40. Chapter 40
Leo
The fireplace was now mostly embers, casting a glow across the cabin walls. We’d made a simple dinner: grilled fish, wild herbs, and foraged greens. It was rustic and perfect. Now, we lay together in the calm peace of the wilderness. Well, as much wilderness as you can have inside a luxury cabin.
Thankfully the bed was large enough to fit us all.
We were spread out, laying together in a heap and reminiscing.
Ash and Cassie were curled up in the middle, and both of them seemed calm, but ready.
The more an omega was around their alphas, the more secure they became.
I knew once we bonded, they would feel the love and care we all had for them, so much love that they would never have another doubt in their minds. I couldn’t wait.
Jace had his arm draped over Cassie, and Rys was propped up on one elbow beside Ash, watching the firelight flicker across their skin. And me? I was right where I belonged. In the pack I always somehow knew was mine, from the first moment we all stood on that set.
I let my eyes sweep over them, my chest so full it ached.
I’d won championships, made more money than I ever needed, and signed massive endorsement deals.
I had all the fame and the fortune that I could ever want.
But none of it came close to this. This was something I always felt was missing - a pack that just clicked, people who would be there for me and take my humor, but also be there for me during the good times and the bad.
I don’t think the others ever truly believed we’d make it here, but I did.
From the first challenge on the show, I’d known.
Call it alpha instinct or just a cocky gut feeling, but I knew we weren’t a fling or a phase or something producers could cut together for drama.
We were the endgame. And now, we were finally ready for the rest of our lives.
Ash looked up, his gaze meeting mine. His scent pulsed out gently, warm and inviting. It was like something in him had clicked into place, like the last walls had finally crumbled. He reached for my hand. No hesitation.
“I’m ready,” he whispered, looking at each of us. I nodded to him and moved in closer.
“Me too.” Cassie said, reaching out and pushing back some of Ash’s curls from his forehead. Their nervous anticipation was now a hurried excitement, and I could smell their perfumes starting to fill the room. There was no spoken plan to what we were about to do, just trust and love.
“Well, let’s not keep them waiting.” Rys answered, moving in and opening his mouth.
He gently bit down on Ash’s neck, and the way his eyelids fluttered at the teeth breaking his skin was something I’d never forget.
Ash and Rys were frozen for a moment as the bond took over.
Then, Ash gasped and opened his eyes, looking at Rys in awe as he was now fully connected to him.
I had a feeling he’d be in awe for a while, so I reached for his wrist, bringing it up to my mouth so I could give him a beautiful bite to wear as a bracelet on his skin.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jace biting Cassie. Soon, we’d all be connected.
The bond hit like a slow-building flame, rising through my chest until it lit every nerve in my body.
I felt Ash as the bond connected us. His feelings came through, soft but excited, his emotions like waves against mine as they connected.
He had been so unsure of how lovable he was, but I pushed all my care toward him, letting him know how I felt.
I could see on his face how shocked he was to feel the strength of how deeply we cared for him.
Cassie was next. Once I bit into her skin, I felt her too - radiant and brave.
Then Jace, steady and sharp. Rys, wise and grounding, the calm undercurrent to my fire.
Each connection snapped into place. We were still separate, but connected to each other in an undeniable way, like a beautiful web.
I felt them all. I wasn’t just Leo anymore - I was Leo of this pack. We were one.