When I return to my place next to her, I take her hand. “We still haven’t filed our pack registration with the Department of Designation. Nothing is more important than our bond, but this offers all legal protections as well. You, of course, don’t have to sign anything. We know you are ours. The state views this as a legally binding union, stronger than a marriage. It’s farharder to dissolve. We can check the omega-less box. We don’t want you feeling confined.”
I want to give her all her options. I hope she signs it, though.
She looks at each of us before speaking. “I know the past two weeks have been a lot for us. I’m so sorry for how hard I fought this at the beginning, but I’m all in, forever. Just tell me where to sign.”
The bonds all light up as I hand her the pen, flipping to each page we need her signature. Once she finishes, it feels like everything is complete.
I can’t believe how far we have come. “Thank you.”
Her eyes widen. “Why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you all for not giving up on me. I’m sorry I was stubbornly desperate to ignore the perfection in front of me.”
Madi’s guilt spurs Hunter’s. “I’m sorry for putting you in the position?—”
“Okay, new pack rule,” Alric interrupts. “No more apologies for all previous actions and behaviors. I’m sorry for being a controlling, grumpy bastard”—holding up his hand and pointing to each of us—“Hunter, we all forgive you, let’s not make it a habit, but we wouldn’t be sitting here bonded if you hadn’t. Madi, honey, no one blames you for your response, you are always entitled to your feelings, no matter how it affects us. Now.” He turns to me. “Zachary, you have nothing to apologize for because you are a saint. Let’s make this all official.” We all grin at each other.
Madi eyes the jewelry box. “Something for me?” she asks innocently.
“Well, I don’t think it will fit Hunter,” I joke, opening the box to reveal a golden necklace with five pink diamonds at the center. “I planned to give this to you the night we were stargazing. Happy one year, my love.”
She gasps. “It’s beautiful, thank you!” I help her put it on and she trails her fingers over the stones.
“Looks lovely on you.”
Her answering smile is dazzling and I can’t wait to spoil her forever. We lean towards each other at the same time for a long kiss.
When we finally break apart, Madi happily passes me back the paperwork and I rush to my computer to submit it. On my way back to the living room, I stop and grab a bottle of champagne I had been saving for a special occasion and four glasses. There is so much to celebrate. Hunter pops the bottle, and once everyone has some, I raise my glass. “To Pack Hayes.”
A chorus follows. “To Pack Hayes.”
“What are we going to do for our union ceremony?” Hunter asks.
“That depends on which type Madi wants.” I list off the options. “We can do a private bondmate ceremony with the four of us or throw a pack union party and invite everyone we know. There is also the option to have one-on-one weddings or a group wedding ceremony.”
“Wow, that is a lot of options,” Madi murmurs.
“Or,” I tease and her eyes grow big.
“Or?” she says hopefully.
“We go big and do them all.”
“Really?” Excitement swirls around us all in our bond.
“And a long honeymoon!” Hunter adds. “Something that involvesa lotof bikinis. French Polynesia with an overwater bungalow, perhaps.”
“I’ve always wanted to go there!” she says dreamily.
Her excitement is addicting. I want to feel it every moment of the day. “Anywhere you want, honey. Just say the word.”
“I have a whole travel bucket list.”
I kiss her again. “I would love to see it.”
We spend the day sharing all the places we want to go, napping, eating, and eventually fucking again. Hunter puts on the footage of him and I double-dicking Madi in Alric’s gym while we all knot her on the couch.
By nightfall, Hunter carries a sleepy Madi to my bed, the rest of us sliding in with her and the cats following with soft purrs. Sometime in the middle of night, a small hand reaches for me, and I gently take her from a sleeping Hunter to drape her over my chest.
She lets out a happy little sigh and presses her lips to my bondmark before tucking her face into my neck, falling right back asleep.
