“We have the rest of our lives to learn everything about each other,” I say, once I’ve lost sight of Archer and Torin. “Archer isn’t drinking any champagne.”
“And he won’t,” Callum says. “He’s wary of new places and new people. More than the rest of us.”
I scrunch my nose. Conscious that we’re the center of attention on the dance floor, I keep my voice down so no onecan eavesdrop. They’d have to strain to hear over the band, but I’d rather not accidentally spill any of Pack Wells’ secrets in a crowded room. “Why?”
“Because he lost the people he loved, and the person who found him treated him as a thing to be used and disposed of.”
“Who did that?”
He shakes his head, smiling sadly at me. “That’s a long and boring conversation.”
“I don’t think it is. It feels like a painful one. Can I help?”
His smile grows. “You are already helping.” His lips brush mine, and my breath catches.
“My parents are watching,” I whisper. “You shouldn’t kiss me here.”
“Because you don’t like it?” he says, voice husky as his eyes linger on my mouth.
“Because I like it too much.” Our lips brush again. My stomach clenches, my pussy tingles, and I wish the ground were a mattress that Callum would lay me down on.
Someone clears their throat.Loudly. And it must be very loud if I can hear it that clearly over the guitarist.
Swallowing my smile, I inch away from Callum. “That was my mom.”
His eyes flick to the left, and he makes a face. “Yeah, she hates me.”
“She’s hosting, so she won’t be rude, but inside, she is wishing you were at the bottom of the sea.”
“I believe you.” His eyes return to my mouth, and the hunger in them has me forgetting I even have parents. “I want to take you home.”
Need is infecting him as much as it is me. It is eating us both alive.
“What will we do at home?”
“Things we shouldn’t talk about on a dance floor.”
We’d be running out on our own party. My parents would not be happy. But tonight is about us. About our happiness, and the start of the rest of our lives together.
“Okay.” I step back. “Wait a second. I have to say goodbye to my sister first.”
River is hiding out by the refreshment table, as usual. She’s never been a big fan of parties and has always been a little shy. We talked earlier, just the two of us, and she gave me a present to open in my new home.
“For if you ever feel homesick, and for something to do when you can’t sleep at night,” she told me shyly. I’d nearly knocked her to the floor with my hug, tears in my eyes because I’d known exactly what it was.
I draw her into another tight hug, inhaling her sweet and buttery toffee scent and already missing her. Tomorrow morning, she’s going back to Haven Academy to live on campus where students aren’t allowed to have cell phones, and I’ll only see her when she has a break for the holidays.
“Never settle, sis,” I whisper into her ear. “Something amazing could be just around the corner. If you settle, you’ll miss it.”
“You’re that happy?” she asks, brown eyes hopeful.
I grin at her. “I’veneverbeen happier. This is the start of my happily ever after.”
Chapter 5
June
My alphas are taking me home, and for the first time since we all met, I will be alone with my scent matches.
