Page 150 of Heat & Deceit
Javi appears at my side. “We’re not afraid of your past.”
“And this is right where you belong,” Rome says from behind me.
One moment, I’m standing there, the three of them closing in, and the next, I’m squished between three hard bodies. My alphas hug me so tight, I cry even harder. There are more things said, but all I can focus on, the only thing I can feel, is the way they’re holding me. The way they’re not leaving. The way they’re not letting me go.
“You belong here,” Rome says again.
“We’re yours,” Javi says. “For as long as you’ll have us.”
My heart clenches. He’s giving me the power to choose. Giving me the power to walk away. I won’t. I can’t. Even if there’s still a part of me that doesn’t feel worthy, the mere thought of leaving them makes me want to lie down and die.
Ly pulls back from the group hug and sears me with a look. “Don’t you ever talk about my mate like that again. Got it?”
I nod, blinking as tears continue to fall. I can’t stop crying. He doesn’t care. Ly swipes them away with his thumb before kissing each cheek. Tender presses of his lips against my skin. They shift, not breaking away from me but moving so Javi is in front of me now. His hand finds my throat, my favorite necklace, and he kisses my forehead. The corner of each eye. My lips. And then Rome is in front of me. His steady gaze burns into me, telling me so much without having to say anything out loud. They need me as much as I need them. I go onto my toes and capture his mouth with mine. His kiss seals the deal.
For better or worse, we’re a pack.
Thirty-Nine
NOVA
I’m struggling with the clasps of my dress when someone knocks on the door. “Come in.”
Georgina steps inside, quickly shutting the door and rushing to help. She’s wearing a pretty navy dress and the biggest diamond necklace I’ve ever seen. “Wow, Nova. I mean, wow. I saw it at the store, but you look even prettier here.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, glancing in the floor-length mirror. The dress is gorgeous. I went for a classic style with my makeup, but used a bold red lipstick to match the dress. My hair hangs in loose curls, and the heels I picked are practical but cute.
“Do you want to twirl?” Georgine whispers, dropping her chin on my shoulder.
I shy away from her touch, but she only smiles at me. “Um. Maybe?”
She steps back and spins her finger in the air. Biting my lip, I twirl slowly, then do it a little faster, laughing as the skirt sways around me.
Georgina giggles and holds out her hand. “Let’s go show the world how lucky my cousin and his pack are.”
Part of me still doesn’t believe it, but I take her hand and follow her toward the stairs. The venue is done up in shades of red and black, colors that match my dress and the ties Georgina picked out for the alphas. The chatter from the party grows louder with every step I take. Georgina squeezes my hand as we approach the fancy balcony to the left of the stairs. We stop just out of sight. There’s a string quartet playing, and I can almost picture people in big gowns and fancy suits sipping champagne and eyeing the alphas.
“Are you ready?”
“I guess?”
Her eyebrows scrunch together and she chuckles. “It’ll be fine. Pretend like you’re the queen, okay? Wait here. I’ll introduce you.” The room below falls quiet as Georgina places her hands on the railing, striking a pose that screams she was born to rule.
Sucking a deep breath, I mimic her. Fake it till you make it, right?
“It’s my honor to announce Pack Gray’s omega for the first time. I present to you Nova Thornhill.”
* * *
JAVI
“Here she comes,” I whisper.
A delicate hand clutches the golden stair rail. My eyes trace up that perfect arm and find her face. Pride swells inside my chest. That’smymate. She’s perfect in every way. From the bold lipstick to the way she nervously glances at everyone in the room. She’s more than I ever could have hoped for.
And when those hazel gray irises bore into mine, she steals my breath. I watch her descend, heart thumping with every step she takes.
Mate. Mate. Mate.
