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I turn to him, kissing him on the cheek. “Fortunately, we have the rest of our lives for me to keep proving this to you guys.”
“You know we can’t wait,” Cal smiles.
Together, hand in hand, we reach the cave entrance. I glance at it, the welcome I have always yearned for. My heart feels full. I have never felt so beloved, so accepted, so welcomed anywhere. And I know this is only the beginning of our love story.
Epilogue
Elena
Just as I’m finishing wrapping up the present, a knock on the door interrupts me. I quickly look around, then stuff it under the blanket on the bed.
“Yes?” I call out.
The door opens and Cal appears, sun-kissed and gorgeous.
“Oh, it’s just you,” I say with relief.
“Just me?” he repeats playfully. “Yes, that’s exactly how someone wants to be welcomed by the woman he loves.”
I laugh at his words. “Don’t be a drama queen.” I walk over to the bed and uncover the present, showing it to him. “I thought you were Rock, and I didn’t want him to ruin his birthday surprise.”
“Uh, what is it?” Cal wonders, glancing at the wrapped present.
“It’s a surprise,” I tell him with a chuckle.
“But it’s not my birthday,” he pouts. “Why can’t I know?”
“Because you’re super bad at keeping secrets.”
“Am not,” he frowns, but we’re still playing.
“Are too,” I correct him, placing the present safely in the drawer. I had to go to Pinehaven to arrange it, but it was worth it. What surprised me the most was the fact that even there, things have started to change for the better. The village seems to have blossomed lately, with people finding new opportunities there and the overall quality of life improving. I haven’t met the two men who almost attacked me that day. I am grateful for that, because I don’t know how I would react to them. Not that it matters. I don’t want to allow any head space to people who don’t deserve it.
“Is everything ready for the picnic?” I ask Cal, once again back in the present moment.
“I think so,” he nods. “Do you think Rock suspects something?”
“I doubt it,” I shake my head. “I sent him and Daisy for a walk. They shouldn’t be back for at least an hour.”
“Good idea,” he nods. “You wanna come and see how the preparations are coming along?”
“Why don’t you go?” I suggest. “I’ll wait for them here. When they return, we’ll come to the waterfall together, and then, he’ll see the surprise.”
“Alright,” he replies, taking me into his arms and kissing the tip of my nose. “Do we have time for a quickie?”
“No, silly,” I chuckle, playfully pushing him away from myself. “You have to go and make sure that everything is ready. Now go, you annoying thing you.”
“Oh, alright,” he pouts playfully.
I wait for him to close the door, then inhale deeply. I press my hand to my belly. I haven’t told them yet. But that will be a nice addition to the birthday celebration we have in store for Rock.
I take a look at myself in the mirror. It’s been five years already, and yet, it feels almost like five months. Life here in the village has been blissful. There is no other way to describe it. The enemy bear shifters left immediately upon those unfortunate events, and we haven’t had any clashes with either bear shifters or humans since then. I’m happy to say that life has been truly blissful. We are able to fully focus on one another and lead the lives we always wanted to, the lives we deserve, by each other’s side.
I leave the cottage, watching a few of the last villagers hurriedly picking up stuff for the picnic and heading to the waterfall. I stumble onto Willow, carrying the cake in a box.
“Are you carrying it on your own all the way to the waterfall?” I ask, ready to lend a hand.
“No,” she smiles. “Leo is helping me.”
