Chapter 31

Isipped my sweet tea while the waitresses in their Howlers T-shirts were buzzing around us like busy little bees, their trays loaded with hamburgers and beer pitchers. Two weeks had flown by since I'd challenged River, and with him gone, life was finally getting back to the way it used to be.

Except for Tak. He had become my new normal.

Mel raised her glass of beer, her jade eyes glazed after too many drinks. "Here's a toast to air-conditioning. God bless."

A few of us laughed and nodded in agreement. The air-conditioning and electricity were up and running as of two days ago, one reason we were out celebrating. Closing Moonglow hadn't impacted sales as drastically as we initially feared. It turned out that selling merchandise on the sidewalk was a creative way to attract new customers. Some folks had heard about the fire and stopped by to show their support. Despite the heat, we made the best of it with the help of neighboring shops and a supportive community.

"Do you think fly Shifters ever existed?" Mel pondered.

Lennon grinned handsomely. "If they did, we swatted them into extinction."

"Bug Shifters aren't possible," Hendrix said matter-of-factly. "It's physically impossible to get that small."

"What about large predators?" I interjected. "They're bigger than our human form."

"Not the same. They're what… five times our size? Tops. We're like a bazillion times bigger than a fly. My junk can't cram into something that small."

Lakota tipped his head to the side. "What about that time you wore a Speedo to the lake?"

"Don't mention that again," Hendrix said with a straight face.

Mel looked between them. "Why do I have the feeling I'm missing out on all the good stories? One of these days, I'm going to get you guys to talk."

Lakota had always been close with the twins. In some ways, he acted as their big brother. Whenever he was in town, he'd take them fishing or camping.

Tak chuckled and looked between Lakota and Melody. "So you two knew each other since childhood."

Mel batted her eyelashes at Lakota, and they shared a private look that spanned years.

Hendrix rumpled his red hair and jerked his chin at Lakota. "Any updates on what happened to the pizza guy?"

Lakota rested his elbows on the table, his blue eyes narrowing to slivers. "The higher authority went easy on him. Five years. He deserves more than that for stalking and drugging my sister."

Mel frowned. "I actually liked Nash. He always gave us extra pepperoni. Why are all the nice guys psychotic assholes?"

Tak put his arm across the back of my chair. "That's what happens when men are motivated by greed. Let it be a lesson that family and morals come first. One man was driven by animosity and the other by money, and look where it got them."

Mel, Lakota, Hendrix, and Lennon nodded in agreement. Tak had made an indelible impression on everyone over the past few weeks. Lennon and Hendrix were always looking for examples of how to lead, even though Tak wasn't a Packmaster. I'd noticed a change in them during the past year, and I could see they were yearning for something more. It was the same look a man gets when he's searching for purpose. They weren't yet seasoned enough to form their own packs, but time and experience would change that.

"You should have killed River," Hendrix said to me. "That's what I would have done."

Tak shook his head. "Dying is too swift a punishment. A rival's submission is the sweetest victory."

Lennon gave Hendrix another furtive glance, and the two men drank their beers.

"What's up with you two?" Mel asked, pointing at the twins. One of her shoulder straps on her black tank top slid off, but she ignored it. "You're up to something sneaky. Did you put a skunk in Lakota's truck again? Because that wasn't funny the first time."

Hendrix looked at his twin, who raised his eyebrows. After a few beats, Lennon finally shrugged. Sometimes they carried on entire conversations with their eyes and body language.

Hendrix rubbed his finger beneath his eye and nodded. "Me and Lennon are taking off to Alaska."

Mel gave them a sour look. "And you didn't ask if I wanted to come? I'm down for another vacation."

"It's, uh… not a vacation."

"I don't get it."

Lakota adjusted Mel's tank top and put his arm around her. "I think what your brothers are trying to tell you is that they're ready to leave their footprint in the world. They're ready to take the journey that all alphas take."

Tears sprang to her eyes—mostly drunken tears since Mel wasn't a huge crier. "But you're my baby brothers. You can't leave me."

When she pouted, both men rose from the table. Hendrix knelt to her right, and Lennon stood behind her and clapped his hands on her shoulders.

"Did you think we were going to hang around Austin our whole lives and work in a bakery?" Hendrix asked. "You knew this day was coming."

It was an emotional moment, and I leaned into Tak. Lennon and Hendrix weren't just going out to find themselves; they were embarking on an adventure that could be dangerous as they would encounter rogues, other alphas, and Breed in unfamiliar terrain. Strong packs required strong leaders, and the only way for an alpha to grow to his potential was to challenge himself.

"But what are you going to do?" she went on, mascara streaking down her ruddy cheeks. "You don't have any money. All you do is spend it."

"Maybe bounty hunting," Lennon said. "We haven't decided, but Alaska calls to our wolves. You know we've wanted to live there since we were boys."

Hendrix put his hand on her knee. "It's our time."

Her mouth turned down, and she touched his forehead with her thumb, tracing it along one of the grooves. "You're not allowed to grow up on me. What if you never come back? What if you decide to live there forever?"

Lennon leaned in. "Good grief. If we'd known you were going to get this emotional, we would have hired a singing telegram to deliver the message once we were already on our way."

She reached back and smacked him on the head.

"I'm actually gonna miss that," he said ruefully, taking his seat again when the waitress set down a plate of fries in front of Melody.

Hendrix did the same. "So what about you?" he asked Tak. "Is Austin starting to grow on you?"

Tak grinned at him before finishing off his glass of lemonade.

While he hadn't made his intentions clear in regards to future plans, Tak had gone home twice, and each time he'd returned with another bag of clothes or other personal items. Though we were in love, Tak refused to move in with me. He said he respected me too much to cheapen our relationship, wherever it was going and however long it took to get there. He'd been staying with Hendrix and Lennon, so I guessed he must have known about their plan.

It made me wonder if they knew about his.

I leaned against his shoulder and peered up at him. Tak smiled with his eyes the way he always did when he didn't feel like saying anything. I wasn't sure what our future held, but one day at a time was all I needed. He belonged to me, and I belonged to him.

An Aerosmith song playing on the jukebox hit a chorus that reminded me of something important I meant to share. I pulled away from Tak and patted the table excitedly. "I have some good news!"

With tears still staining her cheeks, Melody stopped pouring mustard on her fries and glared at me. "You waited this long in the evening to give us breaking news? Why is everyone doing this to me? Did you all plan this?" She suddenly let go of the mustard, her eyes widening as she looked between Tak and me. "Are you… pregnant?"

Tak threw back his head and howled with laughter. He had such an infectious laugh that it made nearby patrons look over with interest.

"It's not that kind of news," I ground out. "Asia signed a long-term contract. It looks like the feather collection isn't going to be a limited edition after all."

"That's awesome!" Mel exclaimed. "Those earrings have been selling like crazy. I'm so happy for you!"

After the fire, Asia called to tell me she'd changed her mind about the offer. She'd had no idea what had transpired and was horrified to learn that River had bribed her with money stolen from our safe.

I smiled gleefully. "This is a huge stepping-stone for Moonglow. I just hope my assistant can keep up with all my orders or I might have to hire a second one."

Lakota scratched his chin. He had that look he always got whenever he was brimming with opinions. "If you were in a pack, finding help wouldn't be a problem." He glanced around at everyone and lifted his glass. "Just pointing out that labor would be a job for the pack. You throw away money hiring assistants." He furrowed his brow at Tak and quickly stood up. "Who wants me to kick their ass at pool?"

Hendrix bolted out of his chair. "Only if you promise not to cry when I win."

"Keep dreaming."

When they swaggered off, I lowered my voice and asked Tak, "What was that about? Lakota's acting strange all of a sudden."

Tak touched his necklace and stared thoughtfully across the room. I was overjoyed to see him in the necklace I'd given him. It was too cumbersome to wear all the time, but the meaning behind it was more valuable to me than anything else in the world.

My heart warmed whenever he attentively tucked a lock of hair behind my ear or kissed my temple while at the table. Nothing about our relationship was a secret from my family, friends, or anyone else.

Tak dropped a lemon wedge into his empty glass of lemonade and looked at Lennon. "You and your brother will be a strong alliance when you become Packmasters. In my tribe, it's rare to see two alpha brothers. They seem to run in your family. I bet you have a lot of young women lining up to warm your bed."

Lennon grinned handsomely, stroking the light dusting of whiskers across his jaw. I'd lost track of their age, but they must have been twenty. You'd never know it to look at them. Lennon and Hendrix were no longer the scrawny little boys I remembered.

Melody scooted over and put her arm around his broad shoulders. "No woman is allowed near my baby brother without my permission."

He snorted. "And you're saying this because you love me and not because you're as drunk as a skunk?"

"That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it."

"Coming from the sister who snuck behind my back and got mated. You're lucky I didn't lock Lakota's wolf in a trunk and ship him to France."

She lifted her glass and chortled. "Can you imagine Lakota in a beret?"

Lennon took her beer away. "You're such a lightweight."

"Don't let her drive," Tak warned.

Lennon held a solemn look. "We always have a designated driver. Our uncle works here, and we get dibs on the private room if anyone needs to crash. I've only had the one beer an hour ago."

"I'm not judging you," Tak said. "Just think about your actions. There's nothing wrong with someone having too many spirits, especially in celebration. But they become our responsibility, and we have to look out for them."

I stroked Tak's arm, proud of his commitment to truth.

Tak stood up and straightened his shirt. "There's something I need to do. Be right back."

When he didn't head for the restroom, I got butterflies. He stalked toward Lakota, who was busy racking up pool balls. The dim light made it difficult to see anything in the back except for the overhead lamps shining on the billiard tables.

Lennon glanced in that direction. "Wonder what that was about."

"I bet I know," Melody sang, waggling her brows at me.

Lennon snickered. "Maybe he just needed to borrow a pencil."

"Or a recipe for banana nut bread," Melody said with a snort.

"Or maybe they're discussing quantum physics."

"Or maybe he wants to invite my brother into a secret knitting circle."

When I realized what was going on, I sprang out of my chair while Mel and Lennon carried on with the one-upmanship. My palms grew sweaty, and my heart raced as I neared the back of the room.

After tapping Lakota's shoulder, Tak straightened up.

"What's up?" Lakota asked, pool stick in hand.

Tak wiped his forehead, and before he opened his mouth, I grabbed his thick arm and yanked him away.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

He gave me a look of reproach. "What I should have done weeks ago. I've been waiting for the right moment."

"For what?"

Sweat touched his brow. "No man should think he has the right to a woman's heart without proving his worth. If your family is the condition, then I must also win their hearts."

I took a nervous breath. "Now? In a bar?"

Lakota was giving us a suspicious look as he chalked his stick.

Tak's steadfast loyalty to Lakota was evident, but could he convince Lakota that he was worthy of being his brother? When courtship was involved, it was customary for packmates to decide if an outsider would be divisive or an asset to the pack. Since I didn't have one, much of that decision fell on my family.

Tak shook his head. "Don't look so nervous. You're making me nervous, and I haven't even gotten around to the hard part of speaking with your father."

Now I understood why Tak looked especially handsome this evening. Others only saw black cargo pants and a sleeveless shirt, but I saw a man who'd selected clothes that would put those fresh scars on prominent display. Not to mention my necklace. And his perfectly braided hair with the elaborate tie at the end. All the food and drink had gone on his tab, and he'd been cracking more jokes at the table than usual.

"I'll be right back," he informed me.

My feet rooted in place as I watched him pivot around and tap Lakota on the shoulder again. When Lakota turned, he didn't have the same smile stamped on his face as moments earlier. His eyes darted back and forth between us, and then he set his pool stick on the table and folded his arms.

Tak cleared his throat and said something I couldn't hear.

"What?" Lakota asked, straining to hear him over a guitar riff.

"Turn down the music!" Tak boomed. A few seconds later, the volume decreased, and people rubbernecked to see what was happening. "I love your sister," he repeated with perfect clarity. "I'm in love with your sister."

"Yes, and that's what concerns me."

I circled around to watch the conversation from a closer distance—Tak on the right and Lakota backed up against the pool table.

Tak lifted his chin. "I've never disrespected a woman, and you know that. And you can't judge me because I've known other women intimately. I'm a man over fifty; that's a given. I respect Hope. She's a woman no man truly deserves, but I'm willing to prove myself a worthy suitor. I've always seen you as my brother, and no matter what happens, that won't change." Tak clasped his hands behind his back and inclined his head. "I'm asking permission to court your sister."

A thunderstruck silence fell around us. Melody and the twins drew closer, listening with rapt attention.

I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. "I don't want him to court me."

Lakota's brows knitted. Tak turned his head so slowly that I felt his alpha energy skating across my skin when he finally looked at me.

"What are you thinking, Tak?" I asked. "Courtship?"

Lakota grinned and pushed off the pool table. "Well, that takes care of that."

I closed the distance between us and looked into Tak's bewildered eyes. "I want to be mated with you, and I won't accept anything less. There's no need for you to court me." Then I turned my attention to Lakota. "He risked his life to save mine. He loves me unquestionably—without conditions. He's protected me. He's loved me consistently and completely. He treats me as an equal and is kind to my family. What more could you want for your sister? Is there any other man in this room you'd choose in his stead?" I swung my gaze up to Tak. "And if you're not ready to make this official because you suddenly have doubts—"

Tak pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard. My feet were off the ground, my arms around his neck. Kissing him was like coming home, and the idea of spending the rest of my life with this man filled me with more joy than I'd ever known. He softened the touch of our lips and kissed the corners of my mouth.

"And he makes me laugh," I said quietly, staring into his dark and wondrous eyes.

Tak hugged me hard, and bystanders whistled at us. When he set me down, Lakota approached and clapped him on the shoulder.

"You have my permission." Lakota leaned in tight and said privately, "But good luck with my father. Are you ready to be the son of Lorenzo Church?"

Tak smirked. "I think I'll call him Dad."

I laughed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. He's not fond of that word. It doesn't hold enough respect in his eyes."

Tak stepped on a chair and climbed on top of a table, pulling me up next to him. He put his arms around my waist as if no one else was there. "Maybe I'll call him Pops."

I held on to his neck. "Don't ever lose your sense of humor. It's the one thing I love most about you."

"Love?" he asked.

I felt proud to be in his arms, despite a few skeptical glances thrown our way. It occurred to me in that moment that I'd never given him true words of love. At least not when he was conscious. But words didn't matter. I'd once heard that there are a thousand ways to tell someone you love them without uttering a single word. I never used to believe it.

Until now.