Page 160 of Trick Knot Treat

I watch them, smiling, and then turn, almost bouncing with excitement, when I see Dad appear.

The Sunshine Cove residents watch the bikers, and then all of them break into smiles and pair up, chatting like they’ve all been best friends all their lives. The Sols and my dad’s in particular, have become the best of friends. They get together and play boardgames once a week.

Gummy comes over to me and whistles. He’s struggling with a box the size of his chest.

My stomach churns with excitement. I bounce on the sand, almost crying, I’m so elated.

“Do you have it?” I squeak. “Everything’s okay?”

“I do.”

I take the massive box. “Everyone!” I call out loudly. “Hey, everyone! Shut up!”

They go quiet and turn to look at me.

“I think my pack are just about some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I am so lucky to have a family who loves me, a town that has accepted me, my pack’s family, who are just about the most awesome people around, and these three alphas, and my omega. So, to say a massive thank you to them for seeing me, even when I was trying to be invisible. I bought a pack gift, which is a promise, a life commitment, a thank you, and a way to grow our family.”

“Oh, my!” Lorelei says.

I hand the box to Zaire. He stares at the present and then carefully opens the lid.

His expression softens, and I swear, I see tears in his eyes before he clears his throat.

“What is it?” Felix asks, peering in.

“It’s a little ghost,” Zaire says in a choked-up voice.

Felix gasps and reaches in, pulling out the tiny white puppy that will soon be as big as Spectre. He was in a rescue and is about fourteen weeks old. As soon as I saw the picture, I reached out. Gummy drove halfway across the country to pick him up for me.

And judging by the lump in his arms, I don’t think he came back empty-handed either.

“You got us a puppy?” Clint shouts with excitement. “A puppy? Oh, Key, you are the best!”

“Yeah, we had to do it now.”

Lorelei is still staring at me, beaming. Her expression is knowing.

Someone holds out a beer to me. I stare at it, unable to say no out loud. It’s only six weeks.

I shake my head, refusing.

“ARE YOU KNOCKED UP?” Dad shouts.

I look up at the sky, shaking my head. He’s going to be the death of me.

Everyone snaps their heads towards me, staring intently.

I burst out laughing. “I was saving the news; it's still so early.”

“What?” Jace says and sways. Clint catches him.

“Babies?” Zaire says in a high voice, looking between me and the puppy.

I shrug. “Looks like it. Maybe. We will know more soon.”

They all converge on me, my pack, our families, our town.

Clint pulls me aside and pulls a ring out. It’s a delicate silver ring with a ruby heart. “My mum wore a necklace like this. Holly found it and knew how much it meant to me. I’d like you to wear it.”