Page 86 of Plus-Size Forced Mate
But maybe one day, they will.
“I’m not banking on it, but outlawing it outright would be a step in the right direction. At the very least, tackling the stigma could be beneficial for everyone.”
“That’s quite the goal,” Luke says, expression too neutral for me to fully read.
“Good luck,” Dominic hums. “Some packs aren’t quite as open as yours.”
I take a breath, glancing at Lila to see her vaguely hopeful expression. While the task is a daunting one, knowing that it might make her life easier helps. “I know.”
Despite the slight heaviness in the air, Zane continues with a breath, “We’ve been talking the last few days, and the group is thinking of heading out soon. We’ll still be on the island for now, so you can shout if you need us, but it seems like you’ve got things handled here.”
Those last few words are more loaded than he lets on, but it’s true.
Things have looked up considerably, and for the first time in a while, I feel I know exactly what I’m doing.
For all the gratitude I have for them and their help, I can’t resist returning the digs myself as I grin.
“Does that mean I might finally get a moment of peace?”
Dominic huffs, grin unshaken. “Doubt it. We’ll be back soon enough.”
“If we know how things work on this island, then I doubt we’ll be gone long,” Luke says with a heavy breath.
“Then be a little sparse about the phone calls, will you?”
At that, the guys all give their retorts, but with good nature, they say their goodbyes before heading out for the night, surely preparing for their next stop.
“You’re not going with them?” Lila asks, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and subtle dejection, as if dreading the thought of me leaving. That alone stirs more pride in me.
“No… I think I’ve done my fair share of traveling already,” I murmur, slipping my arm around her waist from where we sit. “Besides, I think I’m needed here more.”
Lila smiles at that as she looks up at me, then she leans in to press a gentle kiss to my lips. It’s immediately warm and full of promise, immediately settling everything inside me.
“Good, because you are,” she murmurs against my lips, looking up at me with those eyes I’ve always found so bewitching. “I don’t think Astrid would ever forgive you if you did.”
I chuckle, stealing another quick kiss with a hand against her jaw. “You’re right. I couldn’t even consider leaving that face behind for another day. Or this one, for that matter.”
Lila smiles softly, cheeks vaguely blooming with color, while my thumb brushes against her cheek.
Then, as if knowing we were just talking about her, Astrid comes over looking tired. She yawns as I reach for her, scooping her up in my arms.
“Tuckered out?” Lila asks, gently stroking her dark locks.
Astrid nods and curls up between us, pressing against my neck. She stays there for only a few minutes as her eyes droop before they close altogether, and her breaths become soft.
“She feels safe with you,” Lila says gently, expression both gentle and grateful. “So do I.”
“I plan to keep it that way,” I return, tone tender and full of promise. “Always.”
We stay that way for a long while, comfortably taking in the night of celebration as it unfolds around us. I look at them both, well aware that they’ve managed to change my entire lifewith ease. They’ve helped me rewrite who I thought I was, and who I want to be moving forward.
I’m not just the Alpha, but also a dad, and a mate.
With them next to me, I know I finally have everything.
*****
THE END
