Page 35 of Shift Happens
“Anytime,” I said, meaning it. “You’re always welcome here.”
After all the pack members had departed, Milo and I stood in the suddenly quiet store, surveying the aftermath. Despite my fears, nothing had been broken or damaged—our unusual guests had been surprisingly respectful of the space.
“That went better than I expected,” I admitted, starting to gather empty cups and plates.
“Told you,” Milo said smugly, holding the dreamcatcher up to examine it in the light. “Wolves can be civilized when properly motivated by good stories and snacks.”
“Your mother’s gift is beautiful,” I observed. “Where should we hang it?”
His expression softened as he looked at the crafted object. “Above our bed, I think. Guarding our dreams.”
Chapter 18
We closed up the store and headed upstairs to our apartment, both pleasantly tired from hosting. As Milo carefully hung the dreamcatcher in our bedroom, I was struck by how seamlessly our lives had interwoven—his wolf artifacts alongside my comic memorabilia, his nest-building tendencies complementing my organizational habits.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, catching my contemplative expression. “Your scent just changed.”
I smiled, still amazed by his perceptiveness. “Just thinking about how well everything fits together. Your pack in my store. Your dreamcatcher above our bed. You in my life.”
He crossed the room to wrap his arms around my waist, looking up at me with those remarkable amber eyes. “Like puzzle pieces that didn’t know they were meant to connect until they found each other.”
“Exactly,” I agreed, bending to kiss him softly. “Speaking of connecting…”
His smile turned mischievous. “Are you attempting to seduce me, Mr. Reed?”
“Is it working?” I murmured against his lips.
“Absolutely,” he assured me, pressing closer. “Though I should warn you—pack gatherings tend to stir wolf instincts. I might be a bit… possessive tonight.”
“Is that a promise or a warning?” I asked, already feeling heat building between us.
“Both,” he growled, the sound sending shivers down my spine.
What followed was unlike our usual lovemaking—more primal, more urgent, as if having his pack in my territory had awakened something deeply instinctual in Milo. His usual playfulness gave way to a focused intensity that was intoxicating, his smaller body surprisingly strong as he claimed me with undisguised possession.
Afterward, lying tangled together beneath the newly hung dreamcatcher, I traced lazy patterns on his back. “So that was ‘possessive Milo,’” I observed, voice still rough from our activities. “I think I like him.”
He made a contented sound, nuzzling against my chest. “Having my pack in your space—our space—it triggered something… territorial. Needed to reaffirm our bond.”
“Feel free to reaffirm anytime,” I told him, earning a pleased laugh.
“The pack liked you,” he said after a comfortable silence. “More importantly, they understand now. Why this matters to me. Why you matter.”
“I’m glad,” I said honestly. “It means a lot that they accepted me—accepted us.”
He lifted his head to look at me, expression suddenly serious. “Finn, there’s something I’ve been thinking about. Since the full moon gathering.”
“What is it?” I asked, noting the shift in his mood.
“I want to make this official,” he said, amber eyes unwavering. “In both worlds. Pack law already recognizes our bond after the claiming ceremony, but human society has its own rituals for commitment.”
My heart rate quickened as I realized what he was suggesting. “Milo, are you asking me to marry you?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I want to be your mate in every way possible—wolf ceremony, human legality, all of it. I want everyone in both our worlds to know we’ve chosen each other.”
Despite the unexpectedness of the moment—lying in bed, having just recovered from rather enthusiastic sex—I found myself nodding. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”
His smile was brilliant, eyes glowing with joy. “Really? You’re sure?”
