Page 139 of This Pack of Ours

Kit paused, resting his forehead against mine with a smile. The orgasms from that endeavour completely wiped me out, and I passed out with my head on Jhin’s lap.

I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by my pack in my nest. A sliver of morning light was filtering in through a gap in the curtain, and I blinked in the dim room, my heart swelling with happiness as I felt my new bonds. They were subdued right now, warm embers that would come to life as my packmates woke up. Kit was snuggled next to me, his hand resting by my head on the pillow. I breathed in his almond buttercream and felt a purr rumble to life in my chest as I felt the power of a scent match with love poured on top. I reached out so our hands were touching, marvelling that he really was mine. That all of this was mine. I didn’t ever dare dream that I would have a morning like this, waking up surrounded by so many people I cared about. That the small life that me and Kit shared could change and grow into something so beautiful, could welcome so much more love into it than I ever thought possible. I slipped out of bed quietly, and knelt by my dresser, pulling out the photo of the last time I remembered feeling this whole. Me and my dad sat at the kitchen table, giving cheesy grins to the camera as he took a selfie with me and his birthday cake. I drew in a shaky breath.

Family. That’s what this felt like. I’d loved Kit all these years, but had always thought I’d have to let him go. But now I knew he’d be with me for as long as we had left.

Me.

Kit.

Jhin.

Vander.

Adrian.

Ez.

A new family.

And to think it all started with best friends and bite marks.

EPILOGUE

One Week Later

JUNIPER

“So here’s what you’re spending on rent and moving costs. It’s really the biggest area where we could reduce the amount you spend.”

I shuffled uncomfortably on my chair. He was correct—most of our money was eaten up by changing locations. I often had to overpay as landlords didn’t want a renter that was only staying for three months.

“That’s a really important part of the Safe House, though. The streets around the heat clinics are notorious for not being safe for omegas. I wanted to prevent that. Plus, we’re not exactly protected. I can’t risk anyone finding out where we are and targeting us.”

Jhin nodded.

“I’ve been thinking of other ways we can offer the same secrecy and protection but not have to move as much. Have you considered switching completely to a pick-up service for omegas as well as alphas? That would remove the risk of threats to them in the surrounding areas. You would also be able to respond to omegas in heat while in public, and not have to share the address, which would keep it more secure. Then, perhaps, you could justify staying at one location for a longer period of time.”

I tapped my pencil on the table, peering through the various numbers.

“What’s this?” I asked, pointing at one of the bigger values.

“You’d need to hire additional drivers and vehicles,” he said, and scrolled down. “But it would free up a lot of money. You’d even be able to hire someone official to do what I’m doing with you.”

He hesitated, and his cheeks flushed a little.

“I would, um, apply if you did that.”

“Really?” I said, surprised. “But what about your paramedic job?”

He sighed.

“I think it’s time I—and I would recommend my pack, too—move away from our current work.”

His eyes met mine.

“I’ve enjoyed this with you. It’s important work. As a paramedic, I helped people, but I can still do that at the Safe House. Just with a lot less death.”

He gave me a small smile, and I smiled back.

---