“I leave for fifteen minutes,” she groaned, stomping her foot. “Unbelievable.”
“I think she planned it,” Vinny teased.
Serena ignored him and crossed the room fast, dropping the bag before cupping my face in both hands.
“You couldn’t wait?” she asked quietly.
My lip wobbled as I shook my head.
“Hey—wait, no.” Serena’s eyes sharpened as she glanced over her shoulder. “I leave you with the boys and they make you cry?” Her voice snapped. “Vinny, what the fuck?”
“I didn’t—” Vinny started.
“She did it herself,” Skye added, still half-asleep behind me.
Serena turned back immediately, thumbs brushing under my eyes as more tears slipped free.
“Does something hurt?” she asked, voice soft now. “Are you dizzy?”
I shook my head again.
It was stupid.
I felt stupid.
But the tears wouldn’t stop.
They all stared at me as I put my hand flat over my chest and pulled it upward in a slow circle, over and over.
Happy.
Happy.
Happy.
“Happy,” Vinny repeated softly. “You’re crying because you’re happy?”
I nodded, tears spilling anyway, ridiculous and unstoppable.
Serena smiled—wide and bright and real—as she brushed her nose to mine.
“Oh, sweet girl.” She kissed my forehead, then pulled back. “You’re going to be happy for the rest of your life. We’ll make sure of it.”
I nodded frantically and hid my face in my hands to sob harder.
And through the bond—through the way my pack filled the space inside me—I had absolutely no doubt they meant it.
For the first time in my life, I’d behappy.
I’d besafe.
And I’d beloved unconditionallyby someone other than Reed.
Chapter 31
Vinny
Two months later…
