Page 32 of Honey Heat
“Christmas presents from your father-in-law,” Santiago chimed in. “Here’s a sweater and, oh, this box contains your worst nightmares.”
“You’re all just jealous.” Lucio growled, though there was no heat behind it.
“Of having Boone as a father-in-law?” Santiago raised an eyebrow. “Hard pass, thanks. That guy could bench press an entire forest.”
“And probably has,” Diablo added. “Just to intimidate potential suitors.”
“I heard he once ripped a tree out of the ground to use as a javelin,” Cesar said.
“That’s bullshit.” Lucio rolled his eyes. The pendejos were just trolling him.”
“Is it though?” Santiago looked thoughtful. “Bears are fucking strong, man. And that’s just regular bears. Alpha bears? Whole different level.”
“Better watch your ass, Alcaraz,” Diablo warned with mock seriousness. “One wrong move and Papa Bear will be using your spine as a toothpick.”
Lucio was about to fire back when the sound of Ethan’s laughter caught his attention. His mate was doubled over, clutching his sides as Brett finished what appeared to be a particularly hilarious story. Ethan wiped tears from his eyes, his whole body shaking.
His bear shifter fit into the pack dynamic so naturally, as if he’d always belonged there.
Warmth spread through Lucio’s chest at the sight. His mate’s eyes crinkled at the corners, his head thrown back, revealing the mark on his neck where Lucio had claimed him. Sunlight streaming through the windows caught in Ethan’s hair, turning the brown strands to burnished copper.
“Earth to Lucio.” Diablo waved a hand in front of his face. “You’re staring like a lovesick teenager.”
“Let him be,” Santiago said, his voice softening. “It’s not every day your wolf chooses.”
From across the room, Ethan looked up, catching Lucio’s eye. His smile softened, becoming something private and intimate despite the chaos around them. He tilted his head slightly, a silent question in his eyes.
Lucio found himself moving toward Ethan without conscious thought.
“What’s so funny?” Lucio asked, settling beside his mate.
“Brett was just telling me about the time Jamie tried to adopt a raccoon,” Ethan explained, his voice still laced with amusement. “Apparently it didn’t go well for anyone involved, especially Cesar’s favorite boots.”
“That raccoon was misunderstood,” Jamie called from across the room. “He just needed love and proper guidance!”
“And rabies shots,” Brett added dryly. “Don’t forget those.”
Fresh laughter rippled through the room, and Lucio found himself joining in, one arm draped casually across Ethan’s shoulders. His mate leaned into the touch, warm and solid against his side, fitting perfectly into the space Lucio hadn’t realized was empty until now.
For all the chaos of the morning—the unexpected visitors, the teasing about Boone, the general mayhem of pack life—Lucio wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was what mattered. His mate safe and happy, surrounded by people who would protect him with their lives if necessary.
As if reading his thoughts, Ethan turned to meet his gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Your pack is great,” he whispered, just for Lucio’s ears.
“Our pack,” he corrected, pressing a kiss to Ethan’s temple. “They’re your family now too, osito.”
The weight of those words settled between them, a promise and a future wrapped in a simple phrase. Around them, the noise continued—stories and laughter, the clatter of dishware, good-natured arguments about nothing important—but in that moment, it was just the two of them, connected by something neither time nor distance could sever.
Chapter Nine
The steady rumble of the engine quieted as Lucio pulled into Sin & Steel’s packed parking lot. Bikes and trucks crowded the asphalt, telling him the meeting had drawn a full house.
A testament to Matias’s summons bringing everyone in.
After cutting the engine, Lucio felt Ethan’s arms loosen around his waist. His mate dismounted first, running a hand through his wind-tousled hair.
“Quite the turnout.” Ethan glanced around, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
Lucio swung his leg over the bike and stood, placing a reassuring hand at the small of his mate’s back. “Everyone’s gonna be curious about you, osito. Don’t worry, they won’t bite.” He leaned closer, lips brushing Ethan’s ear. “That’s my job.”
