The horrified look he gives me screams that wasn’t the right thing to say.
“I mean the passion part of it, not the uncontrolled jealousy.”
Adam’s head drops, his chin almost touching his chest, but he doesn’t take his hand back.
My voice grows softer, and I squeeze his fingers. “I love you.”
His head whips toward me again, lips parted, brow taut. Thoughts scroll behind his eyes until he finally says, “I… I love you, too. That’s why…”
“I know. I grew up in a pack, remember?” I kiss the back of his hand again. “I promise this won’t last. When you’re ready—when we’re both ready—our mating will be amazing, and this strange behavior will pass. Well, mostly.” I laugh. “There will always be an overprotective streak in all of us. Including me.”
Adam lets out a long breath, his broad shoulders falling with his exhale. “I’m ready, Adley. I swear that I am. I just want the time to be right. It’s… important to me that our first time is special. How, I’m not sure yet.” His eyes go glassy. “But I promise to do everything I can to make it amazing.”
“However our first time goes, whatever we do, it will be amazing because it’s us, Adam. Because we love each other and are meant to be. Forever.” I reach out with my free hand to cuphis cheek, and he leans into my palm, eyes closing as he inhales deep. “But whatever you want, Adam. However you want us to move forward, I’m with you.”
Because I know that it’s important to him. His first time ever.
And I will do everything I can to make whatever dreams he has come true.
“It’s up the road here, on the right.”
We’re all in Jasper’s truck, Adam and me in the backseat, Ezra sitting shotgun because, well, he’s huge, and Jasper, of course, driving. Adam gives directions to his brother’s house, and when the place comes into view, all I can do is whisper, “Wow…”
It’s a beautiful two-story house with a built-in three-car garage. If I scrutinize the exterior hard enough, I can tell the side opposite the garages is the addition Adam mentioned. The only telltale sign is the siding being a bit more vibrant, the windows a bit less worn.
We all pile out of the truck and Adam leads the way to the front door and rings the bell. Inside, there’s a squeal of laughter and some barking before the door opens to reveal Ben. The second he opens his mouth to speak, the squeal rings out again, and a blur of pink leaps into the air and attaches itself to Adam.
“Uncle Adam!”
The blur of pink is a little girl, her raven-wing hair pulled into a ponytail at the back of her head, the skirt of her dress is frilly, and her leggings are white. She buries her face into Adam’s shoulder, and he’s smiling in a way I’ve never seen.
And holy crap, I think my ovaries are crying.
“Hey, Ivy,” he croons. “Did you miss me?”
The little girl leans back and grins. “Nope.”
I let out a laugh at the same time as Jasper and Ben, and little Ivy gives me a curious look.
“Hi there. I’m Adley. It’s nice to meet you.”
She blinks at me with big, green eyes, then smiles shyly, waving her hand as Adam puts her down inside the doorway.
“Come on in, everyone.” Ben steps back and gives us space to pass.
We come into the house, the interior bright and welcoming. The floors are a mix of hardwood, tile, and even carpet, the open floor plan swapping from the kitchen to the walkway to the living room. When we near the kitchen, two women and two men sit at a big table in the dining area. One man has brown hair and gray eyes, his jaw and cheeks covered in well-manicured stubble. The other man has blond hair and brown eyes. Well-defined muscles bulge underneath a tight tee as he baby-talks a little boy on his lap whose hair matches his.
One of the women has auburn hair and green eyes that match little Ivy’s, and she is very, very pregnant.
The final woman has black hair and striking silver-gray eyes. At her feet lay two beautiful pitbull mixes that I find myself wanting to pet way more than any normal person would.
“There she is!” The woman with black hair grins wildly at me before approaching, the two dogs rising to flank her as she moves.
Very impressive training.
She holds her hand out to me, smile never wavering. “I’m Izzy.”
I take her hand, returning her infectious smile. “I’m Adley.” I gesture to my Alphas. “This is Ezra, and I think you know Jasper already, if I’m not mistaken. I know you know Adam.”
