That makes me laugh, and the tension eases. “Deal.”
The truck growls to life.Holt reaches across the seat and tightens my seat belt, like he doesn’t quite trust it to keep me safe. His hand lingers at my collarbone, thumb brushing my skin. “You know I love you?” he murmurs.
“Maybe?” A smile tugs at my lips. He tells me he loves me a hundred times a day, and I never get tired of hearing it.
“I love you, Lila. More than anything.”
My smile spreads into a grin. “Me too.”
The tires crunch as we start the long descent down the mountain.
I glance at him. One hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on my thigh—warm, heavy, possessive. The flannel he’s wearing stretches over his shoulders; he looks so masculine, so handsome. I don’t think I’ll ever stop drinking him in.
“You’re quiet,” he comments.
“Just thinking.”
“About what?”
I smile faintly. “About meeting the people who createdthis.” I gesture to him—all six feet plus of stubborn, protective bear.
He chuckles. “You’re gonna charm the fur off them, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, but I’m still human,” I tease. “What if the clan doesn’t accept me?”
That earns me a growl. “You’re notjusthuman. You’remine.That’s all that matters.”
I bite my lip, warmth unfurling in my chest. “You keep saying that like it’s supposed to calm me down.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Not even a little.”
He grins and squeezes my thigh. “Then I’ll just have to remind you later.”
The road curves around, and the valley opens below us—golden lights scattered between dark trees, a trail of bonfire smoke twisting into the night. After days of nothing but snow and silence, it looks impossibly alive.
I look out the window, heart thudding, and whisper, “Your clan home.”
His fingers tighten around mine. “And you’re part of it now.”
The lodge comesinto view just as twilight settles over the valley—a sprawling timber house strung with lights, smoke curling from the chimney, laughter spilling out through the open doors. Trucks and snowmobiles crowd the yard.
Holt parks at the edge of the clearing and kills the engine. For a second, I just sit there, taking it all in. I can hear kids shouting somewhere nearby, a dog barking, someone calling for more cider. The world feels suddenly big again after our quiet little cabin.
Holt glances at me. “Ready?”
“Yup,” I say, but there’s a tremble in my voice.
He squeezes my hand. “They’ll love you.”
I open the door and step out into a wave of warmth and sound. The cold nips at my cheeks, but before I can even adjust, a man with the same broad shoulders as Holt strides up and claps him on the back.
“Well, look who remembered his clan!” he booms. “Thought you’d gone full hermit.”
Holt grins. “Maybe I just found a reason to come back.”
The man’s eyes flick to me, curiosity quickly turning to amusement. “Ah.Thiswould be the reason.”
