Page 56 of Ascension of the Pack

Bastion and Shirdal took turns walking around with the laptop so we could chat with the other guests – includinga surprise appearance by Elvira. After we’d witnessed the first dance, we signed off to have a dance of our own.

Greg turned off the lights and I sent a zap of fire to the grate, enjoying the way the flames danced in the fireplace. It was nice to use my magic for something other than death and wanton destruction, and I could feel that my fire was happy to be used positively, too. It warmed me from the inside out.

Greg started some music on his phone and held his hand out to me. I took it and together we danced in the darkened room lit only by firelight, swaying, holding each other tightly.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ Greg murmured to me as he kissed my lips lightly. ‘I’m so grateful that I was nearly killed by a vampyr so that I could be turned into a werewolf to spend my life with you.’

I snorted. ‘That just rolls off the tongue.’ I sobered. ‘But me too. If that vampyr was still alive, I’d send him flowers.’

‘Life is strange sometimes. I never thought I’d have someone – I kind of envisioned being Fun Uncle Greg.’

‘FunUncle Greg? When were you going to get to the fun part?’ I teased.

‘Cheeky!’ He tickled me, making me collapse against him in gales of laughter. His fingers slowed and became teasing instead.

He pressed a firm kiss to my lips. My mouth opened willingly and he took full advantage of my tacit surrender. When he drew back we were both breathing hard. Then he smiled ruefully. ‘I wasn’t going to do this now,’ he admitted, ‘but I can’t wait a minute longer.’ He slid to his knees. ‘I know that we’ve agreed to mate, but I want you more than that. Lucy Alessandro-Barrett, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a ring box. Opening it, he revealed the most dazzling sapphire ring I’d ever seen. ‘Blue,’ he murmured. ‘To match your eyes.’

‘Yes! Oh my God! Yes!’ I threw myself at him and we tumbled to the floor.

‘Thank God,’ Greg breathed. ‘I asked your dad’s permission ages ago, but then the mate stuff really muddied the waters for a while. And then he got cleared and I wasn’t sure if he’d remember…’

‘I hear you. Still, we’re okay now, aren’t we?’

‘Absolutely. I want to be with you, and you want to be with me.’

‘Until death us do part,’ I said solemnly.

‘And beyond,’ he promised.

I smiled. ‘Toinfinityand beyond.’

He gave me a flat look. ‘When we tell this story to our children, we’re omitting theToy Storyreference.’

Joy leapt up in my chest and in Esme’s.Ourchildren.

Yes,she murmured.Please.

I hugged her mentally and then Greg and I started making good on the baby-making thing.

Chapter 36

I awoke in Greg’s arms. ‘You’ve been spoiling me,’ I said as I yawned awake.

If he hadn’t been there, I would have rolled right over and gone back to sleep. ‘You’ve been staying in bed with me until all kinds of late hours.’ I checked the time: it was 6am. I winced. Okay, maybe not so late.

As a werewolf, I required far less sleep than I had as a human, but that didn’t mean I didn’tlikesleep. There was nothing like loafing around in bed, wallowing in cushions and duvets, and devouring a good book – or a fiancé if possible.

I yawned again; unusually for me, I still felt tired. We’d stayed up later than usual to ring our families and tell them the news. Greg’s mum’s response had been lukewarm, but she didn’t know me yet. I’d win her over.

‘Hey, can I ask a favour?’ I asked.

‘Always.’

‘Esme would like it if you stroked her a bit. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while, and I know it might be a bit weird but—’

He interrupted. ‘I’d like that very much.’

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