of the new problems to be solved. A member of each species is present, chosen by the whole community and myself. We have Aqua representing the mermaids, Estelle representing the fairies and Liam representing the trolls. Of course, I don’t need to tell you who I’ve chosen to represent the werewolves. The Alpha took the opportunity to speak to me telepathically.

– He’d tell Liam to brush his teeth, I’ve got a highly developed sense of smell.

– Oh please. I’m neutral.

Concentrating on Liam’s problem, I came up with a solution.

– If you catch a loner, you’ll solve the problem or bring him to me, the choice is yours.

– No sentence if my choice is death?

Liam still has trouble trusting me, which is normal. But if he’s been chosen to sit at my table it’s because he’s worthy and because the other members of his species trust him.

– I’ve already told you Liam, this is your land, your laws. If you feel that death is necessary, I’ll refer you to you.

– Thank you Esra.

Next we move on to a human problem. They want to wipe out part of the forest where fairies live, which is totally unacceptable. But what can they do?

– My cousin runs a pack near the place, so I could ask him to handle things as a wolf, but also as a human if need be,” suggests Chris.

– That would be great,” exclaims Estelle. A lot of young fairies in training live in these woods. It would be a disaster if they had to leave.

– I’ll let my cousin know as soon as the meeting is over and I’ll give him your contact details.

– Gladly,” agreed the fairy.

That cleared up, we ended the meeting. I went out last with Chris and smiled when I saw Rose getting agitated. Who’d have thought that underneath her timid exterior, Rose was a real bundle of nerves, and Camille’s not bad either. Like mother, like daughter, eh? Chris took the opportunity to send a message to his cousin.

– Liam looked relieved, well done Esra.

– I hope that in time he’ll trust me.

– Don’t worry,” said my wolf, shaking my hand.

We nod and head off to my office to settle down before someone gives us something to do. Sitting on Chris’s lap on the sofa, we face each other and he pushes my back so we can k**s. I’m proud of how far we’ve come. It’s been four years now that the magical world has been moving in the right direction, of course rebels surface from time to time but I have a team at my disposal to support me. Fortunately, we’ve also had some nice surprises, like witches who were hiding among the humans coming out of the shadows, and births breaking out in all the packs.

The magical world is back in balance and I’m proud to be part of it. I’ve built a headquarters in the town and in the forest so that all species have a meeting point. However, our new world is still unknown to some, so thanks to our superb publicity agent, whom I’ve named Em, she manages to find lost witches by making contact with the totem animals. Rose is a great help too, it was out of the question not to have her in the team so she heads up the research department, she’s in charge of finding and bringing back new and old witches. Of course we just give them an update on the new system and that’s it, we just want to say that we’re here if there’s a problem, that the word is out so we can help other people, not just witches but werewolves, fairies …

– Ahem. Sorry to disturb you, but we’re waiting for you to get ready for the party.

Em is always there when you least expect her. She’s always on the move, and wants us to be on the lookout for the slightest thing. All right, that’s great, but give us a break. Chris grunts as I pull away from him and we stand up, staring at Em as she walks off without saying a word.

– She’s really lucky to be linked to you,” complained the Alpha.

– Stop it, you love her.

– Right now I hate her.

Laughing, we arrive at the pack where preparations for tonight are underway. The women are taking care of the decorations and setting the tables, while the men don’t seem to be doing things well enough.

– It’s magnificent, ladies, at last some wolves are getting involved, it’s not like the males, what the hell are you doing? We need more wood for the fire and bring more meat, we’re not on a diet, really,” complains Em.

I refrain from commenting as Chris looks on in disappointment. The women carry on with their chores, exaggerating in front of the men, who are reprimanded for every bad deed. Poor things, since Chris marked me, Em can talk to every member of the pack and the women love her. She’s got a big mouth, she’s relentless about men, she’s a prick, she’s got a joke and she’s got a vengeance. Em is revered here.

On several occasions, wolves have even come to my snake for advice or she’s given the offending male a dressing-down, and of course my reptile can only accept this honour. I swear the pack hasn’t been this lively since I’ve known it. In short, we go our separate ways and the wolves are happy for us to spend some time together. It’s true that I’m quite busy but I manage to give my wolves some time every now and then.

Today we’re preparing a party for the arrival of a new cub, Aaron, who was born a week ago and is already very alert for his young age. Seeing such a little baby reminds me of Camille when I met her with Rose. She plays with Alice, who is like her big sister, and I think they have as strong a bond as the one I share with Lisa. In fact, Alice lives with them, as Rose works, so it’s easier. Even though they’re so far apart in age, they’re so close, it’s heart-warming, and Sisi comes and sits by my side as I watch them play.

– Camille is an angel to Alice.

– An angel? Why do you say that?

– Although Alice had accepted that her parents were leaving, she felt alone, but the arrival of little Camille gave her a reason to be happy and to help someone in need.

She’s right, Camille had a bit of trouble getting used to her world, a witch among the werewolves confused her, but thanks to Alice she blends in wonderfully with everyone. Karma has turned their way and fate has not forgotten them.

By evening we’re all ready to party. We all set up in the clearing, with lanterns set out so that we can all see properly. Em is perched on a tree with Namra, Rose’s love interest, keeping an eye on how the evening is going. The music is in full swing and the advantage of living in a forest is that nobody can tell you anything. While waiting to see the guest of honour, several couples dance. Chris is dancing with his mother.

– How are you feeling?

Surrounded by Nick and Emmett I nod. These two are male confidants and the role goes both ways.

– A bit tired, but I like everything to go so smoothly.

– I told you, you’re like Cinderella’s fairy godmother,” says Nick.

– She’s a fairy, you morons,” intervened Emmett.

– Have some respect for your brother-in-law.

Raising my eyes to the heavens, I smile nonetheless, happy that they’re still together. Looking at Lisa, she understands and comes to my aid to calm the two wolves, as soon as she approaches Emmett tenses up and pulls her in by touching her round belly. Yes, Lisa is pregnant, much to the delight of both brother and father-to-be.

– You’re always bickering,” grumbled the wolf.

– He started it… Well, did he? Emmett leans over and k****s Lisa’s belly. How’s my boy?

– We told you he’s a girl,” said Lisa, still moaning.

Emmett doesn’t want to face up to the fact that he’s going to be the father of a little girl, even though I’ve certified it, but we’re leaving him with a little surprise that me, Rita, Rose, Em and Lisa of course know, which is that there’s going to be not one but two princesses in almost three months’ time. To keep the secret as long as possible, we put all the duplicates at Melinda’s house. As she’s the only one who can go, there’s no risk of one of the boys catching us. Chris joins me and his parents and little Aaron arrives in his mum’s arms. Posting ourselves right in the middle, we set up a brand new tradition to celebrate the arrival of a new member. Chris changed his eyes to red and I changed them to emerald. We didn’t see him cry and we smiled, so I let off a burst of fireworks above us and with my necklace I wrote the baby’s name, which was also written in the sky.

– Thank you Alpha and Luna,” the parents thanked us, bowing.

The couple left to see the pack so that they could discover the little member, while Chris’s voice whispered in my ear.

– Everything’s perfect,” he said.

– Yes, I never imagined that life could make me so happy.

– You deserve it.

– I love you Chris, with all my heart.

– You mean everything to me, Esra, and you always will.

Holding me close, he kissed me and caressed the small of my back.

– And we’re forgotten? says Em and Tracker at the same time.