“Because you were made to be mine,” he reminded me with a grin before he rapped his knuckles against the door.
Only a few seconds passed before it was flung open, and a blond woman who smelled like the alpha—and must’ve been his mate, which meant she was Link’s daughter—threw herself at me. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been dying to meet you ever since my dad told me about you.”
“Are you gonna let them in?” Kace asked, reaching out to snag her shoulder and pull her against his chest.
“Oops, sorry. I was just so excited.” She beamed a big smile at Aero and me. “It’s not every day that we get a new pack member because someone finds their fated mate.”
“I haven’t even had the chance to speak with Ramsey yet,” Kace muttered as Aero led me past them.
Larissa slapped his shoulder. “As if you’re not going to accept Aero’s mate into the pack.”
I was glad that she sounded so confident because now I was worried that Aero’s confidence in his alpha had been misplaced. He must have sensed my fear because a growl rumbled up his chest as he dropped onto the couch and pulled me onto his lap, aiming a glare at Kace that would’ve felled a lesser man.
“Shit, sorry.” Kace raked his hand through his hair as he and Larissa joined us in the living room. When he sat on the chair closest to us, she perched on the arm. “That came out totally wrong.”
“It damn well better have,” Aero growled.
Kace focused on me. “What I meant was that it’s not fair for me to assume that you want to join my pack. Accepting me as your alpha is a big deal. I’d love for you to become the second falcon in the Timber Ridge Pack, but the decision is yours. And if you’re not ready, that’s fine. You don’t need to make up your mind today. As Aero’s mate, you will always be welcome in Timber Ridge, and you will always have my full support. No matter what.”
“Oh.” I was touched by his thoughtfulness. “If I had any doubts before, that would’ve cleared them up.”
“Really?” Larissa squealed with a clap of her hands.
“Yeah.” I settled more comfortably on Aero’s lap. “I never really gave much thought to the kind of alpha I’d want to follow, but Kace had already earned my gratitude when he gave me shelter when I needed it most. He also got a whole lot of my trust when he kept his promise to me about not telling anyone where I was, no matter how often Aero asked. But offering to let me stay here and protect me like the other members of his pack even if I didn’t join? That earned him the rest of my trust.”
“You’re ready to become a part of the Timber Ridge Pack?” Kace asked.
I nodded. “Yes, although I haven’t had an alpha in a long time, following your lead won’t be a problem. I’m confident that you’ll never ask me to do something that goes against what Aero and I need.”
I was amazed by how much my life had changed in such a short time. I’d gone from wishing for my death to being mated and a part of a thriving pack. The only thing that could make it better was finding out I was carrying Aero’s baby…and with how often we made love, I had a hunch that would happen sooner rather than later.
Epilogue
Aero
I slung my arm around my mate’s shoulders and hauled her into my side, wrapping my arms around her as she held our little bundle of joy. Ramsey giggled, clearly sensing the heavy feelings of possession that had overtaken me the moment Rome spotted her. Even though I knew her friend had no interest in her—he literally couldn’t since she wasn’t his fated mate—I couldn’t help marking my territory.
My head dropped down to nuzzle her neck, and my tongue darted out to lick over my claiming bite. The scent of Ramsey’s arousal filled my lungs, and I shot a smug smile at the wolf shifter as he approached the table.
Rome rolled his eyes and dropped onto the bench seat on the other side of the booth. “Seriously?”
I shrugged. It wasn’t as though a shifter being overly possessive of their mate was anything new.
“I swear, if I ever find my mate, I’m going to be confident enough in our bond that I won’t act like you obsessed, possessive assholes.”
Ramsey snorted and shook her head. “Famous last words, Rome.”
“Okay, everybody!” Peppa called from the door to the kitchen. “She’ll be here any minute!”
The restaurant was filled with pack members, all here for a surprise party to celebrate the birthday of Timber Treasure’s roast chef, Thora.
She was one of those people who you just instantly liked. Funny, kind, and caring. The whole town adored her.