“He is my partner, as well as Adam’s. Our third,” I told him.
“Fletcher!” Sky ducked his head, his cheeks flushing pink, then shimmied out of my grasp. “I have tables to tend,” he mumbled. “People need their ketchup.” He hurried off. I watched him go, shaking my head.
When I turned back to the pair in the booth, Nevin’s smile was knowing. “He is your miracle, isn’t he, Fletcher?”
I drew a deep breath and placed my hand over my heart, feeling it beat steadily beneath my palm. “He truly is. He’s the piece of the puzzle that Adam and I didn’t even know was missing. We love him and can’t imagine our lives without him now. He’s part of us.”
“He’s come a long way,” Kace said softly.
“Yeah. He has. Lots of therapy, lots of TLC and patience.”
He nodded. “You know, Mom was wrong about them. She thought for sure they’d bring doom and disaster to our pack, but I know she was only afraid for us. For her family. River is good for my brother. I’ve never seen Xan happier in my life, and he’s in his element, being a dad. And despite his temper? River’s a pretty good father too.” He looked up at me. “I’m glad you guys gave Sky a chance. He needed one.”
“I know. Me too,” I said. “Enjoy your lunch, and stop in again sometime. You know I always love seeing your little munchkin.” I ran my fingers through Zechariah’s baby-fine hair.
“Always. We love this place. Best food in town,” Kace said with a grin.
Nevin giggled. “Bye, Fletcher. Zee, say bye-bye!” Zee babbled something that might’ve been “bye-bye,” so I waved at him, thenturned and walked away, my heart light and floaty like a balloon on a string.
Soon. Soon that would be us, and I couldn’t wait.
48
ADAM
It was official—Skyhad been with us for a full year now. A year of ups and downs, highs and lows, of smiles and tears and laughter as we formed our pack of three and navigated the rocky waters of a polyamorous relationship with an Omega whose energies were, at times, unstable.
Looking back, though? I’d do it all over again. It’d been a wild ride, and it was about to get a little wilder. Once our daughter came into this world, our lives would be filled with sleepless nights and dirty diapers and taking turns bottle-feeding. It would be a team endeavor, and I couldn’t wait.
“Good morning, baby.” I leaned in and stole a kiss from Fletcher, who giggled and set his book down.
Sky sat beside him on the couch and pouted, as if to say, “Where’s mine?” so I swooped in and planted a dramatic, noisy kiss upon his lips until he laughed as well.
“What do you say we go out for a little coffee shop date?” I mused, raising my eyebrows. “ItisValentine’s Day, after all.”
Fletcher smiled. “The day of romance. Is this your attempt at being romantic, Adam?” he teased. “Because if you think coffee is gonna cut it…”
I chuckled. “Oh, darling. Coffee is only the beginning.”
“Can we go to the bookstore after?” Sky chimed in. “The Crooked Bookshelf has a nice sitting area where you can relax and enjoy your coffee while reading a good book.”
“Whatever you’d like,” I replied with an easy smile. “I want to make today all about my mates.”
I didn’t miss the pink that flushed Sky’s cheeks, or the way his smile grew another two sizes, but I was only stating facts. He was my mate, just as much as Fletcher was. Just because I hadn’t officially claimed him didn’t make him any less mine.
Ours,my wolf rumbled softly in agreement, giving his fluffy tail a swish in my mind’s eye.
After breakfast, we bundled up and braved the cold for some coffee, then headed down the street, foam cups in tow, to the local bookstore.
The Crooked Bookshelf was a locally owned shop that’d put down its roots here in Greymercy many years ago, according to Gracie. Located right on Main Street, it was easy access and always seemed to have cars in the lot. The electronic doorbell chimed out the Westminster bells as we went inside to escape the cold.
It smelled of old books and cinnamon, with traces of clove and pine. The scent of winter, apparently. It was cozy in here, though, not too cold but not hot enough to make me feel like I was melting beneath my winter coat. Classical music spilled quietly from the stereo system. It felt welcoming.
I took a sip of my caramel macchiato and followed along after my Omegas, who blazed the way. Mmm. Delicious. Hot and strong and a little sweet, the baristas at the coffee shop always knew exactly how I liked it, somehow.
A large orange fluff-ball came strutting between the bookshelves with a loud “Purr-aow?” and Fletcher gave a littlesqueal. He dropped to his knees on the floor and petted the cat, absolutely melting over how cute and fluffy she was.
Sky knelt down beside him and scratched behind the feline’s ear. “Wonder what her name is?”
