Aster smiles. “You’re my pack. You’re the only pack that matters to me.”
“I pledged myself to the Blackthroat pack to get their help rescuing you.” I study Aster’s face. I don’t know how she’ll take that news. I know she doesn’t trust the Blackthroats. She grew up hearing terrible stories about them.
She gasps, her eyes warm. “You’re no longer a lone wolf! I’m so glad. You were keeping yourself away from others to your own harm.”
“You’re right. I…my whole life was spent ensuring I was self-sufficient, so I could infiltrate the Moonborn. I worked my ass off to get an Ivy League education and a job on Wall Street. I mastered total control over my wolf side to never need a pack. But I was willing to throw all of it away for you, starshine.”
A wicked grin stretches her lips. “Aiden will hate that he lost his Seeress to the Blackthroats. My magic was the one thing they had that the Blackthroats didn’t.”
“But what about the Grandmothers? Will they hate it?”
Aster swallows. “I don’t know. Part of me wondered…”
What? I sign.
“Maybe they’re already planning for the next generation.”
I stare at her, trying to decode her words. Finally, it hits me. “Are you pregnant?”
A mysterious look comes over her face. “It’s still so early. But…I think so.”
Triumph–the triumph I should’ve felt the moment I grabbed the ladder swinging from the helicopter and lifted off with my mate–surges through me. Pure joy. Victory. Celebration.
I leap off the bed and swing Aster around. She giggles hysterically as I throw her in the air and catch her.
“A pup. Fate, a pup! Nan will be so happy. And my mother….”
It’s the first time I’ve called Liora mother, but it feels like she should be included in this celebration. And Oriana. My sister. Our future pup’s aunt.
“Let’s wait a bit until I’m sure,” Aster pleads.
I drop kisses all across her face. Her neck. Her breastbone. “Of course.”
I fall back on the bed and pull her on top of me. “So you’re moving in with me? You’ll live in the city?”
For a moment, a flicker of trepidation crosses her face. She’s never known anything but isolation in a cult. She’s never held a job. I don’t know if she’s even been to school.
“I know it will be a big adjustment to live in the city. If Brick gives me my job back, I’ll have plenty of money. We could look for a property out of the city. Maybe in New Jersey. Somewhere with a little land, so you don’t go nuts.”
Aster’s eyes go soft again. “I’ll be okay. As long as I have you, everything will be fine. We’ll figure it out. You’re my mate. You’re all I need.”
“You’re all I need, starshine. You’re everything to me. I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“No. I needed you to doubt me. But thank you for coming for me, anyway.”
Always, I sign.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Aster
Brick and Madi threw a big bonfire to welcome us home. Smell of charcoal, charred cedar, and roasting meat. My mouth waters at the platters of pork, beef, chicken, and even venison weighing down each table.
Three of the Blackthroat’s friends, werebear triplets named Hutch, Bern, and Canyon flew the helicopter and helped rescue us. They are part of some shifter ops merc team somehow connected to Brick. Apparently, they requested payment in bacon, which is why there are six whole hogs roasting on a spit–two for each of them.
“Mmm, meat,” Esme hums. She tugs her hair out of its ponytail and fluffs it until it falls down her back in a silky, curly mass. Instantly, all male attention zeroes in on her, but she seems oblivious. “Anyone up for a hot dog eating contest?”
Across the lawn, the three triplets raise their hands.
