Page 59 of Want It All

I stirred.

At first, I thought the sound behind me was snoring. But then my tired brain realised it was an unbroken, deep, continuing rumble that didn’t hitch or fall with breath.

It was a purr.

It didn’t belong to Sebastian, though, and nor was it Rose’s adorable, melodic crackle. It was too deep and too rumbly and it made me feel safe , soothing over every fractured part of me.

My own started without warning, adding an extra layer to the sound.

What the fuck? I thought sleepily, forcing my tired body to roll over.

A wordless noise of complaint was my reward, though the purr continued, accompanied by a deep sigh. There was a heavy weight on my waist and it shifted as I moved, settling along my back, pulling me closer to a hard wall of warmth.

I wrenched my eyes open, then froze.

Byron’s face was inches from mine, his eyes still closed, his purr unabated. I stared at him, taking in the thick black lashes shadowing his cheeks, his high cheekbones, his square jaw, and something I’d never noticed before: an almost-invisible dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose.

I swallowed.

‘Can feel you looking a’ me,’ he grumbled thickly, a hint of his father’s lyrical accent slipping into his voice for a moment. ‘Go ba’ t’ sleep.’

‘I don’t think so,’ I answered softly. I reached out and tentatively stroked his hair back from his face.

‘Mmm.’ He leaned unselfconsciously into the touch. ‘You can stay awake if you keep doing that.’

I did as he asked, shifting my body closer. ‘Whatever you want.’

‘Want you not to be an asshole again,’ he murmured. ‘Can you do that?’

‘No,’ I answered, honestly.

He cracked his grey eyes open to glare at me.

‘If someone tried to hurt you, or either of our omegas, being an asshole would be the least of what I would do.’

‘Oh.’ He closed his eyes again. ‘That’s okay. You can be an asshole for the pack, but don’t be an asshole to the pack. Deal?’

‘Deal.’ I cupped his cheek, stroking my thumb across his skin. My nerves were buzzing. ‘Does that mean you forgive me?’

‘Yes,’ he said grumpily. ‘But please don’t do it again, Grace.’

‘You think I’d risk this?’ I traced his cheekbone. ‘You think I’d do anything to 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 is mine .’

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 as you ? You did this for days . 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. ‘ That is Sebastian making pancakes.’

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

Another crash sounded, 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 I do know 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.’