Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 313

Aiden gives me a half-startled, half-skeptical look.

He's going to get a rude awakening in the morning because I'm dead serious. But before I can say anything else, Carson comes barreling through the door.

"Honey, I'm home." He stands in the doorway, leaning his arm against the frame.

Aiden groans. "What's wrong with you two?"

Carson raises an eyebrow, but I just laugh and walk up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face into his warmth.

When Axel gets home, we catch him and Carson up to speed with the new plan. They send the information to everyone else through mindlink, and this is happening.

---

It's a short walk from the brothers' home office back to the guest room that I'll be staying in tonight. The hall is dim (werewolves and their night vision), but Axel is close enough for me to follow him easily. The fact that our hands keep brushing doesn't hurt either. I'm not sure if it's intentional or accidental, but I want more of it. It makes what I'm saying easier.

"So, yeah." I tuck my twists behind my ears. "My mom really wants Carson to come over for dinner tomorrow. So if you and Aiden could come too, that'd be great." I falter. "You know, if you have any time after the whole war-treaty meeting, and the elders, and-"

"We'd love to come over." Axel smiles, and my heart stutters.

I can't fight the urge myself. A smile tugs at my lips. I stare down at my feet even though I can barely see them. Even after all this time, it feels so good that someone can look at me like... I'm their favorite person in the world. I have someone. I have someones, and the imprint bond means...

"Mia?" He pauses. This time his fingers don't brush against mine. They interlock, holding our hands together. This is how it should always be. That's what the imprint bond means, right? That he's mine? That I'm his? That I'm theirs? "Mia?" he asks again.

I nod. "Okay, good. My family will, uh, love to have you all over." White lie.

"That's normal, right? For humans?" He raises an eyebrow. "For the siblings of significant others to come over for dinner sometimes?"

"Er..." How do I say this? "Actually, I was thinking about telling my family the truth."

His jaw drops. "That we're werewolves?"

"No." I put my hands up in defense. "Just that we're all dating... maybe."

If he's still breathing, I can't tell.

"Um..." I rub my chin. "Is that an okay?"

He looks at me incredulously. I'll take that as a yes.

"Like where?"

He doesn't say anything.

I raise an eyebrow. "With you?" That escalated quickly.

"I d-didn't say that," he stammers. He waves his arms around, mumbling something about, "You can stay with Bri and Krys. Or Michael. Or... Or here." He nods to himself. "Yeah, you can stay here until Suzie gets back. Sorry I said anything. I'll-"

"Axel." I look into his eyes. I'm right in front of him now, putting my hands on his chest.

He gulps. "Yeah?"

"Breathe." I demonstrate.

He follows my lead, eyes hesitantly holding mine.

With everything going on, I guess I didn't seriously consider staying with the brothers tonight-despite Suzie and Krys' teasing. Now that Axel's offering, I don't know. I'm not saying I'm willing to jump their bones right now, especially with them all there at the same time, but... I'm also not saying I'm opposed to that. Or at least seeing where it could go. I trust them, and I trust them to listen to whatever my boundaries are (as well as their own), so I take Axel's hand and lead him out of the room. "Okay. Let's go to your room."