Page 91 of Reckless: Collision

A throat clears from the doorway—Finn’s version of a system notification—and we look up to find him practically vibrating with contained excitement.

“If you two are done being adorable,” he adjusts his glasses in that way that makes him look like an eager professor, “there’s about eight inches of snow outside. Perfect conditions for someone’s first sledding experience.”

The way Finn says it—like he’s been calculating snow density and optimal sledding conditions all morning—warms something in my chest. These men, this pack, they keep finding new ways to define family.

“Well?” Theo nudges me with playful grace. “Ready for your next adventure?”

Looking between them—my gentle omega and my brilliant beta—I feel something settle into place. Something that feels dangerously like belonging.

“Let’s go break some physics.” I scramble up, nearly face-planting as I fight with the blankets. “I need to change. And boots. Did anyone pack boots? And a coat. Gloves.” I hop around like an excited kid, my usual grace abandoned for pure enthusiasm. “A hat?”

Finn’s laugh carries equal parts affection and amusement. “Go put something warmer on. I’ll take care of the rest.”

I’m moving before he finishes speaking, flying past a grumbling Ryker and down to the basement. My luggage explosion gets another victim as I dig through for winter gear. Leggings, sweatpants, two pairs of socks, sports bra, thermal undershirt, and a sweater. Essential maintenance handled, I’m back upstairs in record time.

“Boots.” Finn hands me a brand new pair in my size, his expression far too innocent.

I narrow my eyes at him, but we both know better than to discuss how or when he acquired them. Just like we don’t discuss how perfectly they fit.

“Hats.” Jinx approaches with a blush painting his cheeks, holding three crocheted creations. The room goes quiet, and I sense another pack story I’m not quite privy to yet. “The emerald green one feels like you.”

“I’m missing something here.” But I take the offered hat, tucking my hair under it with care. The wool feels soft, well-loved.

“Matches you,” Jinx mumbles, studying his boots like they hold the secrets of the universe.

“Gloves.” Ryker’s contribution comes with his usual gruff efficiency.

“Coat.” Theo appears, actually fully dressed for once, holding out what’s clearly another recent purchase.

Bundled up like a proper snow warrior, I can barely contain my excitement. “Sledding?”

“Come on.” Ryker leads us out into the crisp March air where—holy hell, are those snowmobiles?

“Come on, Glitch.” Jinx grabs me, lifting me onto the snowmobile before sliding in front. His cherry tobacco scent wraps around me, somehow warmer than all my new winter gear combined.

“I’ve never been on one of these either.” I grip his jacket, suddenly aware of how many new experiences this pack keeps giving me.

He takes my hands, wrapping them firmly around his waist. “Hold tight.” His voice carries that edge of beautiful madness that makes my pulse skip. “I like to make Ryker nervous.”

Sure enough, our pack alpha’s growl carries over the sound of engines starting. “Jinx, I swear to god?—”

But we’re already moving, snow spraying behind us as Jinx takes off with the kind of reckless joy that matches my own. Behind us, I hear Theo’s delighted laugh mixing with Ryker’s cursing. Finn follows on his own machine, somehow making even snowmobile driving look precisely calculated.

The property transforms into a winter wonderland as we ride, trees heavy with snow and untouched powder stretching toward the mountains. Jinx takes corners just sharp enough to make me squeeze tighter, his laugh wild and free in the winter air.

We reach the sledding hill—which is less of a hill and more of a mountain—and dismount. I bounce from foot to foot, caught between excitement and that familiar urge to calculate risks.

“Okay, how do we do this?” I eye the hill that suddenly looks a lot steeper up close.

“First,” Finn starts, ever the professor, “we should discuss proper sledding technique?—”

“Nope.” Jinx scoops me up like I weigh nothing, dropping us both onto a sled. “Physics later, fun now.”

“Wait—” But Ryker’s already behind us, hands on Jinx’s shoulders.

“Ready?” our alpha asks, and I catch the rare smile in his voice.

“No—”

---