He smirks, nodding his head, looking impressed. “You are more than enough. I fucking hope the boys in blue are busy elsewhere, because I’m not stopping.”
I settle under his chin and cuddle in close to give him the space he needs to drive us home. It’s a little difficult and a lot awkward, pretty much like loving me is and always will be. But right this second, there’s no doubt in my mind that this pack can handle the task.
Dante slams his foot on the brake as soon as we’re in the garage, and the car screeches to a loud stop. Then he’s swiveling us around. In the next second, he is standing and racing toward the elevator. His hand slams over the call button, and he snarls at the wait, nearly breaking his finger jabbing impatiently at the button for our floor.
“Do I need to get changed?” he asks suddenly, breaking the silence with his nervousness.
“Unchanged, maybe? Let’s play it by ear. Honestly, Dante, bonding is the aim, not how it happens.”
“No. Stop!” he barks. “Close your eyes and tell me how you see it play out.”
My eyes slam shut, and I have no choice to comply with his Alpha influence. But he rubs his face over mine reassuringly. With Jana’s words still looping around, I allow myself to see what it is I want. And sharing it with Dante has my excitement slaying my anxiety. “Clothes on, but PJ’s or T-shirt and sweats. The outdoor seats and sun loungers turned to face the view, lots of pillows, and a light blanket we can all huddle under. No sex, but lots of kissing and making out before I fall asleep in your arms with your bites on my body, your breath on my face.”
He pulls back, his face lined with shock. “How do you keep doing that? You just pretty much described how I want to bond with you.”
I smile, then dip under his chin and soak in the confirmation he just gave.
The doors of the elevator open, and the light of the television blinks in the darkness, telling me Val and Matteo are still up.Dante walks us toward them and doesn’t stop until he’s in front of the television, blocking their view.
Matteo sits up on the edge of the sectional. “Good news from Hannah?”
“Fuck that. Better news from our Omega. Tell them,” Dante demands, his voice deep and husky.
Pushing out of Dante’s arms, the first thing I notice is how Valentine and Matteo are dressed exactly how I want them to look when we bond—in sweats and old tees. It feels like another confirmation.
“I want us to bond tonight. Now. Here.” They both look at me, stunned, waiting for answers. “I don’t need fancy clothes or exotic locations. Being here, in our home, is more important. And I would love to do it now because the night feels like it does in my dreams.”
Matteo is in front of me before I can blink, his brown eyes glittering with awe. His hand brushes the hair off my face. “How did I find you? I’m going to give everything I can to make this perfect.”
“Good. I need you to move the outdoor furniture around to make us a bed big enough for all of us. Then you’re in charge of snacks and drinks.”
“And me?” Valentine asks. I felt him approaching without even turning around, his designation pressing against me like a reassuring touch.
“Alpha, you’re in charge of getting our blankets and pillows. Maybe a couple of weapons because we’re sleeping outside afterward.”
He comes in closer, his finger settling under my chin, so he can see in my eyes. Valentine’s blue eyes are piercing, completely disarming as he unashamedly searches mine. Except, it doesn’t take him long at all to see what he was looking for. I wish I had a camera to capture the smile that spreads over his face.
“I should have expected the unexpected from you. Your curveball is a beautiful one, Mrs. De Luca, and I’m honored you trust us enough to tell us exactly what you want. We would love to bond you as ours and as a part of our pack, because as much as we knew the instant you walked in our home that you were ours, we also knew you’d tell us when you were ready. Thank you.” Valentine dips down to kiss my forehead.
Everyone scatters, though we taking our time while getting ready. Again, exactly how I dared to imagine it.
Once I’ve changed into a pair of cotton sleep shorts and a loose tank top, I walk out of my room. All the lights are off in the apartment, but I don’t need to see where I am going. I follow my heart to them waiting on the balcony.
We don’t need words. I’m not sure I could find the right ones to describe how special the moment is, anyway. Matteo reaches for me, and I leap into his arms. We share a soft sigh, and then he kisses his way over to my scent gland. “Valentine’s going to help me make my bond stick. My teeth to bond my forever woman to my soul, but I’m borrowing his Alpha genetics to hold my claim.”
I love how he shares with me how he’s hopefully found a way for us to bond.
Our words fall away as he guides me to my feet again, and then his hands trail up my arms, and he uses one hand as a place for my head to rest against. With the other, he brushes my hair away and strokes over the spot.
There is no ceremony, because none is necessary. Matteo is as ready as I am. He gives me a gentle kiss in warning before he bites down.
The pain is exquisite, and life changing. Even before he’s stopped biting, there's a fluttering of movement inside my chest. It’s hard to describe but impossible to ignore.
In the most private part of me, I’m no longer alone as Matteo’s essence infuses and intertwines inside that place, gently, like a faint breeze. He pulls away, Valentine’s mouth taking his place. He doesn’t bite or even press his teeth into the marks Matteo made; Valentine uses his tongue to trace over the indents, using the magic only an Alpha holds. With each lick he makes, I feel Matteo settling inside me more.
It’s such an incredible feeling, I nearly get lost in how wonderful it is, except I want Matteo to get lost with me. My hands twist in his T-shirt, bringing him closer and drawing him down to my level, and I strike as soon as my eyes settle on the place I want him to wear my mark—close enough to his scent gland but a little higher and more central. I strike, and I strike hard. He grunts in pain before the sound twists into one of awe, of unspoken encouragement to keep biting. My Omega side preens, already knowing the scar of my claim will be a billboard for the world to see.
Matteo’s happiness is infectious as it flows through my system. I know exactly the euphoria he’s experiencing, because we’re sharing it through our new connection. He takes a step back, not to go, but to make room for Dante. And like his joy, I can also pick up on Matteo’s eagerness for the others to be similarly amazed.
