Addie blinked back tears as he continued, looking down at his plate, out the window, to the kitchen. Anywhere but her. She knew him like he was an extension of herself, because that’s what he was—they were mates. They were soulmates. And so she knew that he needed to say all of this for his own peace of mind, and if he looked at her, he wouldn’t be able to continue. So she let him talk.
“You’re the most beautiful, down-to-earth, strong, smart, funny, sweet girl I’ve ever known. Maybe you think you’ve improved and learned a lot over the summer, and you have, but so have I. You taught me so much. You bring out the best in me. After you left, I challenged Tanner for alpha, and I won. I’ve always known I was meant to be alpha, but I was too scared to take the position. You made me strong enough to buck up and take responsibility that I’ve been putting off for years.”
Addie sat there, stunned. She hadn’t known he was alpha now. She didn’t know what to say. And then she realized it didn’t really matter. She’d already made up her mind.
She stood and walked to the bedroom and over to the desk in the far corner. She opened the drawer and retrieved her iPad, then walked back out to the dining area.
Jason was still sitting at the table, forking spaghetti around his plate. He didn’t look up at Addie, even when she stood right next to him. She sat the iPad down next to him and waited. He looked down at it, then finally looked up at Addie. “What is this?”
“Just read it.”
He frowned, then unlocked the iPad. Addie’s email application was open, and an important email was displayed. Addie read over his shoulder.
Addie,
I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’re considering staying here in River’s Bend and working full time for us here at The Bender. We value all the work you’ve done for us over the summer, and we could use a fresh set of eyes and your refreshing take on things in the future. You have a permanent position here if you want it. Let me know of your decision soon.
Thanks,
Samantha Reynolds
Jason looked up at Addie, eyes wide with hope. “What does that mean?” he asked, voice thick with emotion.
“I forgave you a long time ago, I just needed to work on myself before we got back together. I love you too Jason, and I want to stay here in River’s Bend with you. I just needed to hear you say you still wanted me to stay here, too.”
Jason stood up and pulled Addie into his arms.
She’d always remember this moment. His lips met hers with passion and urgency that most girls never experience and think only exist in movies. He grabbed her hair, gently, and angled her face up to better meet his. Tears were running down her cheeks, but she didn’t care, and Jason didn’t either. “I love you, I love you, I love you…” he repeated, pressing his forehead against hers. “You have all of me, mind, body, and soul. I’m yours until the end.”
“And I’m yours.” She said earnestly.
Epilogue
“Dude, not cool!” Rowan yelped, wiping away the paint Luke had accidentally flicked his way.
Addie had tried to convince Luke that their party didn’t require banners, but he had insisted on making them, anyway. She suspected it was half him not completely understanding human wedding traditions, and half him thoroughly enjoying arts and crafts time.
Luke ignored Rowan’s grumbles as he put on the finishing touches with an exaggerated flourish of his paintbrush. “Okay, I’m done! Is this right?” He held up the banner so Addie could inspect it.
She cringed as she read the banner. The words “Just Mated!” were painted across the banner in royal blue.
She put on a smile and gave Luke a thumbs up before turning to give Jason a horrified look. Yes, she was now officially Jason’s mate, but that wording… yikes. At least the only guests at their party were pack. Humans, like her parents, would definitely have thought the wording inappropriate. She cringed at the thought.
Jason stifled a chuckle as he wrapped a protective arm around Addie. “Are you going to make a welcome home banner for Claire?” he asked Luke.
Luke nodded. “Already done, alpha. Just got to hang it up!” Jason rolled his eyes but smiled.
Addie gave his arm a squeeze. Jason had transitioned into his role as alpha easily, just like she knew he would. He was a naturally good leader. He was strong, smart, and fair, and he always had the best interests of the pack at heart.
And now, she was his, and he was hers. Jason looked down at her and gave her a quick peck on the forehead.
“They’re coming up the mountain now. I hear Zane’s truck.” Tanner said, stepping out from his cabin. Luke, Rowan, and Jason nodded like that was old news, and Addie realized Tanner had probably made the announcement for her benefit only. All her pack mates had far better hearing than she did.
Addie cocked an eyebrow as she watched Tanner run his hands through his hair as if trying to style it, looking at his reflection in the front window of his small cabin. In all the weeks she’d known Tanner, she’d only ever seen him in threadbare jeans and old tee shirts. Today, however, must have been a special day, because he’d worn khakis and a button-down shirt.
“Trying to impress someone?” Jason teased.
Tanner shrugged.
“Don’t let Zane know.” Rowan said with a grin.
“Don’t let Zane know what?” Luke asked from the top of the ladder he was on, hanging up the banners.
“Shut up, all of you.” Tanner said, scowling.
Addie grabbed onto Jason’s arm in a mixture of excitement and nervousness as Zane’s truck came into view.
Today was the day Claire, the last pack mate and only female wolf shifter, was coming back home after her summer internship.
Addie had grown to love each pack member in their own way, but she was excited to finally have another girl around. She had met Claire only briefly at Harvey’s, but she had seemed sweet and friendly.
Addie hoped her and Claire could grow to be good friends. Jason gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Claire jumped out of the truck and, with a huge grin on her face, immediately pointed a finger at the banners. “Just mated?!”
Addie nodded, and Claire squealed before running up and tackling her in a bear… err, wolf… hug. “I’m so happy for you two!” she said, a little too loudly in Addie’s ear. “How did you convince Tanner to let you take a human mate?” she asked, turning to Jason.
“About that… I’m alpha now.”
Claire’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Wait, Tanner isn’t alpha anymore?” she stood there for a few moments, looking between Tanner and Jason as if her mind couldn’t process the new pack dynamic. “Weird that my wolf didn’t sense anything different. I guess I have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Okay, can we catch her up while we get the grill going? I’m starving.” Rowan said while clutching his stomach like he was starving.
And just like that, the weirdest and best welcome home/wedding reception began. There was music and singing around the fire pit, just like there always was. They had steaks, because, as Luke said, the boys required lots of meat. Jason had even surprised Addie with her new favorite—biscuits and gravy from Mama Jo’s Diner.
Addie leaned back in her lawn chair and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Summer was coming to an end, and the air was already cool in their mountains.
Jason looked up from where he was sitting on the ground in front of her. He frowned, took off his jacket, and laid it over her like a blanket. Addie snuggled up into it as Jason beamed up at her.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked, low enough for only her to hear.
She nodded and swallowed hard, suddenly overcome with emotion. “I love nights like this.”
“That’s good, because this is what we have to look forward to every night for the rest of our lives.” Jason said, nodding his head toward Zane and Luke, who were singing a very drunk and very loud country rendition of “The Thong Song”.
She giggled and watche
d the scene before them. Jason drew circles on her calf with his fingers, sending delicious shivers up her spine.
She looked down at him to find him watching her intently, a look of thoughtfulness on his face. She blushed. “What are you thinking about?”
He cleared his throat. “About what’s next. For us.”
“And what is that?”
“I thought we’d enjoy the newly mated life for a little while, and when you’re ready, I’ll change you. If you still want that.”
She searched his face for some indication that he was joking, but he was all serious. He cocked his head and grinned at her, and she realized she hadn’t responded. “I still want that.” She managed out, barely a whisper.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I want that too. I love you, Addie.”
“I love you too.”
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Alyssa Jacobs
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