Page 101 of Knot Your Romeo

"Happy," I say simply. "Grateful. I'm a little amazed that this is my life now."

Movement near the garden gates catches my attention, and I let out a delighted gasp. "River is here!"

River bounds up the terrace steps with the energy of a man who just signed a massive hockey deal, his now famous smile even brighter than usual. Behind him, two men I recognize from sports coverage follow more slowly—Crew Banks and Steele Oliver, former Boston players who now play for the Scented Scorpions.

"Emmie!" River sweeps me into a hug that lifts me off my feet. "Look at you, all glowing and gorgeous. Pack life agrees with you."

"It does," I agree, laughing as he sets me down. He fell out with his father for months, but came around one day—out of the blue—he arrived at the house with flowers and asking for forgiveness. He never needed our forgiveness—he needed time. "How was the flight?"

"Long, but worth it. I wouldn't miss celebrating your half year anniversary." His expression grows more serious, though no less warm. "I'm thrilled for all of you. What you've built here—it's special."

"Are you ready to talk to Remi?" Remi is in Italy, readying herself for the Olympics. In two days, we're flying out to watch her.

"Yeah. Oh, Emmie, Jude. Do you remember Crew and Steele?" River says, gesturing to his friends.

Crew steps forward first. "Congratulations on your bonding. River told us a lot about your pack."

"All good things, I hope," I reply, shaking his offered hand. Jude follows..

"The best things," Steele adds with a grin. He's smaller than Crew but radiates the kind of confidence that comes from being exceptional at what you do. "It's not often you meet a pack that's rewriting all the rules."

"We're not trying to rewrite anything," I protest. "We're just doing what works for us."

"Which is exactly why it's so revolutionary," Crew says with obvious admiration.

Beck chooses that moment to emerge from the house. He's with Romeo, and the reunion that follows is warm enough to make my chest tight. Watching him with his sons—proud, affectionate, completely at ease—reminds me of how much healing has happened here.

Before I can respond, another voice calls my name, and I turn to see my mother approaching with two women who make my heart leap with joy.

"Ava! Ella!"

My older sisters converge on me in a tangle of hugs and tears and excited chatter. Ava looks radiant as she rushes to me with her beta, Seb. Her two alphas trail behind. Silas holds their toddler on his hip, while her other alpha, Max, has their daughter on his shoulders.

Ella hugs me after Ava. Her three alphas crowding her like she was their world. I suppose she is.

"Look at you," Ava breathes, holding me at arm's length to study my face. "You're absolutely glowing."

"Pack life suits her," Ella agrees, then lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Are we going to get to meet these famous mates of yours properly?"

Over the next hour, I watch my sisters and their families integrate with my pack. Beck charms them with his easy confidence, Eli wins them over with his genuine interest in their lives, and Jude fascinates them with stories about his research.

But it's my mother's reaction that touches me most. She stands slightly apart from the main group, watching me interact with my pack and extended family, and when our eyes meet, hers are bright with unshed tears.

"Happy tears," she assures me when I approach her with concern. "I just... I never imagined seeing you like this."

"Like what?"

"Free. Confident. And completely yourself without apology." She reaches out to cup my cheek gently. "You spent so many years hiding, making yourself small. Look at you now. You're the biggest person here."

I cover her hand with mine. "Thank you for fighting for us, even when it was dangerous."

"I should have fought harder. Should have gotten you all away from him sooner."

"Mom." I turn to face her fully. "You did everything you could. And look how it turned out—we're all safe, we're all loved, we're all free."

Well, almost all of us.

The thought of Lottie casts a shadow over my perfect day, and I step away from the celebration to pull out my phone. I've tried calling her twice today already, but both attempts went straight to voicemail.

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