Page 53 of Talk Howly to Me

"You know," she said, unable to suppress her smile, "three days ago I was convinced I'd lost everything. Now I'm standing in this kitchen, preparing a party for two hundred people, and it feels like the most incredible gift I've ever received."

Kozue paused in his mixing of banana bread batter, his expression growing serious. "That's because you've found where you belong. This—" He gestured around the kitchen, encompassing not just the space but everything it represented. "—was always meant to be your home."

Through their bond, she felt both men's emotions like warm honey spreading through her chest. Ronan's fierce protectiveness and his determination to give her the stability she'd never had. Kozue's gentle certainty and his joy at seeing her embrace the life they could build together. And underneath it all, their shared amazement that fate had brought them together through such unlikely circumstances.

"I still can't believe you agreed to help cook instead of hiding in your office," she teased Ronan, bumping his shoulder with hers as she moved to check on the second pot of sauce. "Emerson nearly fainted when I told her you'd be joining us in the kitchen."

Ronan's lips quirked in that smile that never failed to make her stomach flutter. "Two people couldn't possibly cook for two hundred. You needed an extra set of hands."

But through their bond, she felt the real reason—his desire to spend quality time with his mate and his brother, his recognition that these moments of domestic intimacy were just as important as his Alpha duties. For twelve years, he'd buried himself in responsibility and duty. Now, finally, he was learning to embrace joy alongside obligation.

"Besides," he continued, "watching you take charge is incredibly attractive."

"Everything Sloane does is incredibly attractive," Kozue added with a grin, earning himself a gentle swat with a dish towel.

The playful banter, the comfortable touches, the way they moved around each other with ease—it all felt like a glimpse into the future they were building. Not just as mates, but as partners in every aspect of life.

"Alright, taste this," Kozue said, approaching with a wooden spoon loaded with banana bread batter. "Tell me if it needs more vanilla."

Sloane opened her mouth obediently, but instead of simply tasting, she wrapped her lips around the spoon in a way that made both men go very still. The sweet batter melted on her tongue, but her attention was focused on the way Ronan's blue eyes darkened and Kozue's breathing hitched.

"Perfect," she murmured, slowly releasing the spoon and licking her lips. "Just like everything else you make."

The kitchen's temperature seemed to spike as the sexual tension crackled between them. Even after three days of being mated, even after countless intimate moments, the attraction between them burned as hot as ever.

"Let's focus," Ronan said, his deep voice rougher than usual. "We have work to do." But he didn't step away from her, and through their bond, she felt his desire blazing just as fiercely as her own.

Just then, Emerson burst through the kitchen doors, her auburn hair slightly disheveled and her green eyes bright with excitement. "How's the cooking going?"

She stopped short, taking in the scene—Sloane positioned between two obviously aroused males in a kitchen that suddenly felt charged with electricity.

"Oh," she said, her eyebrows rising. "Should I come back later?"

"No," Sloane said quickly, stepping away from her mates with obvious reluctance. "We're just... discussing the cooking."

Emerson's grin suggested she wasn't fooled for a second. "Right. Cooking. Well, when you're done with your very intense cooking, we could use help setting up the food stations. The ballroom looks amazing, by the way—like something out of a fairy tale."

The reminder of what they were building—not just for themselves, but for their entire pack—helped Sloane regain her focus. This evening wasn't just about celebrating their community; it was about establishing new traditions, creating memories, and showing everyone that Hale Lodge truly was home.

Hours later, the moment had finally arrived, and Sloane's heart thundered with anticipation as she watched their carefully orchestrated evening unfold. Through the front doors of Hale Lodge—no longer guarded by Jarvis and Bruno since Darius Kade's death four nights ago—came a steady stream of guests and pack members. What had started as a trickle quickly became a flood of laughter, conversation, and the warm chaos of community gathering.

Sloane positioned herself beside Emerson near the entrance, greeting each arrival with genuine enthusiasm. The lodge guests—couples celebrating anniversaries, families on vacation, business travelers seeking respite—mingled seamlessly with pack members she was still learning to recognize. Children darted around while their parents exchanged embraces and caught up on pack news.

"Mrs. Hutchinson, you look lovely tonight," Sloane said to an elderly guest who'd been staying at the lodge this week. Through their conversations during her morning walks, Sloane had learned the woman was recently widowed and finding solace in the mountains.

"Thank you, dear. This is such a wonderful idea—bringing everyone together like this." Mrs. Hutchinson's eyes sparkled with genuine delight. "I've never experienced such warmth at a hotel."

Because it's not just a hotel, Sloane thought with deep satisfaction. It's home.

Emerson bounced on her toes beside her, practically vibrating with excitement as she directed the flow of people. "The Johnsons, you'll want to try Kozue's banana bread—it's in the dining area. And Toby, your mate is already outside setting up the s'mores station."

The efficiency with which Emerson managed the logistics while maintaining her infectious enthusiasm never ceased to amaze Sloane. This was what pack looked like—everyone contributing their unique strengths to create something beautiful together. Through the open doorway leading to the dining area, Sloane could see Kozue moving with practiced grace among the tables, his warm smile and easy conversation putting both guests and pack members at ease. He caught her eye across the crowded space and winked, making her stomach flutter with the same intensity it had that first night when he'd shown her to her room.

Ronan appeared at the junction between the dining room and the ballroom, his commanding presence evident even in casual conversation with a family of guests. He gestured toward the various seating areas they'd created, his deep voice carrying notes of pride as he explained the evening's festivities. When his gaze found hers across the bustling crowd, the heat in his blue eyes made her breath hitch. The triad bond hummed with contentment as she felt both her mates' satisfaction at seeing their vision come to life.

This wasn't just a dinner party—it was a statement. A declaration that Hale Lodge was more than a business, that the Hale pack was more than just wolves sharing territory. They were a family, and tonight, they were sharing their home with everyone who'd mattered.

"You should go eat," Emerson nudged her gently. "You've been greeting people for an hour, and I can handle the stragglers."