Liam huffed, blinking too fast, then shoved Sterling lightly. “We’ll get the best lawyers for you. Don’t let them break you, you hear me?”
Sterling smirked, the picture of maddening calm. “Break me? Please. I’ll be lucky if they even spell my name right on the paperwork.”
That earned him a few snorts, even as tension strangled the air. He gave each of us a nod, then rolled his shoulders like he was heading into a board meeting instead of a police escort.
“Thanks, really,” he said, voice steady. “Don’t get too comfortable without me - I plan on being back before you know it. Someone’s got to keep you boys in line.”
With that, he strode toward the door, hands raised, stepping straight into the blaze of flashing lights and reporters’ shouts as though he were walking onto a red carpet. We followed, silent shadows at his back, and I heard the reporter now from the TV as she spotted him.
“Looks like the heat is over and the suspect is surrendering willingly.” Sterling kept his hands up, walking out toward the police. But I couldn’t stand to see him go. Not like this. I ran toward him, not caring that I was only wearing a scant robe. The police shouted warnings over a loudspeaker as I pushed past the threshold.
“Ma’am! Stay back!”
But I didn’t stop. Not when they were about to take him from me, when I only just found him. I ran, heart hammering, and when I reached him, I threw my arms around his neck. He barely had time to draw breath before I kissed him - deeply,desperately, pouring every ounce of love and defiance I had into him. Cameras flashed all around us, and the helicopter flew overhead, the cameraman angling for the best shot as the wind blew my hair back and away from me. Reporters gasped.
Somewhere behind me, inside the house, a live broadcast carried a voice filled with incredulous awe:
“It looks like Celeste Harringday has just kissed the wanted assistant in front of police, delaying his arrest... oh my God, is that… is that a bonding mark on her neck?”
The words rippled into the world as I clung to Sterling, my fresh bite marks bared for the world to see. Our pack decided to bond during my heat, keeping us locked together forever, no matter what happened.
The police finally pulled me away, holding me back as they handcuffed Sterling, who gave me a huge smile as he was led away. The reporter kept speaking, awed at the recent development.
“To all the viewers out there, it seems that Celeste Harringday has indeed finally bonded with a pack!”
Chapter 52
Celeste
6 months later
The doors opened, and for once, the cameras weren’t allowed past them. I stood just outside the barrier, arms folded tight against my chest, trying to hold myself together.
And then there he was. Sterling.
My breath hitched as he stepped through the doors, the small duffel slung over his shoulder. He looked leaner, shadows under his eyes, but the calm in his gaze hadn’t changed. The moment our eyes met, my composure shattered, and I ran toward him. His bag fell to the ground as I threw myself into his arms, feeling him lift me as I wrapped my legs around his waist, loving his low rumble as he laughed into my neck. His warmth, his scent, thesteadiness of him felt like a warm blanket wrapped around me, and he was finally mine again.
“You’re out,” I whispered, pressing my face against his neck as he finally lowered me down.
Sterling’s lips brushed the top of my head. “Told you I wouldn’t be gone long.”
“Four months was long,” I said fiercely, pulling back to look at him. “Too long.”
Four months. It wasn’t forever, but it had felt like it. Every day without Sterling had been a day missing a piece of myself, but at least since we were bonded, he could feel me every second, and I could feel him. Also, I visited him every single day.
He had a fairly brief trial, which took only two months. He hadn’t fought the sentence. Instead, he’d faced it head-on, shoulders squared, determined to account for what he’d done under my uncle’s command. I admired him for that - a man who decided to do the right thing. Luckily, due to my uncle’s threats and the evidence that Gideon would murder people who defied him, Sterling got a very light sentence. Four months in minimum security, and probation. It also helped that he was now part of one of the most powerful packs in the province - part of Pack Lockwood, which also now included me.
Sterling looked at me, the corner of his mouth lifting as he smiled. “You used the time well. Harringday looks nothing like it did when I left.”
He was right. Since his arrest, many things had transpired. My uncle was tried and found guilty of a litany of charges, and put away for life. In fact, there was so much that he’d done, that we werestillfinding evidence of more crimes as we did a deep dive of all the shadow deals he’d made.
Now that the world had its eyes on Harringday, I was able to do an overhaul, letting go of half the board who also faced charges of conspiracy with my uncle. I’d interviewed countless employees, implemented new policies, and was finally able to make the decisions without a sexist board or a manipulative uncle holding me back. And, I’d finally been able to make the Designation Rights doctrine company wide, something I’d always wanted. Between Harringday and Manticore, our new vision was paving progress that would rewrite the future for the entire Eastern Province.
“Yes, changes are certainly being made. And we’re doing things the right way.” I said, looking at my handsome beta with pride.
“That’s my omega,” he said softly.
I pulled him closer and kissed him. For a moment it was just the two of us, our hearts pressed together, finally whole again.
