Page 68 of Destined Mate

“Goodbye and best of luck,” Clive said as he reached for the car door.

Anya lingered for a moment longer, her gaze settling on Jerome. “Take care of each other.”

Jerome nodded, feeling the weight of her words sink in. “We will.”

He turned to Wesley as the SUVs pulled away. “You really do have a reputation.”

Wesley laughed, the sound rich and carefree. “Is that a bad thing?”

“In this case? I think it’s a very good thing.” Jerome’s heart swelled. Wesley never failed to surprise him with his confidence, with the ease of his affection.

Jerome kissed him, long and sure, the world slipping away until it was only the two of them, standing together under the soft moonlight.

The shouts and whoops of celebration from the pack brought them back to the moment, and Wesley joined in with a howl of triumph and joy. Jerome threw back his own head, adding his voice to the pack.

And what a life that would be.

A life with Wesley by his side.

A life where nothing—not rogue attacks or ranting elders or unwelcome guests—would take Wesley from him or him from the pack. He felt the certainty of that down to his very bones. They would be fine. More than fine. They would be happy.

Wesley wrapped him in an easy embrace. The other wolves fell in around them, and Jerome knew without question that thiswas his place, his true place, and nothing and no one could take it away from him.

And under the moon, under the bright stars and a world of possibilities, he was free.