Page 31 of Dark Obsession
“He’s perfect.” Peach sighs, offering them all a smile. “And thank you for inviting me here today. I know how much you all mean to Salem, and I’ve been wanting to get to know you all.”
“She’s so sweet,” Silver mutters through our mind link. “How the fuck did you get her?”
“Mine,” is all I send back.
There’s nothing else to say.
I don’t care how she got here, but she is fucking mine.
“We’re so happy for you both,” Saylor replies to her, smiling softly. “You’re family now, Peach.” She pauses and then adds, “I always wanted a sister, and now I have two.”
She and Laurel share a look, and then they both smile at Peach.
Family.
I never thought I’d be contributing to extend our family, but here I am with the most beautiful female by my side.
“Why haven’t you bonded yet?” Saylor asks me, frowning. She spent an hour talking with Peach, and the two of them seem to get along wonderfully. I knew they would. I mean, who wouldn’t like Peach? But now she’s got me cornered in the kitchen while I’m getting Peach another drink. She’s in the living room with my brothers, holding Summer.
Seeing her with a pup, yeah, that really does something to me. I never saw myself becoming a father, but now the thought of Peach being pregnant has me wanting to zip her back home and into bed right now.
I’m not on the contraception herbs, and I don’t know if she is. We’ve never had that conversation. I hope she’s not.
Fuck, what has she done to me? Before, the thought of having a baby would have made me zip to the other side of the realm.
“Salem,” Saylor snaps, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“I’m waiting for her to be ready,” I reply, lifting Peach’s glass in my hand and leaning back against the counter. “I want to. I was ready the second I saw her, but I don’t want to push her.”
“I wonder why she’s waiting,” Saylor murmurs, tucking her hair back behind her ear. She’s wearing a purple dress today, one that reaches the floor. She’s paired it with some yellow shoes. “She’s clearly in love with you. She can’t take her eyes off you.” She smiles, touching my forearm. “I’m so happy for you, Salem. I’ve never seen you like this. Peach is perfect for you.”
“I know I don’t deserve her, but I’m never letting her go,” I state.
Saylor reaches up and touches the stubble on my cheek. “You deserve all this and more, big brother.” She removes her hand and flashes me a cheeky smirk. “And now it’s Peach’s job to rein you in when you lose your temper. Huh, now I know how you all felt when you made me Bane’s problem. It’s kind of freeing, isn’t it? I don’t have to worry about you as much anymore.”
“You worry about me?”
“All the time. You’re unpredictable sometimes, Salem. And impulsive. I always worry about you. But now you have that sweet girl out there…” She sighs happily, tears pooling in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. I’m sorry, after having Summer, my emotions seem to be out of control.”
I pull her against me and rub her back in soothing circles. “You know, I only figured out how to care for my mate after watching you, Bane, and Shadow with Laurel. And I only know how to handle females because of you.”
She laughs. “Yeah, you all took good care of me growing up. You still do.” She sighs, then looks up at me with a serious look in her honey-brown eyes. “Her strawberry cheesecake is better than mine, isn’t it?”
Wincing, I avoid her eyes, rubbing the back of my neck. “They are both amazing, and I need both in my life.”
She rolls her eyes. “She is the best pastry chef in the kingdom, and I know they are. But thank you for not saying it out loud.”
“You know I love your cooking and baking, and that will never change,” I vow, and she grins up at me.
“Good. Now turn on that newly acquired charm, brother. You need to get those mating bands on your wrists.”
When I walk back into the room with her drink in my hand and see her cooing at Summer, I know that Saylor is right.
Time to officially lock it in.
When all my brothers start to stand, I know it’s time for our pack run. Bane, the only one of us who isn’t a shifter, takes Summer and follows us all outside.
Peach reaches for me, and I take her hand in mine. “You ready for this? Your first run with my pack.”
