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He frowned, thinking his safety was definitely not more important than hers.
“And then I thought … fate’s not the bitch I used to believe it was. I mean, it gave me a totally screwed up mate, and it took both my parents from me, so I guess I hadn’t trusted that it would let me keep you; that it would let me have something good. I was expecting to lose you at some point, and I didn’t even realize it. That must have stopped me being completely open to the imprint bond.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? I can’t blame you for not having any real faith in fate. It’s been throwing bags of dogshit on your doorstep for years.”
Her mouth hitched up. “You’re the best form of compensation a girl could ask for.”
His beast rumbled a contented sound. Alex drew her closer and sipped at her mouth, indulging himself in her taste. He smoothed his hand up her back to palm her head. A head that had not long ago had a gun pressed against it. Alex tensed, tightening his hold on her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Seeing that gun aimed at you … I’ve never felt so fucking useless. All I could do was let that twisted piece of shit talk himself out.”
“He’s gone now.” She stroked his chest. “And after watching your beast go ape-shit on his ass, I can see why you weren’t so worried about him attacking you.”
“I did tell you that he wouldn’t manage to kill me, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Not liking the “I told you so” tone, Bree sniffed. “I think my cat could take you.”
The look he gave her was somewhat pitying. “She could cause me some pain, I’ll admit that much. But she doesn’t stand a chance against—ow,” he growled when she tugged his leg hairs with her toes. “Keep them cute feet to yourself.”
Bree felt her face scrunch up. “They’re not cute. No one has cute feet. Feet are ugly. Except for baby feet. They’re ridiculously cute. Do you want kids?”
“Only if we have them decades apart. And only if they’re boys.”
“Why do they have to be boys?”
“I’d kill any male who went near my daughters, so it’s best all-round if we don’t have any.” He splayed his hand on her stomach. “You’re going to let my babies grow right here?”
“Our babies, yes. Oh my God, you just smiled.”
His expression turned somber as ever. “No, I didn’t.”
“You did. Okay, so your mouth curved the teensiest bit on one side, but that totally counts.”
“There was no curving.”
“Dude, you smiled. It was a rusty smile, but I’ll take what I can get.”
He frowned. “I don’t smile.”
“Saw it with my own eyes, Devereaux. You. Smiled.” It was probably her smug tone that made him growl.
“Has anyone else told you you’re a pain in the ass?”
She pursed her lips. “No.”
“Well, they were definitely thinking it.”
She poked his chest. “Hey, that’s not nice.”
“I’m not nice.”
“Yeah, but it’s sort of endearing. It works for you.”
“Whatever,” he grumbled, flicking off the covers. “Gonna grab a snack, I’m hungry.”
“Surprise, fucking surprise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
One month later
“I didn’t realize Madisyn had such a great voice,” said Evander, rubbing a cube of chalk over the tip of his pool cue. “She and Mila sound good together.”
Glancing at the females singing on the karaoke, Bree nodded. “Totally agree with you on that.” So did the people on the dance floor, if the cheering was anything to go by.
Holding Bree against him, his front to her back, Alex let out a sullen grunt.
Having potted one of the balls, Greg straightened. “Not enjoying your party, Alex?”
“I’m liking the amount of food,” replied Alex. “Does that count?”
Greg’s mouth canted up. “It counts.”
Bree snickered. Alex, the greedy shit, had demolished a whole casserole to himself. He’d also scoffed on chicken wings, potato salad, lasagna, and God knew what else.
It probably should have felt a little weird for her to have the afterparty of their mating ceremony at The Tavern, considering a fox had once tried to kidnap her from the alley outside, but it was tradition for their pride mates to hold celebratory events there—she wasn’t going to let Dani, Bernadette, or anyone else taint that.
Just the same, she hadn’t delayed moving back into her house. Paxton and the other threats were gone now. Alex had sanded off all the markings that Paxton left near her home. Her mate hadn’t grumbled about leaving his apartment, so all was good.
Alex’s mouth grazed her ear. “Let’s just leave.”
Sighing, she turned in his arms. “I know you don’t like parties much, but this is to celebrate our mating.”
“We can do that at home. Alone. Naked. I’ve been hard since before we even left the house,” he added with a soft growl that brushed over her skin like fur. “I want in you.”
