Back in the temple, Jamie sat with Naryia, both of them leaning against one another. The nekorian's tail was wrapped around Jamie's side as they watched the sun set. A flood of power had pushed everyone out of the temple but for Luna.

"What do you think is happening?" Naryia asked.

"James is being James," Jamie said with a smile. "It's hard to say what he broke this time."

"I don't think he broke anything." Touching her stomach, Naryia smiled at the flickering flame of her soul. "I didn't think he would let me join the family."

"I had to bribe him," Jamie said with a laugh.

"With what?"

"I told him I would stop flirting with all of his women if he converted you. Does that make me a bad person?"

Giggling, Naryia kissed Jamie's cheek. "No, but I believe you owe me a tail brushing. After all, I'm the only one that has to put up with you now."

"Hey!" Jamie protested. "I'm not that bad!"

"Jamie, Dear, you are hornier than a dog in heat. I can barely keep up."

"We could always get another girlfriend."

Expression falling, Naryia pushed her away. Crossing her arms, she leveled a flat look at Jamie. "Really?"

Wincing, Jamie mimed zipping her lips.

"You're supposed to be the smart one," Naryia grumbled. "Plus, no one would date you. You're impossible to be around most of the time. I feel like I'm cursed."

"Harsh!"

Laughing, Naryia shook her head. "I'm only joking. But no, I'm not looking to add more to our relationship."

Smiling, Jamie scooted back over to the nekorian. "Very well. Do you think my brother is doing okay?"

"He's with James. Nothing is going to harm them."

"It's been a little over a month since you were saved," Jamie whispered. "It's only been a little over a year since James awoke his soul. How the hell did everything happen so quickly?"

"I don't know, but I wonder what he'll do next. Mender's girlfriend is still waiting for him."

"Maybe we can steal her."

Smacking Jamie's arm, Naryia sighed. "You're impossible."

"Impossibly cute!"

"Meh."

"Meh? Am I not cute?"

"Meh."

Grumbling, Jamie fell into silence. Naryia watched the moon rise in the sky, showing before the sun fully set. The broken orbital body was a reminder that the world had nearly been ripped apart. James was the only reason that future generations were going to be able to explore the world in peace. No more monsters, no more nests, no more rents. The wastelands had been reclaimed, and the animals were changing back to their former appearances. The world was healing. Even now, Naryia could see small panthers, horned rabbits, and many other animals darting around the clearing. Shadow Paw oversaw all of them, laughing with the children as they chased one another.

It was peaceful and she never needed to fight again. At least she hoped she didn't. She never liked fighting, but she did enjoy cooking. Once Luna was done, she planned on starting dinner for everyone. That was the perfect way to relax for the afternoon.

Epilogue 2

Mender entered the hospital, his palms sweaty as he scanned the open space. He could feel Autumn further in the hospital, working on a patient as she pushed her Aether into their wounds.

The receptionist nearly stopped him until she recognized him from a few months prior. She was about to greet him when he waved her off and headed to the exam room.

Pushing open the door, he caught sight of Autumn helping an elderly man with a broken leg. "Called for a consult?" he asked.

Autumn whirled on him with an angry expression. "This is a private—" her words died on her lips as she met his gaze. "Brandon? You're back?"

"Hello, Autumn." Stepping fully into the room, he touched the man's leg and finished healing it. Turning to Autumn, he took her hand. "I told you I would only be gone for a few months."

Blushing, she shook her head. "I thought you were just saying that as an excuse to leave me."

Chuckling, Mender gave her his best smile. "Not at all. Would you like to get dinner with me? I'd like to talk to you about a few things."

Pushing the elderly man out of the room, she pulled Mender into a kiss. "Are we going to continue to go on dates?"

"I'd like to," he admitted. "My brother talked me into moving into the city for now. He thought I'd like to be closer to you and work."

"Oh, you had to get permission?" she teased.

"Sort of," Mender admitted while rubbing the back of his neck. "That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about."

"You're serious?" Autumn asked.

"He's the one that closed the rents…so yes, I needed his approval," Mender said slowly.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Jaw dropping, Autumn grabbed his arm. "Your brother did what?" she shouted.

Chuckling, Mender shrugged. "Family life is complicated. Just be ready to meet him at the restaurant."

"He's here? Right now? I'm not even dressed for a date."

"That won't matter to him." Tugging on her hand, he led her out of the building. They didn't talk much as they walked the few blocks to meet James. Autumn was roiling with hesitation and nerves. But when they entered the restaurant, they found it empty. All save for one man with a single server dropping off wine.

"James!" Mender called out cheerily.

James stood and regarded Autumn for a moment before hugging Mender. "She seems nervous. What did you tell her?"

"You really defeated the rents?" she blurt out.

Frowning, James gave Mender a flat look. "Really, Mender? You led with that?"

With a weak laugh, Mender shrugged. "Can you blame me. It's hard to ease someone into our family."

Gesturing to the table, James led them over. "Please sit. Food will be right out."

Amber hesitantly sat next to Mender and scooted closer, distancing herself from James. "You don't feel like a cultivator."

"I'm not," James admitted. "I'd show you what I am, but Mender would try and kill me."

Mender sighed and nodded. "Please don't. I really like Autumn."

"I can feel that." James turned to her. "And you really like him."

"What do you mean when you say you can feel that?" Autumn asked, her nervousness bleeding out.

"Just that," James stated. "But I won't say more for now. Mender will ease you into things until you can accept the truth." Getting up, James snapped his fingers and the server rushed over. "Make sure they have the best you can offer. They are in love, and your meal needs to show it."

"Yes, Sir!" The woman bowed before hurrying off to the kitchens.

"I'm leaving," James said suddenly. "You two have fun. If you need anything, you know how to reach me." Walking away, he simply disappeared, but Mender knew he had only distorted the senses of everyone.

"He vanished!" Autumn gasped.

"He's just being dramatic," Mender huffed. "Show off!"

James laughed as he left the building.

"Now that we are alone, let's talk about our future," Mender said as he turned his attention fully to Autumn.

"I think you owe me a few dates for leaving for so long." Smirking, she crossed her arms. "And we'll be going to your place after this."

Matching her smile, he said, "sounds like a wonderful plan. I hope you don't mind me using a little healing magic to treat us."

"I'm counting on it."

***

James greeted Tian with open arms, startling the man. "How've you been?"

Tian held his wife's hand. "How did you find us?"

"I changed your soul, Tian," James said drily. "You're like a beacon in this city."

Sighing, Tian shook his head. "Why are you here?"

Gesturing to his wife and child, James said, "I want to offer them the same thing I gave you. It's a more refined process now and they won't have the hunger, but they will live forever. You won't have to worry about living without them. Also, I put together a small town for our people."

"Can I think about it?"

"Sure." James regarded the wife for a moment. "Talk some sense into him. I have a sect to visit."

With Tian thinking about the future, James headed toward the elevator. Luna met him along the way, having stopped at an apothecary for a few things.

"The demi-human district has never looked better," she commented. "It seems the sect is really trying."

"Good. Do you think Tim and Veronica will be happy to see us?"

Snorting a laugh, Luna shook her head. "I doubt it. Let's go easy on them."

"Where would be the fun in that?"

Rolling her eyes, Luna smacked his arm.

***

It was several months later when James reached the temple with Tian. The Elson brothers had a manor set up for the man already, furnished and ready to move in. His little girl was ecstatic to play with Shadow Paw and his children, while Tian and his wife Margery struggled to process their new home. Not to mention the temple.

"This is a bit much," Tian stated.

"Nonsense," James said with a laugh. "This is what retirement is supposed to be like."

"Retirement?"

"Yup. Now if you'll excuse me, I promised Luna a date night." James didn't hesitate to walk off, returning to the temple where his Fenrir wife was already drawing a bath. They had plenty of plans to occupy their night, and with most of the matters handled, it was time to start working on the next generation.

Epilogue 3

"Dad! Wake up!"

James cracked an eye open. Standing by his side was a gaggle of children, all holding books. The night sky was bright with stars as he stretched in his chair around the firepit.

"Which mother sent you?" James asked.

"Zenaria," Jace said with a smirk. He was the oldest Fenrir and held the thickest book. "She says you've been lazy all day while she's slaved away."

Opening his other eye, James sighed. "I'm guessing I'm supposed to read a story for bed?"

Little Malory nodded. She was youngest kitsune and only had three soft tails swaying behind her. A mix of gray and black fur teased the leg of her brother. "Read mine, please?"

Malory may have been the youngest, but she was still over five years old. Jace was the oldest at nine and had three other siblings his age. All brothers that caused more trouble than they solved.

"Hand me the book," James said with a yawn. "Let's see how long we can take before your mothers come yell at me."

Jace chuckled. "Mom is already watching from the doorway."

Wincing, James earned a few good hearted laughs. "Okay, okay, I'll get started." Taking the book, he flipped it open. "This is an old one. Very old. Where did you guys even get it?"

"Uncle Mender found it in the city," Malory answered.

"Of course he did." Smiling, James started to read.

***

Once all twelve kids were asleep, James slunk into his bedroom. Luna was at the mirror, touching her swollen stomach and wincing before glowering at him. "This is your fault!"

"You're half the equation," he countered. "I don't hear the others complaining."

Amber walked in after him, looking behind on her pregnancy. "If you want to complain, Luna, I can handle him for a few nights."

Scoffing, Luna shook her head. "Message Mender already. We are going to need him and Autumn before long. Tell them to bring Anthony. He doesn't see his cousins enough."

Spreading out his soul, James nudged Mender as the man rested for the night. He didn't need to do anything more than that to get the man to come in the morning. With how far along Luna was, it was only going to be a few days before they were welcoming another little one into their lives.

Zenaria and Grace came in after a few minutes, barely showing as they climbed into bed. They had tucked the kids in. After the first births, Coral moved to the city and opened a shop for Jamie and Naryia. The two women enchanted items for Coral to sell and now lived in a manor outside the temple. Linda married Bronson and moved in next door, and spent the days planting and growing her garden to feed the kids. Boris and Brakin found wives and lived in the city, helping with the infrastructure.

The temple was fully for James, his wives, and the children. Rooms had been added on, creating a nexus of activity. Shadow Paw and his children roamed with the children, keeping them safe and teaching them how to hunt. Strong Beak shared stories of his travels and epic battles that he witnessed.

Priest worked in the capital of the Underworld, advising the new king and queen. He was the liaison for James. Mender and Autumn settled into the married life and worked at the hospital still. Their little boy, Anthony was learning all he could about alchemy.

Tian and his family settled down to have more children, building their small community. It had been ten years since retirement and James hadn't killed a single person. He had effectively disappeared from the world, only giving a nudges here and there while growing his family. It was the life he wanted and wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Massage me?" Luna asked softly.

Pulled from his rumination, James nodded. "That sounds nice. Climb into bed and I'll massage all four of you. No funny business, Amber."

"Oh, come on," she protested. "You know what I'm like when I'm pregnant."

Zenaria giggled. "Naughty kitty."

Huffing, Amber crossed her arms and lay on her back. "This better be the best damn massage ever."

Laughing, James grabbed the oil and joined his ladies. He had to work quickly before one of his daughters wandered in, asking to be tucked in again.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.