Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Flower
Victoria
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting golden stripes across the rumpled sheets. I stirred slowly, my body pleasantly sore from last night’s activities.
"Good morning, little wolf," Leo murmured, voice deliciously rough with sleep. His powerful arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his naked body.
"Morning," I whispered back. It still felt surreal waking up beside him.
Leo traced his finger along the curve of my jaw before capturing my lips in a kiss that quickly deepened. I melted against him, my wolf purring with satisfaction at the closeness of our mate. When we finally broke apart, his eyes had darkened to that dangerous shade that usually meant we wouldn’t be leaving bed anytime soon.
"I can smell how much you want me," he growled, nipping at my earlobe. "Your arousal is the sweetest scent in the world."
I shivered, my body responding instantly to his words. "We just woke up."
"And?" His hand slid lower, tracing patterns on my inner thigh. "Are you complaining, Victoria?"
The way he said my name—like a prayer and a demand rolled into one—made my resolve weaken. I was about to surrender when his phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.
Leo growled in frustration, reaching over to check the message. His expression shifted, Alpha responsibilities overtaking desire. "Pack business," he sighed, pressing one final, regretful kiss to my lips before rising from the bed.
I watched appreciatively as he moved naked across the room, muscles rippling beneath tanned skin.
"What is it?" I asked, pulling the sheet higher as the room’s chill touched my skin.
"Border dispute with the Silvercrest Pack," he replied, pulling on dark jeans. "Nothing for you to worry about, but I need to handle it personally."
"Will you be gone long?"
He paused while buttoning his shirt, coming back to the bed to cup my cheek. "Miss me already?" The teasing light in his eyes softened. "A few hours, maybe. I’ll have Tiny escort you wherever you need to go today."
"I can manage—"
"Not up for discussion," he cut me off, voice firm but gentle. "Before we resolve Marcus Grimwood’s plot, you don’t go anywhere without protection."
With one final caress of my cheek, he straightened, instantly transforming into the formidable Alpha that commanded respect throughout the territory. "Lock the door behind me. Tiny will be here soon."
After he left, I showered quickly, dressing in comfortable jeans and a soft sweater. I had just finished towel-drying my hair when an enthusiastic pounding at the door announced my best friend’s arrival.
"Victoria Howlthorne! Open this door immediately or I’m telling Leo about the time you got drunk and howled!"
I laughed, hurrying to unlock the door. Emma burst in, her energy filling the room like sunshine. In her arms was the most outrageous bouquet of hot pink flowers I’d ever seen, tied with an equally garish ribbon.
"You really brought it, oh my goddess." I said, eyeing the arrangement with horror.
Emma grinned wickedly. "Think he’ll appreciate my taste?"
"I think he’ll wish he could color-blind himself," I replied, unable to suppress a giggle at the image of stoic, serious Tiny receiving such a flamboyant gift.
Emma set the flowers down carefully on the coffee table before throwing herself onto the couch. "So," she drawled, eyeing me with mischievous intent, "you look thoroughly... satisfied this morning."
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "Emma!"
"Oh honey, I can tell." Emma leaned forward conspiratorially. "You know what they say about Alpha males—once they claim their mate, they’re insatiable."
"Who says that?" I laughed, throwing a decorative pillow at her head.
"Me. I just made it up." She caught the pillow effortlessly. "But am I wrong?"
I bit my lip, unable to deny it. "It’s different than I expected."
"That’s the wolf in him," Emma said wisely, despite being entirely human. "And in you too, even if your wolf side is mixed with something else." She paused, expression softening. "Are you happy, Vic? Really happy?"
"Yes," I answered honestly. "It’s complicated and sometimes terrifying, but with Leo... I feel like I’ve finally found where I belong."
Emma studied my face, then nodded, satisfied. "Good. Because I brought pepper spray to use on his wolf bits if he wasn’t treating you right."
I burst out laughing. "You’re ridiculous. And also the best friend ever."
"Damn straight." She stood up, grabbing her outrageous bouquet. "Now, where’s the kitchen? I’m starving, and I want to see Tiny’s face when I give him these."
We made our way downstairs to the kitchen, where Rosa was bustling around preparing breakfast. The pack house was quieter than usual, many of the members already out on their daily duties.
"Good morning, Luna Victoria," Rosa greeted me warmly, her motherly presence instantly comforting. "I’ve made your favorite blueberry pancakes."
"You’re an angel, Rosa," I said, breathing in the mouthwatering aroma.
Rosa noticed Emma’s flamboyant bouquet and raised an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned about a flower shortage in town after that purchase?"
Emma grinned. "These are for Tiny. Think he’ll swoon?"
To my surprise, Rosa burst into laughter, the sound rich and full. "Oh, I would pay good money to see that man’s face." She wiped tears from her eyes. "He’s in the security office. Shall I call him in?"
"Please do," Emma said, arranging herself artfully by the kitchen island, bouquet held dramatically in front of her.
I shook my head at their antics but couldn’t help feeling warmed by how easily Emma had been accepted into pack life despite being human. Rosa treated her like another daughter, and the other pack members respected her as my friend, even if some were still wary of humans.
"Tiny’s coming," Rosa stage-whispered a minute later, setting plates of steaming pancakes in front of us. "This I must see."
Heavy footsteps approached, and then Tiny filled the doorway—all six-foot-seven of him, muscles straining against his black tactical shirt, expression as serious as always.
"You called for me, Luna?" he addressed me formally, though I’d asked him countless times to use my name.
Before I could respond, Emma stepped forward, thrusting the garish pink bouquet toward him. "These are for you, big guy. A little something to brighten up that cave you call an office."
Tiny’s expression darkened as he stared at the flowers like they might attack him. The contrast between his imposing presence and the feminine bouquet was so comical that I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
"They’re... pink," he finally said, voice strained.
Emma nodded enthusiastically. "Hot pink! Matches your personality perfectly."
Rosa made a choking sound that poorly disguised her laughter. I watched in fascination as something shifted in Tiny’s expression—annoyance giving way to a softer emotion as he looked at Emma’s beaming face.
"You chose these specifically for me?" he asked, voice quieter than I’d ever heard it.
Emma’s teasing smile softened slightly. "Of course I did. Spent twenty minutes picking out just the right ones."
Tiny reached out, carefully taking the bouquet in his massive hands. The flowers looked absurdly delicate against his scarred knuckles.
"Thank you," he said, with surprising sincerity. "I’ll put them somewhere special. On my nightstand, perhaps."
Emma’s cheeks flushed pink to match the flowers, and I suddenly understood what I was witnessing. My best friend and Leo’s Beta—the chemistry between them was undeniable.
"Breakfast is getting cold," I announced, giving them both an escape from the moment. "Rosa’s pancakes are too good to waste."
We settled around the kitchen island, the conversation flowing easily as we ate. I caught Tiny stealing glances at Emma when he thought no one was looking, his usually stern face softening when she laughed or gestured animatedly while telling a story.
After breakfast.
"Where to first?" Tiny asked as we settled into the sleek black SUV thirty minutes later, Emma chattering excitedly in the backseat. The ridiculous pink bouquet was carefully secured in the vehicle’s cup holder, making me smile despite my growing anxiety about returning home.
I took a deep breath, making a decision. "The pack hospital first. I need to check on Enzo and Lilith."
Tiny’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, his expression carefully neutral. "As you wish, Luna."