Page 80 of Dakota

Wade sucked in a breath, helpless in hispain. “But it’s so hard.”

“Just the first step. And you don’t have todo it alone.” Dakota smiled. “We don’t let you do anything alone. Why would welet you fall in love again without us right there with you?”

Wade’s tears slowed as he let out a laugh.“I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Dakota hugged him tight again. “Matthewloved you more than anything, but just because you found your fated mate oncedoesn’t mean you won’t get another. Matthew would move the earth itself to makesure you were loved again.”

Wade chuckled, looking lighter. “He waskind of bossy when he set his mind on something.”

“He was wonderfully bossy and I’m sure he’sout there somewhere pulling strings and badgering people to get what he wants.You don’t want to be the one to fuck up his plans, do you?” Dakota’s logic wasperfectly Dakota, but Wade seemed to appreciate that.

“No, I don’t want him mad at me.” Wadesmiled as I wiped tears off his wet cheeks.

“Thank you.” Then he turned his head andkissed my cheek. “For everything.”

Hugging him tight again, I gently kissedhis lips. “You’re not alone. You’ve got a huge family around you, and with theclub opening you’re going to have so many opportunities to meet people. Youdon’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, but don’t hide from love.”

It was Dakota’s turn to hug us and sprinklekisses over our faces. “We love you and don’t ever forget that.”

Then my loveable, distractible omega smiledat me. “And I love you. There’s no other alpha out there who could’veunderstood my life so perfectly and who could support me in so many ways. Ilove you. I love the way you laugh and find me funny and all the little waysyou show how much you love me. You make me a better man.”

“And a healthier one.” Wade’s comment hadboth of us in stitches. “What? You know I’m right.”

Still smiling, I nodded. “Oh yes, you’revery right. Even when he sneaks pizza instead of eating his vegetables andforgets to take out the trash to hide the evidence.”

“Shit.” Dakota’s whispered expletive had mefighting the urge to laugh.

Kissing his frowning lips, I smiled. “And Ilove you. I love how wrapped up you get in your work and all the little waysyou let me hover and take care of you. I love your wonderful imagination andall the incredible people you’ve brought into my life.”

Kissing both their foreheads, the emotionsin the room were still so thick I had to take a deep breath. “It always feltlike I was moving toward something and everything fell right into place themoment I saw you walk into that kitchen.”

Wade giggled. “Kiss him. Show him how muchyou love him. I knew you were perfect for each other the minute you sat downbeside me and promised not to hit on me.”

Since Wade was always right with thesethings, I relaxed my grip on him and let him shift away to watch us.

Gathering Dakota in my arms, I leaned backagainst the chair and held him tight. “Nothing in my life will ever be thesame, and that’s the most incredible gift you could give me…an exciting,surprising future with the most incredible omega ever.”

Pressing my lips gently against his, Ipoured everything I was feeling into that light, tender caress. But no matterhow deep I kissed him or how tight I held him, I knew it would never be enough.I was going to spend a lifetime, and hopefully beyond, trying to find the rightway to show him how much I loved him.

I hadn’t just found a friend or a job oreven a lover when I’d walked into that party, I’d found the other half of mysoul…and I was never going to forget how special that was. Nothing wasguaranteed in life, Wade showed me that, but I was going to spend every momentfor the rest of my life loving the man who was made just for me.

My fated mate.

~~~