Page 90 of Can't Be Love

I laughed. “You think? You had everyone on their feet howling, babe. That’s typically only something an Alpha or a Pack Mother can do.”

She shrugged. “I am still the future Pack Mother.”

“Yes, yes you are. Now let’s get you dressed and go home to celebrate properly.”

I watched the blush creep into her cheeks. “You really think they’ll let us?”

I looked around, feeling a little disappointed. No one had left. They all still stood around chatting and watching us. She’d just taken her place in Collier. There was no way they were going to let us just leave.Dammit.

After Lily had thrown on some sweats, we tried leaving the arena, but we were both practically tackled by Sydney as she hugged Lily. Jessie was with her. She nodded to me, and then bowed to my mate, baring her neck.

“Two battles in one,” Syd whispered as Jessie rose.

“I’m so sorry, Lily,” she started.

“Stop,” Lily commanded her. “You were only doing what you believed was right. You were protecting your sister. There’s nothing wrong with that, Jessie. You were very brave.”

“Really?” Jessie asked with wonder in her eyes.

“Really,” Lily confirmed, before being attacked by Shelby next in another bear hug and swarmed immediately by the remainder of my sisters. They were all there, except Maddie. I knew Lily would have loved for her to have been there, but somehow knowing she was safe and sound in San Marco made her absence more bearable.

“You kicked ass, girl! I knew you had it in you,” Lizzy praised. It dawned on me that I hadn’t seen my oldest sister look quite so happy in a very long time. Even the haunted look in her eyes was temporarily gone.

Clara and Ruby recanted every second of the battle, as Peyton offered to bring meals for us throughout the week, assuming correctly that we’d want some time alone after everything that happened.

The arena, like most things in Collier, was within walking distance of the Alpha house. I felt like we were leading a parade or something as everyone followed us back to my parents’ house where my truck was parked.

Numerous invites had been shouted out along the way. It was going to be a full day of celebrations and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet. I had casually dismissed each of them, just wanting to get Lily home.

It was finally Hewitt that intervened and left no room for negotiations as I found we were being ushered towards the Tavern for celebration drinks. That turned into lunch which consumed much of the afternoon as people continued to come back and offer their congratulations or simply welcome Lily to the Pack. She was smiling so brightly that despite my barely controlled need to just have her to myself, we stayed until each and every one of my packmates had time to speak with us.

It was late afternoon when a break came, and I felt it would be safe to finally move on. We said goodbye to Milly and a few others. I thanked my friends for sticking around and for all their help leading up to the fight. We made plans to go riding the next week, and then, suddenly we had escaped.

The streets had largely cleared and I was making a mad dash for the truck, dragging Lily along with me, knowing that if we stayed too much longer it would roll into dinner. I was opening the door when Ruby poked her head out of the house and yelled for us.

“Thomas. Lily. Dad wants to see you both before you leave.”

I slammed the door shut again and banged my head on the glass as Lily giggled.

“Come on, the faster we get in there, the sooner we can leave,” she said, wrapping an arm around my waist. I stopped her and looked down, framing her face with my hands, I leaned down and kissed her. I didn’t give a damn who was watching us, I kissed her like we were the last two people left on Earth.

“Is it too much to ask for just a few minutes alone with you?”

She gave me a quick peck on the check, though she looked a little dazed from my kiss. “No, it’s not, but today meant a lot to them, too.”

“I do love that you always put our Pack above all else, but let’s try to never prioritize them above us.”

She laughed. “You’re just super horny right now because you didn’t get any action this morning. You’ll live, I promise, and this will all be behind us soon.”

I groaned, knowing she was right and followed her into the house. My wolf was still a little agitated from everything going on, and the only way I felt I could keep it in check was to touch to her. She didn’t seem to mind, though.

Mom greeted us in the hallway and hugged Lily. For some reason, the sight of the two of them embracing finally hit me. This was real. Lily was here, she was fine, and this nightmare was temporarily behind us. The last of the fight and aggression balled up within me released.

We were soon ushered into Dad’s office. Titus and Victor were waiting there for us, along with the full Pack Council. Seeing them all there, Lily started to excuse herself, assuming it was a meeting just for me.

“Lily, I’d like for you to stay please. This concerns both of you,” Dad told her.

She looked at me with concern, but held her head high and stood strong by my side.

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