“Only if waffles tomorrow morning are involved.”
“Obviously.”
We step into the elevator together, shoulders brushing. The doors close, and for the first time all day, it’s quiet. Just us.
Sean exhales. “You know, I didn’t think I’d ever have this.”
“What’s that?” I ask, even though I know exactly what he means.
“Us.”
I take his hand, fingers lacing automatically. “Yeah. Feels like… a system finally running smoothly.”
He smiles, leaning his head against my arm. “So no more bugs?”
“Oh, there’ll be bugs,” I say with a laugh. “But we’ll patch themtogether.”
The elevator dings. Sean squeezes my hand. “Perfect.”
And as we step out into the cool evening air, the city buzzing around us, I realize that for the first time in my life, every system—heart, soul, and network—is fully online.
EPILOGUE: ALL SYSTEMS GO
SEAN: SIX MONTHS LATER
Sunday morning sunlight slants across Greg’s apartment, which I’ve now officially moved into—bigger than my old studio, closer to work, and full of little corners that somehow feel like ours. I’m lying on my stomach, naked, bare ass exposed, feeling the heat of him kneeling behind me as he rubs my back, lips brushing my skin. My phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s Ashley.
“Hey, kiddo,” I answer and Greg pauses, listening.
“Sean! You will not believe how helpful the new laptop has been. It’s… I can’t even explain. I’m ahead on all my assignments for once!” Her voice is bright, brimming with the kind of energy only a college sophomore can have. “And the document scanner Greg sent me? It’s so small. And it syncs with my notes. It’s amazing!”
I grin. “Yeah, he thought you might find that useful.”
“He’s my hero. Seriously, I’m not sure how you got so lucky to land him, but I love that you have each other. I wish you guys were closer.”
I glance back at Greg. He’s humming softly, his fingers kneading my shoulders in a way that says,I’ve got you. “All credit goes to him,” I say. “And also, you work so hard, Ash. You’re brilliant. And we’ll see you for the holidays.”
“Yeah, but I still miss you guys.”
We went up last month for a weekend getaway so Ashley and Greg could officially meet. To say they hit it off would be an understatement. Apparently they both like the same video games. And teasing me.
“Anyway, I almost didn’t sleep last night because I was trying to figure out how he got the laptop to sync with the scanner. I called him, and he talked me through it in five minutes. He’s basically a wizard.”
I smirk, watching Greg shift, brushing his lips against my shoulder. That’s why he got up in the middle of the night. “Don’t worry. I think magic is in his job description.”
“Love you, Seanie.”
“Love you, Ash.”
We hang up, and the quiet that follows is… comfortable. Domestic. Homey. I stretch, my ass brushing against Greg’s growing erection, and he hums into my skin. My hands tangle in the sheets, completely lost in the heat of the moment.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“Yeah. She’s just… really grateful for everything you’ve done. You’re something else, you know that? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you.”
“You don’t have to. We’re bonded now. Mates take care of each other.”
Once we were official, Greg explained the importance of mates for him—how in orc culture it isn’t just a romantic label but a promise. A commitment to stand beside someone through everything, to build a life that belongs to both of you. Orcs don’t take it lightly. When they choose a mate, it means something permanent. Real. Forever.
