“Only the best for my mate,” I murmur.
I wrap my arms around her and savor her presence. She lays her head against my chest and I press a kiss to the crown of her head.
A purr rumbles up from my snow leopard, content to have my mate in my arms.
“I love that,” Anna whispers. “It calms me.”
“Good,” I murmur into her hair, the sound of my purr deepening. “It’s meant to. You’re my mate, Anna. It’s for you—and you alone.”
Fourteen
Blaze
I finished my prep first which gives me a chance to gather every blanket and pillow in the house and bring it all to the family room.
Aksel and Rion see me but don’t comment which is a relief.
I survey the family room where I’ve stacked everything to resemble a fort.
Once everyone has prepped for the stakeout I decide to take my chance and call everyone into the living room.
I’m not sure Anna will want to spend time alone with me but I doubt she’ll deny everyone.
“Come on, everybody! In here,” I call out, my voice gruff but oddly hopeful.
Aksel strides into the room first, his eyes scanning the makeshift fort. He doesn’t say anything. Rion follows, green eyes wide with curiosity, and then Griffyn, who smirks as he runs a hand through his black hair.
“This for Anna?” Rion asks.
I nod. “Thought we could all use a break.”
There’s a knowing look in all their eyes.
Felix saunters in, wearing a smile that reaches his hazel-green eyes. Behind him, Anna steps through the threshold, her green eyes widening at the sight before her. Her blonde hair falls perfectly straight, she looks gorgeous.
“Blaze…” she starts but doesn’t finish.
“Got the full season of ‘Big House’ ready to go,” I tell her, my voice steady despite the hammering in my chest. “Figured we could all use some downtime together.”
Felix’s smile widens, and he gives me an approving nod as if to acknowledge the effort.
Anna’s shock slowly morphs into a tentative smile, one that doesn’t quite reach her eyes but suggests she might just be on board with this.
“Thanks, Blaze,” she finally says, her voice soft yet clear in the quiet room. “That sounds… really nice, actually.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t want Anna to yourself,” Felix says.
“Because,” I begin, the word hanging heavy between us, “I owe everyone here.” The truth of it settles in my chest. “And I need to show I can be part of a team. This is me trying.”
Aksel gives a nod that doesn’t require words to convey understanding. Rion winks and smirks. Griffyn simply grins, the tension in the room dissipating like smoke.
My gaze slides back to Anna, catching the tear that escapes down her cheek. It’s a small victory, evidence of a barrier broken, and despite the tightness in my throat, I let out a slow breath.
“Thanks, Blaze,” she whispers, and there’s a warmth in her voice that seeps into the cold places inside me, thawing them just a fraction.
“Let’s make it a night to remember, then,” I say.
Everyone finds a spot in the fort of pillows and blankets. I don’t try to sit next to Anna, but feel satisfied being near her with Griffyn between us.
