I ran my hand down his chest. He wore a suit with a silvery tie that matched my dress perfectly. “You look so handsome.” I fingered the edge of his lapels and resisted pulling his jacket off him and fucking right where we stood. He had re-lubed the butt plug before lodging it firmly back inside me. I loved and hated him for the torture. Slick had already soaked my underwear to the point where I was unsure why I was even wearing it as he kept me on the edge of arousal.
He exhaled slowly. “Let’s go before I change my mind and tear that off you here,” he said, echoing my thoughts. He scrubbed his hand over his face before leading me off the boat.
The sun was setting, bathing the small town in golden light. Henry kept a firm grip on my hand as he guided me through the streets to our destination—a small restaurant at the top of a hill. He pulled out a chair for me at a table with a beautiful floral arrangement before sitting across from me. He didn’t quite meet my gaze, and I picked up an edge of anxiety from his scent. I grasped his hand, entwining my fingers with his, and gave him a questioning look. He just smiled, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing it.
We ate a beautiful meal as the sun set. We talked about the future, and for the first time, it didn’t fill me with a sense of dread. It felt right that we would all return to Luna together. Our lives were there, and my friends. I found I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to the place where I’d experienced some of my greatest joys and deepest sufferings.
When the meal was over, Henry cleared his throat.
“Westin,” he said seriously.
Nervousness fluttered through my stomach. “What’s wrong?”
He exhaled a laugh, the table’s candlelight reflecting off his beautiful eyes. “Nothing, gorgeous. Nothing at all. And that’s the point.” He leaned forward, running his hand down my face, his thumb brushing against my lower lip. I leaned into his touch, still confused about what was happening. “Everything with you feels right. You’ve gone through so much lately, and I know you’ve had your doubts about our pack. But I want you to know…” He took a deep breath, as if steadying himself, and then it clicked for me what was happening. My chest expanded, and I grabbed his hand, squeezing it between both of mine.
“I don’t care if I could only love you for a minute. It would be the best minute of my life,” he said, his voice deep and sure as tears glistened in his eyes. “We might not be mates, but I’ve known from the beginning that you are mysoulmate. There is no brightness, no goodness in this world for me without you. I wish I could take away your suffering, but I want you to know that I wouldn’t changeyoufor anything. There’s not enough space in the entire universe to fit the love I have for you. So with that in mind…”
Now it was my turn to blink away my tears as Henry moved onto one knee. His hands shook as he fumbled for something inside his jacket, finally pulling out a small box. He opened it, revealing a stunning vintage ring. My breath hitched in my throat as I looked between it and Henry’s hopeful face.
“I can’t have my mark on you like the others, but would you wear this ring to show our bond?”
I waited for fear or anxiety to crash over me, but the feelings never came. Instead, my chest expanded with love and happiness. “Yes,” I said, nodding my head furiously.
We both trembled as he slid the ring on my finger. I had to help him stand because he was shaking so much.
“Were you nervous I would say no?” I asked with a laugh, pressing my face to his neck.
“Fuck, I was nervous I’d mess it up somehow.”
“You never could,” I murmured. “You said you wanted forever with me, and I want that, too. Now everyone will know that I belong to you.”
His embrace was crushing, and I lifted my hand to catch another glimpse of the ring over his shoulder. I smiled, feeling giddy as I pressed my cheek against his.
“Fuck yeah!” I jolted as a deep voice rang out behind us. I twisted around to see Bear bounding towards us, a huge smile on his face. He crashed into us, encircling us with his thick arms.
“You couldn’t have let them have their moment for a few more minutes?” Liam asked, rolling his eyes as he and Gray joined us. Henry didn’t look put out by the guys crashing his proposal, though. He looked elated as the guys congratulated us with boisterous hugs and laughter.
Gray took my hand, looking at the ring with a slight frown.
“What is it?” I asked.
His smoldering gaze met mine. “I’m jealous. I want my mark on you, princess.”
Warmth flooded me as I looked at my three alphas, who met my gaze with hungry eyes. My stomach fluttered with anticipation as I realized how they wanted the night to end.
Liam pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and I breathed in his sweet scent, letting it settle me. “What do you think, sweetness?” he asked hesitantly.
I wasn’t sure I was ready to be bonded with them, but then I realized I would probably never feel one hundred percent sure. The difference now was that I refused to let the scared part of me, the part that said they would regret bonding with me, win.
I leaned into Liam’s chest. “I think I’d like all your marks on me.”
Liam gripped my face. “You willneverregret it, and neither will we. We were meant to be together.”
“I know,” I said, leaning in for a kiss. “I’m ready.”
117
WESTIN
