EPILOGUE
“How long until they get here?” Michael stood behind Isaac, his arms wrapped around his waist as they waited on the beach looking out to sea.
“Any time now.” Isaac leant back against him, and Michael would never tire of holding him close, of waking every day in his arms, and going to sleep the same way.
The new ruling council was up and running now, the last month alone seeing more changes to the law than Michael had ever hoped for. Gone was the forced pack affiliation. Anyone who wanted to could leave a pack they’d been drafted into or move packs to be nearer to their friends and family.
The work involved in organising everything was as all-consuming as Michael had known it would be, but thanks to Baker taking the lead on a lot of it, Michael’s required presence in London was minimal.
And surprisingly, that was exactly the way he liked it.
Isaac tilted his head back and kissed his jaw, lips lingering long enough to make Michael shiver. “What are you thinking so hard about?”
Turning his head, Michael captured his lips and kissed him properly. Not as deep as he wanted to—they weren’t alone on the beach—but enough to satisfy the craving that was always there since they’d bonded.
“Can’t you tell?” he asked, lips curving up into a smile.
Isaac rolled his eyes. “I can feel your emotions, not read your mind.”
Michael laughed, stealing another kiss before pulling Isaac back against him again. “I was thinking about the way everything’s turned out. And has it really been less than four months since I left London?”
It felt like a lifetime ago.
Isaac stilled for a moment, and though it was there and gone in a flash, Michael caught the flare of doubt and insecurity through their connection. “Any regrets?”
They’d talked about his move to Mothecombe. Endlessly for the first few weeks. Understandably, Isaac had his doubts about whether it was the right thing for Michael, forthem, because Michael had told him enough times how he’d wanted to go back and reclaim his pack.
But that had been before.
The threat of losing Isaac for good had changed everything.
He held Isaac tighter, burying his face in the crook of his neck and inhaling a scent so familiar now, it never failed to warm him from the inside out.
“None,” he whispered into Isaac’s skin, finally answering him. “I’m right where I want to be.”
Contentment and satisfaction flooded their bond, and Michael smiled.
He’d never dared dream that he could have this, thattheycould have this.
Yet here they were, waiting for something else he’d never dared to hope for.
The boat came into view, the excitement from the others on the beach so thick Michael could almost taste it on the air. His own heart rate sped up, and Isaac slotted his fingers with Michael’s, grip tight.
“When I helped all those people escape to Jersey, I didn’t think I’d be seeing any of them back here. Not for a long while anyway.” Isaac turned in his arms and cupped Michael’s jaw, thumbs rubbing over the stubble there. “You made this possible,” he whispered.
Michael scoffed, “Not on my own.”
Isaac smiled. “No, not on your own. But you put all this in motion. Look how far we’ve come.”
A lot of those who’d fled to Jersey had started new lives there. Even with the option to return home, many had chosen to remain, some inviting family to move out to join them. But plenty had jumped at the chance to come back, to reclaim the life that had been stolen from them.
He and Isaac had met every boat that arrived, welcoming everyone back and helping them with whatever they needed.
But this next boat was extra special.
It only had three passengers.
Cole’s mum and dad, and Aaron’s brother.
