Page 12 of Crew

Tris and Nancy had decorated the yard with string lights, and the two picnic tables were set up next to each other in a long line, both laden with food. Tris had made her famous beer can chicken, and Nancy had added potato salad and rolls. Crew had personally helped Zara make the blackberry lemonade.

Not that she needed help, but he wanted to spend time with her.

“This is freaking fantastic,” he said, taking a drink.

Zara beamed at him.

“I love it too,” Tris said. “I never thought to put blackberries in lemonade. I usually just make a cobbler. Maybe we could plant some more next year—the thornless kind.”

“That would be awesome,” Zara said.

Crew caught Colton shooting a look in their direction, which told him that the male was listening to their conversation.

Zara caught Crew’s look and tilted her head slightly.

“We’ll talk later,” he said with a low voice.

She nodded and smiled.

There were a lot of things Crew wanted to say, like how she could leave her herd and join his, and how they could become mates in truth, and how he wanted to run Colton and his males out of town and never lay eyes on them again, but he didn’t say any of those things.

Firstly, he’d made a promise as alpha to help, so he was going to.

And secondly, he and Zara both knew they were soulmates, so there was no need to rush anything. Except getting her settled in the house.

As the meal wound down, the females and Crew’s herd helped clean up, and Crew was so happy to see Tris and Nancy include Zara. He didn’t think she’d stopped smiling since their kiss.

Having her with him had settled something inside him.

Maybe it was knowing he wasn’t alone anymore.

Whatever it was, he was glad she’d come to New Jersey.

He caught her around the waist as she walked by, and she settled in his lap with a lighthearted giggle.

“You’re making friends already,” he said.

“They’re so sweet.”

“You fit right in. With all of us.”

Her brows rose. “Do you really think so?”

“Of course,” he said. “You belong here, Zara. With me and my herd.”

For a moment, the sounds of the gathering faded away as she gazed at him. He could feel the connection between them as soulmates, like a thin thread between them. Her lips parted like she was going to say something, but the quiet moment was broken by the clatter of silverware as Avi dropped the handful he was holding.

“Sorry,” Avi said with a grin. “Didn’t mean to interrupt the moment.”

Crew shot him a playful glare, but Zara just laughed, the sound light and genuine.

As Avi finished clearing the table, Zara said, “Thank you, Crew.”

“For what?” Crew asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“For everything. I’m just so happy to be here.” Her smile lit up her face.

“I’m happy you’re here too.”

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