Page 28 of Link with Me
By the end of the song, they were both breathless and laughing. Alex shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. “I think I’ll stick to howling at the moon.”
Lena leaned into him, her eyes sparkling with affection. “I don’t know; I think you’ve got some moves, wolf boy.”
As they made their way through the arcade, trying their hand at Whack-a-Mole, Alex may have been a bit too enthusiastic; Skee-Ball, Lena’s aim was deadly; and a host of other classic games, the outside world seemed to melt away. Here, among the beeping machines and the glow of pixelated screens, they were just Alex and Lena, two hearts reveling in the simple joy of being together.
Alex turned to Lena, his expression soft. “Thank you for this,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t realize how much I needed a night like this, just to be...”
“Just to be Alex,” Lena finished for him, understanding shining in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. “You’re always the alpha, always taking care of everyone else. But sometimes, you need to let yourself be taken care of too.”
Alex held her close, marveling at the woman who had stormed into his life and turned his world upside down in the best possible way. “I love you, Lena,” he murmured into her hair. “More than I ever thought possible.”
Lena tilted her head up, her eyes meeting his. “I love you, too, Alex. And I’m always here for you, whether you need a partner in crime-fighting or just someone to beat at air hockey.”
Alex chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I let you win, you know?”
“Sure you did, tough guy.” Lena grinned, rising onto her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Just like I’m going to let you win at basketball.”
“Oh, you’re on.” Alex’s eyes glinted with renewed competitive fire.
As they lost themselves once more in the bright lights and electronic melodies of the arcade, their laughter rising above the din, Alex felt a weight lift from his heart. Here with Lena by his side, he wasn’t just the alpha, the protector, the leader. He was simply a man in love, cherishing a perfect moment with his mate.
The night grew late, but neither of them wanted it to end. They lingered at each game, drawing out their time together, until finally, reluctantly, it was time to go.
Walking out into the cool night air, their arms laden with the silly prizes they had won for each other, Alex and Lena couldn’t stop smiling. The cares of the shifter world seemed far away, a distant concern compared to the warmth of their intertwined hands and the love that flowed between them.
“Thank you for tonight,” Alex said again as they reached her new car in the parking lot. “For reminding me what it’s like to live in the moment and have fun without worrying about anything else.”
Lena reached up, cupping his face in her hands. “That’s what I’m here for, to make sure you don’t forget how to play.” Her thumb brushed over his cheekbone, a tender caress. “No matter what challenges we face, we’ll face them together. And we’ll always make time for nights like this, just you and me.”
Alex leaned into her touch, his heart so full, it felt like it might burst. “You and me, always” he echoed, a promise and a prayer. “Now, let’s go meet your parents.”
Their lips met in a kiss that held the sweetness of cotton candy, the thrill of a perfect score, and the boundless joy of two hearts beating as one. And as they lost themselves in each other, the world narrowed down to this moment, this love, this perfect understanding.
The warmth of Lena’s family home enveloped Alex as they stepped inside, a stark contrast to the cool evening air. It was a world away from the solemnity of pack meetings and the ever-present tension of his responsibilities as alpha. Here, laughter reigned supreme, and love was served as generously as the food on the table.
As they gathered around the dining table laden with dishes that made Alex’s mouth water, he couldn’t help but feel a tad out of his element. Lena’s mother, Nancy, a formidable woman with a wit as sharp as her cooking skills, wasted no time in diving into the heart of matters.
“So, Alex, dear,” Nancy began, her voice dripping with a mix of charm and cunning, “tell us about your intentions with my daughter. We’re all eager to hear just how serious you two are.” Her eyes twinkled, but there was an undeniable edge of protectiveness in her gaze.
Alex cleared his throat, acutely aware of all eyes on him. “My intentions are, uh, completely honorable,” he assured, trying to match Lena’s mother’s intensity with a sincerity of his own. “She’s... she’s everything to me.”
Lena squeezed his hand under the table, a silent show of support that sent warmth flooding through him.
“Aww,” Nancy gushed, her hand on her chest. “You’re so cute. I am so getting grandbabies by this time next year.”
Wesley, Tara’s husband chuckled and lifted a wine glass in salute. “To Nancy getting grandbabies from someone other than me and Tara.”
Everyone laughed and Tara immediately clinked glasses with her husband.
Nancy feigned a frown. “I would love grandbabies from both my daughters.”
“I think we’ll take a break for a bit,” Wes laughed. “I want to give Tara a break and we want to travel a little more.”
“Heck, yeah. You owe me a couple’s vacation.” Tara smiled mischievously and turned to Alex and Lena. “So, when’s the wedding? We need ample time to plan. I’m thinking an outdoor ceremony. With wolves as groomsmen,” she quipped, barely suppressing her laughter.
Alex found himself chuckling, the tension easing from his shoulders. “We haven’t gotten quite that far yet,” he managed to say, shooting Lena an amused glance.
“Oh, but you must have thought about children, right?” Nancy wouldn’t be deterred, her questions taking on a more speculative tone. “I’m already picturing the cutest little grandbabies. How many were you thinking? A whole pack of them, perhaps?”