Page 7 of Return to the Pack

I take it, savoring the warmth coming from him, ecstatic that he’s alive. Electrical sparks shoot between our hands, reminding me of the special connection we share.

“I’d like you to join the council of decision-makers,” Axel says solemnly, still working even if he can’t physically return to his role just yet. “You’d be an excellent addition to the pack. You’ve got fresh ideas, a level head, and you’re one of the fiercest, most loyal wolves I know.”

I consider his request as all eyes are trained on me. Looking out the window, I stare at the trees still bending and swaying in the wind. Finally, I turn back to Axel and say, “Thank you for your offer. But I must respectfully decline.”

Axel’s shoulders sag slightly.

I squeeze his hand. “I’m honored you’d even consider me, and I could try it if it’s what you order. I’ll obey my Alpha and my Daddy Warrick. But if you’re giving me a choice to do what I want… I want peace in our own home. Y’all can work on making peace with the pack or the vampires or whatnot. I want to help us all work together as a team.”

“We are a team,” Callan says, sinking onto the bed beside me. “You saw that during the hurricane.”

“I know.” Words lodge in my throat as I think of my dead mother and all I’ve been through in a short amount of time. “But in truth, I’m not interested in any kind of leadership positions. I was a lone wolf until recently, and I’m still getting used to having y’all around. I’m not ready for the pack to look to me. I don’t think it’s ever going to interest me.”

“She is a submissive,” Warrick reminds Axel, who still looks doubtful. To him, titles and positions of power are an honor, but that’s because he’s a dominant. I have no interest in any of that.

I extend my hand to Ethan. He takes it and lifts it to his lips, kissing my knuckles.

“Let’s continue to work on peace at home,” I say. “I’m sure there will be enough challenges ahead to keep us all busy, inside and out of our family.”

In my gut, I sense the truth of my words.

This is only the beginning of what’s to come.

When the triplets are gone, I lie down beside Axel and throw my leg over him. “How are you feeling?” I ask again. “Are you still hurting?”

“My wolf’s taking care of whatever’s left of my injury,” he says, his hands circling my waist in a possessive hold. “How’s my little mate?”

“Worried,” I say, toying with the front of his shirt. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Was that a bad thing?” he asks quietly.

“Of course,” I cry, squirming to get closer. It’s not close enough, so I climb on top of him, laying my small body over his long one. “I still feel our bond. I was in agony all week thinking we wouldn’t have more time together.”

“Me, too,” he says, squeezing me closer.

I part my legs when I feel his cock stiffening under me. “Do you have enough strength for this?” I whisper against his scratchy chin.

“I always have the strength to fuck you,” he growls in response.

I pull up the front of my skirt, a garment Ethan bought me. Now that I know the joys of what he calls “easy access,” I may never wear anything else.

Axel’s big hands palm the backs of my thighs, and he pushes his hips up against mine and moans low in his throat.

I reach between us to free his cock, which is now stiff and straight. Just feeling it so hot in my palm makes wetness spring to life between my legs in preparation for his entrance. I scoot up enough to position him at my opening, then sink my pussy down slowly onto his bare cock.

“Luna,” he groans, his hands tightening on my hips. “You feel so good.”

“I know,” I say, beginning to rise and fall on top of him, reveling in the power my body has to bring this dominant Alpha to his knees. I ride him until we’re both panting for breath. When I feel his knot forming, stretching me open in a way only a True Mate can, I cry out and come hard, nearly blacking out when I feel his hot seed spurting into my core over and over.

When we’re done, I flop down beside him, cuddling close and glowing with happiness. My Alpha is healing, my Daddy is happy with his position in the pack, and my two other lovers are content to share me as well. With them by my side, nothing can go wrong.

Chapter Three

Luna

The city of Jacksonville is ravaged by the storm. The triplets and I spend the next few weeks trekking back and forth to the town. Axel joins us once he’s well enough to do so.

Foul-smelling ankle-deep water still fills the streets, but the level has receded enough to drive Axel’s truck to town. Still, we wear thigh-high waders once we step from our vehicles. We’ve worked our fingers to the bone, repairing roofs, boarding up windows, using sump pumps to drain basements of water, and other tedious but valuable chores. The work’s been good, though, establishing the brothers and me as helpful members of the pack.