Page 113 of Alpha Gray

It feels a little strange returning to the squad complex on Tuesday morning, like I’ve been away for weeks rather than days. So much has happened since I passed through the gate on Saturday afternoon, staring out the window from the backseat of Boyd’s dad’s SUV, turning over in my mind whether I’d have the courage to come back for the full moon run.

I’m so fucking glad I did.

I was being a total chicken, which isn’t like me at all. Then again, love makes you do some crazy, foolish things. Thank god my sister was there to make me realize how stupid I was being and talk me into coming back to face the music- I definitely owe her one.

I’ll add it to the list of debts I owe Brooke for always coming through when I need her.

Gray slides the Jeep into his usual spot outside the gate, throwing it in park and cutting the engine. He turns to me, dark eyes alight with their now familiar intensity.

“You ready, babe?”

This is the easy part. I was anxious to tell my parents, terrified to tell his pack, but to tell our friends at the complex? I’mstoked.

“Oh yeah,” I smile, tossing Gray a wink.

I unbuckle my seatbelt, throwing open the passenger side door and climbing out. We intended to arrive earlier this morning, but Gray slipped into the shower with me, delaying our departure. My thighs are still quivering, a little sore from my efforts to hold myself up while he fucked me against the tile wall of the shower. Shifter healing will take care of that in no time, so I’ll be tip-top for my first day of training with the squad today.

Gray gets out and circles the Jeep, taking my hand in his as we head to the gate. When we walk through, the practice field is already crawling with people. It looks like the squad’s out for their daily workout, no longer relegated to the basement weight room or the forest or the stuffy indoor arena now that training camp’s over and the space is freed up again.

I hold my head high, strolling confidently beside Gray as we make our way onto the field, headed to where Brock, Theo, Jax, and Reid are huddled together, chatting. Jax is the first to see us approaching, a huge grin spreading across his face.

“Hey hey!” he calls out, and the other guys turn to look in our direction, too. “So the rumorsaretrue?!”

I just smile, side-eyeing Gray to see that he’s got a big, goofy grin on his face to match Jax’s.

“Congrats, man,” Reid says as we draw closer, reaching for Gray’s hand and slapping his back in a bro-hug. “I had a feeling it was going to work out for you two.”

The other guys take turns hugging us both, congratulating us. The only one who seems less than enthused is Theo, who seems a little… annoyed?

“So what, is Fallon gonna be helping you run the squad now?” he asks.

Definitely annoyed.

Gray just shrugs. “I’m sure she’ll be involved here, but she’s got responsibilities as Luna, too. One step at a time.”

He glances down at me, slipping an arm comfortably around my waist.

“I’m gonna catch up with my friends,” I say, wriggling out of his hold.

He nods, pulling me back in for a quick kiss before I go. I can practically feel the eyerolls from his friends as he does.

I toss Gray and the other guys a little wave over my shoulder as I turn to jog toward the track, flagging down my friends as they pass. Davis, Casey, Boyd, Shay, and Connor break away from the other runners, coming to meet me in the field.

“Fated to the alpha, huh?” Casey teases as she approaches. “I frickin’knewit!”

We both laugh as she throws her arms around me in a hug. Before she can even pull away completely, Davis scoots in, picking me up off of the ground in a bear hug.

“Congrats!” he chirps as he sets me back on my feet, beaming. “We’re so happy for you guys.”

“I guess good news travels fast, huh?” I giggle.

Shay and Connor both congratulate and hug me, but to my surprise, Boyd’s lingering on the periphery, the last to offer his support. I glance his way, arching a brow.

“Boyd?”

He heaves a sigh, a smile creeping across his face as he spreads his arms for me to fall into. I do, and he hugs me tight, rocking me from side to side.

“Oh, I’m happy for ya,” he mumbles into my hair. He pulls back, looking into my eyes. “Honestly.”

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