I borrow one of Seth's shirts—it hits mid-thigh and smells like him, which makes me feel claimed and content—and we head downstairs together.
River and Grayson are in the kitchen. River's making pancakes, and Grayson's leaning against the counter with coffee. Both of them look up when we enter. River's smile goes soft, and Grayson sets down his mug to give us his full attention.
"Morning," River says. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I just survived a natural disaster." I sink into a chair, hyperaware of the claiming mark on my neck. "Heat's done, by the way. In case the lack of me trying to climb anyone like a tree wasn't obvious."
Grayson's mouth twitches. Almost a smile.
"And bonded," I add, touching my neck. The deflection only goes so far when there's literal proof on my throat.
"And bonded," Grayson repeats quietly. He crosses to where we're sitting, setting his coffee down. "We're proud of you, Seth."
Seth tenses beside me. "But I?—"
"You took care of her perfectly." River's voice is firm. "We wereright there, remember? We saw how desperately she needed that bond. How you tried to resist even when she was begging."
Oh god. Right. They didn't just hear—theywatched. Watched me pull Seth's face to my throat, watched the bond snap into place, heard every desperate plea I made.
My face goes nuclear. "So that was... I'm just going to go die of embarrassment now. Anyone know a good place? Preferably somewhere without witnesses?"
"Don't." Grayson's hand lands on Seth's shoulder. "You have nothing to apologize for. Either of you. What we witnessed was—" His voice catches slightly. "—beautiful. Raw.Real."
River nods, and are his eyes a little wet? "You bonded because she needed you. Because you couldn't resist giving her what she was begging for in peak heat. That's not a failing, Seth. That's being exactly the alpha she needed."
"But now I'm bonded and you're not," Seth says quietly. "That's not fair?—"
"Seth." River turns from the stove, spatula in hand. "Do you remember what I told you before? We're not competing. We're pack. When you bonded with Bea, you made our pack stronger."He looks at me. "And watching how much you love him, how much youchosehim even in the middle of heat—that was a gift."
"We're happy for you," Grayson adds. "Both of you."
River and Grayson exchange a look—some silent agreement passing between them. Then River's mouth curves into a soft smile, and Grayson nods once, as if confirming they're good with this.
"Really?" I look between them, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Really," Grayson confirms. "Now eat. We need to talk logistics."
We eat breakfast together—the four of us around Seth's small table. It should feel strange, but it doesn't. It feels like exactly where I'm supposed to be.
River keeps catching my eye across the table, his grin warm and affectionate. Grayson's hand finds my knee under the table at one point, just a brief squeeze that saysI'm here. Seth sits close enough that our shoulders touch, and I can feel his contentment radiating through the bond.
This. This is what I've been afraid to want. And now that I have it, I never want to let go.
"So," River says eventually. "Where are you living, Bea?"
The question lands heavy. Because I can't just go back to my parents' house now. The thought of being separated from Seth, of not feeling him through the bond?—
"I don't want to be away from you," I admit, looking at Seth. "The bond pulls. I can't?—"
"Then stay," Seth says immediately. "Move in with me. I've got three bedrooms, plenty of space for all of us."
I blink, looking between the three of them. "All of us?"
"We're pack," River says firmly. "You should be with all of us, not just Seth."
"And that spare bedroom," Grayson adds quietly, "could be your office. For your marketing business."
My chest tightens. They remembered. They're offering me space to build my dreams.
