“No, alpha,” he whispers.
“Are you sure? You’re not lookingto earn a punishment?”
Lavender perfume explodes through the air, a cloud billowing from behind me, and I straighten as Brooks groans. He runs a hand down his face, then tilts his head to the ceiling and breathes through his mouth. Keeping my hand in Riley’s hair, I look over my shoulder to see Sage peeking around the doorframe, her pupils brown wide.
“We’re never getting out of here,” Brooks says. “I don’t know how you can possibly resist either of them.”
I shake my head, then bend down and toss Riley over my shoulder. He shouts in protest as I turn and stalk towards our omega. Her eyes widen and she scrambles away, darting towards the front door. At least she has her shoes on, so half of us are ready to go.
“Let’s go,” I say to Brooks. “Grab some shoes for Riley, please.”
“I can get my own shoes!”
I swat his ass, a quick, hard slap that has him sucking in a sharp breath. Sage gasps, then clenches her thighs together.
“Jesus,” I mutter, turning to Brooks again. “And you might as well grab her, too.”
“Gladly,” he says.
And then Sage is also being carried like an unruly sack of potatoes, only she’s giggle-shrieking while Riley has turned his attention to fondling my ass. I smile, unable to hold it in anymore, and then we’re on our way downtown.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Sage
I’m breathless with nerves as we wait in line at the courthouse. Riley has been excitedly chattering nonstop, and while normally that would help distract me, I can’t focus on it right now. For some reason, this seems bigger than bonding. Bigger than the bite marks on my neck, or being gifted a barn and pasture with two baby sheep.
When the clerk calls us up, I nervously shuffle to my feet, my hand instinctively reaching out for my pack. Brooks’ hand engulfs mine, and Vee’s warm palm settles on the nape of my neck. I force a slow breath into my lungs as we’re led into a different room.
“Judge Frasier,” Vee says. She steps forward with her hand out to greet the judge. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”
“Of course. I hope everything is in order with the protection order?” the judge replies.
“Oh yes, we’re very grateful to have it,” Vee says, stepping back and returning her comforting hand to my neck. “They actually showed up at the property that same night. Idon’t know what would have happened if we weren’t prepared.”
The judge shakes their head, turning regretful eyes to me.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that,” they say. “If you ever need my assistance, please let me know.”
I blink, astonished. “Thank you,” I say, hoping they can sense how much I mean it.
“Now.” They turn back to Vee. “What can I help you with?”
Vee grins, glancing at each of us before looking back to the judge.
“We’re here to register as a pack.”
Judge Frasier claps their hands in delight, a smile blooming across their face. “Well now that is indeed fantastic news! You have the paperwork?”
Riley holds out a manila envelope, and their hand shakes with what I hope is excitement. I lean forward to look at them around Vee, and their bright blue eyes meet mine. They’re grinning, and when we make eye contact, Riley bites his lip, then bounces his eyebrows at me.
I pinch my lips together to avoid laughing. Yeah, they’re definitely excited.
And then I realize that I am, too. Sure, I’m nervous, but it’s a bouncy, bubbly sort of nervous excitement that lights up my veins. My hand flexes in Brooks’ hold and he looks down at me, his eyes warm and lit with a matching anticipation that makes my blood sing. He squeezes my hand in reply, and then we’re all turning our attention back to the judge.
“I see you’ve all filled out the name change forms as well,” they say. “So you’ll be registering as Pack Lavender, and adopting the surname ‘Lavender’ for each individual. Is that correct?”
They look up, making eye contact with each of us to ensure our assent.
