Taking care of Max had been my purpose for so long, that I’d put my own needs aside. I didn’t feel bitter or resentful toward my brother. We’d both been playing with the cards life had given us. We’d been miserable and trying to escape in any way we could without going anywhere physically, right up until Brodie came to town.
Thinking about Brodie, I texted our Alpha and Rian to let them know we were still doing okay, and to make sure the surprise for tomorrow morning was still on.
I was about done with my first cup when Luca let out a soft snort and woke up. That was how he did it most mornings. His breathing was incredibly shallow and slow when he slept, his body not needing oxygen during rest in the same way ours did, so he woke up with an inhale. It was cute, after we’d gotten used to it.
He lifted his head, gaze searching for me, then smiled sleepily as he found me.
“Morning,” I whispered, and he blew me a kiss.
I watched as he began to move away from Max, who had turned into an octopus.
Eventually, he managed to get out of the bed and went to the bathroom. I got up and made myself another cup of coffee. Imade it black so he could have a sip if he wanted to. Then I returned to my perch on the chair by the window.
Luca, wearing just his underwear like me, walked to me and curled up on my lap like a cat. His skin was cool against mine, but I’d gotten used to the sensation.
I held the cup at him, and he took a sip, then hummed happily and put his head on my shoulder. Eventually we ran out of coffee and I put the cup on the table nearby.
We sat like that for at least ten minutes, just watching the city below and soaking in the closeness.
Then he started to speak very quietly so Max wouldn’t wake up.
“I want to tell you together, but also separately.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it. Then he moved so that he could look me in the eye. “I’m in love with you.”
I gasped, unable to help my reaction. I cupped his face and justlookedat him. He was so beautiful and intelligent. He’d survived something horrible to get to this point, yet he still chose us? Choseme?
I didn’t have words, so I kissed him. He smiled against my lips, then opened up to deepen the kiss. It was ravenous, but not. Deep without being about sex. We were connecting.
When I pulled my head back, he chuckled quietly. “I take it it’s mutual?” He raised a brow at me.
I groaned and pressed my forehead against his. “So fucking cheesy,” I murmured, but I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m in love with you, too.”
We kissed once more, then continued to watch the city while Max slept.
My heart was so goddamn full.
I didn’t’t know how long we sat there, but then the little almost purring sound Max made in the morning when he first stretched his body sounded from the bed, and I smiled.
Luca chuckled. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
“Morning. You two look cozy,” Max said in his sleep-rough voice.
“Go get your morning started, I’ll make you a coffee,” I told him. Then I looked at Luca. “And you need to get dressed before you end up starting something.”
He gasped, his hand flying to his chest. “I wouldnever!” His mischievous expression betrayed him, and I pushed him off my lap and escaped to the mini bar to make Max’s coffee before Luca could grab me.
A while later, Max sat on the couch while Luca and I both got dressed for the day.
“So we’ll go to Nonna’s first. Is there anything else you want to do while here?” Luca asked as he pulled on a T-shirt.
“Not really,” I replied. “I’ve been trying to think about it, but I don’t feel like doing any of the touristy stuff.”
Max nodded. “Me neither. Maybe we can get food somewhere small and cozy tonight, but that’s about it.”
Luca hummed thoughtfully, then smiled. “Well, if you guys like Nonna, she’ll be happy to spend as much time with us as she can, I’m sure.”
Max ducked his head a little, then quietly asked, “And you’re sure she’ll be okay that we’re wolves and there’s two of us. And we’re brothers?”
Luca finished putting on his jeans and walked over to sit next to him. “She’ll be perfectly fine. She’s the most open minded person in my whole family.” He glanced at me, and I walked into the bathroom to give them a bit of privacy.
