Chapter 48

48

A very's thighs quake as I suction my lips over her clit, pounding two fingers in and out of her tight little cunt and nudging her closer to the precipice of release. Her hands are buried in my damp hair, tugging the strands so hard that my eyes are watering. Not that I mind. It's a surefire sign that she's about to come undone, and nobody falls apart as beautifully as my girl does. No, not just my girl. My mate .

Sealing the fated bond was equivalent to pouring gasoline on an already raging fire. I can't get enough of her- as late as we got in last night, we barely even made it upstairs before we were tearing each other's clothes off and going at it again. We fucked until we passed out, then picked up right where we left off as soon as we woke up and stumbled into the shower together, getting dirty as we washed each other clean. I railed her against the wall, then got on my knees to worship at the altar of her hips because this woman is my damn religion. She's a fucking goddess, and she's MINE.

Avery gasps and slaps a hand against the tile wall behind her as I suck her clit harder, humming to add vibration into the mix. Within seconds, she shatters, riding my face while crying out as her inner walls clamp down around my digits. I don't let up on my ministrations until she's spent, her back going slack against the tile and a sated sigh leaving her lips.

"You know what you taste like, baby?" I murmur, grasping her hips to hold her steady as I rise to my feet in front of her. Planting a kiss on her trembling lips, I sweep my tongue into her mouth, giving her a taste of herself before pulling back to gaze upon her with a feral grin. " Mine ."

She loops her arms around my neck, giggling softly as she comes back down to earth. "All yours, baby. But as much as I'd love to stay locked up in here all day, we'd better make an appearance downstairs at some point or people will start to get suspicious."

"Fuck other people," I growl, leaning in to nip her pouty lower lip with my teeth. "Isn't that what you said? Fuck what they think. Fuck anyone who isn't us, baby, because this is it."

She sinks a hand into the back of my hair, dragging me in closer and crushing her lips against mine. Her tongue slips into my mouth, stroking languidly against my own. All my blood rushes south, my cock thickening against her hip, and she pulls back with a soft gasp, eyes flickering down to my hard-on.

"Seriously?" she laughs.

I chuckle lowly, leaning my forehead against hers. "Hey, you never told me that shifters have a crazy rebound rate."

"You never asked," she replies with a smirk, nudging me backwards and pushing off from the wall, stepping past me to get underneath the shower spray again.

My eyes map out every curve of her body as she rinses off, tracing the rivulets of water as they run down her skin and the delicate lines of the floral tattoos adorning her right arm and left thigh. She's a fucking work of art; the sexiest woman on the goddamn planet. She can hardly blame me for popping a stiffy when she looks like that.

Avery steps out from beneath the spray, gathering her hair over a shoulder and twisting it to wring the water out. "Better rinse off," she clucks, sidestepping to give me room to sneak past her. Her gaze drops to my cock as I shuffle by and she points a finger at it, whispering, "down, boy."

A laugh rumbles in my chest as I step beneath the cascade of water pouring from the shower head, closing my eyes and tipping my head back to let it run over my face. I shampoo my beard again for good measure, then crank the tap off, stepping out of the shower to find Avery waiting for me with a towel in hand.

"I could fucking get used to this," I murmur, taking it from her and rubbing the soft white terrycloth over my dripping skin.

She adjusts the towel wrapped around her own body, sinking her teeth into her lower lip as she watches me dry off. "Me too," she purrs, her heated gaze roaming my form.

"If you keep looking at me like that, we'll never make it downstairs," I warn, snapping my towel in her direction.

She shrieks, giggling as she yanks the door open and bolts out of the bathroom. Wrapping the towel around my hips, I chuckle to myself and follow her into the adjoining bedroom.

"Any chance you've got a stash of men's clothes in here?" I ask, eyeing the rumpled heap of my clothing on the floor near her bed.

She glances my way, eyes sparking with mischief. "Actually," she sing-songs, stepping over to the dresser and bending at the waist to pull open the bottom drawer.

I completely lose my train of thought at the sight of her round ass cheeks peeking out from underneath her towel.

"You're in luck," she chirps, pulling a pair of faded grey sweats from the drawer and tossing them in my direction.

I'm still so zoned in on her ass that they hit me right in the face, snapping me out of my daze. I catch the fabric in my hands before they fall to the floor, furrowing my brow as I stare down at the pants. "Do I wanna know why you have these?" I ask as I lift my gaze to hers, biting back the bitter sting of jealousy.

"Stole them from a friend," she says with a shrug, straightening and nudging the drawer closed with a foot.

My wolf pushes forward possessively. "How close of a friend?" I grit out.

Avery glances back at me over her shoulder. "Mmm, I love when you go all Alpha wolf on me," she teases, licking her lips seductively before turning back to rummage through her dresser for clothes. "Not that kind of friend, so just put the damn pants on, warden."

My inner beast backs down, seemingly satisfied by her explanation, and I proceed to step into the sweats and yank them up my thighs. "Is that something you want?" I ask casually, tightening the drawstring at my waist. "To be Luna to a pack?"

She whips around to face me, my brain short-circuiting at the sight of her clad in a sexy black bra and panty set. "Why, did Cole say something about you taking over the Denver pack?" she asks, cocking her head.

"I told him I wasn't interested," I grumble, combing my fingers through my damp hair as I cross the room to her. "But if that's something you want…"

She shakes her head quickly, stepping closer and reaching up to wind her arms around my neck. "I don't need to be Luna to a pack," she breathes, gazing up at me with those gorgeous whiskey-brown eyes. "I'm perfectly content just being your Luna."

I release a breath I didn't even realize I was holding, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her body flush with mine. "You'll always be my Luna," I murmur, planting a quick smooch on her smiling lips. "And fuck, I'm glad we're on the same page with that, because I wouldn't know the first thing about leading a pack of shifters. Not to mention I doubt Hayes and me would still be cool if I tried to swoop in and claim the role he's been training for his entire life."

"Mmm, yeah, maybe not the best thing for brotherly bonding," she muses, clucking her tongue.

"I just wanna be with you, wherever that is," I add, stealing another kiss before releasing her and taking a step back.

Her lips curl in a smirk. "Aww, who would've thought my warden would become my Prince Charming?" she jokes, tossing me a wink before spinning around to resume her hunt for clothing. "So you'd be willing to stay here, then?" she asks over her shoulder as she selects a tank top and leggings from her dresser.

"For sure, if your brother's cool with it," I reply with a shrug.

"I'll talk to him. We might wanna consider getting his Jeep detailed, though."

I snort a laugh. "Better just buy him a new one."

"Speaking of," she mumbles, pulling on her shirt over her head. "Were you able to get all The Guild's accounts untangled?"

"Matty's working on the last of them," I say, suddenly remembering that I should probably check in with the kid. We put him up in a dorm room at the squad complex, but aside from me, he doesn't really know anyone around here. Can't just leave him to the wolves.

"You're about to be a very rich man, Cameron Knox," Avery comments as she tugs her leggings up her hips and smooths the waistband across her abdomen. "What are you gonna do with all that money?"

"I have a few ideas," I mutter cryptically, turning to glance toward the bedroom door. "Think it's safe to go downstairs and grab some coffee?"

"Sure, grab me some, too," she quips, picking up her hairbrush and combing it through her damp tresses. "If you run into Madd, just tell him to fuck off."

"And here I thought you liked me," I snort, heading for the door.

I steal one last backwards glance at my girl before pulling it open and stepping out into the hall, casting a cautionary look down each end before starting for the stairs. I'm a little relieved there's no sign of Avery's surly brother, but that relief is tragically short-lived. As I draw closer to the stairs, the sound of heavy footsteps clomping up them registers and I suddenly regret not asking Avery if she had a shirt to go with these pants.

Madd emerges from the staircase into the upstairs hall, turning in my direction and stuttering a step when he spots me. He quickly recovers his composure, continuing toward me as if he didn't just balk at the sight of me up here. "So you've just moved upstairs now?" he mutters as he approaches, giving me a critical once-over. "And why the fuck are you wearing my sweatpants?"

I open my mouth to respond, but then I see his eyes hone in on the shiny new mate mark I'm sporting in the crook of my neck, widening in recognition. A growl rumbles in his chest, lips twisting in a scowl as he abruptly pushes past me, slamming his shoulder into mine and storming off down the hall.

"Avery!" Madd bellows, and I wince as I glance back over my shoulder to see him disappearing through the doorway of her bedroom, his voice carrying into the hall as he asks, "You two marked?"

"We did," I hear her reply calmly.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think I needed your permission."

"So he's staying?" Madd asks.

"Yeah, if you'll let him. "

I stiffen, knowing that I shouldn't be eavesdropping on this conversation and dreading his answer.

"Aves…" he growls.

"What, Madd?" she fires back. "Is this the part where you tell me I'm being stupid and he's not good enough for me?"

"Well obviously he isn't good enough for you," he scoffs, and I grit my teeth, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "No man on this earth is good enough for my sister. But that's not the point. He's your mate, and if he makes you happy…"

"Then you're happy, too?" she interrupts hopefully.

"Then I'll learn to live with it," he grumbles.

"So he can stay, then?"

"Of course he can stay, was that really a question?"

Avery squeals, the sound of it lighting me up from the inside. "Thanks, bro. I knew I could count on you to have my back."

"Yeah, yeah," Madd sighs. "Don't go telling hunter boy I said that shit, I've got an image to uphold here."

She barks a laugh. "Sure thing, ya big teddy bear."

Before I can turn around and make a break for it, Madd emerges from Avery's bedroom, stepping back into the hall. Of-fucking-course we make eye contact the moment he does. Both of us freeze on the spot, Madd cringing at the realization that I just heard their conversation. Then he whips around, striding down the hallway toward his bedroom at the end. He pulls open the door, glancing back at me over his shoulder, and I swear I see the ghost of a smile on his lips before he steps through and slams it behind him.

"The Greasy Spoon is still open?" Gray asks incredulously.

"Still open, and still terrible," I confirm, nodding. Turns out Avery's old man spent some time out in northern Nevada decades ago, in the same town where The Guild was sent on a three month long wild goose chase following a tip from one of the message boards. We didn't find any shifters there, but we did discover some truly terrible dining establishments. "Well, it was four years ago when I was out that way," I tack on. "But there were no signs of them closing their doors anytime soon. The locals love it for some reason."

"That place gave my whole pack food poisoning," Gray mutters, grimacing. "Only reason I remember it."

"I have a feeling that's why a lot of people remember it," I chuckle. "The locals must have iron stomachs."

Avery makes a gagging noise as she returns from the kitchen, rounding the table and sliding back into the chair beside me. "Gross, remind me never to consider vacationing in northern Nevada," she remarks, reaching over to rest her hand on my thigh.

I grin broadly, covering her hand with my own and giving it a little squeeze.

I'm glad we were finally able to have this dinner with her parents; they took the news of us sealing the mate bond almost as well as Sloane did. Well, not quite like Sloane. She started jumping up and down while screaming her head off, and after that, I thought she'd never stop hugging us. Gray and Fallon were decidedly calmer upon receiving the news, but they seem genuinely excited to get to know me better, welcoming me into their family with open arms. It all feels a little too good to be true, and I've had the urge to pinch myself more than once during the course of the evening to make sure it's real.

"We should do this again soon," Fallon comments as she returns to the dining room, wiping her hands off on a kitchen towel.

Avery nods eagerly, turning her hand over and weaving her fingers between mine. It's obvious how much her parents' acceptance of our relationship means to her. She's been smiling all night, while I've just been kicking myself for not doing this with her sooner.

"My mom wants to have you guys over for dinner too," Sloane comments from across the table. "Maybe we could do a big dinner with everyone next week or something?

"That's a great idea!" Fallon chirps, turning her excited gaze on me. "What do you say, Cam? We could invite your aunt and uncle, your cousins…"

"Mom, slow down," Avery laughs.

Fallon glances toward her daughter, raising her brows. "Why? Doesn't that sound fun?"

"Yeah, it'd be cool," I say, and surprisingly, I actually mean it. Now that I've got some semblance of a plan for the future, spending time with my long-lost family sounds… nice . "It's still kinda weird to think that I've suddenly got all these relatives," I admit, eyes flickering over to Sloane. My fucking cousin .

"It takes some getting used to when you've been going it alone, but that's the beauty of the six-pack," Gray remarks. "We're all like family here."

"We literally will be, if fate keeps this up," Avery snorts, glancing around the table. "My brother's mate is my mate's cousin, and my cousin is also cousins with one of my best friends, and..."

"Okay, we get it," Sloane laughs, her green-eyed gaze sliding over to meet mine. "See what you've got to look forward to, Cam? One big, happy family."

Madd abruptly shoves back in his chair, pushing to his feet and stomping away from the table in the direction of the kitchen.

I lean in toward Avery, dropping my voice low. "Doesn't seem like your brother likes the idea of playing happy family with us. "

Her lips curl in a smirk. "Being a prickly asshole is just how he shows his love," she whispers back.

Madd re-emerges from the kitchen, his fingers wound around the necks of two beer bottles in each hand. He strides over to retake his seat, sliding a beer toward his dad first, then Avery. I assume the last two are for him and Sloane, but then he makes eye contact with me, dipping his chin as he passes one of them my way.

I'm so surprised that I just stare at it for a second while he pops the cap off his own, bringing it to his lips and tipping it back.

"Told ya," Avery whispers, nudging my foot with hers beneath the table.

Fallon pours a couple glasses of wine for her and Sloane, and the six of us sit around for another hour, just chatting and laughing with one another. When Gray finally announces that they'd better get home, I'm actually a little disappointed the night has to end.

Only a little , though. Calling it a night means that Avery and I get to go upstairs, and I've been fantasizing about peeling that tight blue dress off her since she put it on before dinner. The heated glances she's been sliding my way for the last hour have been turning my balls the same color as said dress.

"Cam, we'll see you for the full moon run this week?" Gray tosses over his shoulder as he and Fallon make their way toward the door.

"Wouldn't miss it," I call back, flashing him a grin. I throw up a wave to Avery's parents as they exit the packhouse, blowing out a breath and turning to her as soon as the door snicks closed behind them.

"Well?" I ask, arching a brow. "How'd I do?"

She leans in, smacking a kiss on my lips. "You were perfect, babe. They love you already."

"We all do," Sloane chimes in, and while Madd doesn't speak up to agree with her sentiment, he doesn't object, either.

Progress.

Avery fakes an exaggerated yawn, rising to stand and stretching her arms over her head. "This was fun, but I'm exhausted," she says, turning at the waist and holding a hand out to me. "Ready to go upstairs?"

If the way I bolt to my feet isn't a dead giveaway of how eager I am to get Avery back in her bedroom, then I don't know what is.

"Definitely," I growl, grabbing onto her hand and tugging her in the direction of the stairs.

"Night, guys!" she calls back to Madd and Sloane, stumbling after me with a giggle.