Page 126 of Taken By the Pack

I smirk when I hear her breath hitch, the soft sigh of pleasure that escapes her lips. Rowan chuckles low, rough with amusement, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“There’s something I’ve been thinking about,” Grace says, voice breathless.

Jake laughs, lifting his spatula. “If you’re still thinking with an Alpha’s cock inside you, Rowan must not be doing it right.”

“Fuck off,” Rowan mutters, but he’s laughing too, and I hear the shift of bodies, the press of skin against leather as he moves.

Grace giggles, but then she says, “No, really. I was thinking about Jake.”

Jake arches a brow. “Not mad about it.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”

I lean back against the workbench, arms crossed, curious now. Rowan doesn’t stop what he’s doing, but I can tell he’s listening too.

Grace exhales. “I was thinking about how you know everyone in town. People like you, Jake. They trust you.”

Jake flips another burger onto the plate, nodding. “Yeah?”

She sits up a little, bracing herself on Rowan’s chest. “What if the only way to stop the mayor from convincing people to sell to Westbrook Real Estate is to have a new mayor?”

There’s a pause. Then Jake laughs. “Me?”

I straighten, considering it. “It’s not a bad idea.” My family won’t be willing to up their prices in order to make the people sell their homes and stores, and constant friction with the public might deter them even more.

Jake shakes his head, setting down the spatula. “No way.”

Grace’s expression is determined. “I think it is. People come to you when they need help. They respect you.”

“Damn right, they do,” Rowan mutters, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Though I could probably think better if I finished first.”

Grace gasps, smacking his chest. “You’re insufferable.”

He smirks, flipping her onto her back, pinning her against the couch cushions. “You love it.”

She tries to glare, but her lips twitch, betraying her.

Rowan presses a kiss to the curve of her jaw before glancing at Jake. “You know she’s right.” His voice is more serious now, thoughtful. “You’re the best candidate. And we’d help you.”

Jake rubs a hand over his jaw. “Campaigning? Meetings? Politics? I don’t know.”

Grace smiles at him. “You wouldn’t be doing it alone. You’d have all of us.”

I glance between them, nodding. “You’ve always cared about protecting this town, Jake. This is just another way to do it.”

He’s quiet for a moment, staring at the plate of burgers like they hold the answer. Then, finally, he exhales and shakes his head with a grin. “You’re all a pain in my ass.”

Grace beams. “That’s a yes.”

Rowan smirks. “We’ll call it a strong maybe.”

Jake groans, “Fine. But if I do this, you’re all damn well campaigning with me.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say, smiling.

And just like that, there’s a new purpose… a new fight. But this time, we’re in it together.

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