Dom’s wolf rumbled with deep satisfaction. “We’re planning to make this our permanent base,” Dom said. “My team and I, we’re tired of moving from place to place. This is our new home.”
“Good,” Rosa said, taking a bite of flan. “Communities like ours need people willing to stand up for what’s right.”
“Having you there at the Dalton takedown made all the difference,” Heath said.
“Just doing what needed doing,” Dom said.
“Don’t be modest.” Heath gestured with his spoon toward Gabriel. “We were talking after the arrest. With Steel Protection setting up shop here, I have a feeling we’ll be working together more often. The department could use that kind of specialized backup.”
“Next weekend is Gabriel’s birthday,” Rosa continued. “You’ll come, of course. I’m making his favorite - mole negro with chicken.”
“I’d be honored,” Dom said, and meant it.
The string lights cast everything in warm gold as the evening began winding down. Dom helped clear the table while Heath and Gabriel discussed upcoming court dates for Dalton’s case. Rosa fussed over leftovers, insisting Dom take enough food to feed his entire team.
“Take care of our girl, mijo.” Rosa reached up to cup Dom’s cheek with surprising maternal affection on their way to the car.
“Always,” Dom promised.
Walking to his truck with Valeria beside him, Dom felt something shift inside his chest. The mission was complete. His pack was established and welcomed in this community. Valeria was safe, happy, and surrounded by family who’d accepted him as one of their own.
Most importantly, she was his.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Valeria followedDom up the familiar stairs to his apartment, her heart racing with anticipation she couldn’t quite name. The evening had been perfect. Her family’s acceptance, the warmth of belonging, the certainty that everything in her life was finally falling into place.
He stepped aside to let her enter first. “After you.”
Valeria stepped through the doorway and stopped dead, her breath catching in her throat. The apartment had been transformed. Dozens of pillar candles flickered throughout the living room, casting everything in warm, golden light. Red roses were in tall vases on every surface, petals were scattered across the coffee table, and full blooms floated in glass bowls.
Crystal champagne flutes waited beside an ice bucket, and chocolate-covered strawberries were artfully arranged on a silver platter. Soft jazz played from the stereo, and the entire space smelled like roses and vanilla candles.
“Dom...” Valeria breathed, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. “When did you do all this?”
His slight smirk told her he was pleased with her reaction. “I had the team take care of it while we were at dinner.”
“Your crew did this? The scary bikers bought roses and candles?”
Dom chuckled, popping the cork on the champagne. “Wait until you see the group text,” Dom said, filling both glasses with bubbles that caught the candlelight. “Besides, they owed me after all the ribbing about finding my mate.”
Her bear stirred with deep contentment, recognizing what all this preparation meant. Dom handed her a glass, his fingers brushing hers. “To us,” he said, his voice rougher than usual. “To our bond.”
They clinked glasses and sipped the expensive champagne, but Dom set his down almost immediately. He extended his hand toward her. “Dance with me?”
The request made her chest tight with emotion. She took his hand and let him pull her close, one strong arm circling her waist while his other hand held hers gently. They swayed to the soft music in the candlelight.
Her head fit perfectly against his shoulder, and she breathed in his scent that made her bear purr with satisfaction. This was what home felt like.
“I love you, Valeria,” Dom said quietly, his voice vibrating against her ear.
The words made her look up into his face, seeing devotion and certainty in his dark eyes. “I love you too,” she whispered, reaching up to cup his face.
“I want you as my mate, permanently,” he continued. “I want to give you the claiming bite tonight. Will you let me claim you? Will you claim me?”
Her heart hammered against her ribs. “Yes, I want to be your mate.”
