Page 27 of First Love

All three Sinclaire pack wolves tensed.

“Where is that wolf now?” Reggie asked, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

“I took care of him.” I met Archer’s gaze and he nodded once in understanding.

“You’ve accepted being a werewolf?” Archer asked Jasper.

“Yes, sir.” He tugged me closer and put his arm around me. “Amelia and I are mates now.”

“No shit,” Phil said with a chuckle. “We could smell that bond as soon as we entered this part of town.”

“And I get that being with a human and then turning him are violations to pack rules,” I said, “but if there’s any way we can be a part of the Sinclaire pack, we’d very much like that, Archer.”

Jasper squeezed my hand as Archer narrowed his eyes at both of us, a long moment of tense silence stretching on for what felt like forever. Sweat trickled down my back as I waited. Would we be forced to be outsiders or would Archer Sinclaire give us a chance?

I couldn’t take the suspense.

“I know I was wrong to fall for Jasper when he was a human and even more wrong to turn him without permission,” I blurted. “But he’s my fated mate, and I’d rather be with him and have his love in my life than have the protection of a pack. We’ll protect each other.”

Jasper brushed a kiss to my temple. “Always, beautiful. Always.”

“I’m getting a seriously committed vibe off these two,” Phil said. “What about you, Reggie?”

“Devoted even,” Reggie said with a nod.

“They get my blessing.”

We all turned to find a gorgeous female gliding into the yard. She had streaming red hair and wore flowing white robes

“Goddess,” Archer said, sinking to his knees. Reggie and Phil immediately followed him, so Jasper and I did the same.

“Rise, my wolves,” Lunai, the Moon Goddess, said as she floated closer to us, her gaze trained on Jasper and me. “Your love is so powerful, your bond strong, and completely approved.” She glanced at Archer. “What say you, Alpha? Will you add them to your pack?”

I could barely breathe. The Moon Goddess herself was here, confirming our mating bond, but Archer could still decide to deny us entry to the Sinclaire pack.

“We could use the loyalty your bond radiates in the Sinclaire pack, couldn’t we?” Archer’s mouth turned up in a smile, completely changing his stern face into something welcoming. “And I fell for my rival’s fated mate so who am I to judge you falling for and turning a human? We love who we love.” He nodded to Lunai then extended a hand to me. “Welcome to the pack, Amelia and Jasper.”

I bit back the squeal that wanted to rip out of me and shook Archer’s hand as Lunai faded, her gaze full of a warmth that stuck with me. “Thank you so much, Alpha.”

“Yes, thank you.” Jasper shook Archer’s hand too. “We’ll do whatever we can to help strengthen your pack.”

“Our pack,” Phil corrected as he shook both our hands too.

“Right. Our pack.”

“We’re sorry for the loss of your family, Amelia,” Archer said. “We’ll do what we can to make you both feel like a true part of the Sinclaire pack. Why don’t you come by our newly renovated packhouse tonight for a proper meet and greet.” He arrowed a thumb at Phil. “This guy grills steaks to die for.”

Phil puffed out his chest. “I really do.”

“Count us in,” Jasper said. “Thank you.”

“I’ll text you the address.” Archer petted Sammy who had gotten brave enough to sniff at his boots. “And bring this guy. We’ve got a few other dogs in the pack who would love to meet him.”

We exchanged phone numbers and walked Archer, Phil, and Reggie to the front of the house and a shiny black pickup truck. The three of them climbed in and roared down the street. Jasper and I stood in front of the house like statues for several moments.

“Am I dreaming or did that go exactly how we wanted it to?” I asked.

“I believe it went exactly how we wanted it to. Plus the added bonus of a visit from the Moon Goddess.” Jasper wiggled our still joined hands before bringing them up to his mouth and pressing a kiss to my fingers. “We’ve got a pack, we’ve got each other, we’ve got our unusually long werewolf lives to enjoy. Sounds perfect to me.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” I finally let the glee welling up inside me take control, and I danced in a circle around Jasper.

He joined in on the dancing then pulled me back in close, dipping me low before kissing me on the lips. When he snapped me upright again, I laughed.

“I love a werewolf who can dance.” I pressed my hands to his chest as his arms wrapped around me. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jasper said. “You’re the first person I’ve ever loved like this. Like my life before meeting you had been empty words on a page until you came along to give them meaning.”

“Like life after meeting you is going to be filled with the happy found in happily ever afters.”

Jasper kissed me again, and I knew this first love would be my forever love.