The Alpha’s Pen Pal
Epilogue 1

SIX MONTHS LATER NOVEMBER

WESLEY POV

Glittering lights. Rustling fabrics and programs. Instruments tuning. Whispering voices.

A theater filled with audience members for the opening night of The Nutcracker this season at The Redwood Forest Ballet Company. A full house, as Haven had taught me. And all of them were here for her.

The pack had bought out the house for the evening, so every single member of that audience was here because they were supporting their luna.

Because tonight, she would dance the role of The Sugar Plum Fairy.

"Thank you again," I muttered, turning to look at Imogen.

She rubbed at a spot on her red painted fingernails, a wrinkle between her brows. "I told you already, I needed the break. Some time to breathe and kick my feet up and just remind myself that I'm not just good at ballet, I actually enjoy ballet." Her eyes lifted to mine, and she smiled. "Plus, it was for a good cause," she said. "Oh, the baby is here!"

She maneuvered around me and towards the theater entrance, completely bypassing Jack, Shirley, and Scott and heading right to Tiffany, who was holding her one-year-old daughter Stella.

Stella smiled and reached for her. "Immy!" she cooed, launching herself into Imogen's arms in a flurry of purple and pink fabric.

Maya had made her dress from the leftover scraps of Haven's costume for tonight, and Tiffany had even put a tiny tiara on top of Stella's tight dark brown curls. I followed behind Imogen, but made sure to give my in-laws a proper greeting before I gave Stella any sort of attention.

"Are you excited?" Shirley asked me as I hugged her.

"Of course," I replied. "I'm always excited to watch Haven perform," I added with a wink.

"WESSY!" Stella squealed, again launching herself out of someone's arms so she could have someone else hold her.

"Hey there Stella Bella," I laughed as I grabbed her and spun her around. "Aren't you just the prettiest sugar plum fairy I've ever seen?"

"He's only saying that because he hasn't seen Haven dance it yet," Imogen muttered to Jack and Shirley.

"He hasn't? Not even in rehearsals?" Shirley whispered.

"No, she wouldn't let him. He tried to sneak in a few weeks ago, and Peter yelled at him. I swear, he jumped higher than the redwoods around their pack," she said as she reached for her purse. "I got it on video. Do you want to see?"

"Don't even think about it, Imogen," I warned her, my lips twitching. "You've already shown it to the entire ballet company, all my friends, my mate, my parents..."

I sighed and trailed off as she played the snippet she caught of Peter sneaking up on me as I tried to sneak into the rehearsal to watch Haven.

"It's not my fault. She was being stubborn," I said in defense of myself.

"Stubborn is Haven's middle name," Jack pointed out.

I hummed in agreement, my smile growing.

"Havie?" Stella asked, looking around the crowded theater.

"Aunt Haven is going to be up there," I told her, pointing at the stage. "We're going to watch her dance."

Stella smiled and clapped her hands. "Havie!" she exclaimed.

"That's right! When she's done, we will cheer and clap for her."

Stella's little toddler arms wrapped around my neck and she hugged me, her head resting on my shoulder and her hand rubbing my back. Then she pulled away and said, "Mama!" making grabby hands at Tiffany.

"You're pretty good at that," Tiffany said as she took Stella from me. "You going to have one of your own here soon?"

"Not anytime soon," I laughed, shaking my head. "We're not ready."

Tiffany pouted. "Leave the poor man alone! They've only been together a year!" Shirley scolded Tiffany. "Just ignore her. You take all the time you need before having kids." Her voice lowered. "But I'm not getting any younger and I'd really like another grandkid, so, you know, if you change your mind..."

I laughed even louder. "Don't worry, Shirley. When we're ready, you'll be the first to know," I told her.

The lights flashed a few times, signaling the audience that the show would begin soon, so I gave them all another quick hug and found my seat, right in the middle of the theater. Reid, Nolan, and Sebastian all sat down just after me.

"Is everything ready?" I asked them.

"Yes, just like it was 30 minutes ago," Sebastian said with a smirk.

"And 30 minutes before that," Nolan added.

"And 30 minutes before that," Reid chimed in.

"f**k off," I growled, but they just laughed at me.

"Are you ready?" Sebastian asked as his laughter faded.

I turned my attention to the stage as the lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play. A smile spread on my face as the music of my Sugar Plum's favorite ballet filled the theater, music I recognized from watching various versions of the production 13 years ago. "Of course I'm ready," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "I've been ready for this my whole life."

HAVEN POV

The cheers and applause as I took my final bow of the night were mixed with howls, telling me there were definitely pack members in the audience. My smile grew as, through the pack link, I heard voices congratulating me and telling me how wonderful the performance was. The loudest voice, though, was Wesley's.

"Sugar Plum," he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "You are stunning."

"Thank you, Wes," I replied, replaceing his eyes in the audience just as the curtain closed.

"I'll meet you at the stage door," he told me. "Take your time."

I didn't listen, though. I rushed off the stage to my dressing room, where Maya helped me change out of my tutu and into a long-sleeved, fitted dark purple dress. Then I was down the stairs and heading out the stage door before most of the other company members were even in their dressing rooms to change.

Unlike that first night, the night of our premiere, I didn't mingle with the crowd. I had a one track mind.

Wesley.

His scent hit me as soon as the stage door opened, and his smiling face came into my eyes. My own smile grew, and I pranced down the steps and into his arms.

"Just beautiful," he murmured, holding me tightly. "My Sugar Plum."

I tilted my face up to his and let him kiss me, matching the slow, gentle movements of his lips. Warmth and love filled me as he held me. I leaned back, meeting his eyes. They twinkled and glistened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but someone pulled me away from him and into the waiting crowd of fans.

"Luna!" Reid cheered, hugging me and spinning me around. "Everyone is here to see you, so you need to say hello to them first before you finish your night in the alpha's arms. Sound like a plan?"

"Everyone?" I asked, looking at his laughing face.

"Yeah. The entire pack is here!"

I spent the next I don't even know how many minutes being greeted and congratulated by everyone in the pack. I thought Reid was exaggerating, but he was not. The entirety of Crescent Lake was at the theater, and the only people in the audience who weren't pack members were my family and Imogen.

"Congratulations, Luna Haven," Harrison said as I finally reached him and Emily. "You are truly a talented dancer," he added.

"Thank you," I replied, hugging them both.

"Dad," Wesley said, his arm snaking around my waist and tugging me to his side. "Can I steal my luna for a moment, please?"

His lips met the top of my head, and I leaned back into his strong, solid chest, breathing him in.

"Of course, Alpha Wesley," Harrison replied with a wink.