Page 147 of Stream Heat
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. For once, my body wasn’t at war with my mind. The claiming marks on my skin pulsed with quiet satisfaction, humming so loud I wondered if any of them could feel it too.
“This is…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence. My eyes were burning.
Ash, more observant than he let on, said, “Pheromone levels are at ideal concentration.”
“It feels like home,” I said, the words so honest it almost hurt.
Reid didn’t hesitate. His arm came around my shoulders, holding me with a confidence I craved. “That’s what it’s supposed to be.”
Theo wiggled where he was, unable to hold back another second. “Speaking of home, we have a question. Surprise number two. Right, guys?”
The Alphas exchanged that look they always did, mutely voting on who got to speak. Reid nodded at Theo, so he just blurted it out:
“How would you feel about making this arrangement permanent?” He rushed the words, as if afraid he’d lose his nerve. “Not just the nest, the whole thing. The partnership, the house. All of it.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Isn’t it already? The claims…”
Reid shook his head. “The bonds are forever. But the business agreement, the content contract, it was only for six months. We’re almost at the end.”
I had forgotten about the contract, the reason I’d come here to begin with. It seemed stupid now. I couldn’t imagine leaving.
Malik said it softly, right to me. “We want you to stay, not as an obligation, not as work, but as pack. Permanently. If you want that.”
Ash, practical as always, added, “No pressure. The bonds don’t require cohabitation. It’s your choice.”
I looked around at them, these five ridiculous, impossible, perfect Alphas who had become my world. The thought of returning to that solitary apartment, the fake existence I’d clawed out for myself, it was laughable. I couldn’t go back if I wanted to.
“I don’t want to leave,” I said, honest for maybe the first time ever. “I want to be here.”
Relief exploded through the room, sharp and sweet in the air. They hadn’t known what I would say. Somehow, all of this, and they still thought I might go.
Theo actually yelped. “So that’s a yes? You’ll stay? Forever and ever and ever and ever?”
“Yes, Theo.” It felt good to laugh, to be able to. “I’ll stay. With you. With all of you.”
He pumped his fist like a kid. “Best day ever. We need to celebrate. I vote cake and fireworks.”
This started an argument, with the others weighing in, and I just let myself listen. Let myself relax. There was no threat here, no agenda. No one was watching for a weakness. They were bickering about cake flavors and the logistics of indoor fireworks (Reid was firmly against it, to no one’s surprise), and I realized I belonged to this. I belonged here. Not despite what I was, but because of it.
Jace leaned in just far enough for only me to hear. “What’re you thinking?”
“That I never thought I’d have any of this.” I gestured clumsily at the nest, the five of them, the claiming marks. My throat wanted to close up just talking about it, but I forced it out. “Six months ago I was hiding everything, using illegal suppressants, sure I’d rather die than be an Omega. And now…”
He waited. He was good at that.
“Now I can’t imagine wanting to be anything else,” I whispered. “I’m me. All of me. And it’s enough.”
He smiled. Just a tiny flicker, but enough to know I got the words right.
Malik cut through the celebration debate with a suggestion. “We should use the nest for its intended purpose, don’t you think?”
Theo cackled. “He means cuddling.”
“Exactly,” Malik said, not even pretending to be embarrassed.
“Done and done,” Reid said, already adjusting his hold on me.
Ash was more reserved, but even he was relaxing, stretching his legs out as if he was settling in for the long haul.
