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“…and then yesterday Elias and I went shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and I found the perfect dress for the company holiday party. I’ll try it on for you later, you’ll have to let me know if you think Cam will like it.”

“Marlowe,” I chuckled. “You could show up naked and he’d love it. You know what, never mind, he might actually prefer that.”

She rolled her eyes playfully and laid back into my chest, relaxing into my contented purr. “I bet. So what about you, what do you like?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

Her fingers traced little circles along my skin. “Having this time with Elias has made me realize how much I want to make sure I’m nurturing each of my relationships individually. We’re a pack, but I like the one-on-one time, too, you know?”

My purr deepened. We were still very new to this group relationship, and I adored Marlowe for wanting to create a dynamic that worked for her and the rest of us, too. Elias found it easy to ask for what he needed directly, but Marlowe was grabbing the lead now to make sure we were all taken care of, because she loved us as much as we loved her.

“I don’t care much about what you wear, you always look cute.”

She blushed adorably, nibbling on her lower lip. “Well, what about dates or trips? Is there anywhere special you’d like to go?” Ilooked up in thought. Just a night at home with her all to myself sounded appealing enough, but I knew she wanted to make sure we could build special memories together. And there was something to be said about the bonds that strengthened during travel.

“I’d love to explore more of the East Coast. I’ve been to New York and Boston for conferences, but never for fun. Internationally, of course it would be great to visit Korea again. My parents took Ivy and me a few times when we were kids, but I’d love to see it again now.”

Marlowe’s face lit in excitement. “Oh my god, yes! I would love to go to Korea! Have I ever told you how much I love Korean food?”

“Well, I already know about your love for Korean drama…” I started, nudging her suggestively.

“No, I mean it! I’ve actually made my own kimchi before. My whole apartment smelled like garlic, fish sauce, and chili powder for weeks, but it was worth it.”

I couldn’t stop the pride that swelled in my chest. Of course my little omega would make her own kimchi—she was perfect for me. “Is that right?” I asked, a sly smile growing on my face.

She slapped my arm and chuckled again. “I’m serious! I’m going to stop by the Asian grocery store in Madison on my way back to Maiingan Hollow on Friday. I’ll start fermenting it right away for when you come back home.”

Home. That word alone, spoken by Marlowe to refer to a place we belonged together, meant more than a thousand vacations ever could. My knot inflated once more, bringing us both into another round of intense orgasms.

Marlowe melted into a puddle on my chest once the feeling passed. “Archer,” she breathed. “Whatever you want, I’m happy to make it for you.”

“That’s not it,” I finally choked out. “A trip with you sounds fantastic, it’s just that I’ve lived alone for so long, the idea of coming home and finding you waiting for me with homemade Korean food… it’s more than I ever thought I’d have in this life.”

Marlowe kissed me on the lips, her hands running through my hair. “It’s everything you deserve and more. You’re such an amazing person, Archer. We can go to Seoul and eat the spiciest tofu soup in town, and we can relax in my nest, draped all over each other and reading books. I’m down with it all. What do you say?”

Moon, she really was the perfect female for me. Marlowe mademe so happy I could barely breathe. “I say both sound incredible.”

She nestled into my chest and we napped on the couch until Elias returned a couple of hours later, quietly entering the house.

“Did you enjoy my gift?” he whispered, leaning into my ear from behind the couch.

“Very much so,” I replied. “Have you gotten enough alone time with Marlowe, then?”

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Never. And you probably know what I mean more than the others, right?”

I did and I didn’t. Camden and Nolan were self-professed townies, having never expressed any desire to leave Maiingan Hollow. Elias, however, had always sought distance from our hometown. I wouldn’t say he was pretentious, but he’d always had a taste for the kind of culture and lifestyle that wasn’t readily available in Northern Wisconsin.

I had left after high school as well, and while Elias had often considered us kindred spirits in that regard, the drive that led me away was due purely to my professional ambitions. Personally, I had no problem with Maiingan Hollow, and was quite glad when a position opened up at UW-Eau Claire so I could be close to home.

“Perhaps. Do you want to go to Sal’s tonight?” I asked.

Sal’s was an Italian restaurant run by shifters, and they even had a special room in the back just for our kind. It was one of the few places in the city we could congregate safely.

I wanted Marlowe to enjoy all the amenities Chicago had to offer, so while the news I had to discuss necessitated some privacy, I couldn’t deprive her of a night on the town before she went back home.

Elias smiled, petting Marlowe’s hair. “Sounds good. I’ll take care of the reservation.”

Marlowe was still fast asleep, not even stirring from our conversation, my knot still deep inside her