“From heaven,” he answered. “I will not let anything happen to him Gaby. I swear.”

  “How can you make such a promise?” If what he said was true and he’d been welcomed home, I doubted that he’d be able to return to be here for us.

  Sebastian smiled. “Because I’m his guardian angel. I’ll watch him from heaven unless he needs me.”

  I eyed Sebastian feeling happy and sad at the same time. I leaned into him placing my head on his shoulder. “Is that cruel for you?”

  “To admire your life from a far?” he asked and I nodded. “No,” he kissed my hair. “I get to see you happy and that’s all I want for you. I think this was the way it was always meant to be.” I sat there for a while just enjoying Sebastian’s nearness, not knowing if I’d ever share it again. Whether this was a dream or not, it didn’t matter. It was a better goodbye than our last. “Do you remember when I asked you what would have happened if you met me first.” I did. It had only been a few days, but it seemed like forever ago. “God granted me a gift for standing up to Michael. He let me see what would have happened.”

  “And?” I sat up looking at him curiously.

  He gave me a half smile that seemed sad. “Fate is absolute no matter how the circumstances change.”

  I was going to ask him what he meant, but my son began crying. I gazed towards my bedroom knowing I needed to go to him but wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Sebastian.

  Seeing the dilemma, Sebastian made the choice for me. “I should go. I was only meant to be here a short time. I’ve already stayed longer than I should.”

  “Will I see you again?”

  He grinned cupping my face. “Of that I have no doubt.” His eyes dropped to my lips then back up to my blue eyes. “I love you, Gaby.”

  I was breathing heavy but gave a slight nod of my head.

  His palm against my cheek drew me in. Everything, outside of the angel before, me faded until it was just he and I. Our foreheads rested against one another’s, feeling the weight of the precious spell. My lashes fluttered closed from the gravity of moment. With a tilt of his chin his lips, barely a whisper of a touch, brushed against mine. When I opened my eyes a single tear slipped down my cheek. He was gone.

  “Gaby?” Grayson called holding our son in his arms. I glanced up startled. Everything came rushing back. I could hear Ian crying, the sound of the air conditioner running. The lights from the bedroom flooded into the living room casting a soft glow. “I think Ian is looking for his mom. What are you doing out here?”

  “I think I was dreaming, but it felt so real.”

  Grayson walked over to the couch and sat where Sebastian had just been. His brow knitted while he glanced around. “Did you clean the windows?” he asked. I thought it was an odd question, but shook my head. “Huh?” he wondered.

  “Why?” I asked curiously.

  “It’s nothing, but Sebastian had put sigils on them to prevent dissipating in the apartment. They’re gone.”

  I smirked sadly wondering if my dream had been real after all. “I dreamt he was here.”

  “Tell me about it?”

  And I did. I told him about what he said about Ian being protected, about Michael, about heaven. I even told him about the kiss. He closed his eyes. Biting his lip, he shook his head. “Are you angry?” I asked.

  “Not angry, no. Annoyed? Yes. He’s moved on and is still putting his lips on you.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said cradling baby Ian in my arms.

  “Don’t be, but no more kissing other men for at least the next hundred years or so. Okay?”

  “Just you,” I grinned tugging him to my lips. He chuckled but kissed me back.

  Ava

  Damien had been foolish to leave Ava so poorly unattended when he took his army of vampires to bring back Gabriella. Even in her jail cell Ava was aware of the situation. Escape was easy. With only a handful of newbie vampires left, Ava made swift work of them. She was kind enough to leave them alive, but incapacitated. Killing them wasn’t on her agenda and would bring her no pleasure.

  She heard from a contact at the Tower that the rescue for Gabriella had been successful. She trusted the information. After all she’d spent much time with the man during her time under Damien’s thumb. She didn’t understand why the supernaturals were willing to risk so much for the woman who had stolen Ava’s happiness. News of Sebastian had reached her as well. That was a loss. She hadn’t wished harm on him, especially after their extraordinary night together. He was a gifted lover that Ava had hoped to experience again, preferably as herself in his eyes this time. She hadn’t thought much of his sudden interest in her when she activated her spell. She had tried to seduce him many times before, if only to hurt Gabriella.

  When the angel took her on the desk in Damien’s office, she thought her spell had made him admit how much he truly desired her. But at the moment of his climax he called out Gaby, enraging Ava. He hadn’t been the first she shared her body with since Anton, but he had certainly been the best.

  The look of disbelief and disdain that morphed on his face when he realized who she was, was the final straw. This leverage wasn’t enough to completely effectuate her revenge, but it was at least a nail in the coffin of it.

  Now that he was dead, Ava felt some semblance of revenge on Gabriella. The love she had for the angel was obvious, especially after the stunt she pulled breaking Ava’s neck, and now he was gone, leaving Gabriella brokenhearted just as Ava was over Anton. But Ava didn’t feel happy about it. She was impassive.

  She walked through an alleyway trying to reach the yellow cars ahead. She wanted out of the city as quickly as possible. It’d taken a few days to arrange her travel to be done by night, but it had been a necessary risk. Not to mention she had wanted to hear news of Gabriella’s demise.

  Almost to the mouth of the alley, something streaked in front of her causing her steps to falter. She paused debating her next action. Deciding to retreat to find another way, Ava spun only to find four werewolves standing behind her. Trying her original path, several vampires blocked that exit too. What was this? She thought to herself, noticing the wolves and vampires together.

  Using her supernatural gifts, she bent her knees and leapt onto the lowest rooftop, barely making it to the top. She gasped when she saw the sight that awaited her there. Vampires and werewolves surrounded her on the rooftop. She glanced at the buildings around her, thinking she could leap to another, but they were there too. Back in the alley, the beings had filled in like ants, blocking her retreat. No matter which way she turned, a supernatural being was there awaiting her.

  The crowd on the rooftop parted as Persephone and a man with caramel skin stepped forward. Ava recognized him from the assembly that was held at Damien’s compound.

  “We had hoped you’d run,” the werewolf alpha grinned wickedly. “Convincing Damien to leave you barely guarded had taken some convincing, but he’d needed the manpower to rescue his daughter. I assured him you wouldn’t get far.”

  Persephone wasn’t as joyful as the wolf about finding Ava. “You have done enough damage, Ava. I tried to save you. If only you had let me.” The New York leader seemed sad.

  “Save me? Please! You denied me my vengeance because she was your daughter,” Ava spat.

  “I denied you because it wasn’t justified. Brokenhearted or not, you should have seen that. Everything you have done, all the trouble you have caused, was all for your misguided notion of self-righteousness?” Persephone sighed. “No matter. You have made your bed, now you must lie in it. There is nothing more I can do for you. I wash my hands of you Avaline Sinclair.” She nodded to the werewolf alpha before turning her back on Ava, retreating through the crowd that swallowed up the nest leader. The alpha gave a signal and everyone began stalking forward.

  “Persephone? What are you doing? You cannot let them harm me! Damien forbade it.”

  The alpha wrapped his hand around Ava’s neck. He was stronger than any other wolf she had encountered, even with the full moon a day away. “That’s where you’re wrong. Damien relinquished his claim on you in the event of your escape. It was a free-for-all. Whoever found you got to decide what to do with you. The New York nest and the New York pack decided to team up. You see, we wanted you and the nest wanted to make sure you would no longer be a problem.” His grip grew tighter and his eyes flared gold. “Did you think you could try to use my son,” he hissed. “To manipulate him into bringing war between the wolves and the vampires?”

  “I did not—” she choked. “Never my intention.”

  He sneered. “Because you didn’t think, you grief-stricken girl!” He growled.

  She felt her hands chained behind her before she was released and sagged to the ground.

  “Load her up boys. Full moon’s tomorrow. Let’s see how she fends against a pack of hungry werewolves.”

  Ava’s eyes widened. “Persephone! You cannot let them do this! Persephone!”

  The alpha shook his head. “She’s got a new grandbaby to go see. You’re all ours.”

  “No!” Ava screamed thrashing around trying to break her restraints but they wouldn’t budge.

  The next night, Ava ran through trees. Her bare feet smacked against the hard ground. The branches whipped and cut her but she ignored the momentary pain as she listened to the sound of howling around her. There was magic in the air as the men and women transformed into beasts. She pushed herself harder than she ever had before. Her life was at risk. She wasn’t formidable against a wolf in general on the full moon, but would be no challenge to a pack. When she broke into a clearing and her heart sank to her stomach before taking off like a jackhammer at the sight of a chestnut colored wolf before her. She heard the sound of branches breaking as more approached. She was out of time. If she had any hope of saving herself she needed to get past the wolf before her. Something in the wolf’s eyes held a familiarity.

  “Shawn?” she asked hoping he’d let her pass. The wolf growled an ear-piercing cry before he lunged. Ava screamed as his teeth and claws tore into her. Her eyes widened as the other wolves charged in, landing on her in a heap to assist the young wolf. Her death wasn’t quick, thanks to her vampire nature. As a pack, they ripped apart and feasted on the vampire that had caused so much trouble making sure she would no longer cause a problem for the world again. It was an act that lasted until dawn when the sun rose, ending Ava for permanently.

  Epilogue - Gaby

  Sand brushed my skin as I sat on the beach looking at the sun setting. The ocean was barely lapsing at my toes. I sighed contently leaning back against the man who held my heart. I sat between his knees resting my arms on his thighs.

  “We needed this,” he whispered against my neck before kissing up the column. I giggled trying to block him.

  “We did,” I agreed glancing at him over my shoulder bringing his lips to mine. I felt my passion for him ignite and began getting lost in his kiss. His fingers glided over my thigh and brushed my sensitive flesh over my swimsuit. The sound of giggling brought me back to reality. “Grayson,” I sighed looking down the beach to see if anyone noticed.

  My father stood in the shallow water tossing Ian in the air while Charlie waited his turn. Shawn stood out in the deeper water waiting for the toss. Standing next to his husband, Stefan. They met two years ago when Stefan transferred into the New York pack. Keeping his sexual identity a secret from his father was not an option for Shawn once Stefan appeared in his life.

  When he finally grew the nerve to tell his father, Diesel replied, “Why do you feel the need to tell me this?” Shawn instantly interpreted it as bad, but his dad explained. “Would you feel the need to tell me if you were straight?” When Shawn replied no, the alpha continued. “Then why? You are who you are, son. You shouldn’t feel the need to explain that to anyone, including me.” After all the worrying Shawn had done over the years, it was all for not. His dad didn’t care whom his son chose to love as long as he was treated right and grandchildren were a must.

  I gazed at the beach where Grayson’s mother sat holding Mathew who was too small to be tossed like his brothers. When Grayson’s father passed away a year after Ian was born, Mrs. Alexander moved into the compound at Damien’s insistence.

  Having his mother surrounded by vampires wasn’t what Grayson wanted, but having her out in Boston wasn’t either. When I found myself pregnant shortly after, naming our baby after his father was an easy choice. Charlie worked whether we had a boy or girl. It just happened to be yet another son.

  I flinched when I felt pressure in my ribs. Grayson’s hand immediately covered the spot rubbing it out.

  “She’s active today,” he stated. I nodded and sighed feeling the pressure ebb. Only his touch soothed our daughter. She was already daddy’s little girl. “You know what would help?” his thumb brushed over my nipple.

  “Grayson!” I gasped, but enjoying his touch.

  “They’re all distracted. Just stay quiet.” He angled us until his back was to our family. I parted my thighs watching his hand slide between them. When he pushed my swimsuit aside and I felt his fingertips brush my folds, I gasped. “Be quiet,” he hissed kissing my neck. I turned my head into his neck while his fingers worked me into an erotic bliss. When I felt the rush of pleasure flood me, I buried my face into his neck silencing my moans. Once I was settled he readjusted my swimsuit then kissed me. With the endorphins flooding me, the baby settled even if just temporarily.

  I had already passed my due date so we were on a mission to bring about labor. Doctor B had even joined us on the outing and was busy resting back at the house waiting for the sun to disappear from the sky.

  “You two think you’re so clever, don’t you?” I glanced up seeing Jade standing over us with her hand on her hips.

  “How long have you been there?” I asked feeling like a teenager being caught. Being embarrassed about my sex life didn’t happen anymore. It was obvious by our three boys and our daughter on the way that we were rather active. For vampires, our situation was extremely unusual. Vampires could try for decades to conceive before being successful, but every time our mating bond took over, normally a year after giving birth, Grayson and I were drawn to each other like magnets. After Charlie, we tried to avoid each other, but it just made him find me in my office at Social Productions, where he spent the next twenty hours taking me all over the room. When we conceived our daughter, we had thought to be prepared with condoms since we knew we couldn’t avoid each other, but we hadn’t bothered when the moment took us. We were the most fertile vampires on the planet. Our baby girl was the last for a while though. Doctor B had received a contraceptive developed by a nest in Europe. When the signs started appearing, I’d go see her. Grayson and I would still enjoy the mind altering sex, but without worrying that I’d have to birth to another child unless we wanted.

  “Long enough to know you horn dogs need to take it to your room.” She shook her head disapprovingly which only made Grayson chuckle. “We’ve got the kids. Go enjoy before all those sleepless nights keep you from it for awhile.”

  Grayson stood stretching out his tall frame. I admired him bare-chested in his swim trunks with sunglasses on, looking more like a model than a businessman. He helped me stand before we walked hand-in-hand down the beach. Seeing us approach, Mathew jumped out of his grandmother’s arms rushing towards us.

  “Mama,” he wrapped around my leg. I brushed his brown hair back looking into his gray eyes. “Fly?” he pointed to the water. I groaned glaring at Grayson who tried to hide his smile by biting his lip. Damien stalked out of the water. His youthful form made him look more like my brother than my father.

  “I told him it was up to you,” he shrugged dripping from the ocean. Seeing my hesitation he whispered. “I’d never let anything happen, Gabriella. Trust me.”

  I sighed looking down at the little boy pleading up to me. “Have mimi put your floaties on.”

  “Floaties?” Mathew asked excitedly. When I nodded he darted back to Grayson’s mother.

  I eyed Damien with a look that said more than words. “I promise,” he held his hand up before retrieving my youngest son from the beach and carrying him into the water.

  “You worry too much, Gaby.” Grayson wrapped his arms around me, watching our boys scream with joy as their grandfather tossed them to where Shawn stood. He’d immediately grab them, saving them from the waves.

  “He’s pretty great with them, isn’t he?” I asked watching my dad.

  “He is and they love him.”

  I nodded in agreement. He’d already missed out on so much with me that I was glad he was here for his grandchildren.

  That night I laid wrapped in my husband’s arms. When I opened my eyes I saw familiar green eyes watching me from the door. His lips spread into a classic smile making my heart skip a beat.

  “I was wondering when you were going to come see me,” I mumbled sleepily with a smirk.

  He nodded before turning his back to me. I carefully climbed out of bed and slid into some shorts.

  Holding his hand out to me when I approached, Sebastian tugged me to him and we dissipated into the beach.

  “Sorry it’s taken so long,” he stated before releasing me. “I don’t get to decide.”

  I shrugged grateful nonetheless that he was here now. “I know, but I’m so ready for this to be done. I’d love to not be pregnant for while.”

  We walked hand-in-hand down the beach on the wet sand just as we had years ago when I was pregnant with Ian. Only now was different. I was no longer weighted down with possibilities I couldn’t control. Instead I was able to enjoy the company of the man who was there to protect my children.

  “You know, after she’s born, if you follow through with your plan, you won’t see me for while.”

  After his first visit, Sebastian would arrive shortly before I gave birth and then again shortly after. The first was his way of telling me he would be the guardian of my child. The later was to establish the bond to keep them safe.