Authors: T.L. Mitchell
Caitlin
moved
quickly
into
Adriel’s
arms,
embracing
him
tightly.
“I
can’t
promise
you
forever,
but
as
long
as
I
live
I
will
love
and
protect
you.”
“I
don’t
need
forever,
I
just
need
you,”
Caitlin
whispered
against
his
lips,
as
she
drew
him
closer.
The
moon
was
still
young
that
night.
Caitlin
and
Adriel
were
free
to
live
their
lives
together
in
love.
Adriel
knew
it
was
not
the
strength
of
the
wolf
which
killed
Dorian.
Nor
was
it
a
curse.
The
power
of
love
freed
them
both.
The
type
of
love
that
was
strong
enough
to
break
any
curse.
For
once
in
their
lives
they
could
live
and
love
freely.
Chapter
9
Thirteen
years
later….Caitlin
sat
in
the
middle
of
a
beautiful
green
meadow.
Purple,
pink
and
white
wild
flowers
surrounded
her
as
she
reached
for
a
tan
picnic
basket.
The
breeze
stirred
softly
around
her,
tossing
her
blond
hair
around
her
face.
Her
soft
pink
lips
pursed
together
as
her
fingers
gently
removed
the
stray
strands
from
her
face.
A
little
girl,
twelve
years
old
sat
at
the
edge
of
the
blue
and
green
blanket
giggling
softly
as
she
grabbed
the
nose
of
a
large
wolf.
The
wolf
playful
nudged
the
child.
“Adriel,
come
now.
It’s
time
to
eat,”
Caitlin
announced.
She
opened
the
picnic
basket
and
pulled
out
an
array
of
sandwiches.
The
wolf
turned
back
into
his
human
form.
Adriel
dressed
in
his
jeans
and
joined
his
family
on
the
blanket.
“Is
this
the
life
you
dreamed
of
my
dear?”
he
cooed
softly
to
Caitlin.
Caitlin’s
eyes
fluttered
as
the
corner
of
her
lips
turned
into
a
smile.
“A
life
with
you
was
all
I
dreamed
of
my
love.”
“And
me
too
daddy!”
the
little
girl
stood
and
plowed
on
top
of
her
parents.
Adriel
laughed
a
hardy
laugh
as
he
caught
the
child
in
his
arms.
“Yes
Eliza.
And
you
too.”
Caitlin
smiled
broadly,
watching
Eliza
in
the
arms
of
her
father.
She
had
that
same
dark
tanned
skin
and
those
same
black
eyes.
Eliza
was
her
father’s
child
in
more
ways
than
one.
“Will
I
get
to
be
a
wolf
one
day
daddy?”
Eliza
asked
in
a
bright
and
cheerful
voice.
“Yes,
my
dear
Eliza
you
will
be
a
wolf
one
day,”
Adriel
answered
as
he
situated
her
on
his
lap
with
a
sandwich
between
her
hands.
“Then
I’m
going
to
be
the
best
wolf
ever!”
Eliza
announced
proudly.
“I’m
sure
you
will,”
Caitlin
spoke
softly.
The
evening
had
come
to
a
close
and
Adriel
walked
his
family
back
home
to
the
small
chateau
nestled
in
the
heart
of
his
homeland.
Ireland
remained
the
place
where
he
considered
home.
He
knew
in
his
heart
Caitlin
was
elated
to
be
somewhere
closer
to
where
she
grew
up.
It
had
been
quite
a
long
trip
for
the
both
of
them.
Adriel
stopped
in
front
of
the
door
and
turned
to
Caitlin,
his
eyes
and
heart
full
of
joy.
He
realized
even
though
she
had
aged
a
few
years,
she
was
as
beautiful
as
the
day
they
broke
the
dreadful
curse.
“We
are
home
once
again.”
He
opened
the
door
for
the
two
loveliest
ladies
in
his
life.
Caitlin
paused
while
Eliza
ran
into
the
house.
Slowly
her
eyes
lifted
to
Adriel’s.
Could
she
be
more
in
love
with
this
man?
After
thirteen
years
she
still
felt
the
same
love
flow
over
her
as
that
first
night
they
were
together.
“Adriel,
I
believe
I
love
you
more
now
than
I
did
thirteen
years
ago,”
she
purred,
moving
closer
into
his
arms.
A
soft
growl
rumbled
deep
in
his
chest.
“And
I
you…my
love.
We
are
here
and
there
is
nothing
else
we
need.”
“Well
one
thing…”
Caitlin
giggled.
“Maybe
an
extra
baby
room.”
Adriel’s
body
stiffened.
His
eyes
widened
in
surprise.
“You
mean…?”
he
began
breathlessly.
Caitlin’s
broad
smile
ensured
she
wasn’t
teasing
the
hunk
of
man
she
married.
“I
guess,
when
you
said
you
wanted
a
pack
of
kids…”
she
began.
“A
pack
is
fine
with
me,
as
long
as
you
are
the
mother
of
my
brood,”
he
spoke
proudly
and
swooped
her
into
his
arms.
“It’s
a
forever
thing
you
know.”
Caitlin
nuzzled
her
face
next
to
his.
“Yes…”
her
lips
moved
lightly
against
Adriel’s.
“A
forever
kind
of
thing.”