Page 246 of Unmarked

I fight the urge to squirm in my seat and force my eyes back to Theo. He’s the only one standing, one hand buried in his hair, the other clutching a thick book that looks like it’s seen a few decades too many.

“I’ve been researching,” he starts. “On pack bonding.”

Ash shifts in his chair, already braced for something stressful. “Let me guess. The internet says it’s illegal, dangerous, and probably causes blindness.”

Theo doesn’t smile. “Actually, the internet is vague. Everything else is worse.”

He flips the book toward us like he’s presenting an ancient relic.

“Real pack bonding - full, mutual, multi-alpha packs - aren’t just rare, they’re practically undocumented. Most of them stay underground, completely unregistered, to avoid the OMB’s attention. The ones who do exist publicly? They either have serious political backing… or they’re loaded.”

Lucian’s mouth ticks up at that, dry as desert sand.

Kai pops another grape into his mouth. “Cool. So we’re secret, rich, or in danger.”

“We’re… option two and three,” Theo mutters, rubbing his temples. “And if we mark her, then the bond becomes permanent. Recognized. Even the OMB would have to acknowledge it.”

I blink. “Wait. Recognized as what? I’m unregistered.”

“Exactly,” Lucian says. “That’s the loophole. If you’re already bonded, already claimed, the OMB can’t interfere. They can’t reassign you, they can’t strip your autonomy, and they definitely can’t separate us.”

Kai hums. “So it’s like… if we put a ring on it, no one can snatch her off the street and send her to a government husband?”

“That’s… horrifyingly accurate,” Theo mutters.

Ash leans forward, elbows on his knees, voice low. “So what you’re saying is… we do this, we go all in. And once we do, there’s no going back.”

Theo nods.“That's right.Fully. No half-measures. No delays.”He looks around at all of us, gaze steady. “We’ve already bonded Rhea, individually: but to solidify the pack, then all of us need to mark her. Make it official in every way that matters.”

The air shifts like someone opened a window that lets in consequences.

“So you’re saying one big, happy family?” Kai grins, lounging deeper into the couch. “Group vows? Matching jackets? Secret handshakes?”

Lucian doesn’t answer, but the eye twitch suggests Kai’s days might be numbered.

“You’re such a fucking child,” Ash mutters.

Kai grins wider. “Hey, if I’m gonna be bonded to you assholes for life, I want a little ceremony. Maybe a buffet.”

Lucian finally speaks. “You sure you’re ready for this, Reed?”

“Areyou?” Kai raises an eyebrow, lazy and unbothered. “You sure you canshare?”

Lucian’s eyes cut toward me again, and this time, it’s almost punishing. I feel the sharp spike of possessiveness crack through our bond - so sudden, so fierce, and I suck in a breath.

He catches it.

His hand clenches once at his side before he forces himself still again, mask snapping back into place.

The message is clear, though.

I see you. I feel you.

Theo clears his throat, breaking the tension.

“This is happening because we’re stronger together. Because it’s what Rhea needs. What she wants.”

They all look at me then, and suddenly the whole room feels tighter. Not in a bad way - just… charged.

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