Amara cried out his name from beneath him, thrusting to meet him with every breath. All she could feel was him—his touch, his breath, his shivers as she slowly unraveled him with each stroke. She wouldn’t last much longer, and as she gazed into his excited and heated eyes she knew he was close as well.
She rose up to cling to him as he called her name. Everything suddenly fell away and, wrapped in each other’s warmth, they welcomed paradise.
Nova fell to the sheets beside her, his body giving off little shudders of pleasure as he caught his breath. His eyes were closed, fluttering with each tiny shock of pleasure, and Amara couldn’t help but just simply admire the man she’d been so lucky to marry and call her husband.
How could she be so lucky? All she’d done was nearly gotten killed by a homicidal maniac that could shift into a beast with fangs and claws all those years ago. She hardly deserved the perfection that was Nova Lowery. He was perfect; he was beautiful and smart, powerful and kind and he loved with everything he had. She’d never understand what he saw in her, why he’d chosen her of all people, but she’d never stop being grateful for it. She couldn’t imagine her life without the wolf who devoted his life to saving hers.
As if he sensed her staring at him, his eyelids flickered lightly, opening his dark eyes to meet hers. Slowly a smile crept across his lips as he took her in. “What are you thinking about, gorgeous?”
Amara’s heart soared. She loved him so much. “Just how beautiful you are, is all,” she replied with a reciprocating grin.
Nova chuckled. “You must think pretty highly of me considering you had the pleasure of looking at yourself in the mirror every day.”
Amara gave a lazy shrug, her body still limp in post orgasmic bliss. “Eh. I’m not really my type.” This time Nova’s laugh was jovial.
“I love you so, so much, Amara Lowery. If you can crack jokes like I know and love for you to, then I know you’ll be fine.” He caressed her face and she snuggled into the palm of his hand, making him grin. “Now let’s try and get a bit more sleep, love. You’ve got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow.” Amara burrowed deep into Nova’s chest, tangling their legs together as she found solace in his close embrace.
He petted her hair as she dozed. “I’ll be right here, every moment of every day, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll protect you tonight, tomorrow, and every day after until the end of time. So get some sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Nestled lovingly in Nova’s strong arms, Amara Lowery drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
***
As promised, Nova didn’t move from his place at Amara’s side until she woke a few hours later. She seemed to be in a better mood, if in a rush, but he couldn’t blame her for that. She moved about the cabin in a flurry of energy that he hadn’t seen her display in nearly a week. With a quick peck on the lips before she breezed out the door, he was just happy to see her so much like herself finally. Maybe she was right; maybe she just needed normal.
He wanted nothing more than for life to return to normal for him as well. Unfortunately, war was often more than just the battle, and with Nemoy still on bedrest recovering slower than normal from the war wounds he’d endured, it meant that Nova was going to be a very busy man for a while. Luckily, Strathford came out relatively unscathed, and though Nova initially worried about rogues taking advantage of them in their post-war confusion, the borders remained quiet. Small victories, he guessed. He kept up with the wolves’ training, but at least for the time-being, it wasn’t a primary concern. Word of potential weakness travelled fast. Nova noticed unfamiliar wolf scents had begun crossing into their territory more often following their battle with the Valley. This compelled him to strengthen border patrols in hopes that none of these strangers wanted to cause anything more than a bit mischief. Similar to the war, it required a great deal of time and training, but as Leader of the Guard, it was his job to do so.
In between training sessions, Nova met with the Council to run through what he’d say to the Tribunal in defense of his actions against Kal Vann, ultimately resulting in death. He wasn’t too worried about those proceedings; his judgement was sound, his conscience was clear, and if he were able to go back and do it all again, he wouldn’t change a thing. Amara would always be his first priority, no matter whose blood he had to get on his hands to keep it that way.
He’d also sat in on the trial and deliberations regarding Isiah Levens. It was a pretty open and shut case. All of the incriminating evidence was too obvious to dispute, and Isiah didn’t try to hide his motives once he’d be found out. Nova recalled the worst bit of the trial was his mother’s emotional well-being during it. As a high ranking member of the Council and former female Alpha, she’d always kept up a particular appearance that Nova both admired and had always felt intimidated by. But austere and disciplined in her demeanor and in all things, Nova knew that Neveah Lowery had once seen something of a friend in Isiah Levens. They weren’t necessarily joined at the hip, but they’d shared a particular view of the world that even most other wolves couldn’t fully understand.
Thinking back, Nova figured that was probably when everything between the two elders had changed. Before Amara, his mother and Isiah were both agreeable in their unwavering hatred for humankind, working to protect the people of Strathford only because their Alpha bid it done. Neveah initially abhorred his then girlfriend, and even now after everything had changed, it still hurt his heart to think back on a time when he had to choose between love and family. But like always, Amara was determined to have his mother think better of her, and worked unendingly until she’d won her favor. Now that was a memory he loved recounting.
Unfortunately for Isiah, this left him alone in his outrage of humans and Amara where he could once find solace and understanding in Neveah. This drove him to make terrible decisions, betraying his pack and putting everyone in danger.
Nova insisted to his mother that she let him and Nemoy handle Isiah’s trial, but she was adamant on heading it herself. It wasn’t long by any means, but as his mother read off Isiah’s rap sheet in cold, clinical fashion, he couldn’t help but sympathize with how she must be feeling. As the trial came to a close, her verdict of punishment rang out harsh and exacting in the Council Chamber.
Exile, effective immediately.
Not all following events were purely business, though. Nova had a nice bouquet of flowers prepared—Dahlias of course—for Amara at her grand re-opening of Murphy’s. Why she’d insisted on keeping the tavern’s name the same was beyond him, but he tried to keep his irrational jealousy to a minimum. This was her day and he didn’t want to ruin it with ancient history.
He finished dressing for the evening, gathering the flowers and a light jacket before he’d departed his cabin. He decided to swing by Nemoy’s on the way out to see if he was feeling any better, but as his brother’s cabin came into view, the sight he saw made him stop in his tracks.
Iso and Nate had each of Nemoy’s arms slung over their shoulders as they guided him slowly down the outside steps of his cabin. Nova closed the distance between them, confusion evident on his face. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Ivanah!” Nate replied excitedly.
“Her water broke a little while ago. They’re estimating that our main man Nemoy here is going to be a Daddy before sunrise,” Iso said, beaming.
Nova clapped Nemoy on the shoulder in congratulations, and Nemoy hissed in discomfort. “Congrats, brother!” he complimented. “You’re going to be a great dad.”
“Don’t do that again,” Nemoy growled past the pain.
Nova barked a laugh. “Raising a kid is going to be a great deal more painful than a little slap on the arm. It’s best to be prepared.” He waved at the other two men. “Tell Ivanah I said congratulations. And y’all take care of them while I’m out.”
“Ah hell, I just realized this means I’m gonna have to cancel my plans with Sadie tonight,” Nate lamented. Though he was wary
about Nate possibly going through all the troubles that he did with Amara, his old pupil seemed happy and Amara was okay with the budding relationship as well, so he let it go.
Nova laughed. “Don’t fret, kid. She’s crazy about you. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“I’m about to tell her I can’t hang because I have to watch another woman push a child out of her body,” Nate responded, rolling his eyes. “You’re right, that sounds totally understandable.”
“I have a child on the way, and you guys decide that now is a good time to chat?” Nemoy said. He tried to sound firm, but be couldn’t keep a smile off his face, even if it was a bit tired around the edges from fatigue.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right,” Nova agreed. “I’ll let you guys get back to it. Keep me posted,” He called back as he departed. The men waved their goodbyes as he turned the corner out of sight.
***
The nightlife at the Murphy’s Tavern Grand Reopening was in full swing, and Amara couldn’t feel more at home than she did slinging drinks, chatting up regulars, and just all around having a great time. She and Zoe worked in tandem well, syncing their movements to maximize the profitability of the bar they’d decided to co-own with each other.
Zoe in general had really come into her own recently. After what had happened with Mitch, Amara had been afraid for a while that things would sink back into frenemy territory, but surprisingly Zoe took it in stride and became an even better person despite it. She didn’t blame Amara for what had happened; anyone could tell that Amara was head over heels for Nova any day of the week, and it was obviously Mitch who was just not right in the head.
Amara slid a tall glass of beer down the bar as the doors to the tavern swung open. She met Nova’s dark eyes as he handed his jacket to Sam, and her heart did an excited flip flop in her chest. She loved that her body still reacted to him at so much as a glance, and a mischievous glimmer in his eyes told her that he felt much the same. She loved Nova Lowery with every ounce of her being, there was no denying it. She hoped that this love and excitement and giddy anticipation never ceased for as long as they lived.
Nova sauntered slowly up to the bar, leaning in for a kiss before sitting on a nearby stool. “Mrs. Lowery,” he purred against her lips. She replied only with a satisfied, “mmmm.” He tilted his lips close to her ear and whispered, “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, Mr. Lowery,” she responded softly. “I wish I could show you just how much,” she added with a seductive lilt to her voice. The sound of it made Nova’s breath catch in his throat. Goodness, the way this woman affected him…
“Careful, Mrs. Lowery. That could easily be arranged,” he warned, brushing a kiss across her cheek. “Don’t tempt me.”
Amara laughed. “Fine. What’ll it be then, handsome?” she asked, affecting her bartender persona effortlessly.
“Well if I can’t have you, I guess I’ll settle for my usual,” he joked.
“Whiskey on the rocks, coming right up,” she said, already pouring the drink for him.
“And one for yourself as well, of course,” Nova added. He smiled. “For old times’ sake.”
Amara remembered with a shock that they had shared a double on the rocks the first night they’d met. A grin broke out on her face as she nodded. “Okay. And one for me as well.”
They threw back the drinks in unison, their glasses slamming the bar in a jolting chorus as the alcohol worked its magic.
“Can you take a break?” Nova asked. “Just a small one.”
Amara cocked an eyebrow. “And what would we be doing during this break?” she asked, the question heavy with innuendo.
Nova smirked. “Nothing you wouldn’t want to, I’m sure.”
Amara chewed the inside of her cheek in provocative contemplation before turning to Zoe. “Hey, I’m taking five. Think you can handle things without me?”
Zoe looked from Amara to Nova then back. “Yeah, sure. Just make it quick,” she said suspiciously.
Nova led Amara purposefully out of the bar to his truck. She slid in easily into the passenger seat. As Nova entered on the other side, she said, “You know I can’t go running off too far, right?”
Nova leaned over, tilting her chin up to give her a long, sensual kiss. “I know. I just wanted you to myself for a while.” He stared down lovingly at her. “You know I fall more and more in love with you every day, right? You’re the strongest, smartest, most amazing person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I don’t feel like I tell you nearly as much as I should. You’re my rock when I feel the world shifting beneath me, my light when I’m lost in the darkness. Everything I am, everything I’m becoming or ever will be is because of you. Wars and traitors and insanely obsessive wolves be damned, I’ll never regret falling in love with you, Amara Lowery.” He had the grace to look slightly embarrassed at his confession. “I’ve seen shadows of doubt in your eyes from time to time, and though I’m not entirely sure what they mean when I see them… I just wanted you to fully understand how I feel about you, just in case.”
There in the close intimacy of Nova’s truck, listening to him whisper romantic nothings with raw and wholesome honesty in his eyes… Amara came undone. Before she could stop herself, she was shaking with body wracking sobs, unable to stifle the wails or staunch the heavy flow of tears no matter how hard she tried. She knew deep down she must’ve looked terrible, but in that moment it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that, scars and traumas and all the problems that she’d caused Nova and his pack since the first time they’d met, none of it mattered. He loved her just the same. As she hiccupped and cried, he only held her close, petting her head as her body shook against his. In that moment she truly believed she didn’t deserve him.
When her cries finally died down to sniffles, Nova laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Oh! I brought you these,” he said, reaching behind the driver’s seat and pulling forward a chromatic bouquet of fresh-cut Dahlias.
With a laugh, Amara happily accepted the bundle of her favorite flowers from her favorite person. She buried her face in the petals; they smelled like grass, earth, and Nova. The combination was so familiar to her that she couldn’t help but call it home.
“Hey don’t stick your head too far in, you’ll end up poking yourself in your eye with the surprise,” Nova teased. “Go ahead and take a look.”
Amara gently rooted through the stems and leaves, careful not to damage the delicate flowers, and finally her fingers clasped down on a thin pieces of paper. Slowly she pulled what appeared to be a glossy brochure upward out of the bouquet. In the nighttime lights shining downward from the streetlamps, Amara could just barely make out the cozy chimney fire of a ski resort. She looked up at him expectantly without a word.
Nova shrugged. “I figured, well, we haven’t been on our honeymoon yet, so this was as good a time as any to try, try again.” He looked down at the brochure then turned a self-conscious gaze to Amara. “Are you not much a fan of skiing?”
Amara shook her head quickly. “No. I mean yes, I love skiing. This is perfect, Nova. You’re perfect.”
He nodded, elation glowing on his face at her response. “We have a little while yet before the trip. You humans heal slowly, so you still have a fair bit of recovering to do. I wanted to make sure you could do exactly that.”
“If that were true, you’d need to appoint me a slave so I never had to leave the bed,” Amara joked, gazing down at the shiny cardstock.
Nova dipped in a small mock bow. “My life is yours to command.”
Amara laughed. “You cannot be serious.”
He kissed her cheeks where they creased under the weight of her smile. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life. Everything I am is for you, remember?”
She didn’t know how to respond, so she allowed her lips to meet his, hoping that she could express her gratitude with love when words failed her.
Nova’s phone chirped and buzzed in his pocket. For a mome
nt, Amara thought he might ignore the call, but then with a sigh, he reluctantly pulled away. He looked down at the phone at first in frustration, and then a smile beamed brilliantly across his face.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you one more little thing,” he prompted. “As I was leaving the compound to come here, Ivanah went into labor.” Amara’s breath caught in her throat as Nova turned the phone’s screen around to her. On the bright display was a tiny little human swaddled in a thin blue blanket. Words beneath the picture read, “Came sooner than we thought,” followed by measurements and time of birth.
“Say hello to Emery Lowery, your little nephew-in-law,” Nova introduced, his smile as bright as sunshine. It made Amara wonder about if he wanted children of his own someday.
“He’s beautiful,” Amara whispered. She glanced up at him with a smile. “Seeing this new, pure life, I can’t really explain it, but this all makes me feel like things can only get better.”
Nova brushed his lips against hers once more in a tender kiss. “I’ve been saying that since I was seventeen.”
ONE YEAR LATER
“Happy birthday to you!” The crowd sang for Emery as he clapped merrily along.
At Amara’s persuasion and Ivanah’s agreement, Nemoy opted for a small party in Strathford for his son’s first birthday. It wasn’t a large gathering by any means, but they’d invited both wolves and humans alike to the celebration of the Mountain Clan heir.
In the year following the war, Strathford and the Mountain Clan had grown closer than ever before. Where normally Nova and the Protectors would silently watch over the town from afar, they made their scarce routine checks by way of stopping in at the bar or volunteering to help Mac out at the Sheriff’s Office. Many of the humans knew them by name, and some—like Nate—would even call the humans friends. Not everyone in the pack was there yet, but it was progress.
Mountain Wolf Protectors Complete Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 44