Talon nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And he proudly gave me his blessing.”
A laugh bubbled from her throat as she wiped a tear away. “He’s probably just happy some poor soul is taking me off his hands so he can drink his beer in peace.” She smiled up at him, voice trembling. “But thank you, Talon. For including him. That… that means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“I know what he means to you, Willow.” His hand came up to cradle her cheek, his thumb sweeping tenderly over her skin. “Which means he’s just as important to me.”
Her breath hitched, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. The music, the night, and warmth all wrapped around them like a promise. Then, with a sly smile, Willow tilted her head and glanced toward the thinning crowd. “So… about that truck?”
Talon arched an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You really are dead set on that truck, aren’t you?”
She laughed, biting her lip. “I can’t stop thinking about it. You did say you’d do anything to make me happy.”
Before she could blink, Talon bent and scooped her effortlessly into his arms, making her squeal in surprise.
“I didn’t mean right now!” she laughed as he took off at a run, carrying her toward the gravel drive. “What about the party?”
“What party?” he growled playfully, voice low and teasing as he set her gently in the passenger seat.
Willow was still laughing when he jumped into the driver’s side, his eyes dark and filled with heat. The truck roared to life, gravelcrunching beneath the tires as he steered toward the edge of the woods.
“Where are we going?” she asked breathlessly, half-laughing, half-anticipating.
He glanced at her, a devilish smile curving his lips. “Somewhere we won’t be interrupted.”
The trees swallowed them up as he turned down a secluded dirt path, the soft glow of the party lights fading behind them. Willow’s laughter quieted, her heartbeat quickening in time with the rumble of the truck. She didn’t need to ask where they were headed; she trusted him completely.
And as Talon tossed her a wink, his hand brushing hers over the seat between them, the unspoken promise in his gaze told her everything she needed to know. Tonight, the Alpha wasn’t just hers in title. He was hers in every way that mattered.
