Page 207 of Alphas Like Us

Maximoff isn’t cautious or worried. His lips inch upward. “You’re in my world.” He’s excited aboutthat.

I nod a few times. “It’s a good thing I love your world, wolf scout. And that your world is mine.” That gets to usboth.

Instantly, we bring our mouths together in a scorching, slow-burning kiss. In our embrace, there is no fear or uncertainty. There is only peace and overwhelming pride, and we bask in this second, this simple moment of our beautifullives.

EPILOGUE

One Month Later

MAXIMOFF HALE

The smellof chlorine overpowers the indoor pool. Three-year-old and four-year-old kids with inflatable wings on their arms are blowing bubbles in thewater.

I wade in the shallow pool. “Go, go,” I encourage. “Hannah, you’re doing amazing. Really good, everyone.” A metal whistle hangs around my neck, and I take a quick glance at the wallclock.

I blow my whistle. “Alright, that’s it for today,” I tell them. “Everyone did awesome. You all look like Olympians.” I high-five the kids, and Farah slaps my hand three times with a giddysmile.

The kids paddle to the edge of the pool, and I help a straggler onto the cement. Parents start pouring out from the upstairs viewing room. When all the kids are collected, I pull myself out of the pool, water drippingdown.

Banks Moretti chills out on a plastic chair beside the door, earpiece in and radio on his waistband. He gives me a nod in greeting, and I wave back. After the Greece trip, he requested to be on my detail. The Moretti brothers have been in contact less ever since Thatcher became Jane’s bodyguard. And with this switch-up, Banks and Thatcher will see each other more. Because I’m around Janie all thetime.

I start collecting the inflatables and water wings that the kids left behind. Tossing them into a plasticbin.

When I asked the local aquatic center if I could teach the beginner classes, I expected to be denied. This job—it’s achingly normal. Not something meant for a guy likeme.

But they saidyes.

So I became certified, and I’m already on my second week here, and I can see another week. Another month. I can see a future where I’m teaching little kids how to swim and build some kind of courage. Face their fears. Jump in andpaddle.

Take a breath andfloat.

I learned how to swim around their age, and I like to think about how a few of these kids could grow up and fall in love with thesport.

Everything about it feelsright.

The heavy pool door opens, and the outdoor sunlight illuminates the dimmed space. Farrow slips inside, and theclunkof the closing door echoes inside the aquatic center. Before Farrow sees me, Banks stands up and greetshim.

I pull out a chemical kit from the closet, and when I return, Banks isgone.

Farrow attaches his radio to his belt, clips his mic to his V-neck, and fits his earpiece in. He was called in to check up on my little sister. I don’t ask him for details, patient-confidentiality and all that. But Kinney already texted me that she’s bedbound with theflu.

“Back on Maximoff Hale duty,” I tell him. “Yourfavorite.”

Farrow steps over an orange swim noodle. “You are going to be my husband, wolf scout. Let’s hope you’re myfavorite.”

Hishusband.

His lips lift, knowing what that fucking does to me. Yeah, I’m never going to get over Farrow. And I don’t haveto.

In two more strides, we close the distance, and our arms curve around each other. Farrow looks deep into me, and he asks, “What are you thinking, wolfscout?”

Ismile.