"Then it's important to us," Grayson says quietly, his hand finding mine.
We spend hours there. Walking the trails. Taking photos—River insists on approximately a billion pictures of Seth in front of each waterfall. Sitting on rocks with our feet dangling over the rushing water while Seth explains the geological history with the enthusiasm of someone who actually finds rocks fascinating.
"And that one is Rainbow Falls," Seth says, pointing. His face is lit up in a way I've never seen. "See how the mist catches the light?"
"Beautiful," I say, but I'm not looking at the waterfall.
Grayson catches my expression and smirks, his emotions rippling through our bond—satisfaction, possession, love.
"We should plan the next trip," River says, sprawled on the warm stone beside me. "Rome. Bea wants to see the Colosseum."
"And Tokyo," Seth adds. "For the sushi."
"Grocery store sushi doesn't count," we all say at once, and Seth's laugh echoes off the rocks.
"I know, I know." He settles beside me, his hand finding mine. "Real sushi. From a real sushi chef. Who probably won't judge me for not knowing proper chopstick etiquette."
"We'll teach you," I assure him. "Before we go. So you don't embarrass us."
"Gee, thanks."
Through the bonds, I feel all of them. Seth's contentment. River's joy. Grayson's steady, intense love. All of it weaving together, surrounding me, holding me.
"This is nice," I say quietly. "Being here. Together."
"Yeah." River sits up, wrapping his arm around me. "It is."
We watch the water for a while, comfortable in the silence. The mist cools my sun-warmed skin. The sound of rushing water drowns out everything else. My pack surrounds me—solid, real, mine.
"Remember when you kissed me at the festival?" Seth says suddenly.
I groan. "Do we have to talk about that?"
"I was terrified," he continues, ignoring me. "Thought I'd completely ruined everything. That you'd never speak to me again."
"I was the one who kissed you," I point out.
"And I thought it was a mistake. That you'd realize you didn't actually want me, just needed an excuse to get rid of your ex."
"Seth—"
"But then River asked you out. And Grayson walked into the bookstore. And we all somehow figured out how to be a pack." He turns to look at me, his brown eyes soft. "And now we're here. In Great Falls. Planning trips to Rome and Tokyo. And you're building an empire?—"
"It's not an empire?—"
"—and we're buying a bigger house next year?—"
"We are?" This is news to me.
"We talked about it last week," Grayson says. "You were half-asleep, but you agreed."
"That doesn't count."
"You signed the paperwork," River adds cheerfully. "It absolutely counts."
I'm going to kill all of them. "What paperwork?"
"The 'River is your favorite alpha and gets to make all decisions' paperwork," River says with a completely straight face.
