Epilogue
1300 Words
3 months later
My knee jumped up and down as Keaton drove. My nerves are getting the best of me. Keaton squeezed the hand that he held. “It’s going to be ok little Kat.” I nodded but his words did nothing to curb my nervousness. We were going to see my parents for the first time since I was changed 9 months ago. The council rolled out their news laws a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure how the human cities were taking the news. I know Keaton has fielded calls from packs that aren’t so happy, but he was right when he said that no one would dare challenge me on it. My display of no mercy has kept the other packs away. “Do you think they’ll still love me?” My voice shakes as I try to blink back tears. I killed people. I’ve come to terms with it since that night, but I still worry about my parents. Humans don’t understand the rules and urges that rule the world of werewolves. Keaton pulled over and faced me. He took my face in his hands and left a sweet kiss on my lips. “They will still love you. They can’t not love you.” I nodded, still unsure of it. I saw the warriors in the SUV behind us had stopped. I tried to convince Keaton that we should come alone but he wouldn’t hear of it. He promised that they would stay outside of the house. Keaton sent a quick text to one of the warriors to let them know we were fine. Keaton gave me another quick kiss before we started back on the road. I tried to soothe myself by running my fingers over Keaton’s open palm. He was my rock. He was the calm in my storm. I used to hate The Mating but I’m grateful for it now. Without it I would have never met Keaton. I would have probably never felt anything like this. I still don’t think its ok, but the new laws have made it easier to digest.
My anxiety starts to build again when we make it to the gates of the city. Keaton provides ID and my parents information. It’s important to know where werewolves are in the city just in case the humans try to retaliate. It hasn’t happened in a long time but when new laws are introduced everyone is always on edge. These news laws are good though so I have faith that nothing will happen. As I tune back into the conversation I realize Keaton and the gate guard are talking about the feel of the city. “The humans seem a little unsure of the new laws. I’ve had a few ask me if they are really true. When I assure them, they are they seem happy about it.” The guard’s words make me happy. I hoped I would make a difference and it seems like I have. We pulled into the city and headed towards my house. I didn’t even have to tell Keaton where to go. That packet of information he got in the very beginning had my old address. I was surprised he remembered though. We pulled up in front of the house. It looked the same as it always did. Dark blue with white shutters. I swallowed down the lump in my throat. The SUV full of warriors soon pulled up behind us. Keaton got out and spoke to them, probably telling them where to station themselves, then opened my door. I noticed one of the warriors slid into the driver seat of our SUV. I looked at Keaton, the question in my face. Keaton’s face held his emotionless mask. We were around too many people and wolves from our pack. He wasn’t going to let it drop. I hoped he let it drop when we were inside, but I wasn’t sure if he would ever let anyone other than me see how emotions run across his face. “Just in case we have to make a quick getaway Luna.” He answered my unasked question. I nodded to him and we headed to the door. I let Keaton knock on the door. It took a few minutes, but the door handle turned, and my mom opened the door. She looked the same yet totally different. As she stood there in shock my eyes roamed to her stomach. She was pregnant. I couldn’t keep the surprise off my face. I heard footsteps coming toward us. “Who’s at the door Mary?” I smiled at my dad’s voice. It seemed to jerk mom out of her state of shock. “My baby!” She screamed and brought me into a hug. I immediately melted into her and let the tears run down my face. “Mom.” I felt Keaton lay his hand on the small of my back giving me strength. “Katie!” Dad’s voice rang out. I broke the hug from mom, and we were ushered inside. Dad scooped me up in a hug causing my feet to dangle off the ground. I returned it as hard as I could without hurting him.
After our hellos and introductions, we ended up on the couch. I told my parents about my life as a werewolf, as much as I could tell them anyway. Keaton was welcomed warmly but he didn’t let the mask fall from his face. He did show his love for me by caressing me and constantly touching me. I looked at mom’s stomach. “So, do I have a little brother or a sister?” Mom grinned. “You have a little sister. I’m about 5 months along, same as Gary’s girlfriend. She’s having a boy. We found out a week or so after we sent that letter.” My mouth gaped open. “Gary is having a baby?!” Mom nodded. “I’m so happy for him.” Mom nodded again. “When the new laws came out you don’t even know how happy he was. They still come over here and we still treat him like a son. He gets to raise his baby, thanks to you. Your dad and I get to raise this baby, thanks to you. You can’t realize how amazing what you’ve done for us is.” I smiled at my parents. “I may be a werewolf, but I still believe that humans deserve freedom. It wasn’t what I asked for but it’s a start.” We spent the rest of the day with my parents. They got to know Keaton and he finally let the mask down. They welcomed him and even called him son a few times. I could tell it made Keaton happy. The sun had set awhile ago when we said our goodbyes. I promised mom that we would visit again in a couple of months, after my sister was born. We also promised to talk on the phone. The new laws permitted it if I was the one who initiated the contact. Keaton okayed me calling Gary too. I wanted to see him when we came to the city but reconnecting with my parents was way more important. Besides, we will have 2 new babies to visit next time. Keaton allowed the warrior to drive us back home while we cuddled in the back seat. I looked at him, his eyes closed. He looked peaceful. “Thank you, Kea. You were right. I had nothing to be nervous about. Mom and dad didn’t even say anything about it.” I had glossed over it when we talked but I knew they knew about it. Keaton opened my eyes. “Of course, I was right.” I smiled as he chuckled and snuggled into him, ready for sleep to take me. “I’m ready to start trying for a baby.” Keaton drew his arms around me tighter. “We’ll start tomorrow.” I licked my lips. “Yes daddy.”
- Writer
