"Youwhat?" Carter asks, his eyes growing wide as he stares at me in a state of shock.
I swallow hard, wondering if I've misjudged things and I'm moving way too fast, but the cat's out of the bag now. "I've been thinking about it for a while," I admit. "And talking to my agent and trainer. I mean, if we're doing this, it just makes sense, youknow? We can't keep going back and forth every weekend. At least,Ican't," I say, realizing how needy I probably sound. "And if it's between four people uprooting their lives and one, it just makes sense mathematically, you know? Besides, there are way more career opportunities for me in Belmont City, so it would be a good move even if it wasn't for the pack. But I mean, obviously that's why I'd be doing it in the first place. If you're ready. Uh. Yeah."
I grimace, realizing I'm spiraling.
And blathering.
It's a rare but embarrassing habit that only pops out when the stakes are high and I'm extremely nervous.
And the fact that they're all staring at me like I just grew another head isn't helping.
"If you're not ready…" I start, wondering if I'm going to have to hide behind that giant banner with a printed photograph of me doing an upright spin across the room.
"No," Adder says immediately, like he just came out of a trance. He gives a throaty chuckle that makes my spine tingle. "No, of course not, beautiful. It's not that, it's just…" He pauses, exchanging glances with the rest of the pack. "We've been discussing some things, too, and we came to a similar decision."
"You did?" I ask, blinking.
"Yeah, except we were going to ask if you want us to move here," Mason says, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Guess we're pretty much on the same wavelength, different directions."
"Move here?" I echo, equal parts shocked and relieved I wasn't totally off base about moving in together. "But what about the team? Your lives are in Belmont City?"
"Our lives revolve around you now," Carter says firmly. He's definitely the quiet one out of the pack, but that just makes his words ring more sincere when he does speak. And right now,there's no questioning the quiet determination in his gaze. "The team is important, sure, but nothing even comes close to you."
"Yeah, why shouldyoube the one to uproot everything?" Jayce chimes in. "You've built a life here, too."
I stand there frozen for a few moments, trying to process the swirl of emotions I feel right now.
Surprise, relief, but most of all… gratitude.
Gratitude for the fact that these alphas have proven time and again they are exactly who they said they were.
That they're never going to ask me to compromise my values, or put my dreams on hold, just to make them happy.
But it doesn't change what I've already decided.
"I appreciate that," I begin softly. "So much. But I meant what I said earlier. Belmont City has a lot more opportunity, not just for me and my skating career, but for all of us. And most importantly, it has you. I'm ready to do this. Iwantto."
"Are you sure?" Adder asks, his eyes intense as he searches my face for any sign of doubt.
"Very," I say, leaning up to kiss him. "Now let's get out of here, and I can show you exactly how sure I am."
"Sounds like the lady's made up her mind," Mason muses.
Adder's face splits into a sexy grin, and he strokes a strand of hair that's fallen out of my sleek bun out of my face. "It certainly does."
I can't keep the grin off my face as I follow the pack backstage and watch my alphas pack up the last of my belongings over the next few minutes. There's an electric energy in the air, a sense of excitement and possibility that has my skin tingling.
We're really doing this.
I'm moving to Belmont City.
With my alphas.
We still don't have a date, or the details planned out, but even though I was the type of person who obsessively planned out myday from the time I was in kindergarten… somehow, I feel like it's just going to work out okay.
Better than okay.
"Ready to go, Cotton Candy?" Jayce calls from the doorway, that familiar mischievous glint in his eye.