SWNOVELS Chapter 48 - Epilogue
A few months later.
“Kaden,” I groan as I step into the room, putting on my earrings. “I told you to put that tie on fifteen minutes ago!”
“Forget the tie woman, I’m about to have a heart attack.” He mutters, releasing a long sigh.
My lips twitch but I stifle the smile threatening to escape. Kaden and I had reservations at a restaurant this evening to meet my family. I had told my parents that we were dating a few months ago and since then they have been excited to meet him.
Since my graduation ceremony was this afternoon, my family had flown out to be here. I had finally received the piece of parchment, ready for the working world. The memories of today were all kept safely in my phone so that I could look back on them from time to time.
But despite being clued in on the plans to meet up for dinner, Kaden was using any excuse under the sun to delay us.
“What is it now?” I sigh, putting on a red lipstick that complemented my black cocktail dress.
“They won’t like Mikaela.” He moans hysterically, before propping himself up on the bed using his elbows.
“They’re not even going to see your damn car until the end of the night.” I shoot him a stern look as I walk over with the tie. “I’m dating a cry baby.”
His loud growl echoes in the room, glaring at me with stormy blue eyes. I pull him up by the lapel of his suit, putting the tie around his neck myself. Fixing his hair, I nod absentmindedly before pulling away. Or at least I tried to.
“Luna?” Kaden calls nervously, pulling me back between his legs and holding my hand tightly. “You and Nick were joking about Mr Winters owning a shotgun, right?”
I want to grin at how scared he looks right now. A man who rules a pack, ruthless when it comes to wars and deadly when angered, was frightened to meet my father. Nick and I were joking in a sense, because Dad’s shotgun was a fake. When I was in my teenage years, any boy that even breathed my way had both my brother and father hunting him down. When threats didn’t work, they resorted to buying a cheap shotgun off the internet.
I mean, I could tell him the truth.
But then again, why would I do that? I want to enjoy this for a while. So, with a confused expression, I turn to him. Hell would be opening its doors for me after this.
“Why would we joke about that, Kaden?” I frown, feeling slightly sorry when he pales, as white as a sheet.
I pat his cheek with a sweet smile. “Don’t worry. It’s still at home since customs would never allow weapons through.”
He blinks slowly before nodding. I snicker inaudibly when he stands, confidence oozing off him in waves. “Okay, yeah. Nothing to be worried about. I mean, I am an Alpha. If he tries anything, I’ll have him on the floor in seconds.”
He turns away from the floor length mirror, wiping the smirk off his lips immediately when he finds me staring at him, unamused. I step up to him, watching as he gulps when I smooth his suit, my voice dangerously low when I speak.
“If you don’t want to spend a month on the couch, you will be doing no such thing.” I smile wickedly, arching a brow when fire burns in his eyes.
“You expect me to roll over like some -”
“No sex for a month either.” I threaten, tugging his suit jacket harshly.
“Your father will be treated like a king.” He recovers quickly, pressing a hurried kiss to my cheek. “Come on, we wouldn’t want to be late!”
I chuckle, shaking my head as I grab my coat and clutch before following my mate downstairs. Play them right and they’re putty in your hands.
We pull up to a fancy restaurant in the city at around seven, the sound of Kaden’s Mustang catching the attention of many. He grins before patting the steering wheel, killing the engine. I roll my eyes playfully, shaking my head at his antics.
“They’ll be here in a few minutes.” I say, looking down at the text Nick has just sent me.
I look up to see Kaden biting down on his bottom lip worriedly. It was sweet that he wanted to make a good first impression on my parents but even I knew that they would love him.
“Don’t be nervous.” I whisper to him, turning his head so I could peck his lips. “We’re together, you needed to meet them at some point.”
The last sentence catches his attention, his clear blues meeting mine. He stares at me as if he’s thinking hard, before nodding slowly. I grin, picking up my purse before getting out of the car to meet him at the front. We make our way inside, hand in hand.
The restaurant oozes glamour with its décor and warm lighting. I look around in awe as we’re directed to our table, falling in love with the place already. Thanking the woman, we take our seats next to each other, Kaden’s hand wrapping around my bare knee.
We didn’t have to wait long for my family to walk through the doors. Greeting each other, I introduce Kaden to my parents who shakes their hands with a smile. Settling down, we order food and drinks before my mother starts the conversation.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Kaden. Nolan and I have heard a lot about you.”
“All good I hope, Mrs Winters?” He chuckles, his tense form relaxing when I rub his back discreetly.
“Not one bad thing.” She laughs, patting his hand. “And call me, Abigail. There’s no need for formality.”
“I hear you own a company here, Kaden?” My dad asks in curiosity, making the rest of us groan under our breath. Dad could get anybody talking about business but once he started, it was quite difficult to get him to stop.
“I do, sir.” Kaden grins, a passionate glint in his eyes. “It’s a marketing company to help both small and large enterprises in succeeding with various projects, designing, etcetera.”
And just like that, they were immersed in a conversation about the industry, talking about both their businesses. I could tell my dad liked him already, providing him with advice from what he learned over the years. Whilst they were occupied, my mother teased me about how handsome he is making me resemble a tomato by the end of it. Nick of course was sitting back and enjoying my struggle to change topics with a wicked grin on his lips.
The food soon arrived and we all dug in, Kaden and I sharing our meals. Nick decided he wanted to share too and proceeded to take some food from all of us. Dad ended up convincing Kaden to come sightseeing with us tomorrow, making us list out places we should visit.
“So, how did you meet?” My mum asks curiously, taking a sip of her wine.
“Kaden came in for an appointment at the hospital I was on placement for.” I explain, watching him smile secretively.
“It was love at first sight, I bet.” Nick grins boyishly, wiggling his brows in my direction.
“For me, yes. It took your sister some time though.” Kaden smirks, pulling me closer to press a gentle kiss to my temple.
“You two are just adorable.” My mother gushes, making me blush.
We continue to eat whilst chatting, catching up with my parents as they get to know the man I’m dating. Sipping on our wines, we sampled the desserts and by the end of the night, Kaden had successfully assured them that he was the perfect match for me.
“How am I doing?” He asks through our mind link at one point during the evening, his attention on my mother as she invites him to visit during the holidays.
“You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you.” I smile, taking his hand in mine.
“Thank you, little moon.” He smiles gently, adoration for me evident in his eyes.
We sit and converse some more before finishing up, deciding it was quite late. Kaden helps me into my coat, grumbling under his breath about how I could catch a cold whilst I smile to myself over his protective behaviour. We thank the staff and make our way out of the restaurant, Kaden inviting my family to our home tomorrow for lunch.
I stare at him, startled that he would invite people over who knew nothing about the supernatural world. Did he forget that our pack members are living just behind us in the woods? Although they were out of sight, they were certainly not out of mind. Throughout the day, I could hear them training and such so I was worried about how we’re going to hide them.
“They’ll stay away from our home, angel. Don’t worry so much.” Kaden murmurs in our mind link and I suddenly remembered that he can hear my thoughts too. That is something that I keep forgetting.
I tune in just in time to hear my family agreeing, wanting to see the place that I babbled proudly about whenever it was mentioned. I had received a job offer before graduating and am currently working full time in the city hospital. Although I have been working for just a few months now, I love it already.
Maddox and Eva secured positions near me and were living together in an apartment. We would meet up every other weekend and catch up, missing the times when we all lived together. And of course, most of our conversations consist of me ensuring that they don’t kill each other when arguing.
I hug my parents and bid goodbye as they make their way to the taxi, Nick following us to the car as we talked about how to get to the house.
“You did good, brother-in-law.” Nick grins cheekily, making me roll my eyes in amusement.
Kaden chuckles before telling him the directions to his place. We had made our plans but the taxi driver would need to know how to get there, so now we are all hunched over Nick’s phone.
“Holy shit! That’s your car?” He asks incredulously as soon as we’ve finished, checking out the muscle car standing proudly behind us. “I’ll pay you to take this out for a spin.”
“I’d rather not risk sleeping on the couch, thanks.” Kaden replies sarcastically, making me swat his arm. “We can take it out tomorrow.”
“Hell yes!” Kaden and I chuckle at Nick’s excitement as he fawns over it.
After confirming that Nick typed in the directions in his notes, we wave to my brother and get in the car, ready to head home. I smile in content, happy that this dinner went so well.
I turn my head, staring at my mate lovingly. He was currently unaware, starting up the engine and making sure his seat belt is on. I take his hand, intertwining it with mine before pressing a tender kiss to the back of his hand. That catches his attention and he looks at me in surprise before grinning boyishly.
“I love you so much, Kaden.” I utter softly, my heart filling with love for the man who has quickly become my everything.
“I love you, to the moon and back.” He winks cheekily, leaning over and pecking my lips repeatedly before capturing them in a gentle kiss that leaves me breathless like always.