reciting the lines. “I lead with strength, with courage, and with gratitude.”
And then he raised his fist. Cheers broke out.
It was official.
But there was one more thing he wanted. Jason put his arm around Lexi’s slender waist and pulled her close.
“I love you,” he said over the crowd.
“And I love you, too.”
JASON HAD BEEN LOOKING forward to the ceremony, to officially becoming the alpha of the Thundertooth.
But the wedding was what he really wanted.
After being declared the alpha, he didn’t waste any time officially making Lexi his omega. They’d imprinted, but the wedding was what made it real in the eyes of the pack.
An altar had been built of flowers and vines in front of the alpha cabin, the pack gathered on both sides. When Lexi came down the aisle in her family gown, flowing and white and beautiful, he couldn’t believe that she was about to be his.
The vows were spoken.
And then it was time to party.
The whole pack gathered, food and drinks and everything else in abundance.
What was more—there was peace. Once Chad had been overthrown, Jason was quick to declare peace. The Thundertooth and Leafcutter packs were joined in alliance, and together, they stood united against any who would oppose them.
But no one dared.
Jason and Lexi and Shana and Sam and Eric were gathered around one of the many tables, beers in hand—except for the pregnant Lexi, of course.
“How’s it feel, alpha?” asked Eric with a grin.
“Feel’s the same.”
Sam raised his eyebrows. “What, you don’t feel like commanding the pack, sending out an army, crushing any pack in your way?”
Jason shrugged.
“Eh, not really. Kinda just want a beer and a burger. Maybe a nap—kinda tired.”
The group laughed.
“And that’s how we know you’re the right man for the job,” said Shana. “Shit’s not going to your head.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” said Jason with a grin. “I’ve got big plans for the pack.”
“Is that right?” asked Sam. “Like what?”
He glanced at Lexi. They’d been talking about what was next, and she smiled, knowing he—they—were ready to share.
“First of all,” he said. “None of this ‘getting claimed whether you like it or not’ shit.”
“Right,” said Lexi. “We’re going to modernize this pack, start acting like shifters who aren’t stuck in the nineteenth century.”
“It’s about damn time,” said Shana. “People should be allowed to mate with who they want. I mean, if we’d done what our parents wanted, Maddie would be married to this asshole right now.” She smiled, reaching over and giving Jason a friendly shove.
“She should be so lucky,” said Jason with a grin.
“See what I mean?” asked Shana light-heartedly. “Total asshole. But look at her now—”
She nodded to the far end of the party, Maddie and Kurt in the middle of their usual laughing and flirting and necking. But now they didn’t have to hide their love from the pack.
“And that’s not all,” said Lexi. “We’re going to make connections with shifter packs in Seattle. Once those have been established, we’ll establish a presence there so anyone who wants to move to the city can do it.”
Jason spoke up. “That means college will be an option for every shifter. I’m going to keep my Uncle Stone’s memory alive by making sure Grizzly holdings stays profitable. We’ll be strong in the forest, and strong in the city.”
Jason felt a pressure on his hand and looked down to see that Lexi had taken it, squeezing it gently.
“I don’t know about you guys,” said Eric. “But I’m ready.”
The rest of the group sent up noises of agreement.
Before the conversation could go on, the band started another tune.
Lexi stood up. “All right, talk time’s over—let’s dance!”
With that, the group got up and headed over to the already-packed dance floor. Jason and Lexi paired off, and Eric went with his new girlfriend, a pretty redhead from the Leafcutter pack.
“Shana,” said Sam with a smile. “Care for a dance?”
She beamed right back. “I’d love one.”
Sam took her hand, and the two went off.
“You think...?” asked Jason. “Finally?”
Lexi grinned. “I’ve got a good feeling.”
Jason smiled. “I’ve got lots of those, too.”
They kissed, then they danced.
And the night was perfect.
EPILOGUE II
Six months later...
Lexi sleepily opened her eyes, sunlight beaming into the bedroom of their Seattle penthouse. She sat up and stretched before getting up and stepping over to the window to take in the sight she never grew tired of—the city spread out before her, glittering with morning light.
“Hey,” said Jason behind her. “I don’t remember saying you could get out of bed.”
Lexi turned to