Page 129 of Storm
I make my way to the living room, finding Reed already there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His stormy eyes track me as I enter, his nostrils flaring subtly as he takes in my scent.
"Little Storm," he greets, his voice deeper than usual.
"Reed," I return, trying to sound casual despite the way his ocean scent makes my knees weak.
Frankie and Rook arrive together, deep in conversation about something, but they both go silent when they see me. Frankie's warm cinnamon and toasted marshmallow scent is soothing.
"Hey," he says, his soft brown eyes concerned. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I'm about to crawl out of my skin," I admit, allowing myself to be honest with him in a way I rarely am with others. "Has Jonathan told you what this is about?"
Frankie shakes his head. "Just that it's important."
Rook moves to my side, his arm sliding around my waist in a gesture that's both protective and possessive. I lean into him, drawing strength from his familiar presence, his strawberries and cream scent wrapping around me like a shield.
Alexander enters with Fox, their fingers intertwined. Fox's flush has deepened, and I can tell by the way Alexander keeps glancing at him that he's noticed the change in his scent as well. Jonathan follows them in, his expression carefully neutral as he takes in the room.
"Let's get started," he says, moving to stand before the fireplace. Whether he knows it or not, he commands the room just by standing there. "We have matters to discuss before things progress further."
My heat. Fox's heat. The unspoken reality of what's coming hangs in the air between us all.
"First," Jonathan continues, his gaze landing on Rook, "we need to address pack status." He straightens, his shoulders squaring. "Rook Holloway. You came here as Storm's alpha, though without formal pack ties to the rest of us. Given current circumstances, I'm proposing we formally extend pack membership to you. If that's what you want?"
Rook tenses beside me, obviously caught off guard. I squeeze his hand, silently encouraging him to speak freely.
"I want to be wherever Storm is," he says simply, his dark eyes meeting Jonathan's green ones without flinching. "If that means joining your pack, then yes."
Jonathan nods, then looks to Alexander. "Alex?"
"I have no objections," Alexander says, his tone warm where Jonathan's is cool. "You've proven yourself trustworthy. You belong here, with Storm and with us."
"Reed?" Jonathan prompts, turning to the most volatile of his pack.
Reed uncrosses his arms, pushing off from the wall. His stormy eyes sweep over Rook, assessing. "You're a fighter," he says finally. "You've got instincts. You'll do what's necessary to protect what's yours." He pauses, a muscle in his jaw ticking. "Yes. I agree."
I release a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Reed's approval wasn't guaranteed, not with the territorial instincts he tries so hard to hide, not to mention their truce. When he catches me watching him, his lips quirk up in a small smirk, and he actually winks at me. I roll my eyes in response, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing how his approval affects me.
"Fox?" Jonathan asks, his voice softening slightly. "Your input matters here, too."
Fox looks surprised to be included in the decision. He glances at Rook, then back to Jonathan. "He loves Storm," he says simply. "That's all I need to know."
"Frankie?" Jonathan says, and his eyes pop open in shock. He clearly didn't expect to be called upon, his gaze darting nervously between the others in the room.
"I—I what?" he stammers, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. A flush creeps up his neck as everyone's attention falls on him. Then, seeming to remember his place as a pack member, he nods quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. Rook belongs with Storm." He drops his gaze to the floor. Oh, my sweet beta boy.
"Then it's settled," Jonathan concludes. "Rook is now officially part of Pack Kingsley. Welcome."
Rook nods his acceptance, but I can tell this is just the beginning of the meeting, not the real purpose. Jonathan confirms this by shifting his stance, his expression growing more serious.
"Now for the more immediate concern. Storm and Fox will both be entering full heat very soon—likely within the next twenty-four hours, possibly sooner." His eyes move between Fox and me. "This presents certain... complexities. Fox's heats have typically involved only Alexander and myself. With Storm's heat coinciding, and with Rook, Reed and Frankie now involved, we need to establish clear boundaries and expectations."
The room falls silent. It's a situation that could quickly turn bad without proper planning. So, I’m grateful Jonathan has brought this up.
"Fox," Jonathan says, his tone gentler than I've often heard him use, "I need to know if you're comfortable having additional people present during your heat. You're under no obligation either way."
Fox looks thoughtful, his fingers still intertwined with Alexander's. "I think..." he begins, then pauses to gather his thoughts. "I think I'll be okay. With Storm, definitely. And the others..." He glances at Reed, then Rook and lands his gaze on Frankie.
"Storm?" Jonathan turns to me. "What are your thoughts?"
