Page 79 of Alpha's Claim
I keep silent for a few paces, letting that sink in. “There’s nothing to keep us from visiting.”
“Yeah, I’d like that. I do have some friends I’d like you to meet. Sully, the guy who helped us get to the safe house, is one of them. But I think the mountain is where we belong.”
I smile, but then have a thought. “What about Lockepoint?”
“I have people looking into it. Thom’s estate is tied up with creditors. And from what Kylie can tell from her hacking, a lot of his wealth was gifted to a few private companies dedicated to conservation.”
“Like…conservation efforts to save the earth?”
His expression turns grim. “We think they might really be shell corporations for the Venatores.”
A chill runs through me. The Venatores are still out there. Still a threat.
“You and Wren are safe here,” Darius says.
“I know. Thank you.” This is probably the safest place in the world for us.
“We’ll keep digging. But when it comes to Lockepoint… I don't know if you and Wren will get any inheritance.”
I shrug. “That’s okay. We don't need his blood money. I can make my own.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m still waiting for an official invite to work at Mountain Top Investments.”
Darius goes still. “You’d do that? Come work with me?”
I face him. “Of course. I like trading. I just don’t want to be anyone’s slave.”
“Then consider this your official offer. How’s fifty percent ownership sound?”
“Perfect.” I let him take me into his arms and dip me for a kiss.
“I love you, little dove,” he murmurs just before he claims my mouth.
“I love you, my Viking bear.” I kiss him back.
Don’t worry, it’s not quite over! Read on for a special epilogue about Lana’s baby shower, starring Lana, Paloma, Wren, plus some out of town guests from Taos. And, of course, the Bad Boy Bears.
Epilogue
Paloma
The day of Lana’s baby shower is a gorgeous, crisp fall day. Darius and I hike up early to help, but Lana hired a whole party planning team, so when we arrive there’s a full buffet brunch laid out on the dining table and a big tent with tables already set up outside.
There’s a rainbow colored balloon arch and tablecloths patterned with rainbows being clutched at either end by little brown bears.
“Not pink and baby blue?” I tease Lana. She’s in a periwinkle blue lounge set with a few matching blue braids scattered in with her soft pink ones.
“I wanted all the colors. Teddy wanted brown, for his bear, so the brown bears are for him.”
The party planners have all disappeared, but I still lower my voice. “Do you think the baby will be a shifter?”
“Teddy says probably,” Lana says, and Teddy appears as if summoned. He strides to his mate’s side and leans down to plant a kiss on the top of her head.
“I bet our children will all be bears.”
“Brown bears?” I ask. “Like you and Darius?”
“Yes.” Teddy couldn’t puff out his chest more if he tried.
“Although Everest is hoping that the baby will have a bear that's a cross between a grizzly and a polar bear like him.”