“My heart stopped beating.”
He stood up and stretched dramatically. “Technicality. Dead people see a light or something and get beamed up. Some go,some don’t. But if you didn’t see the light, you weren’t actually dead. I didn’t hear you mention a light.”
Archer swaggered into the room, and when he reached us, he knelt and pinched the baby’s bootie. “I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is you and Atticus need to move out of the heat house. Cici’s going into heat soon.”
Virgil snorted. “What’s the good news?”
Archer looked up at him and waggled his eyebrows. “Cici’s going into heat soon.”
“You better be careful,” Virgil sang. “That’s where babies come from.”
Archer’s lips pressed into a thin line as he stood. Unlike Virgil’s playful attempt of dressing up, Archer’s beige turtleneck and slacks were new. He’d even let Melody take up the empty sleeve to give it a snug fit. He snapped his attention to the window. “She’s here.” Then he looked over his shoulder and shouted, “She’s here!”
With that burst of noise, Violet’s face scrunched up and she wailed.
Atticus entered the room and gave Archer an admonishing look before scooping the crying baby into his arms. “When I’m around, you merely have to whisper.”
Archer scratched his head. “Sorry, I keep forgetting.”
The instant Atticus held Violet to his chest, she stopped crying. “There, there, precious one. Papa has you.”
I admired his outfit; the gold watch, the white suit, the vest beneath his jacket. Every detail showed how much effort he’d put into this day—the day of our mating ceremony.
“You could walk a runway in that outfit,” I said to him. “I like seeing you all dressed up.”
Some of the pack drifted into the room, and when a knock sounded at the door, Tak answered.
“Come in,” he said.
Eden Thompson stepped in while clutching her long tan suede coat. Champagne-colored fingernail polish glittered as she patted her beautiful dark hair. “Please tell me we’re not doing this outside.” Her high heels tapped against the floor as she bustled toward the fireplace. “I’m so sorry I’m late. We had a new prisoner I had to process at the last minute.” She fixed one of her loose curls. “Have mercy. It’s windy out there today.”
Tak pointed toward the back. “We’re having the ceremony in the dining room. Warm up while we get ready.” When he passed Lucian, he clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Since you want to stand there like a coatrack, why don’t you take the woman’s coat?”
Atticus kissed Violet on the forehead, his face beaming. I loved the way he looked at her, and I was certain that no matter how much I loved Atticus, I would never be with him if hedidn’tdote on her as a father should.
Lucian crossed the living room toward the fireplace, and when he came up behind Eden, I could’ve sworn I saw him dip his nose in her hair. He held the lapels of her coat and slowly pulled it off her shoulders.
Eden turned and studied his dark-blue dress shirt. “Ah. So youdoown color in your wardrobe. I was beginning to think you and Krys shared clothes.”
He scoffed. “I don’t wear leather.”
“And what’s wrong with leather?”
“It itches when it gets hot. You should see how much he scratches his ass in the summer.”
Eden laughed and touched his arm. “You are messy.” Her eyes settled on his scalp. “I bet you’d have a nice head of hair if you grew it out.” When her gaze swung over to Atticus and Violet, she joined us. “Oh my. I heard about your new addition. May I?” Instead of holding the baby, she simply got close andstroked her cheek. “Congratulations, Joy. She’s a real looker, just like her mama. What’s her name?”
“Violet.”
“Violet Lockwood. You’re a little doll.”
“Not Lockwood,” Atticus said.
Eden’s brows quirked for a moment, but she made a quick recovery. “I didn’t realize she would be taking her new daddy’s name. That’s a pretty name. Do you want a long or quick ceremony? It’s up to you.”
Atticus and I had already exchanged promises in private, and this was just a formality of paperwork we had to sign so the local Council recognized our union.
“Short is fine,” Atticus replied.
