Isaac lifted his tea in salute.“Worth every penny.The view when Brielle went full lioness?Chef’s kiss.”
Across the room, Cole and Brayden slept—actually slept, not unconscious this time—on Ursula’s long couches, both looking pale but breathing steadily.Ursula and Willow had done what they could, their hands still faintly glowing from the healing spells.Landon sat nearby, head tipped back against the wall, exhaustion written all over him.
Willow smiled softly at them all.“You know, it’s kind of nice seeing everyone alive and still giving each other crap.I was getting worried we’d have to start lighting candles for half the coven.”
Jacob leaned closer and murmured, “We’d light them for you, sweetheart.”
She elbowed him, but her grin said she didn’t mind.
The conversation drifted from one ridiculous detail of the battle to another, laughter weaving through the room as the adrenaline ebbed.Talk of the rooftop fight gave way to Brielle’s lioness form, and every eye turned her way.
“Goddess,” Saffie said, shaking her head, “you were kickass up there.I thought Caleb was about to wet himself before you gutted him.”
Nolan laughed, glancing at Lennox.“Man, I thought she was going to eat him alive.No offense, but your mate’s terrifying.”
Lennox grinned into his tea.“Can’t argue with that.She’s terrifying in the best way.”
Isaac nodded solemnly.“Remind me never to piss off a lioness with magic.”
Brielle blushed, but the spark in her golden eyes gave her away.“It was instinct.She—my lioness—just ...took over.”
Saffie leaned forward, wicked curiosity lighting her face.“So ...the claiming.Everything okay?You realize you’re basically married now, right?”
Brielle blinked.“We’re what now?”She looked between Lennox and Hunter.“You guys knew that, right?”
Saffie snorted.“Not quite.You’re handfasted.The claiming’s the supernatural version of a blood vow.”She pointed to her own faint bond mark.“We’re not fully claimed yet.That part’s ...a whole other ceremony.”
Willow piped up from the couch, looking way too innocent.“So technically, she’s still single.”
Jacob’s head snapped up, and he growled low.Liam and Nolan joined him, the sound rumbling through the room.The answering growls from Lennox and Hunter made the air vibrate with warning energy.
Willow laughed and lifted her mug like a toast.“Oh, that’s about to be fixed.”
Saffie smirked.“And on that note, I think we’ll leave before the growling turns into redecorating.”
Isaac stretched, tugging Saffie to her feet.“Come on, love.Let’s go before your mouth gets us in trouble again.”
Jacob stood, pulling Willow against his chest as Liam slung an arm around them both.“We’ll check in tomorrow.Assuming anyone can walk.”
The room erupted in laughter as mated pairs slipped out one by one, teasing echoing through the hall.Lennox’s chest tightened with the familiar ache of wanting Brielle close again, safe and warm after everything they’d survived.
As they stood to go, Brielle turned to Ursula.“You going to be okay here?”
Ursula waved a hand, but before she could answer, Landon spoke, his tone soft but firm.“We’ll stay on the couches tonight.Please don’t send us away yet.”
Ursula hesitated, then nodded once.“Fine.But tomorrow, you’re out.I need to clean up the energy in here before it eats someone.”She stalked toward her room, muttering about stubborn men and destructive bears.
Brielle smiled.“Charlie and his grandmother moved south to be with family.Their apartment’s empty.You mentioned you were looking for a place for you and your brothers.You should take it.”
Landon’s eyes softened with gratitude.“We’ll take it.”
With that, Lennox took Brielle’s hand, Hunter close behind, the three of them stepping out into the quiet night.The city hummed around them, but for once, Lennox didn’t care about the noise or the mess waiting tomorrow.
Tonight, they’d go home.
Together.
****