I must have fallen asleep on the drive back. I’m hovering on the edge of sleep and awake, and it’s nice here. My alpha is warm, and in my dreams, we’re free to touch as much as we want. I don’t have to worry about being caught and losing—no, don’t think about that yet.
There’s no risk, everything is safe.
Why can’t I just stay in this dream.
I bury my face in the couch pillow to block out my thoughts. Of course that doesn’t work, but Cato shifts with me and ends up lying on me like a weighted blanket.Thatdoes a good job of pressing other concerns out of my head.
His hand wanders down my side, and I arch my back, pressing my ass against him. Cato chuckles and slides his hand under my shirt. He squeezes my stomach, making me squirm.
He moves up to cup my breast and I’m panting now, slick flooding my panties.
Cato keeps me trapped as he lazily plays with me,squeezing and pinching. I whine when he rolls my now swollen nipple.
“How long are you going to tease her?” Charm says, startling me.
I didn’t realize anyone else was in the living room with us.
I lift my head from the pillow and findallmy alphas watching.
“Just until she’s fully awake,” Cato says, pinching me again.
I squawk and glare at him. “I’m awake!”
He smiles, unrepentant, and kisses the tip of my nose.
I’m glad everyone’s here. There’s something I need to tell them before we continue, something I decided earlier at the festival.
I wiggle out from under Cato and he pulls me up to sit on his lap.
“There’s something I want to tell you,” I say, rubbing my hands together nervously.
“What is it?” Orion asks.
It’s time to be brave. After today, it’s obvious I can’t deny this pack is mine. There’s no point in holding anything back.
Yet even though I don’t think they’ll reject my offer, it’s still nerve-wracking. Plus, it’s my first time doing this.
“I wanted to ask…if you’d like to join me in my nest tonight,” I say.
I hold my head up high, but I can’t make myself meet their eyes. They’re quiet for what feels like too long, but I’m sure that’s just because my heart is pounding waiting for their answer.
When they finally reply, it’s all enthusiastic assent.
Orion spins toward the door like he’s going to runupstairs immediately, but stops, realizing I need to come with them.
Cato is purring and holding me tight, the deep vibrations running through my body.
Magnus is rooted in place, a giant smile on his face, and Henri and Charm rush me, bumping into each other as they come in for a kiss. I can’t stop smiling either, even through their kisses.
It doesn’t take long for Cato to steal my lips from them, and eventually Charm pushes him off to ask, “Do you want to go to your nest now?”
“Yes,” I say, chest heaving.
If we don’t go up soon, at this rate we won’t make it there for a while.
Cato stands up with me in his arms, but Orion blocks the doorway.
“You’re sure about this? We’dloveto join you in your nest, but we’re not in a rush,” he says.
