OLIVE
I saton the side of the sandy hill overlooking the beach. The festival had come to a close a few minutes ago, and I’d changed into sweatpants and one of Easton’s thick sweaters. My omega was craving soft and cozy things, but I’d been sad to take off my gorgeous gown. It was the prettiest thing I’d ever worn, and I couldn’t wait to find excuses to wear it again.
The sun was setting, streaking the sky with pinks and reds, and I lay back on the sand, uncaring that it would get in my hair. Bits of laughter and chatter reached me on the wind as everyone broke down the booths and cleaned everything up from the field. My guys refused to let me help since I was still recovering from my heat. I’d rolled my eyes, but the moment I sat down, exhaustion pulled at me.
I couldn’t believe so much had happened this past week. I’d gone from devastated, thinking that Lars wanted someone else, to terrified I was going to lose my guys in the storm, to the happiest I’d ever been, bonding them and becoming a pack.
A quietmeowwas the only thing alerting me that I wasn’t alone. Felix lay down on my chest, stretching out regally like I was his personal throne. I scratched his ears.
“When I moved in, I had no idea I was letting such a diabolical scheming matchmaker into my home.”
Felix purred.
“Thanks for bringing them to me.” I had no doubt he knew what he was doing when he broke the tie at the town meeting. “And”—I swallowed around the lump in my throat—“thanks for choosing me first, Felix. Thanks for sticking with me.”
His purr intensified, and he rubbed his head under my chin. We stayed there, quietly soaking in the evening, until Felix spotted something over my shoulder. I twisted around to follow his gaze and saw my alphas walking our way. Happiness swirled through me, amplified by my guys’ emotions in the bond.
“You know you’re always welcome here, Felix, even with them moving in. Anytime you want to stay, there will be space for you. But I’m not alone anymore, so I understand if you need to go.” I wrapped my arms around him in a hug and squeezed lightly. “I’m sure you have plenty of scheming and matchmaking to do.”
Felix purred and gave me one final bop with his head before hopping off my lap. He strutted past my guys as he headed back up the path towards town.
“What was that about?” Easton said, sitting down by my side and pressing my cold hand between his warm ones. Lars settled behind me and placed a blanket in my lap. I leaned into him, his purr vibrating through me. Finn sat on my other side, leaning in to kiss my cheek, scent-marking me in the process.
“I was just discussing important things with the mayor.”
Easton squeezed my hand. “I’m sure the mayor and the Harvest Queen have a lot of official business to discuss.”
A smile played on my lips. “So much business.”
We sat in perfect silence, the emotions through the bond expressing more than we could put into words. Lars played with my hair, Finn fussed with the blanket, making sure I was warm, and Easton curled up against my side.
The sun slowly disappeared over the horizon, cloaking us in darkness. Little stars dotted the night sky. This was one of those quiet life moments that was so perfect I knew I’d treasure it forever.
Tears filled my eyes. “I loveyou all so much.”
My guys held me tighter as the bond flooded with pure, bright love.
“We love you too, baby,” Easton said, sounding a little choked up.
I lifted our joined hands and kissed them. “I’m so happy you stalked me.”
“Wasn’t stalking,” he mumbled.
I just smiled and closed my eyes. The crisp breeze from the water brought the promise of winter, but I had my guys to keep me warm.
Today and every day in the future.
EPILOGUE
FELIX
My tailflicked side to side as I wandered through the remaining festival booths.
The grumpy sea creature omega was matched with her alphas. My work here was done. Of course, I would continue to monitor them. They clearly needed my guiding paw at all times.
I passed the rock where I’d stored my carving knife. You never knew when it would come in handy… when someone might need to be put in their place.
“Oh, sorry, Felix,” a frazzled voice cried out as I narrowly avoided being stepped on.
