Page 83 of Curses & Kitsune

“Recruiting more women for a start,” Ren says without hesitation. “There’s far too much testosterone in this pack. But before that, Hirano wants to meet and talk about a lasting peace between our packs.”

“You think he means it?”

She nods confidently. “I do. He’s a good man. Far better than Takada.”

“It’s not hard to be a better man than that slimeball.”

She laughs. “No, guess it isn’t, but I trust Hirano. We couldn’t have exposed Takada without his help. And what about you two? Got any plans?”

I rest my elbow over my knee. “Jinta likes the restaurant, so I bought the place. He’s got all sorts of ideas about furnishings and menu items.”

“That’s nice.” Ren smiles. “He’ll be busy with his job and the restaurant.”

“He’s quitting.”

I chuckle when her eyebrows rise. “Really?”

“Yeah. Says that part of his life is over. He wants us to work together.” Just telling her floods my heart with happiness. I can’t imagine anything better than working with the man I love.

“You’re so gross.” Ren makes a gagging noise. “Too sappy. Too much love. Going to be sick!”

Laughing, I shove her shoulder. “Shut up.” It’s true. I’ve gotten so damn soft, but I don’t care. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. With Jinta at my side, I’m going to create the life I only ever let myself dream of. A normal life filled with the love I thought I’d never find.

“Hey.” Ren punches my shoulder, eyes sparkling with happiness. “I’m proud of you.”

A sappy grin bursts across my face. “Me, too.”

She rolls her eyes. “Ass.”

My laughter echoes into the night.

“Come on! Let’s shift and show these puppies what real wolves look like!”

Taking to my feet, I bound after my friend and into the woods.

By the time I return home, my muscles are pleasantly sore, and my throat aches from howling my head off. The house is quiet, and I turn off the lights as I pass through the rooms until I’m upstairs. Jinta lies in bed, reading some romance manga called The Dragon’s Betrothed. He’s been pestering me to read it, but I don’t need romance manga, not when I’m living one.

Dropping into bed beside him, I curl myself against his chest and kiss along his collarbone. Jinta sighs happily and runs his hand through my hair to cup my nape. “Have a good run?”

Parting my lips, I suck a kiss into the scar of his mating bite. “Yeah.”

Moaning softly, Jinta angles his neck to give me better access to his skin. “And… the ceremony? How’d that go?”

I kiss my way up his neck until I’m a breath away from his soft pink lips. “It’s over. I’m a free man.” Emotion gets stuck in my throat. Somehow, saying it aloud makes it more real.

Jinta winds his arms around my shoulders and holds me close. “I’m so glad.”

“Me, too.”

“You really won’t miss it? Or get bored with a normal life?”

I know what he really means. Will I get bored with him. “Not a chance, Sunshine.” As I claim his lips, Jinta melts against me. “You’re…” I scowl, struggling to find the right words. “You’re everything to me.”

Jinta’s eyes are soft and warm as he holds my gaze. “So are you.”

We kiss and kiss until my eyes grow heavy, and I’m nearly asleep as my head hits his chest, his heartbeat lulling me deeper.

When I open my eyes, the room is dark. All the sake has gathered in my bladder, so I untangle myself from Jinta’s warmth and go to the bathroom down the hall. My head throbs, and my mouth feels like I stuffed it full of cotton. I really overdid it with the drinking.

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