Page 159 of Haze

Inside the green box is a stunning moonstone ring flanked with diamonds. The hexagon cut sparkles brightly. It’s beautiful. I struggle for words. The world has seen us together. Everyone in the pack knows by now that he and I are together. It’s not like I’m showing off my mating mark. Why can’t I say yes?

The answer is obvious: because it’s a human idea of intention.

Finn moves to close the box. Disappointment hangs heavy in the air.

“I’ll wear it,” I agree. “For today.”

“That’s all I can ask.” Finn steps toward me.

I tilt my chin up to meet his eyes, and he plants a soft kiss on my lips before murmuring against them, “Go get dressed.”

Walking back to the closet, I go to my underwear drawer and pull out a bra and a pair of panties. I hear a tsk of a tongue.

When I turn to look at him, Finn shakes his head. “I’ll give you a bra but no panties.”

“You have to be kidding me. We’re having lunch with the pack. You expect me to go commando?” I snap at Finn.

“No, I gave you leggings, but that is a great idea. Show those great legs off for the last time this year. Forecast calls for snow next week.” Finn’s wolf flashes behind his eyes as he watches me. “Dress, no leggings, no panties.”

Do I dare argue?

I put the panties back in the drawer, followed by the bra. There’s always a loophole. I pull out a cute undergarment romper.

Finn chuckles but doesn’t argue with me.

It is, after all, ‘a bra,’ at least in part.

Dressed and hair done, I’m giving myself one last look over. Finn comes to stand behind me in the mirror. His broad shoulders dwarf mine, and his chin rests just above my head without any need to bend.

Wrapping his arms around me, he kisses the crown of my hair. He gives me a soft squeeze before moving and picking up my left hand. With very little effort, he slides the ring on my finger.

The fire in the pit of my stomach is smothered by his hands on me.

“I’m impressed it fits.” I look at the stone.

It’s even more beautiful than when it sat in the box. The man knows his sparkly.

“Truthfully, I am as well. I didn’t have it sized. It was my Nan’s.” Finn wraps his arms around me again.

I lean back into him. “You asked me to wear your Nan’s ring?”

“Faolan, I’m keeping you for the rest of our lives. Don’t be shocked that I want you to share my heritage with me.” Finn’s voice is so calm it works to relax me from the inside as his arms do the outside.

Our mate wants us, my wolf reminds me as she rises out of the ashes of her feral behavior.

The alarm on my phone sounds from where I left it on my bed.

“What’s that for?” Finn slowly releases me from his arms.

“It’s quarter after. Time to get downstairs,” I answer before letting him lead me through the bathroom and back into my bedroom.

Finn grabs my phone and silences it before handing it to me. I toss it back down on the bed, and he raises an eyebrow.

“People don’t believe you’re paying attention to them if your phone is in your hand. Plus, my dress doesn’t have pockets.” I shrug and motion toward the door. “Besides, the only people who would call me, if they aren’t downstairs, know not to call me before noon.”

Finn escorts me from my room. We’re halfway down the stairs when I draw a deep breath and steel myself against the soft and tender emotions of my wolf. The Alpha Female has to be present.

Plenty of people are milling about inside the house and outside on the deck. While the packhouse has been open and we keep someone staffed on hand around the clock, not all the pack has felt comfortable coming inside and hanging out with us here quite yet. I don’t blame them. From what Nikki has told me, Robert kept the house locked up. The only time people were brought into the pack house was holidays. It’s not how Cade wants to do things. It’s why our bedrooms have deadbolts and soundproofing, so we have spaces that are our own from the pack, but the rest of the house is fair game. It’s good to see people utilizing it. It’s far too big for the four of us... five, if you count Finn, I guess.

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