Alex’s grin splits wide, unstoppable, and before I can brace myself, he’s crossing the kitchen in three long strides. He scoops me clean off my chair, spinning me once, his laugh booming through the backyard.
“Holy shit, sweetheart! You did it!”
I squeak, half laughing, half breathless, clutching at his shoulders. “Alex!—I—can’t breathe!”
He sets me down but doesn’t let go, one big hand braced against the small of my back. Behind him, Dakota's smile is much softer, his eyes glassy with tears.
Knox chuckles softly behind me, as Alex pulls him into a mighty hug.
For once, there’s no tension. No shame. No fear.
Just the sound of my pack laughing and happy. And through it all, the soft hum in the back of my mind—Knox—steady and bright, like the promise of something whole.
I’m still mad at Knox for what he did. I still feel a little betrayed. But I’ll forgive him…eventually.
Life is so Fucking Good
Dakota
Life’spretty damn amazing right now.
Skyla finally let Knox back into her nest last night. It took over a week of subtle groveling, quiet apologies, and Knox looking like a kicked puppy, but she finally gave in. I’m still not sure if she fully forgives the pack alpha, but she seemed pretty happy last night while Knoxdevouredher pussy.
Afterward, we all slept hard. Warm, tangled, completely blissed out. Skyla curled right in the middle, head on Knox’s chest, my arm slung over her waist, Alex snoring somewhere near her feet, and Tadeo mumbling about the general ledger not balancing in his sleep. It was perfection.
Our little pack finally feelsright.
It’s like the world has finally stopped spinning long enough for us to catch our breath.
And watching Skyla this morning—kissing Knox andTadeo on their cheeks as they head out the door for work—yeah, I could stay like this forever.
“All right,” Alex plops down into the recliner with a groan, stretching his long legs out like he finished a long day at work, and didn't just roll out of bed. “What’s the plan for today?”
I glance up from my phone. “I’m thinking I’ll go for a run,” I say as I bring up the workout app on my phone. I hit six miles yesterday. I’m hoping for seven today. “You two want to come?”
Skyla, sitting tucked in her portable nest, immediately makes a dramatic gagging sound. “Why would anyonechooseto run?”
Alex snorts. “You live with three alphas and a hyperactive beta, sweetheart. You should probably get used to us doing dumb physical shit for fun.”
She narrows her eyes at him, that tiny spark of playfulness dancing there, and my chest goes warm. It’s nice, seeing her like this—teasing, comfortable.
“Still gross,” she says, lifting her mug of tea and hiding her smile behind it.
I can’t help laughing as I stretch my arms over my head. “Your loss,” I say, grinning at Skyla. “Try not to miss this gorgeous face too much while I’m gone.”
She blows me a kiss, and Alex mutters something about me not tripping over my own ego. I flip him off over my shoulder as I head down the hall toward the room I technically share with Tadeo—even though neither of us has actually slept in here for days.
The room’s neat, just the way he likes it. Bed made, laundry folded, boots lined up like soldiers along the wall. The air still smells faintly of the alpha’s coconut aroma. Itmakes my chest go soft for a second before I shake it off and pull open my drawer.
Running shorts. Tank top. Shoes that are getting a little too worn on the soles, and a hoodie. It’s getting cold these days.
I strip out of my boxers, but I pause in front of the mirror, catching my reflection in the morning light. My abs are a little softer than I’d like—probably all the late-night snacks and pack dinners—but my arms still look solid and my legs are strong. The weights in the garage help, but it’s not the same as the gym.
I sigh, frustrated, raking a hand through my hair.
It’s kind of hard to stay shredded when you’re a stay-at-home beta who spends most of his days snuggling, entertaining, and staring at the most beautiful girl on earth.
It isn’t easy having a perfect life.
