I set down my mug, hands curled tight. “So break them, Zane.”
His mouth forms a thin line. “If I do that, I can’t control who your father sends to get you in the meantime.”
My fists ball at my sides. “He’s not sending anyone, Zane. I’m not leaving. I’m nearly thirty years old. Ranier will keepthe family line alive and well on his own. No one needs me for marriages or line-carrying.”
“I agree.”
I stare at Zane. “You do?”
He nods. “I do. Which is why I’ve been trying to come up with another solution.”
His answer takes me aback. I don’t question that Zane cares for me because he has since we first met. And I don’t doubt some of that same care extends to our packmates. But this pack is new, and his contract with my father is very legal. There could be repercussions for Zane, which is why I’m trying my best to make it clear this ismy choice.
I blink at him. “What have you thought up?”
Zane inhales sharply. “Nothing that doesn’t involve going back to the city first. At that point, I suppose he could try to hold you there until Omega Selection Day, but it’s obviously bordering on kidnapping at that point.”
“Youcould kidnap me.” I mean it as a joke, but there’s a dark look in Zane’s eyes that says he’s clearly considered it. “Then let’s go back and deal with this head-on. We can be back before tomorrow morning.”
The dark look doesn’t leave Zane’s eyes even as his gaze roams over the healed-up bite marks across my shoulders. “Your father will know we’re bonded. That you’ve been gone a month and come back part of a pack. Are you prepared to handle that reaction?”
I left the city because I didn’t want a pack. Because I needed time.
It turns out I just needed therightpack.
And yes, this is new as hell. Bonding as we have after only a month is quite insane. But when you know… you just know.
I nod. “I’ll pack an overnight bag in case we get stuck in traffic. We’re more than bonded, Zane. I love you. All three of you.”
It’s maybe too early for that. Too quick. But I can’t hold it inside anymore. Even before my heat, this care for all three of my alphas was churning into something heavier and farther reaching.
I love them. It started around the time Lucas nearly drowned, but it was sealed after that. And maybe years from now we’ll regret all of this—although I certainly hope not. But summer love sometimes survives the holiday.
Ours will, too.
Zane studies my face. When he asks the question, it’s clear he’s sure he’s misheard me. “You do?”
I close the distance between us and hold his face. “Yes, dummy. I do. And I’ve loved you for a lot longer.”
Zane wraps an arm around my middle and kisses me fiercely. When we part, he nods for the bedroom door. “Go pack. I’ll do the same. Then I’ll let Cole and Lucas know we’ll be missing for an evening.”
Anxiety coils tight in my chest. “Should we invite them along?”
“And give your father more ammo?” Zane shakes his head. “No, let’s just get this done.”
And we do. But rather than packing only an overnight bag, I pack everything. So does Zane. Because we both know the moment my father hears of this, he’ll pull our rental lease from the flat. I’ll honestly probably be cut off entirely from finances and connections.
These are no longer things I’m worried about.
All I need is my pack and a little seaside village to call home.
CHAPTER 23
Zane
The Starling Estatelooms in the rain. Long gone are the sun and blue skies of Seamuse. I keep the Bentley steady, tires chewing gravel until I see the gates. Wrought iron swallows the light from the bricked gatehouse.
We’re late. Her father will be pissed, but Helena keeps her eyes on the long, winding drive. There’s nothing Helena and I could have done about the traffic. Besides, as excited as we are to get this over with and return to Seamuse Village, the conversation that needs to happen first looms as dire as the rain above.
