Page 97 of Knotting Autumn

He let out a humorless laugh. “It turns out, when you’re selfish and abuse your packmates at every turn, they’re not very keen on loyalty. Mia and James were right. Most of the pack was thrilled to name me the new alpha.”

“I’m not surprised,” I said, leaning back so I could look into his eyes.

Expression darkening, Thorne chewed at his lip. I waited, letting him work through his emotions. Finally, he cleared his throat.

“I really thought for a moment I would have to kill my brother. And as much as that scared me, I was willing to do it.”

“That’s okay,” I hummed. “It says a lot more about you than him. He was so shitty, but you still didn’t want to harm him.”

His lashes fluttered closed, and he leaned into me, letting my words wash away the sting.

“You’re a good leader, and a good mate,” I reassured him. “And everything worked out fine. We’re safe.”

Slowly, tentatively, he brushed his mouth against mine in a testing, teasing kiss. I squeezed my thighs over his hips, dragging him against me tighter, so his next kiss was firmer.

This wasn’t the same raging desire that usually lit between us. It was pure comfort. My fingers threaded into his hair, my lips moving against his over and over.

Finally, we broke apart, his lips swollen and eyes glassy.

“I can feel your hunger, Vixen.” His smirk looked tired. “Don’t judge me, but I’d like some easy comfort food.”

“And what would that be?” I arched an eyebrow as he pushed off the counter and moved to the pantry.

The muscles of his back and arms flexed deliciously as he reached up to retrieve a couple of cans in bright red-and-green lettering.

Laughing softly, I watched him empty the canned ravioli into bowls and pop it into the microwave. “I haven’t had that in years.”

“I said don’t judge me,” he reiterated, his smile brightening. Handing me a bowl and a fork, he leaned against the counter beside me. We ate in silence, and I had to admit it tasted better than I expected. The warm carbs soothed my stomach after the turbulent day.

“Alright, we should go back in there now that it’s actually bedtime.” Cocking my head, I took in the sight of Thorne, hisexpression transitioning slowly from resigned to peaceful, as the events of the day settled around us.

My mate turned, leaning forward to kiss me again. I tasted the sweet tomato sauce on his tongue. Sighing, he said, “I’m so glad you’re here. I know we had a rocky start. I’m so grateful you stuck with me. I can’t imagine any of this without you.”

“Me too,” was all I could manage, blinking away the sting in my eyes. There had been way too much crying already over the last few days. Biting my lip, I glanced up at his stitches across his forehead.

He offered his hand to help me down. In the dim light, his stormy eyes were almost black.

The stillness of the room pressed in around us. It was the first time we’d been together where no one was chasing us. No crisis threatened. We were safe.

Threading my fingers through his, I kept my hold on Thorne, pouring my affection and gratitude through our bond as we returned to the bedroom and finally surrendered to sleep.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Spring was thawing, and flowers popped up along the path, peeking out from the green shoots between patches of graying pine needles.

Smiling, I wrapped Sawyer’s flannel around my torso tighter and tipped my face back, enjoying the dappled sunlight.

I’d walked the path between our cozy cabin and the main pack house so many times, I could easily do it with my eyes closed. But looking at the ground was nice too—occasionally I found an interesting rock or flower I’d never seen before.

Living up in the woods was an adjustment, but the close-knit pack filled some quiet need for community that my small town hadn’t quite met. It was only a few short weeks until it felt like home.

Sawyer had been my partner in crime, getting to know everyone. Thorne was often busy with alpha duties, and Cole still kept to himself, but luckily Sawyer jumped right into helping out with technology, meaning he got to know everyone who worked for the pack’s security company offices very quickly.

Over the last few months, we’d met mates and pups, as well as elders and odd packmates who held a job separate from pack operations or business. Everyone had been so welcoming.

It had taken a while for me to find something to do for work that suited me. But managing the pack’s supplies and resources wasn’t that different from Cluckingham Palace. There werefewer farm animals, but I saw forest animals on a regular basis, plus I had my fluffy wolves to cuddle once a month. It wasn’t a bad trade.