AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“A heads-up would’ve been nice,” I mutter.
Sloane elbows me in the ribs and I glance down to meet her eyes, the look in them imploring me to play nice. I give her a discreet nod, clearing my throat and tossing an arm around her shoulders as I lift my head to look toward the table again.
“So?” Mom asks, practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. “Does our pack have a new Luna?”
Pride swells in my chest as Sloane smiles bashfully, nodding.
Avery squeals, shooting up from her chair and rushing over to us. She practically tackles Sloane with a hug while everyone else clamors out of their chairs and descends upon us, offering hugs and handshakes and congratulatory words. I’m completely overwhelmed by it- here, I thought Alpha Brock would lose his shit when we broke the news, but instead he’s clapping me on the back with a grin, like he’s genuinely happy for us. My parents pull me in for a hug, mom laying a sloppy wet kiss on my cheek. Even Tristan is all smiles, going in for an awkward fist-bump, but I sling an arm around his neck and yank him in, rubbing my knuckles against his head playfully.
It's more than I ever expected- and honestly, more than I deserve, for how much of a dick I’ve been to half of the people in this room. Avery approaches me last, giving me one of her annoying, ‘told ya so’ looks, and I bark out a laugh, wrapping my arms around her and squeezing tight.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
She just grins back at me in response as she pulls away, winking. Leave it to my twin to know exactly what to do to diffuse the tension between me and Sloane’s family so that we can start the next chapter of our lives together without the past hanging over our heads.
“Well, should we eat?” Dad asks, tipping his head toward the dining table.
Everyone else mumbles in affirmation, heading that way to retake their seats as Sloane and I follow. I was so taken aback by the surprise of finding our families here that I didn’t even notice all the food. My mouth waters as we draw closer and I take in the array of platters spread across the table, piled with every breakfast food imaginable, including Sloane’s favorite- salmon omelets. And they’re cooked a hell of a lot better than when I attempted to make her one all those years ago.
The two of us claim seats side by side, and as soon as we sit down, we’re met with a barrage of questions.
“So are you actually fated?”
“Did you mark?”
“When are you telling the pack?”
“Slow down,” Sloane laughs, holding up her palms. “Can’t we get some food in us first?”
“Worked up an appetite, huh?” Goldie teases.
Tristan grimaces. “Ugh, can we not?”
“Way to make it awkward,” I laugh, reaching for the plate of omelets. I spear one with a fork, scooping it onto Sloane’s plate before taking another for myself and passing the platter along. The rest of the dishes are lifted and passed, and once we’ve all got full plates, we dig in, lighthearted conversation flowing easily.
“So, youwerefated, right?” Goldie probes, glancing between Sloane and me.
She sets down her fork, swallowing her bite of food before responding. “Fated and sealed,” Sloane replies, pulling the collar of her shirt over to show my mark on her skin. “The whole nine yards.”
“Ugh, I’m just so happy for you,” Astrid gushes, reaching across the table to take her daughter’s hand. “Both of you,” she amends, reaching a hand out toward me.
I take it, smiling at her as she gives it a little squeeze before pulling both hands back.
Brock wipes his mouth off on his napkin, setting it beside his plate. “Look, I know I haven’t always been the most…receptive,when it comes to your relationship.”
Goldie snorts. “You can say that again.”
He cuts her a glare, then turns back to Sloane and me, his expression softening. “What I’m trying to say is that I hope we can leave the past where it belongs and move forward. We’re all family now, and families don’t always see eye to eye, but they always have one another’s backs.” His eyes lock with mine. “And despite our differences, I know you’ll take care of my little girl.”
I nod solemnly. “You’ll never have to doubt that.”
“Just keep Tristan away from their phones and it should be smooth sailing,” Goldie snickers.
Sloane drops her fork with a clatter and her sister snaps her head in her direction, wide-eyed. “What, too soon?”
“I don’t think they’re quite at the point of being able to look back on that and laugh about it,” Avery mumbles with a wince.
I take a bite of my omelet, washing it down with a gulp of orange juice. “Tris and I are good,” I say, nodding toward him. “Sloane has taught me a thing or two about forgiveness since she came back.” I slide her a glance and she sets a hand on my thigh beneath the table, smiling back at me.
