Page 48 of Altius
An easy smile spread across his face, followed by a gentle laugh. Yet there was a forced undercurrent, almost as if he resented the question. “No, he’s not.”
“Are you jealous?”
His head drifted to the side, watching the dancing flames. “It’s more…miffed, I think? Irked? His timing’s shit. The scarf swap was too risky. Too many people were watching. He should have stuck to the plan.”
“I hadn’t had a chance to explain—”
“Doesn’t matter. He should have known better than to scent-mark you at work and in public.”
“Better to save that for the tail-end of business dinners?”
“Fair point,” Cal grumbled. “But at least I did it in private.”
“On a city street.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll let it slide. You were in danger, and he’s your scent match. Probably couldn’t help himself.” Cal ran a hand through his hair. “But making a move on their new couch?”
I laughed. “You made a move onmycouch.”
“Yes, I did. But your siblings weren’t in the kitchen.”
“Because they were upstairs.”
“True, but there was…a mood, a certain ambiance.”
“Yes, because there’s nothing more romantic than telling a work colleague you can’t meet one-on-one anymore right before you kiss her.”
“Knew you’d see it my way,” Cal murmured before claiming a teasing kiss.
“Hold it, big guy,” I said, scratching my nails along his neck until he behaved. “I have another question. It’s not an ultimatumor anything like that, but I want to know. Are you open to joining a pack someday?”
He nodded—without hesitation.
It was the answer I’d hoped for and almost expected, but I was surprised by the relief such a simple gesture prompted.
“Owen, Joaquin, and I have an understanding, although it hasn’t gone according to plan. I intended to join Pack Redmond when Spencer turned eighteen. However, Grandfather has lived longer than anyone anticipated. Even his doctors. His heart’s been bad for years.” Cal’s hand slipped beneath the hem of my shirt to stroke the bare skin of my back. “But plans change.”
The press of his lips against mine was firm, reassuring. Definitive.
“If you want to form a pack down the road with Wyatt and anyone else lucky enough to catch your eye, count me in.”
As my omega began to glow, reveling in the promise of our shared future, guilt scratched at the back of my throat.
“But Pack Redmond…”
They’d waited so long and worked tirelessly to get to this point, especially Owen. Buying the loft, taking gradual steps to turn it into a genuine pack home. Fulfilling a promise they made as teenagers to become a family.
It felt like I was stealing Cal from them, depriving him of the future he’d been trying to protect for his entire adult life.
“Selfishly, yes—I’d like us to join the others. But…” A large hand framed the side of my face, thumb tracing the shell of my ear. “You take priority now, Morgan. Being with you is what matters.”
“Same,” I said, rewarding his honesty with a long kiss. “And thank you. I don’t know what will happen between me and Wyatt—or anyone else. Not that I have the mental wherewithal for more men, but I wanted to be sure that you and I were okay…before I desecrate any other new furniture pieces.”
Mischief overwhelmed his amiable features. “Might I suggest Owen’s nest turned server room?”
“No.” Running my nails through his hair, I leaned forward and whispered, “And I’m not letting you fuck me in your truck, either, you perv.”
“Someone found my sticky notes, I see.” He trailed kisses along my jaw before nipping at the side of my mouth. “What about the thorough fingering. Up for that?”
