Page 28 of Alpha's Touch
“Everyone,” Zeppelin announced, his voice carrying easily through the room, “this is Preston.”
The simple introduction was all it took. Chairs scraped against hardwood as the pack surged forward, eager to meet their alpha's mate. Zeppelin watched as Preston was surrounded, hands reaching out to shake his, voices overlapping as everyone introduced themselves.
Watching Preston smile tentatively as Chase told an animated story, seeing his mate begin to relax as he was folded into the warmth of the pack, Zeppelin allowed himself to hope. Hope that the broken pieces of Preston’s life could be mended here, among people who would protect him with their lives.
Hope that his mate would choose to stay.
* * * *
Preston nestled deeper into the blanket, savoring the way the wool scratched pleasantly against his skin as he tucked himself closer to Zeppelin’s side. The massive back porch of the pack house stretched into darkness at the edges, but their little nest of comfort remained bathed in the dancing orange glow from the fire pit. Sparks occasionally popped and floated upward, tiny fireflies ascending to join the brilliant canopy of stars overhead.
“I could get used to this,” Preston murmured, tilting his head back to rest against Zeppelin’s chest. The steady thump of Zeppelin’s heart vibrated through Preston’s body, grounding him in a way nothing else ever had.
Zeppelin’s arm tightened around him. “That’s the idea, sunshine.”
A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and woodsmoke, mingling with the lingering taste of steak that still clung to Preston’s lips. Vaughn had outdone himself at dinner, cooking the meat to perfection—crisp and caramelized on the outside, tender and juicy within. Preston had never tasted anything so good in his life, though he suspected part of the flavor came from being surrounded by people who actually wanted him there.
“I think I’m going to get fat living here,” Preston said, patting his stomach. “Not that I was exactly a supermodel before.”
“More of you to love,” Zeppelin replied, pressing a kiss to Preston’s temple.
Preston snorted. “Spoken like someone with abs you could grate cheese on.”
The fire crackled and popped as Zeppelin shifted to face him, firelight casting half his face in golden light, the other half in shadow. “You fishing for compliments, sunshine?”
“Maybe.” Preston grinned, feeling bold and playful in a way he hadn’t in months. “Is it working?”
“Always.” Zeppelin cupped Preston’s jaw with one large, warm hand. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”
His thumb traced Preston’s lower lip, sending little electric pulses down Preston’s spine. Then Zeppelin leaned in, replacing his thumb with his mouth. The kiss started soft, almost reverent, before deepening into something hungrier. Preston melted into it, parting his lips with a contented sigh. Too soon it was over, leaving him wanting more.
“Your pack is... not what I expected,” Preston admitted as he settled back, watching the flames dance.
Zeppelin laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “They like you. Chase already asked if you could teach him how to make those pancakes you mentioned.”
“My culinary expertise extends to not burning toast on a good day,” Preston snorted. “Those pancakes were a fluke. A delicious, fluffy fluke that I’ve never been able to recreate.”
“He’ll be crushed,” Zeppelin teased, his fingers drawing lazy circles on Preston’s arm.
Preston tilted his face up, meeting Zeppelin’s gaze. Firelight played across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes. How had Preston gotten so lucky? Just days ago, he’d been alone, terrified, constantly looking over his shoulder. Now he was here, wrapped in warmth and safety, with a man who looked at him like something precious.
“Thank you,” Preston whispered.
Zeppelin’s brow furrowed. “For what?”
“For finding me when no one else saw me.” The words felt inadequate for everything Preston wanted to express. For the safety, the belonging, the way his chest no longer felt like it was being crushed by anxiety every waking moment.
A smile softened Zeppelin’s face as he leaned down, pressing his lips to Preston’s. The kiss was gentle at first, a brush of warmth that quickly deepened as Preston turned more fully into his embrace. Zeppelin’s hand cupped his cheek, thumb stroking along his jawline in a way that made Preston’s toes curl inside his socks.
When they pulled apart, Preston couldn’t help the giddy laugh that escaped him. “If this is what being your mate means, sign me up for the lifetime subscription.”
“Oh, it gets better,” Zeppelin promised, his voice dropping to a register that sent heat pooling in Preston’s belly.
“Better than this afternoon?” Preston raised an eyebrow.
“Much better,” Zeppelin growled, nipping at Preston’s lower lip. He nuzzled against Preston’s neck, his beard tickling the sensitive skin there. “You make my control slip.”
Preston laughed, tipping his head back to give better access. “Is that supposed to be a bad thing?”
