32 - Greta


    A sudden burst of sunlight floods my face, making me squint sharply. I try to move, but my body feels frozen in ce. What''s happening? Slowly, my eyelids flutter open, and I take in the cozy bedroom around me. It doesn''t take long to figure out why I''m trapped in this awkward position. I''m tangled in what can only be described as a human pretzel involving four people. Gabriel''s head is resting gently on my stomach, his backside pointed toward Finn, who still holds my right hand in his own, his hand resting lightly on his chest.


    I tilt my head a bit more and notice Trinity woven snugly between my legs. Her head lies softly on my left thigh, yet she''s tucked beneath my right leg. Her feet are nestled under Finn''s leg,pleting the knot of limbs. No wonder the nket is missing — theirbined body heat is enough to keep me warm.


    "How did you manage not to get tangled up in all this?" I whisper quietly to Finn.


    He lets out a soft huff before replying, "I was caught in it at first, but I had to go pee. When I came back, they had youpletely pinned down. None of them have moved since."


    I bite my lip, hesitant to bring up the more personal part of the earlier conversation. "Did you hear what Ryker said about their pack?" I ask, careful not to mention the part about me.


    Finn nods. "Yeah, I did. I think we should let him and Josh handle their business first. Once we have some answers, then we can talk things through with them. Sound good?" His fingers tighten around mine in a reassuring squeeze.


    I swallow nervously and respond, "Okay."


    "Hey." He tugs gently on my hand, coaxing me to look at him. His deep blue eyes hold a serious, contemtive expression. "I''ve been waiting a long time for my mate. I can wait a little longer." A soft smile spreads across his face as he presses a tender kiss to the back of my hand. A shiver runs through me, unexpected and electric.


    "That''s an interesting reaction," he teases, raising his eyebrows yfully. "I wonder if it only happens when I kiss your hand."


    I yank my arm back quickly as heughs. "There are children here," I scold half- heartedly, reaching over Gabriel''s still form to try and free myself from the pile. It''s a struggle-he''s surprisingly heavy and flexible. After a few moments of effort, I finally manage to stand up beside the bed.


    “I was thinking of kissing you on the cheek,” Finn says with a grin. "Why are you all flustered?"


    He sits up smoothly, grabbing his t-shirt from the floor and pulling it over his head. My gaze drifts over the defined lines of his abs, now hidden beneath the fabric. "Do you approve?" he asks,ughing.


    My eyes snap back to his, and I gasp, caught red-handed checking him out. I should feel embarrassed or shy, but the way he looks at me makes it impossible.


    Clearing my throat, I force myself to focus elsewhere. "We should head downstairs and check on everyone. Peyton mentioned that Kennedy is close to delivering. I have no idea how an eight-year-old knows that, but she seems to have some sharp instincts." I gesture toward the two sleeping figures before me. "Should we wake them up and get them some breakfast?"


    "Yeah, I''m not sure what time it is, but I''m pretty sure everyone let us sleep in."


    "More likely, my meddling alpha and luna told everyone to leave us alone," I say with


    a roll of my eyes, ncing at Finn. Though he masks it well, there''s a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze again.


    "Is that really so bad?" he murmurs, his eyes fixed on Gabriel as he asks. I tilt my head, studying him carefully. He''s avoiding meeting my eyes.


    Taking a deep breath, I say softly, "I guess not." I lean down, gently pulling Trinity closer to me.


    "Really?!" His voice carries a hint of disbelief. He''s still unsure, and honestly, so am I. But I heard what Ryker said, and I don''t know how much longer I can keep fighting this.


    "Yeah, really," I mumble. Gabriel nuzzles into Finn''s shoulder as Finn steps toward me quickly. "But I''m still-"


    He silences me with a gentle kiss on my temple, then presses his forehead against mine, careful not to disturb the kids we''re holding. “That''s all I needed to hear. Like I said, I''m a patient man.”


    "But—” I start to protest again, but he interrupts me with a kiss on the cheek, so close to my lips that my breath catches in my throat.