“Cake?” Bass prompted, hovering the chocolate cake in front of her.
Handing him Nico’s gift, Katalina took the plate from him in exchange and dug the fork into the gooey chocolate layer and lifted it into her mouth. “Mmm,” she groaned as it set her taste buds alight.
“Best birthday cake, ever.”
“I have a surprise for you,” Bass whispered, turning her around. “Close your eyes.”
And when she opened them again, it was to find Toby walking through the doors, a small black puppy in his arms, with one white ear and a spot on the left side of his nose.
“Meet Lacy,” Bass murmured, kissing her cheek as he took the plate of cake from her. “I thought it was time.”
Toby placed the wiggling, excited puppy into her arms, and she licked her face, scrambling up her chest for better access. And Katalina realized it was time. Time for birthday parties and gifts, new babies, and new joys. It was time for the past to truly be in the past.
“I love her, Bass,” she whispered, smiling through happy tears. “I love you.”
And finally, four years since her birthday became a nightmare, Katalina was able to see the day as a celebration. See the day as a marking of a new year of possibilities and not another year of loss.
Life would never be easy, but with Bass and the packs at her side, it was as perfect as she could ever dream it to be.
The End
Acknowledgements
Where do I start? I should probably appoglogize for the tears you’ve just shed — don’t blame me it was my muse.
Wolf Queen… the end of a series and the end of a journey for me. Kat and Bass have been on a long hard road over the years, and as I’ve written their story and those of their family and friends, I too struggled.
I’d like to first thank every reader that picked up WINTER WOLF and stayed with the Dark Shadow and River Run packs until the end. Your encourgenment and love for this series has filled my heart and driven me on.
Secondly I’d like to thank my mum, for her unwavering support and honest words. Thank you for watching the kids, bringing me cups of tea, and a continuious supply of food as I got lost in the depths of my mind.
A big thanks is owed to my dad, for his stunning book covers, teaser graphics, keeping my website upto date and beautiful, and every other little thing you do in between.
And finally to the readers I call friends, to the bloggers, bookstagrammers, reveiwers, and book pimpers of the world. Keep shouting loud about the books you love. We authors need you!
I hope you all loved this final installment to the series, I have lived and breathed it over the years. I am sad to turn the final page, but I think Kat, Bass and the gang deserve a rest. And who knows, maybe some of the younger generations will be back…
“Toby? Do you hear me?!”
Author Bio
Rachel M. Raithby started her writing career in 2013 and hasn’t looked back.
She draws her inspiration from the many places she has lived and traveled, as well as from her love of Romance, the paranormal and thriller movies.
She can often be found hiding out with a good book or writing more fast-paced and thrilling stories where love always conquers all.
Keep up to date with Rachel
www.rachelmraithby.com
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon
