I look up and freeze as I take in the room around us.
Everyone is turned, looking at me with looks of excitement. The air smells like a mix of beach and alcohol, and there’s even a balloon arch in the corner.
“What in the fuck is going on?” I ask.
Yak laughs and shakes me by my shoulders. “Welcome to the club, buddy.”
As Yak steps away from me, Panther walks toward me.
Panther smiles as he comes to a stop next to me.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks quietly.
It’s then that it hits me what this is.
My swearing-in party.
My mouth goes dry, and I nod. “Yeah.”
Panther turns and whistles, making everyone fall silent.
It’s then that I spot Aspen in the crowd. Her hair is curled and down around her shoulders. Her eyes are bright with excitement, and her hands are clasped beneath her chin.
“Tonight, we welcome a new brother into our family. Asher might have come on our radar as a fed, but he quickly proved to us whose side he was on. He’s shown us nothing but loyalty, and in return, we welcome him into our family.” He turns to look at me. “In church, when we were trying to pick a road name for you, Talon spoke up and reminded us of something. What you don’t know is that Cloak, our former president, named a lot of us. Talon reminded us that Cloak used to say the road name should reflect the man, and as soon as he said it, only one name came to mind. Wolf.”
Wolf.
The name hits me in the solar plexus, and I swear it feels right.
“You were a lone wolf in a field of pigs, trying to make the world a better place. Then you met your songbird.” He looks over and winks at his sister before looking back at me. “And you realized that the solitary life isn’t the one for you. Because of her,you met us, and then you remembered, wolves run in packs. At first, we didn’t know if you had ulterior motives, but you proved yourself to us time and time again. You earned your way into our family. We are your pack, your chosen family, and we are fucking thrilled to have you by our side until death.”
Eagle steps forward, carrying a leather cut.
A cut that has the name Wolf sewn on, showing everyone where my loyalty lies.
Panther takes it from him and helps slip it onto me.
As fucked up as it is, this might be the best surprise I’ve ever been given. The leather is smooth to the touch and feels right. It feels like mine.
“All right, everyone, let’s give a big welcome to our newest member, Wolf!” Panther yells.
The brothers go wild, hooting and hollering. Even a wolf whistle cuts through the air, making me smile.
“Welcome to the family, brother,” Panther says quietly.
I look over at him.
“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely.
“It’s nothing. Now go get your girl. She looks like she’s ready to come out of her skin.”
Without having to be told twice, I step forward, my eyes already on her.
Aspen breaks away from the girls and rushes toward me. She jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist, her arms hugging me around my neck.
“You did it!” she squeals.
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I tell her.
