The Light in Us

58. Fallon

58

Fallon

I can’t look at Wilder without blushing.

Which is a little awkward, because my mate hasn’t stopped watching me since we sat down for dinner. Wilder’s lip tugs up when I catch his eye, and I nearly burst into flames.

I climbed him like a damn tree. Wrapped myself around him.

I ripped his shirt off.

And I’m still wearing it. I can’t bring myself to take it off, the flannel so warm and comfortable that I’m definitely planning on sleeping in it tonight.

And he held me for hours as I slept, curled up against him.

My whole body warms.

Fox adds some more stir-fry to my plate, and I lose myself in it. My other mate is a phenomenal cook, I’ve realized. And he loves it – even though he's the pack leader, even though his dominance overwhelms everybody else in the room.

Nothing makes Fox happier than caring for his pack, and I adore—

I stop, flushing.

I think I might adore Fox Quill. In a starry-eyed, love-struck omega kind of way.

In a forever kind of way.

In fact…

I sneak looks around the table. Wilder’s grin grows as I skate over him. He’s almost glowing, the same way he was after I woke up.

As if nothing gave him more pleasure than holding me as I slept. Beside him, Teddy and Rowan are arguing with laughter in their voices over a book. Teddy throws his head back, his laughter warming the whole kitchen.

And Zeke. Zeke… is watching me. He was nearly late to dinner, running in just as Fox was dishing up the food onto plates. His white shirt is pushed up past his elbows, his beard trimmed.

He’s so handsome that my throat nearly closes up.

This pack is mine.

And I’m starting to believe it.

“You okay?” he asks softly. Zeke doesn’t push. Never asks for more than I’m willing to give.

He never actually asks for anything. My heart softens.

“I am. I’m…happy. What happened to your hands?”

He drops his fingers from his beard, flushing deeply. Both hands are covered in tiny little cuts. “Oh. I did it at work.”

My brows knot. “I didn’t realize finance was so… stabby?”

He chuckles, but Fox clears his throat. “Fallon. How would you feel about coming back to work tomorrow? No rush, but if you’re ready.”

My eyes dart to Rowan. He offers me a small smile.

It’s a gentle but unmistakable I told you so smile. “Yes. Absolutely. Teddy, I can make a start on the manuscripts?”

Teddy looks as though he’s chewing on his tongue. “Yes. I mean, absolutely. Although…,”

His voice trails off, and he glances at Fox.

I shrink back in my seat. “You don’t… you don’t want me working with you?”

He bolts upright. Everyone does, as he holds out his hands with a panicked look in his eyes. “ No ! Fuck, Fallon, that is not it at all. I would love to work with you. Fox, tell her. Quick .”

I blink away tears.

“Fallon,” Zeke says gently. He shifts in his chair and I immediately slide from my own, curling up in the warmth he offers as he strokes over my hair. His words are a low, soothing rumble. But firm, too. “This is nothing for you to worry about. Listen to Fox.”

“Sorry.” I bite down on my lip as I turn to him. I’m all over the place.

Fox’s eyes are soft. “You know I manage the Editorial department, Fallon.”

The bookshelves. The atmosphere.

And the longing, for a lost opportunity.

“You remember Ed Burrows?” Fox taps the table. “He’s one of our best editors.”

Slowly, I nod.

Fox leans forward. “We run an intern program at Ink & Quill. There are spaces available all over the company. But Ed has a space coming up for an Editorial intern. And he would very much like to work with you.”

My breath catches. “But… I didn’t even finish college, Fox.”

I barely remember those days. Only that Rory took me into campus one day, and when we walked out, I’d given up my place.

Next year , they had said. Such a shame. We can support you.

But I never went back.

Another thing I let them take from me.

“The program also accepts those with relevant lived experience,” Fox says softly. “Ed himself told me about the work you did on The Light in Us , Fallon. Your father was so proud of them. He said your suggestions made it a much stronger book, and you were still a teenager then. Ed worked with your dad, you know.”

Zeke wipes wetness away from my cheeks. “But—,”

“No buts,” Fox says quietly. His purple eyes don’t look away from me. “No conditions. No expectations. You deserve a chance, Fallon. A chance to try again and to be the person you want to be. That’s what this is. There’s no favoritism. You’ll answer to Ed, not us – and he’s a fantastic mentor, but he has high expectations.”

“Life has a habit of getting in our way,” Teddy says. His face is serious now. “You don’t have to take it, Fallon. None of us mind what you choose to do. And if you want to be my office manager, you’ll do an amazing job at it. But I really think you should be an editor instead—,”

Rowan jabs him in the side.

“Yes,” I breathe through my tears. I half-tumble off Zeke’s lap, and he steadies me before I rush around the table to Fox. “Yes. Please.”

He smiles broadly. “You know, I’ll still technically be your boss. But I don’t get involved—,”

I throw my arms around his neck, pressing my lips against his. His arms wrap around me, and he deepens it until I’m smiling against his mouth. “Sorry, boss.”

Laughter.

And it bubbles up inside me, filling up my light with sheer, perfect happiness.

Different paths. New opportunities.

I bury my face in Fox’s neck, breathing him in.

Hope.