Page 126 of The Alpha’s Heir

My pack was a good pack, though. I’d thought that being a leader meant I took it all on my shoulders—and maybe that was the case for other packs—but my pack was eager to work together and make this place their own.

They were teaching me how to step back and allow things to happen naturally, without me stressing and trying to hold onto control of everything.

Still a work in progress, but we were getting there.

I stood in the center of “town,” waiting for the vehicle that had entered our territory—the namesake of Miller Pack.

The smile that he gave through the windshield made my wolf howl and my heart sing.

We didn’t have a white picket fence. Half the lower level of the territory was barbed-wire. And we might not have the typical happily-ever-after, but my mate had come home again.

That was enough reason to smile for another day.

“You brought more gifts I see,” I teased as Roman climbed out of the truck. My nostrils flared when I caught the scent of wolf in the back.

“Marcus will get them settled in.” Roman swept me off my feet, carrying me bridal style with a human growl. “I’m taking you for a few minutes before the next round of problems starts.”

I was still grinning as he carried me to our tent. Life was like this. Stolen moments between fires that needed putting out. But I’d choose it all again a million times if it meant that I got him.

Our lips crashed together as soon as the tent flaps closed, fingers fumbling at clothes we were careful not to tear and—

“Wait.” I broke our kiss, ignoring the frustrated grumble of my beast. “What happened to your uniform?”

Roman groaned as he set me on the edge of our bed of furs. A hint of nervousness drifted through our mating bond, but it faded quickly as he smiled.

“Don’t tell me you were only in it for the uniform.”

I held up pinched fingers. “Like this much.”

The flash of a challenge that roared through our bond gave my beast a thrill.

“Really?” he asked, taking off his shirt. “And here I thought you liked me best when I wore nothing at all.”

I forgot how to breathe for a second.

My gaze traced over his muscled abdomen and the human scars he’d never recovered from. An appendix removal when he was eight. A burn from the stove at nine. The training accident when he’d first joined the military that had left a scar up his ribs.

I’d rushed to map every inch of his body in the times we’d had together, but there was still so much more I had to learn about my mate.

His fist wrapped around the dog tags and chain that hung from his neck against his bare chest.

My eyes met his, searching.

“I turned my uniform in,” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

I knew what it meant to him. The pride he carried for his career and all he’d done to get where he was. He didn’t have to throw it all away. We could—

“Your mind is racing again.” Roman pressed his lips against my forehead, silencing my thoughts. “I wanted a clean break to put the past behind me. My future is here with you.”

How could I not smile at that?

I’m smiling too.

“Come here.” I scooted back on the bed, giving him room. My body was already aching and aware of his nearness. It’d only been two days since I last saw him, but every time we had to separate, it felt this intense to see him again.

Maybe that was the mating bond. Or maybe it was just us. Either way, I wasn’t complaining.