Page 135 of Crossed Fates
Alaric grunted. “Yeah, I don’t think a formal resignation is Jude’s thing.” He ripped open the package and pulled out a thick padded envelope. Inside it was a tablet, a watch, and a note.
I know how much you’ll miss your toys. Consider this a farewell gift. But I expect you to wear that watch and show up when I need you. —Jude.
“What the hell?” I took the note and read it again.
“Jude collects assets like chess pieces,” he muttered, eyeing the fancy watch.
Sounds like Nathan, I thought. “Is Jude saying that he’s not allowing you to quit?” I wondered out loud.
“I think he’s saying that while I’m not officially on the E.V.I.E. payroll, I’ll be working as a freelancer.” He grinned, his gaze lifting to mine. “Like you. So. it’s possible that you won’t be the only one called to help people outside the pack from time to time.”
The possibility of that didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t fear for Alaric—he could handle himself, especially now that he was immortal and much harder to kill. But what happened if our missions overlapped and that left the pack without either of their alphas?Maybe I shouldn’t—
Alaric grasped my hips, yanking my attention to him. “It would have to be a major emergency for me to leave my pack, Mak. But if it happens, we have my dad.”
“But he won’t—” Then I smacked myself on the forehead.Duh.The entire pack had inherited the traits of my pack when Alaric and I mated. His dad would always be there, and the man wouldn’t hesitate to step in if both of us were called away. “It’s refreshing to have all these similarities to my old pack. Like the immortality thing.”
“It’s certainly a gift we all appreciate.” Alaric set the items on the island, then kissed me quickly before going back to making us some food. He pulled a carton of eggs out and set them on the counter by the stove.
“So you’re really okay with me still working as a freelancer?” I asked. Other than a little worry for my safety—which was understandable, as I was his mate—I hadn’t sensed any doubt from Alaric. But sometimes it felt better to hear it out loud.
“Makayla, I want to spend eternity with you. If you stop being who you are, who would I be spending my forever with?”
Well, fuck. That had been the most perfect answer I could have imagined.
My heart squeezed, and a thought I hadn’t considered crept into my mind. I wasn’t sure what love was, beyond the love I had for my family. But romantically? It had never been something I’d experienced or even really considered. It had seemed like a complication, so I’d been glad to avoid it. But now I wondered if what Alaric and I felt for each other would grow into love one day.
Yeah, I was definitely falling head over heels for this man.
Alaric glanced at me, and something passed between us.Someday.
I smiled, feeling warm and happy.
“Ok, so what’s next?” I asked.
Alaric was quiet for a minute, thoughts floating through his mind too fast for me to grasp them all at once.
“Well, first, I think I need to move. Not just from New York City, but… into Tyler’s house. The alpha’s house. It’s been the alpha’s home for generations, and it’s where we belong.”
I loved that he sounded so sure of his decision. He constantly proved why he was meant to be the alpha of this pack, and I couldn’t help but be damn proud to stand beside him.
“Besides,” he continued, “I think it will be a comfort to be surrounded by childhood memories of Tyler. Even if I have a feeling he’s chuckling at me right now for being so stubborn all these years.”
I snorted, and Alaric pinched my outer thigh as he walked by, earning a glare from me. It didn’t hurt. Actually, it shot tingles directly to my core. However, apparently,pinchingwas his new thing, just like crowding me into tight places, and I didn’t care for it.
Liar. I know it turns you on,he murmured into my mind.
Stupid connection. He was right. It did. And that irritated the shit out of me.
I let it go and went back to our conversation. “Okay, so we’re moving. We take care of pack business and freelance from time to time.”
He nodded.
“Then?” I prompted.
“That’s for us to decide together. One day at a time. We have quite a few of them. There’s no rush.”
I rolled my eyes at his lame joke.
