Damn, I’m melting into a puddle.
Then Zack surprises us all. He turns and looks Callisto right in the eye. “Cal-ee come too.”
Callisto holds up his hands. “No, that’s fine, I don’t want to intrude on your—”
“Cal-ee come,” Zack repeats, alpha domination darkening his tone. “Unfinished business with me.”
I shiver instinctively, and Red’s breath catches at the compulsion. I might have trouble with Zack in the future if he uses that voice on me, but then again, I’m sure we can reason things out.
Callisto freezes. His tongue darts out to moisten his lips, and then he turns to Hale. “Um, do you think we can move some things around?”
Hale clicks his fingers imperiously. “Begone. You only have a few meetings until Tuesday, so I can shift those.”
Aunt Lexi looks from Zack to Callisto, head tilted to one side. As far as I’m aware, she doesn’t know Red is Callisto’s scent-match, but I wonder how much she guesses. She catches me watching and her concerned expression melts away. “Well then, kiddos. Go have fun!” She makes shooing motions but grabs my arm as I walk past. “Make sure you use the bank card I gave you, okay, Ricky? This is our treat.”
“All right, I will.” I hug her again, breathing in her lilac scent. “Thanks. And thanks for the wonderful surprise.”
“My pleasure, my boy.”
I drop my head onto her shoulder momentarily. For years I kept a certain respectful distance between us I felt was necessary. As if I didn’t deserve to immerse myself fully in her love and acceptance. But I see now I’m a fool; I was the only one who thought I was worthless.
“Love you, Mom,” I whisper before dropping a kiss on her cheek.
Tears glint in her eyes when she steps back, and her bottom lip quivers. “Go on now,” she whispers. “You’ve got a plane to catch, son.”
I smile at her and kiss her other cheek. She clutches at me for a moment, small hands closing in my shirt. If happiness is this simple, why do we work so hard to deny ourselves?
Since both Callisto and I know how well stocked the cabin is, we drive straight to the private airport; me, Red, and Zack all hands and kisses on the backseat. Red keeps running her fingers over Zack’s shaved head, bemoaning the loss of his hair. I kinda like the style since it makes him look even more dangerous.
On the way, I explain flying to Zack, and Red adds all the sensations she experienced on her one and only flight out to Darinian. Our alpha listens intently and asks about the rules of flying. A part of me mourns the loss of the wild alpha who lived solely on instinct, but only a tiny part. This considerate, careful alpha is the one who will govern our pack from now on, so he needs to be this responsible.
Besides, we all still have plenty of wildness in us.
The private jet waits on the tarmac for us, black and navy-blue paint lines on the belly rising to the tail at the rear. Inside, comfortable tan seats invite us to sprawl, and a smiling host asks for our drink orders.
It’s not the first time I’ve been on a private jet, thanks to the Wrens, but it’s the first time I’ve allowed myself to think of this lifestyle as part of my family, rather than charity. This time, I’m allowed to enjoy it.
“So, where’s the pole?” Red asks, looking around with her hands on her hips.
“The what?” Callisto asks.
“The pole, for dancing.”
I chuckle and hug her from behind. “Not every private jet is designed for boozy orgies, Red.”
“Phooey!” She crosses her arms, a little ruffled. “Why build such an expensive vehicle if not for fun?”
“Ohm-ga dance soon,” Zack says, voice so low he’s practically purring. “On my pole.”
Holy shit! Where’d he even learn that term?
Red smirks. “All right. I can wait an hour or two, I guess.”
Zack pulls her down onto his lap, and she falls with a giggle.
He cocks his head. “Teach me how packs say hello after being away. Me wait in prison and on plane, but Zack hungry.” A burning possessive desire floods through his bond.
Red strokes his cheek. “We reunite by having sex until we can’t walk and then we eat ice cream straight out of the tub.”
