“For not leaving me,” Teddy whispers before walking up to join the other graduates.
I frown at his departing back, not sure what he means by that last remark. Why would he even suggest such a thing? I adore that wolf-boy more with each passing day, not less.
Teddy has been my steady rock since the attack by Rafe, who’s managed to disappear again without a trace, making it impossible to press charges against him. Meanwhile, Jake has provided Rafe’s physical description to all wolf packs and supernatural police forces throughout the Midwest; if Rafe is in the vicinity, we’ll know about it. And if he comes near us again, we’ll slap him with a supernatural restraining order, which has a lot more teeth than the non-super version.
But honestly, I try not to think about Rafe at all. I caught a glimpse of his face when he realized he’d hurt me instead of Teddy, and I saw the horror and remorse in his eyes. Perhaps he learned his lesson, but Teddy doesn’t think so.
Despite all the pain—and the rehab I’m still undergoing to slowly rebuild my wing strength—I have no regrets about stepping in front of Teddy and taking the blows meant for him. And even though Teddy made me promise I’d never do anything so foolish again, I’d still do it if it meant sparing him.
When you truly love someone, don’t you want to bear their hurts and burdens?
Teddy takes his place between Rory, a nice werewolf I went to high school with, and Maisie, who runs Howling Shores Pub along with Wes, her mate. Maisie has been helping me understand werewolf behavior and what it means to be bonded with one. She’s sweet and smart andbursts out laughing every time I ask her about my mate bond thingy with Teddy.
Jake welcomes everyone and gives a short speech about the important role firefighters play in our community, wrapping up with a few reminders about upcoming events, including the Firemen’s Ball in December, which is the department’s largest fundraiser of the year.
The ball occurs the weekend before my wedding, which is coming so fast I’m almost afraid to blink because before you know it, I’ll be walking down the aisle! Not that I’m complaining—far from it.
I want to treasure each moment between now and then, until Cassia reminds me how much we still need to do for my wedding. At least I don’t have to worry about the honeymoon, because Teddy is planning everything; we’re going to Costa Rica right after Christmas.
My head positively spins every time Cassia takes me through one of her endless checklists. Even so, I still love her to pieces; she and Olivia have visited me regularly since I came home from the hospital, cheering me up and reminding me to do all my PT exercises, which Cassia knows I’d fluff off if I could.
And then there’s Granny Catbeam, the one person I never expected to move in and assist me with certain daily tasks that I won’t let Teddy do until we’re married. She took over Teddy’s room for six weeks, helping me bathe, changing my dressings, and hovering like a mother hen. Granny and Mom even helped Teddy keep the bakery running on the weekends; they baked small batches of our favorite desserts that Teddy sold on Saturdays and Sundays. I’m finally able to return to work, butI’m not putting in fourteen-hour days, at least not until the holidays, when Riddle Hill swells with tourists again.
There’s one change at the bakery I’m not overjoyed about, but I’m learning to live with the new ancestor portrait hanging in a prime spot on the lefthand wall. I could tell Teddy really wanted Miss Dragonfly’s ghostly presence inside our shop, and since we have her to thank for the inheritance and for bringing us together, how could I say no?
Sometimes Auntie Dragonfly wakes up long enough to remember something ridiculous that Granny Catbeam did eighty years ago and scolds her like she’s still a teenager. Granny chews her bottom lip and stalks out of the shop with a loud huff, and Teddy and I have to stifle our giggles.
After the ceremony Teddy returns to my side and hands me his diploma, which is signed by Jake as the fire chief and bears the town’s golden seal. If you have supernatural eyesight and can read the tiny typeface printed inside the seal, you’d see this: Village of Riddle Hill, Keeping Supernaturals Safe Since Salem.
At the very bottom of the certificate, printed in even smaller font, is the town’s mission statement: Riddle Hill is an inclusive community. All with wings, scales, fangs, fur, fins, talons, and tails are welcome here.
My handsome fiancé is beaming as I smile up at him. “I’m so proud of you, Mr. Head-of-the-Class.”
“Hmm,” he smirks. “I kind of miss you calling me Mr. Clean.”
I snort out a laugh and then wince slightly at the pinch in my back.
“Are you alright?” Teddy grips my arm, his hand suddenly covered in blond fur.
“Relax, wolf-boy,” I tell him, tapping the back of his hand, which becomes less hairy as he gets his inner werewolf back in line. “It was just a muscle twinge thingy.”
“A muscle twinge thingy?” he cocks his head to the side. “Can you be more specific?”
“I think that’s an apt description of a passing, temporary ache in my back, the result of an injury and subsequent surgery.”
Teddy rolls his eyes. “You’re impossible.”
I grin at him. “But you love me anyway.”
The gold around his blue irises flares brighter. “For as long as life endures.”
I wrap my arms around my gorgeous, hunky werewolf and stand on my tiptoes to plant a firm kiss on his warm lips. A few, fat raindrops pelt my shoulders, and I break away with a contented sigh.
As Teddy hurries me to his old Caddy, I twine our fingers together and repeat softly in his ear, “For as long as life endures.”
Epilogue – Beautiful Scars
TEDDY
