Page 85 of Daisy

"I want more," she admits, and there's no shyness in her voice now, just honest want. Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and I can still taste myself there. "Not now, I mean. I don't know when. But... more. With you."

The way she says that makes my body react instantly. Blood rushing south, my heart pounding at just the thought of more. Of being the one to show her what intimacy could feel like.

"Whatever you want," I promise, my voice rougher than gravel. The purr makes it vibrate. "Whenever you're ready. No pressure, no expectations."

"Really?"

"Really." I tilt her chin up so she has to meet my eyes. "This is your choice, Daisy. All of it. You set the pace."

She smiles, and it's like the sun coming out. The purr in my chest gets even stronger, and I see her eyes widen again at the sound.

"I should probably tell you something," she says.

"What's that?"

"I feel this way about the others too," she says, and the words come out clear and certain now. "I mean, I do feel this way about you, but I also have feelings for them. Different feelings, but... real ones. Is that wrong?"

My alpha should be possessive, jealous. Instead, I just feel... proud. Proud that she's brave enough to want what she wants.

"That's exactly how packs work," I tell her. "Multiple bonds. Different connections with each person."

"You're not upset?"

"Why the hell would I be upset? You having feelings for the others doesn't make what just happened any less real." I stroke her cheek with my thumb, and the purr in my chest intensifies. "It just means you're starting to see us as your pack."

The relief in her expression is everything. Her scent sweetens further, and I can smell the happiness mixing with her arousal.

"Thank you," she whispers.

"For what?"

"For making me feel normal. For making me feel like what I want actually matters."

"It does matter," I say, meaning every word. "It will always matter."

We stand there for a few more minutes, just holding each other in the cold. My purr hasn't stopped, and I can see the wonder in her eyes every time she hears it. Through the cabin window, I can see Hawk making exaggerated shushing gestures to keep the others away from the glass. Making sure we have this moment.

"I should probably ask," I say eventually, though I hate to break the spell, "what do you want the others to know?"

She looks up at me, and I can see the conflict in her expression. "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," she says quietly. "But I also don't want to stop. I don't want to pretend this didn't happen or that I don't feel this way."

"Then we won't."

When we walk back to the cabin hand in hand, Hawk greets us with the biggest grin I've ever seen. The others are clustered in the main room, and I can see the exact moment they catch our combined scents. August's eyes go soft with happiness. Dante'sexpression grows intense. Cassian just nods, like he's been waiting for this moment.

"How'd it go?" Hawk asks, like he doesn't already know from the way we're both glowing and the purr I can't seem to stop.

"Perfect," Daisy says, and her scent gets even sweeter. "Thank you. For pushing me to ask for what I wanted."

"Anytime, princess," Hawk says, then looks at me. "You good?"

"Better than good," I tell him honestly, the purr still rumbling in my chest.

And I am. For the first time in my life, I kissed someone who kissed me back. Someone who chose me just because she wanted to. Someone who makes me purr like a content alpha.

Someone who might choose me again.

Chapter 24