Gray Back Bad Bear(42)

Willa sniffled and hugged Cassie and Matt tighter.

Cassie eased back and wiped her damp cheeks with the back of her hand, then gestured toward the crowd behind her. A pair of women were sniffling and smiling kindly, and a tall man with striking blue eyes shook Creed’s hand, while a little bear cub and a little girl chased each other through the crowd. Another man was holding a box of red wine. Each one of them looked different, but they all wore similar, welcoming smiles on their faces.

Matt clapped the back of a dark-headed man with tattoos up his neck, then turned to her. “Willa, newest member of the Gray Back Crew, meet our allies, the Ashe Crew.”

As Matt led her to each of the Ashe Crew to introduce them, and then through the Boarlanders and the Lowlanders, Willa was awed at what she’d stumbled onto here.

These people, these crews, were like families, and she’d chosen hers in the Gray Backs the day she’d fallen for Matt. And even though she was scared and had a lot to learn about her bear and this new world she’d fallen into, she was proud to be here. To be a part of a crew. To be second to Creed, and Matt’s chosen mate.

The claiming mark on her neck tingled as Matt gripped her shoulder and hugged her close.

She was safe and alive and wanted.

But more than all of that, she belonged.

As long as she lived, she’d have a crew at her back. People to protect and care for. People who would protect and care for her.

The bombshells’ purpose suddenly became so painfully obvious. She’d had to endure unhealthy friendships to appreciate what she had here.

“Are you okay?” Matt asked, looking down at her with worry in his eyes.

“Better than okay.” Pushing thoughts of painful past friendships away, she smiled up at him, her loyal, adoring, scarred and imperfect, but always patient mate. “I think I’m going to like being a Gray Back.”