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Ps. There will be a little goodbye at the end of the chapter. You don't have to read it but it will be my final goodbye with Zach, Alicia's, and Ashley...maybe.
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Epilogue: Their Final Installment
Two weeks after high school graduation...(about a year later)
I pulled on the strap of my dress one more time. The girl in the mirror could not have been me. Pretty, teary blue eyes, curved perfectly into a cream dress with a baby blue band around her slim waist. But it was.
No, I was not getting married, you have to remember that I was only 18. However that was the day that Zach and I would be announced as the future Alpha and Luna to the Romolotti pack.
Was I ready? I could have only hoped.
As I looked at my face I noticed the subtle scar that was permanently on my face at the hairline near my ear, from the time I spent kidnapped by Nathan and Luke. A scowl made its way onto my face as the memories came back to me. But with those came the memory of what happened just a short while after I escaped that Hell hole and only a short while after Zach woke up.
Shortly after Zach was released from the hospital his parents called us to meet with them. We were both ignorant of what was to be said.
However we were soon informed about the whereabouts of Nathan and Luke, both of which happen to be jail.
The amount of happiness and relief that I felt in that moment was astounding. I felt all of the worries of them coming back flow off of me in waves, and the weight of the world was suddenly lifted off of my shoulders.
When I looked to Zach he was filled with the same emotions, I could read it oh so clearly. Normally he was the most difficult person to read, but then, he was an open book.
We celebrated that night, the three of us. Zach, Ashley, and I. We hadn't done any hanging out like that in the longest time. About six years, since Zach left to Australia...the first time.
We didn't waste the opportunity given and celebrated all night.
I blinked a couple times and flitted my gaze from my face or rather the scar on my face, to my dress, then to the ring on my finger.
The memory brought a smile to my face.
I was standing at the staircase in the auditorium waiting for my name to ring through the clapping that surrounded us all.
My name was called sharply through the microphone and I made my way up, a smile very present on my face.
I reached out and shook hands with the principle and a few other teachers, took my diploma in my hand and turned to the audience. The first person I saw was my loving mate. My smile widened even more than before, pride shining in my eyes at our success this year. Everything has gone to plan and we've had it easy as of that point.
"And now a word from our valedictorian." I was then directed to the podium and started to speak.
"Four years ago it started. A stepping stone that would help us venture off into independence, friendships, failures, and successes. A long journey that would take us all to different places..."
As I finished, clapping sounded from all around me, along with whistling, and chanting of 'Alicia'.
I smiled once again that day and made my way off of the stage as the principle wished us luck and said a quick closing. Just before the tip of my heels touched the floor I was engulfed into the sent of Zach as well as his strong arms. Suddenly his lips found mine for a short interlock. Thankfully I was the last graduate or all of the attention would have been on us by now. Talk about embarrassing.
He pulled away first and looked into my eyes before speaking, "You did so great! I am so incredibly proud of you and love you more than anything." and he kissed me one more time.
After he pulled away he looked at me suddenly nervous. I cocked my head to the side confused, but didn't have time to ask as Zach gently grabbed my arm and brought me outside of the school to our tree.
During the beginning of our senior year we just started to hang out there and ever since it kind of became our thing.
Anyway, just as we reached the tree he turned and looked at me again, more nervous than ever, "Ok, now after your speech this is gonna sound pretty bad but I have to tell you this." he took a deep breath and looked at me, face to face, "I love you with everything in me. You know that right?" I nodded and he continued, "I want to show you all of the love, that I have for you, for the rest of our lives, so," he trailed off and bent down on one knee. You would think I would start crying and bring my hand to my face in surprise, but no, my heart swelled and my smile and eyes widen to his words. No later than a couple of seconds later he grabbed my left hand with one of his, a ring box in the other and spoke, "Will you marry me?"
I nodded, ecstatic at his words. Zach gently pushed the ring onto my finger while he stood and kissed me lovingly. This time it was me who pulled away first, but only for a moment to whisper in his ear, "I would love to marry you, but not until we're at least 20 ok?" I still wanted to go to University and frankly so did he.
In response he chuckled and nodded in agreement.
Zach picked me up and swirled me around in a circle with me giggling the whole way.
I pulled back from him the tiniest bit and smiled, "I love you."
I blinked a couple of times and looked away from the ring back to my face just as Ashley entered the room with a smile on her face.
"Hey chickie! Ready to go?" she asked coming up to me, a smile present on her face. I nodded and followed her out of the room, the sound of our heels clicking the floor of Zach's parent's house as we made our way to the back door.
"I'm gonna go and get Zach, he'll be here to come and get you in a second. Good luck; you'll do fine." and with one reassuring smile she flooded the area.
After a couple of lonely minutes trying to settle the mass of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach Zach's head popped out of the doors, a smile plastered on his face. You could tell that he was ecstatic to be the next Alpha. I could see it in his eyes and through the way he had been acting gitty and excited, he was truly ready and happy to be the next Alpha, and to see him that happy made me happy.
Zach stepped through the doors and took my hands in his, leaning in for a short, yet sweet kiss. With that kiss came the flood of nerves off of me. He pulled back and spoke, "Are you ready?" no, but he was, and if he was ready I could definitely hype myself up enough to get to that point. I smiled once again and nodded to him.
Once we stepped out of the glass doors into the sunset of the warm evening, Peter spoke, "And now I introduce you to your future Alpha and Luna, Zach and his mate Alicia!" cheers erupted from all around us. Some people were looking at us with trust, pride, and faith in our capabilities. Others were looking at us with contentment and full support. I was surprised but ecstatic that none of them minded that I, a human, was going to be their future Luna. I knew that I wouldn't be perfect, considering I am not a werewolf. However I knew that with the help of the pack, Zach, and Nancy and Peter I would have many chances to prove success, safety and welfare to every one of the pack members.
I smiled at them all and took a look around observing each individual expression.
I found myself meeting the eyes of my mother. She was so happy to see me when I was recovered after the kidnapping. She came that same night that I went to the hospital and approached me; we hugged for hours on end. My mother was completely, in full swing support of our engagement only a short month ago and still was to that day, and for that I was grateful.
Next I stopped my line of vision on Zach's parents. They were proud and you could see the trust and faith they had in us rolling off of them in waves. I smiled politely at them and continued my graze.
Ashley, along with the rest of the pack, had love for us shining in their eyes, making tears build up in mine.
Some of the nerves had suddenly crept their way back up on me...unfortunately.
Zach reached out and held my hand in his. To this I looked up to meet his chocolate brown eyes. Before he spoke I took a moment to adore his newly cut hair. His curls subtly presented in a mohawk fashion and trimmed shortly on the sides. It worked really well on him.
Before I could get too caught up in his stunningly styled hair, I met my eyes with his again.
He stared back at me with so much intensity that I thought I would reach up and hug and kiss him and never let go. But before I had the chance to further think through that option he started to talk, "You are so beautiful, and I can't wait to share this pack and the rest of my life with my perfect mate." I blushed and looked away, but his finger brought my face to his, turning my eyes back to him, "I know that it won't always be perfect, but we're in this together, forever." he finished with a small smile in which I returned with my own.
Turning back to the crowd of people in front of me I took a deep breath and thought, 'I can do this. I will do this." I smiled at the realization and entered my future with Zach with no regrets, exactly how I want to spend my forever.
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Author's Note
Oh my goodness I am so ecstatic that I have finished my first story EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe it quite yet but I'm sure that it will sink in soon.
I just want to say thank you to all of you guys as readers, voters and commenters. I appreciate all of the constant support even during my multiple absences.
I am very satisfied with the way this story turn out, and I am very proud of my first attempt at everything.
Please let me know what you all think, so that maybe one day I can possibly edit this book and improve on my future creations!
Thank you all once again.
Until next time,
>megan
ps. alicia's engagement ring on the side