Page 93 of Stuck with my Pack
The inspector considers her for a second, then jots something down again.
Sophie doesn’t stop.
She starts leadinghim, walking ahead as she gestures toward the kitchen. “The appliances are all new, industrial-grade. We reinforced the flooring to handle heavier foot traffic, and the ventilation system was updated to meet commercial kitchen standards.”
I exchange a glance with Ethan, whose lips twitch in something close to amusement. Brodie crosses his arms, leaning against the banister, watching her with open admiration.
Sophie keeps going, guiding the inspector through the parlor, pointing out the carefully restored moldings, the refinished floors. She doesn’t just list the improvements—she tells the story of the inn, how every inch of it was touched by careful hands, effort, and love.
Byus.
Somewhere along the way, the inspector’s rigid demeanor softens. His frown fades, replaced by a look that suggests he’s almost impressed.
By the time we reach the end of the tour, he’s smiling. Actually smiling.
“Well,” he says, closing his clipboard with a satisfied nod. “It’s clear you’ve all worked hard.”
I see Sophie’s shoulders drop, the tension bleeding out of her as she lets out a quiet breath.
“The improvements meet the necessary standards,” he continues, looking between all of us. Then, finally, he delivers the words we’ve been waiting for.
“The inn is approved for operation.”
For a second, no one moves.
Then Sophie gasps, her hands flying into the air as she literally jumps with joy, and the tension that has been coiled inside all of us finally breaks.
I let out a loud, triumphant whoop, clapping Ethan hard on the back. Brodie exhales a long breath, a rare smile breaking across his face.
Ethan steps forward first, shaking the inspector’s hand firmly. “We appreciate your time,” he says, his voice steady, professional. “And the approval, of course.”
Brodie nods, ever the composed one, while I clap the guy on the shoulder with a grin. “Knew you’d come around,” I joke, and the inspector chuckles, giving us a knowing look before heading out the door.
The second it clicks shut behind him, a collective breath releases from all of us.
Sophie turns to me, her eyes shining, and before she can say anything, I wrap my arms around her, lifting her off the ground as she laughs against my chest.
“We did it!”
I grin down at her, squeezing her tight. “You’re damn right, we did.”
I turn to Sophie, her cheeks are still flushed, her green eyes bright with victory. She’s glowing with pride, excitement, relief. And fuck, if I don’t want to make her glow even more.
Without warning, I sweep her up into my arms, making her yelp in surprise. “Tyler!” she squeaks, her hands clutching my shoulders.
I grin down at her, my grip firm as I take the stairs two at a time. “Come on, sweetheart,” I murmur, my voice dipping into something lower, rougher. “We’ve got one more thing to celebrate.”
Behind us, I hear Brodie and Ethan waste no time following us as I carry her upstairs to her nest.
Flustered but clearly not protesting, Sophie buries her face in my neck, her breath warm against my skin. She’s scent marking me, and it feels like my fucking heart is going to burst.
41
SOPHIE
Tyler kisses me senseless until we’re in my room. My body hums with anticipation, heat curling through my veins, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.
The air is thick, heavy with their scents—cedar and leather, sun-warmed citrus, dark spice and amber. I can smell my slick, thick and musky mixing with their unique smells. Their pheromones wrap around me, pulling me deeper, drawing me under, igniting me.
