My breath comes out in a rush.
I turn to Rowen, who seems just as surprised as me, eyeing the large bill. “Thank you, Alpha,” he says.
Forest nods at each of us. “That’s all for now. We’ll sort the rest of pack business later. For now, go. Celebrate. You’re alive, and that’s a big damn deal, if you ask me.”
I stand and walk around the desk to hug him. “Thank you. Not just for this, but for bringing me here. Helping me out of that club. I… Gods, I never would’ve imagined all this. But I’m really thankful you took a chance on me.”
He ruffles my hair. “You and me both. Now, seriously. Go. I need to get some of that stew before it’s gone.”
43
ROWEN
As we leave the office, laughter echoes from down the hall. The scent of stew and sourdough lingers, inviting us to spend this time with family. My heart craves it after all we’ve been through, but I crave something else more.
I need to be alone with my mate. To hold him for real, to believe all of this is really over.
I reach for Tobias’ hand, threading my fingers through his. “I’m not hungry. Are you?”
His gaze flicks to mine, voice a little rough. “I’m hungry for something else, if that’s what you mean.”
I tug him toward the stairs, trying not to grin when he nearly trips on the first step in his hurry to follow. We slip away unnoticed—except maybe by Forest, who hides his smile with a cough.
We can get some of that homemade ice cream later. Right now, we both just need this.
The creak of the bedroom door swallows the sound of our breath. The moment it shuts, I pull him close. His warmth hits me like sunlight after a storm, rejuvenating and calming all at the same time. Everything we’ve been fighting for has been for this—righthere. Us.
I cup his jaw and kiss him slowly, deeply, like relearning something sacred. His mouth opens under mine, and everything in me exhales. The ache and the fear all dissolve away.
Tobias shudders against me, his breath just as relieved.
I lift his shirt and break the kiss only long enough to tug it over his head. The mate mark catches the light, just a line of pale scars now, but it still steals my breath. I press my lips to it.
This man is mine. All mine. Rip no longer has a twisted hold over him, no claim to his body or mind. Tobias is only mine.
My pulse quickens when Tobias pushes at the waistband of my pants. I kick them aside and suck in a breath as his fingers meet bare skin.
The rest of our clothes disappear until there’s nothing between us but heat and need. We fall into bed with a soft laugh. His mouth finds mine again, hungrier this time, teeth scraping my lower lip.
“Tell me the truth. Do you ever bottom?”
I hesitate. “Not usually.”
He chuckles. “Figured. That’s okay though. I love your dick in my ass.”
I snort, but his quick fingers around my length pull me out of the conversation. I suck on his lip and grind against him, sliding a hand down his side. Tobias hooks one leg around my waist, tipping his head back. I kiss down his throat, grunting when I feel the first drips of precum.
Tobias pushes at my chest, flipping us to straddle my waist. His eyes are dark with lust, mouth parted until it crashes against mine. He groans against me, hips pressing down as fingernails scrape my flesh. The way he moves, his breath on my skin—I could drown in it and be happy.
I press my head back into the mattress, hands digging into his hips. “Fuck, Toby. I need you.”
He licks up my neck, twisting a nipple until my toes curl. When he nips at my throat hard enough to draw blood, I gasp—but not in pain. He pulls back in alarm, guilt flickering across his face.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did.” I smile, almost laughing at his adorable stunned expression.
When he realizes what his instincts were trying to do, Tobias breaks out into a huge smile. “I can claim you now. Can’t I?”
