Killian grinned. “You’re adorable when you sneeze.”
“Me? Adorable?” Crush looked surprised.
“Yes! Alphas can be adorable too.” Killian leaned in, pressing a kiss to Crush’s mouth. Crush lit up; he always did when Killian initiated their kisses. When Killian pulled away, Crush looked dazed.
“Mine,” Crush said dopily. He nuzzled Killian’s neck and rubbed the bump of his belly. “All mine.”
Killian let Crush rub him. He popped out his rabbit ears; Crush stroked them too.
“Oh, yeah. My dads want us to go over to the pack house this weekend.”
Killian blinked. “Are you going to tell them?”
Crush twitched. “Maybe.”
Killian snuggled harder into him. “Maybe it’s best to get it over with. Rip off the bandage.”
His alpha sighed. “Should I tell them before or after they officially initiate you into the pack?”
“Wait, what?” Killian blushed. “But we haven’t...”
We haven’t bonded yet.
“They like you. They want you to be honorary wolves.” Crush looked so proud, with a twinge of bittersweetness in his smile. “Ijust don’t know if they would kickmeout of the pack, if I told them. But they’d let you stay.”
“They won’t kick you out,” Killian said firmly. “But if they do, I’ll go with you.”
Crush gave a lopsided smile, pulling him into a hug.
For a packwith so many wolves, everyone was unnaturally silent and still around them. Killian squeezed Crush’s hand; Crush’s pulse was thundering.
“So that’s why I haven’t really hung out much around here,” Crush finished quietly. “I just didn’t feel like I should. I’m sorry for not telling the whole truth ten years ago. It wasn’t something I’m proud of. I still don’t know which is worse—all of you seeing me for the stupid things I did, or kicking me out because of it.”
He bowed his head, the words of his confession heavy in the pack house.
Joe stepped forward, pulling Crush into his arms. “Oh, pup. I’m sorry you’ve been keeping this to yourself for so long. It couldn’t have been easy.”
Ashton joined his son and omega, pulling them into his arms. “Everyone makes mistakes. We’re not kicking you out because of this, pup. You’ve done everything you can to remedy the situation. You’ve carried around your guilt for a long time.”
Crush relaxed slightly, his pulse slowing. His palm was still sweaty against Killian’s, though.
“I don’t like that you couldn’t trust us with the truth,” Titan said. “But I understand why you did it.”
“Besides, we’re not just defined by one mistake, but by all the mistakes we’ve made,” Gavric added with a lopsided smile.
The rest of Crush’s pack chimed in with similar words of acceptance. Killian’s unease faded as the pack came forward to ruffle Crush’s hair, or pat his back.
“Welcome back,” Joe said to Crush, still holding him.
Crush sniffled a little. “Thanks.”
Joe continued to rub his back. Then he leaned away, and smiled at Killian. “So, how about that welcome ceremony? I promise to show you some of Crush’s baby pictures after. He really was an adorable pup.”
Crush groaned, but he didn’t sound as distraught as before. “Dammit, Dad.”
“You’ll thank me later,” Joe said knowingly.
Crush
