Page 36

D ust spins in lazy circles in the warm summer air, kicked up by boots and hooves and the lingering buzz of the crowd. The Motley Crewd Rodeo has officially wrapped, and the stadium’s still pulsing with energy, but all I see are my people.

My Crew.

Emmet’s got Jezebel tucked under his arm like a football, grinning like the damn fool he is while she mock-scolds him about “needing to wash off before she kisses that scruffy face.”

He nuzzles her neck anyway, and she squeals, swatting him with her hat.

Love looks real good on that growly Wolf.

He’s turned into a helluva Beta, too. And now that his woman has control over her special abilities, well, things have been all roses and sunshine with those two.

Avery is tucked beneath Dante’s massive arm, both of them watching their Rosie Posie—who’s napping with a cowboy hat over her face in a mini camping chair like she’s been working cattle all day.

Dante’s still got a smear of mud down his cheek, but Avery doesn’t seem to mind as she stands on tiptoe and whispers something in his ear that makes him turn beet red.

The Grizzly’s gone soft for his mate, and everyone knows it.

Kian’s on hay bale patrol, helping Arliss wrangle the little whirlwind of a kid (the baby goat kind) she’s grown attached to.

Seems like she’s always coming up with a new goat cheese recipe and earning us more awards for our Dolly’s Dairy Products line every day, that is, when she’s not chasing chickens around the ranch like that’s a rodeo event all its own.

Who knows? Maybe it should be.

Seeing those two always makes me grin, though. Arl’s laughing, cheeks pink, curls bouncing as she calls out.

“Come on, catch that chicken and I’ll let you ride my Bull!”

“No horns this time, remember?”

Kian just chuckles and mutters, “No promises,” before scooping up both his mate and the chicken before scampering off to the trailer.

Zeke is striding back from the arena like he owns the world— and maybe he does.

I swear, sometimes I can see his purple Dragon scales shimmer faintly underneath his skin, especially in the setting sun. I read somewhere that those things are visible only to those of us who know what to look for, which explains that.

But that’s not important because in his arms?

Casey.

The woman who turned that scowling beast into a love-struck, fire-breathing teddy bear of a Dragon.

She’s smiling up at him like he put the stars in the sky, and I swear, I’ve never seen my brother look so peaceful. So whole.

Then there’s me.

Max Leeds. Jersey Devil. Alpha. Father of twins and the very lucky husband of a woman who still takes my breath away.

Penny’s bent over the double stroller right now, brushing her fingers over one sleeping baby’s cheek.

Her sundress dances in the breeze, and my heart swells so damn full I think it might burst.

I come up behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and press a kiss to the curve of her neck.

“Look what we did,” I murmur.

She smiles without turning. “Built something good.”

“The best.”

We did the impossible.

We made a home out of chaos.

We made a family out of misfits.

And somewhere between the first quarter moon and all the angst between crying and kisses, we built a life so good it makes my chest ache.

Of course, right then, a herd of goats bearing the Motley Crewd brand pick that exact moment to charge through the concession area, head butting a lemonade stand and nailing me right in the ass as they sprint past.

“Jed!” I shout, staggering forward while Penny wheezes with laughter.

“I said I was working on training them!” Jed hollers from the bleachers, clearly not moving at all.

The Crew erupts in laughter.

My babies are still asleep.

The sky is streaked with pink and gold.

My heart is whole.

This is it.

This is everything.

“Alright. Pack it up. Let’s get home, everyone!”

Penny grins and I swear, I love her a little more with each passing moment.

Before I go, I want to leave you with this one thing I learned over the past couple of years since I came to Barren County.

Sometimes family is who you’re born to. Other times, it’s the ones you find. Born in fire. Found in the earth.

But see, it’s the ones who ride beside you when the world gets wild—the ones who earn your respect with their blood, sweat, tears, and unshakeable loyalty.

That’s your Crew.

That’s your home.

And if you haven’t found yours yet?

Well, just stop on by, and we’ll see what we can do.

Because, you know, you’re always welcome at the Motley Crewd Ranch.

Until next time.

T he end.

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