“Very good.” They sign and initial, flipping through the pages quickly, then passing them to the clerk to sign as witness.
“We’ll get these notarized on your way out, and then it’s official. Congratulations, Pack Lavender.”
The judge beams at us, smiling indulgently as Riley whoops. We’re all grinning, and I feel like I might tremble right out of my skin.
This is real. This is my pack. This isreally happening.
Love and excitement, satisfaction and victory, seep through the bond-lines and into my heart. I push gratitude and love back at each of them in an endless loop of affection as the paperwork is finalized.
As soon as we step back outside, Brooks scoops us all into his arms. I’m the closest to him, which means I’m smooshed hard against his chest, buried under Vee and Riley as Brooks somehow crushes all of us in a massive bear hug.
Vee huffs in surprise as the air is knocked out of her lungs, but then she starts laughing. She wiggles her arms free and then flings them around Brooks and Riley, bending her head down to kiss the side of my forehead—likely the only spot on me she can reach—before throwing her head back andscreaming.
“Yaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!” She swings her head as she yells, afro bouncing, so the sound ricochets around us.
“All packed up!” Riley shouts, throwing his one free hand into the air. “Pack Lavenderrrrrr, woo!”
I hear a couple cheers from what I assume to be random people out on the street, and Riley pumps their fist in the air. Brooks is purring violently, so hard I’m worried my entire right side might go numb if he keeps it up. I simply can’t stop smiling.
I’m grinning so wide my cheeks hurt, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop. My heart issomehow both light and full, a welcome change to the anxious apprehension I’m used to carrying.
But I guess…
I crane my neck back against Brooks’ bulging biceps so I can look at my pack, drinking them in. Their scents, their comfort, their strength and support and love.
Thisis life.
Epilogue
Siobhan
I’m setting up my tarot spread at the park downtown across the street from the courthouse when a feral yell makes me jump and nearly drop my cards. My head jerks up to see Vee and her pack across the road, or at least I assume it’s all of them. I can actually only see Riley, Vee, and Brooks, but I’m guessing Sage is in the middle of them all somewhere.
Vee has her head thrown back and is literally screaming.
Goosebumps run up and down my arms as my eyes widen. I’ve never even heard her raise her voice, let alone scream.
Then Riley is yelling at the top of their lungs. “ALL PACKED UP! Pack Lavender!” They let out a wild cheer as they pump their arm in the air.
A grin stretches across my face and I swipe a wayward strand of hair over my shoulder. So they made it official. My grin falters for a moment, a pang of longing shooting through me.
What must it be like to have people who know you inside and out? Who love you even with your faults and flaws?
I shove the thoughts aside and stand, then cup my hands around my mouth.
“Aaawoooooooooo!!” I scream as loud as I can, then laugh as I cheer. “Wooot! Woot! Woot!”
Riley’s eyes dart across the street and they wave with a grin. I wave back, then sit back down with my legs crossed. My tripod and phone are already set up, ready to record, I just need to check the angle and I’ll be good to go.
I do a couple practice shots, checking the videos in between and adjusting slightly as needed, but before I can get started on making any actual content for the next week, Riley is yelling again.
“Hey, Siobhan!”
“Hi, Riley,” I say, smiling as they cross the street, tugging their pack along behind them. “I hear you’re packed up!”
Then I get a glimpse of their necks, seeing bite and bond marks on all four of them. I gasp, “Oh my god! Bonded, too? That’s amazing!”
I jump up to give hugs all around, ignoring the yearning twinge in my heart.
