Page 53 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

Just as she leans in to kiss Griffin, Barrett pops up between them, a cheeky grin lighting up his face as he steals the kiss meant for Griffin. But Griffin isn’t about to let it slide. With a gentle nudge, he moves Barrett aside, reclaiming his place.

“Welcome home, baby girl,” he murmurs, his voice a deep, welcoming purr.

Grace smiles up at him, standing on her tiptoes to meet his lips, and I watch as a shiver courses through her, an unspoken connection flowing between them. It’s a moment that’s both tender and powerful, a reminder of the bond they share.

“Lass…” Lorcan’s voice pulls her attention, his hand reaching out, feeling for her.

Without hesitation, Grace wiggles her way through us and dives into Lorcan’s arms, her laughter softening into a sigh as she settles against him. She kisses Maeve first, her touch gentle, and loving, then tugs on Lorcan’s beard, coaxing him to lower his head. He obliges, and she sighs into his kiss, nuzzling his cheek with a tenderness that makes my chest ache. His hand splayed across her back. I can tell he’s taking away whatever aches and pains she’s carried with her.

Watching her, surrounded by all of us, I feel a sense of completion, like a missing piece has finally clicked back into place. Grace grounds us, pulling us all together in ways that go beyond words, and seeing her reconnect with each of us like this is a reminder of what we’re all fighting to protect.

Patiently, I wait my turn, holding Bishop in my arms, feeling the weight of time stretch out until Grace finally turns, her gazefinding mine. She walks over slowly, each step drawing me in, and when she reaches me, her soft smile makes everything else fade into the background.

“Hey, Con,” she says, her voice wrapping around me like a gentle embrace.

“Hey, sweetness.” I offer her Bishop, watching her face light up as she snuggles and kisses her son. She barely has a moment with him before an impatient Ethan steps forward, taking Bishop into his arms. Then, Grace turns back to me, her arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me into a kiss that grounds me in an instant. I hold her close, the warmth of her touch settling everything within me, and I feel a tension I hadn’t even realized was there ease.

“I missed you,” I murmur, my arms tightening around her, unwilling to let go.

“I missed you too,” she replies softly, her breath warm against my cheek. To my surprise, she stays nestled in my arms, choosing me over the rest of my brothers. The rare closeness sends a rush of warmth through me, filling up places I didn’t know were empty.

“What’s for dinner?” she asks, her question breaking the quiet spell as a grin spreads across her face. Her innocent curiosity prompts laughter from the family around us, breaking the tension like a burst of sunlight.

Agnes smirks, nudging Ruby’s shoulder. “I’m making strip steaks, potatoes, and peppers with a side of rice if anyone wants it,” she says with a wink. “And this one here is making dessert.”

Grace is practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes bright as she exclaims, “I can eat.”

I chuckle, pressing my lips to the crown of her head. “Let’s get you fed before you decide I’m dinner,” I tease, guiding her back to the house.

She arches a brow, smirking. “You like when I eat you.”

Her words almost make me choke on my spit. I shake my head, trying to keep a straight face. “That’s true. So do you.”

She blushes, a light pink dusting her cheeks. “Also true,” she murmurs, letting out a yawn as I settle her into her usual seat.

“Food, shower, nap, then … whatever happens next.” She waves her fork at us, already mapping out her plans for the evening.

“Sounds good, baby girl.” Griffin sets a large glass of juice in front of her before taking his own seat, settling in with us.

I glance between Ethan and Nic, nodding my appreciation. “Congratulations on the successful rescue mission.”

Ethan dips his head, a satisfied look on his face. “Thanks. It wasn’t horrible, all things considered. On the ride home, I informed the shifter grand council about where we found Ambrose’s mate. They’ll investigate, then destroy the facility and take care of whoever’s running it.”

Grace watches him thoughtfully, her brow furrowing. “Part of me feels it was too easy,” she says, her eyes narrowing as she looks around the table.

Nic nods. “I thought the same thing. Ambrose took his mate to the walk-in clinic to check for trackers. If they find one, I’ll have it sent off with a courier to dump it deep in the woods, far from here.” As he speaks, he absentmindedly waves a piece of steak close to Grace.

Without missing a beat, she lunges forward, sinking her teeth into it and stealing it from his fork. Nic’s face is priceless—caught somewhere between surprise and amusement—as Grace leans back, victorious.

I wrap my arm around her, unable to resist laughing. Moments like these, with her by my side, remind me that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Hoursafter the kids have gone to bed, I find myself watching Grace as she floats lazily in the large, heated tub. Griffin and Lorcan are hovering around her, carefully bathing her, each movement tender, as if they’re handling a rare gem. I can’t help but smirk at the scene.

“You do realize she can do that herself, right?” I say, my tone light but laced with a bit of playful jealousy. I can’t deny it—I’m only wishing I’d thought of the idea first.

Griffin raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, but it’s Lorcan who answers. “Aye, lad, we know well enough.” His brogue is thick, the lilt of his words impossible to take too seriously. “But ‘tis more fun this way.” The rare spark of humor in his eyes tells me he’s warming up to the banter, and it takes all I have not to laugh.

Grace slips free of them with a sly little grin and makes her way up the tub’s stairs, her bare feet padding softly on the tile as she heads straight for me. The warm scent of lavender and something inherently her fills the space between us as she approaches. She presses her hand to my shoulder, gentle butinsistent, and I can tell by the look in her eyes that she’s not taking no for an answer. With a smirk, I slide my laptop off to the side and lean back, letting her guide me. Her legs straddle my lap, and her hands go straight for my tie.

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