Alex leans down and kisses my forehead. “We read the list of instructions the doctor gave us.”
Desmond lifts the mug. “And highlighted it.”
Mason mutters, “And laminated it.”
I blink. “You laminated my medical instructions?”
Desmond shrugs. “We’re thorough.”
Warmth swells in my chest and settles behind my ribs. They’re trying. They’re trying so hard.
Alex sets the plate aside and sits at my feet. “We want to do something today,” he says, eyes flicking between the three of them.
A quiet electricity crackles in the room.
Mason clears his throat. “If you want it.”
That’s enough to make my heart race. “What is it?”
Desmond sits on the edge of the bed, his knee touching mine. “A ceremony.”
My breath catches.
Alex’s voice softens. “Not the full pack ritual. Not the public one. Just…us. Here. In this room. If you want it.”
Mason’s grip on my hand tightens. “Only if you want it.”
I stare at all three of them – these incredible, infuriating, tenderhearted and hardheaded alphas – and something inside me settles. For the first time since this arrangement began, there isn’t fear clawing at me. No doubts. No uncertainty.
Only reassurance of my future, a future I can’t wait to start.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I want it.”
Desmond’s eyes glisten as he sets the mug aside.
Alex exhales hard, like he’d been holding his breath for hours.
Mason doesn’t speak, merely presses his forehead to mine.
They help me sit upright,rearranging the pillows until I’m supported and comfortable. The pack bed feels enormous with all three of them kneeling in front of me. None of this isritualized in law or tradition. This is something they invented, something forged between the four of us.
Alex takes my left hand, Desmond my right. Mason kneels closest, positioned between my knees, his eyes locked on mine.
He’s trembling.
Seeing Mason look so scared does something to my heart.
Desmond speaks first. “Pack Anders has always been three hearts bound by choice. Today, we choose to add a fourth, if you’ll have us.”
Alex squeezes my hand. “We want you. Not because you’re carrying our children. Not because of biology. But because you’re ours.”
Mason’s voice is quiet, rough. “And I’m sorry it took fear for me to say it out loud. I almost lost you. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Those stupid tears ache behind my eyes.
Alex leans in, pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. “We ask for your trust.”
Desmond kisses the back of my other hand. “We offer ours.”
