Our pack leader is busy working tonight, but he made a mysterious promise about planning something special another time.
Luca laughs as Adler charges off, ready to film Drax’s ordeal, which I’m sure we won’t hear the end of. Despite their rocky start, Drax now fits in well with the rest of the pack. He and Adler have gotten closer—I guess seeing each other naked and sharing an omega helped—and they now work out together daily. I doubt they’ll ever lose their competitive streak, though, always trying to out-do each other. Luckily, instead of being toxic, it only pushes them both to be better. Drax tells me that Adler needs to be surrounded by more people who don’t kiss his ass, which is probably true, and I secretly think Adler likes that Drax isn’t afraid to challenge him.
“Having fun?” Luca drapes his arm around my shoulder. I happily sag against him as I watch my teammates having a good time.
I’m so proud of them. Although this semester has been life-changing for me, I didn’t drop the ball, maintaining my responsibilities and duties. I’m glad that I was able to help bring the team to victory.
I flash Luca a big smile, but my mouth feels weirdly stretched. “I am.”
“But?” he prompts, immediately seeing straight through my act.
Damn our bond that gives him insight into everything I feel. Luca was already really perceptive to subtle changes in mymood, more so than the others, which is both a blessing and a curse.
I sigh. “It’s just…”
It’s hard to articulate how I’m feeling. As happy as I am to have won the championship and be surrounded by my incredible team, for once, my top priority isn’t being first in line to down a row of shots.
Luca pulls me closer. “You’re thinking about the Stellas, aren’t you?”
“I understand why the girls couldn’t come tonight,.” I sigh. “It just doesn’t feel the same without them here, and…”
Sadly, none of them could make the party. Kady had a TVV crisis to deal with, Faye is harvesting a rare plant that only comes out for one night a year, and Delilah’s traveling out of town with Jagger for an important meeting with music producers—although she still somehow had time to make enough snacks to feed everyone here.
“Talk to me, Sabs,” Luca urges. “You know you can tell me anything.”
“I love living with you guys—honestly, I do—it’s the best.” I peer down at my chipped nail polish. “But I kinda miss living with my girls too. Moving out happened so fast that I didn’t really have time to say goodbye to that chapter of my life.”
“You know they can stay with us anytime,” Luca tells me. “Our home is their home.”
While I know that, it’s not the same as waking to find Delilah stress baking at 3am or looking for a missing sock only to find that Larry has stolen it again or being woken up by Kady’s snoring to find that we’ve all fallen asleep on the sofa with Faye drooling on my shoulder.
“I know.” Wistful, I look across the sand, remembering how I felt when I first arrived at Scent Valley University.
Obviously I loved the campus and was super excited for my courses, but I never expected to find a pack or to create a whole new family with the Stellas. SVU has given me everything I’ve ever wanted.
“And they’ll all be joining us in Saltwave Bay over the summer,” Luca reminds me.
“Kady’s already been making an itinerary of stuff for us to do together.” I laugh. “I swear, I haven’t even heard of half the things on her list.”
The Valen Pack will be staying in Rose Harbor, a small town a short drive away from Saltwave Bay. The Silverwood Pack already has their own place close to our rental, and Delilah promised to reserve a place on the beach. Luckily Jagger has enough money that they can travel anywhere on a dime.
“I can’t wait.” Luca’s dual-hued eyes shine with excitement. “I’ve always wanted to try surfing.”
“Forest will be visiting, so he can teach you. You’re going to get along so well.” I perk up at the thought. Although my brothers know about my pack, they haven’t officially met yet. Now that my parents approve of them, their first meeting shouldn’t be quite as explosive as when Laz confronted them at Adler’s practice. “It’s going to be one crazy summer.”
Sand kicks up as Adler and Drax make their way toward us. Drax—a little red in the face—is glaring at Adler, who is wiping his eyes while laughing.
“You guys have to see this!” Adler holds up his phone.
Drax snatches it from his fingers and hurls it a few feet away.
“Hey!” Adler scrambles after it.
“If you show anyone that video, it’ll end up in the lake.” Drax’s nostrils flex, obviously not finding Adler funny. “Or I’ll post that video of you singing to the Spice Girls into your protein shaker for everyone to see.”
Adler’s eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” Drax crosses his inked arms over his barrel chest.
