Page 114 of Want It All

‘You think I’d risk this?’ I traced his cheekbone. ‘You think I’d doanythingto jeopardise my pack?’

‘No.’ He stretched, lifting his arm from my waist for a moment, only to pull me closer a heartbeat later. I nudged a leg between his, locking us together. ‘You’re a lot of things, Tristan, but you’re not stupid.’

‘You’re a lot of things, too,’ I told him, ‘but the most important one ismine.’

His arm tightened around me; he pressed his forehead to mine. ‘Yes,’ he said simply. ‘Yes.’

We lay still for a moment. I breathed him in, the salted caramel scent of him settling over my tongue, making my mouth water. My cock twitched hopefully, then gave up.

Byron snorted. ‘The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ He grinned. ‘How am I as tired asyou? You did this fordays. I barely managed a few hours.’

I smiled. ‘Better work on your stamina before next time then, Griffiths.’

He made a humming sound, then pressed his lips to mine, softly, tenderly, before sighing against my mouth.

Happily.

‘Mine,’ he murmured. ‘My mate. My alpha. My pack.’

‘Yours,’ I agreed, and tipped his chin back for another kiss.

I lost myself for a long moment, caught in the slide of his lips over mine, the way his hair felt as it slipped between my fingers. I traced my hands over his shoulders and back, learning the shape of him, following the planes and dips of muscle. I was going to map every inch of him, learn the places he loved to be touched and just how to do it. I was going to make up for everything – for that first, too-quick fuck in the maze, for the hurt I’d caused Rose and Sebastian, for being an asshole even before then. I’d spend my lifetime making sure that this alpha knew what he meant to me.

He sighed again, and turned his cheek, scent marking me. My purr rumbled contentedly in response; I arched my neck, letting him nuzzle at my scent gland, my limbs heavy with happiness.

A loud crash came from the kitchen.

Byron was on his feet in an instant. ‘What the fuck was that?’

It was my turn to sigh. ‘Thatis Sebastian making pancakes.’

Byron stared at me, then ran a hand through his messy hair. ‘Oh. That can’t be too –’

Anothercrashsounded, followed by a shriek of surprise that could have come from either omega. I forced myself upright. ‘I’d better go help.’

Byron frowned. ‘It’s pancakes. Sebastian is a literal genius. Surely he can manage.’

‘Uh-huh.’ I paused. ‘Have you ever cleaned egg off a ceiling?’

My mate blinked at me.

‘Sebastian is an accomplished baker, provided it comes from a packet. But if he tries to make something from scratch, it all just –’ I made a motion with my hands ‘– falls apart. Spectacularly. I’ve witnessed it for years and still can’t explain it. But Idoknow that it’s best to intervene early. Especially if you’re hungry.’

Byron’s lips twitched. ‘It seems I have a lot to learn.’

I stood and closed the distance between us, brushing another soft kiss across his mouth. ‘Don’t we all.’

Six Months Later

TheGreatHallwasfull of people.

I turned around in my seat, trying to spot my parents in the crowd. Tristan’s mother waved to me, smiling widely. I waved back and blew her a kiss, then gave a less unhinged smile to Tristan’s fathers. Sebastian’s omega mum caught my eye and gave me a cheerful salute; his mother acknowledged me with a graceful nod. I knew that was her at her friendliest, so I waved at them both.

My own parents were a few rows back, sitting with Byron’s father; my eyes misted as my mum and dad blew me a kiss. I hadn’t seen them for months and was looking forward to introducing them properly to my pack.

‘Oh, your mum is so cute!’ Sebastian exclaimed, waving enthusiastically. ‘You look just like her!’

I’d met Sebastian and Tristan’s parents on a visit to Sydney during the mid-semester break; Tristan’s parents had flown from the UK specifically. Meeting eight parents in one go had been a lot, but I was glad we’d done it; it had made this – the Banksia House annual awards night – and what was to come tomorrow, easier.