Page 24 of Their Knotty Pack
"Yeah," I let out a huff of breath. "Just…the last time I was here was right after…"
Miles' expression flashes with understanding. "Fuck, baby, I—"
"Don't you dare apologize again," I hold up my hand, "I'll be fine. I just…need to warn you about my brother's pack. I probably could have said all this on the way here instead of daydreaming about us wrapped in blankets and eating candy."
He chuckles and shakes his head. "I was wondering why your mind was working so hard over there."
"I'm working on what they call 'manifesting'." I nod seriously.
"Obviously," he grins, then looks at me curiously, "what do you mean about warning me?"
"Well, just so you know what you're getting into. It can be kind of a zoo sometimes," I laugh and shake my head, remembering how my brother and Ollie sang "I kissed a girl" but completely botched all the lyrics, "though I doubt there will be any karaoke tonight."
It's the anniversary of Pack De Lucca's bonding, and the whole family seems to be here, if all the cars parked in the driveway are any indication. It's strange enough for Miles that I'm legally related to the author of "The Knotty Omega", so I don't want him blinded by anything.
"Titus is the big one, he's ex-military. Grumpy dude, but he has a good heart, and is very protective of Cady, obviously, but also me and Hannah."
He nods like he's mentally storing the information. "Got it."
"Simon is quiet, but heseeseverything. He's a doctor, but also, weirdly good at Call of Duty."
"Respect."
"Ollie is a wild card, he's harmless though. He looks intimidating, but one time when I was leaving their house after hanging out with Cady, I caught him wearing one of her snuggies and snuggly socks. He didn't even look shocked to see me, just kept walking down the hallway with his plate of 'midnight cheese'."
Miles quirks a brow as his lip tilts upward. "Noted.And your brother?"
I nod. "He's mated to both Cady and their head alpha, Mattie De Lucca."
He swallows. "I can't believe you just referred to a billionaire tech-mogul by a nickname."
"I knew him before he took over," I shrug, "back when Arch used to bring him home for holiday breaks when they were in college he'd help me with my math homework. Started calling mesorrelinaandpiccola fatina." It was like getting a bonus older brother.
"Go on." He shakes his head like he can't believe my words.
"Mattie is calm, steady, and above all—patient. Archie can be snippy, sassy, and a little shithead sometimes."
Miles barks a laugh. "Fuck, I'm an only child and even I know that was like, the most typical sibling response." His words remind me of the conversation we had a month ago, where he told me about his parents. Hopefully, I'll be able to meet them someday.
"That's all," I flash him a grin as I get out of the car, "simple. Now, all I have to do is keep manifesting my vision of us snuggled up and watchingDemon Slayer, and the night will be over before we know it."
The house is a far cry from what it looked like last October, and instead of this being a raging house party, it's an elegant affair with caterers, a string quartet, and servers. Only the best for Pack De Lucca.
All festivities seem to be in the backyard tonight, the string lights draped over the deck casting the area in a beautiful glow. I spot my big brother on the deck, looking over the festivities with an appraising eye.
"Arch," I pull Miles by the hand behind me through the small crowd of people, "this is Miles. My mate."
"Hi Bethany!" I hear someone yell behind me, maybe one of Ollie's sisters. Ididrecognize his parents when we first came back here. I give a little wave over my shoulder to whoever was talking to me and turn my attention back to my brother.
Archie smiles as he looks at my omega, reaching his hand out to shake his. "Miles. It's great to meet you."
"He's not nearly as snippy as you said," Miles says, fighting a smile, and Archie looks at me in mock outrage.
"Bethany Anne Thomas! You didnotsay I was snippy."
Playfully smacking Miles on the arm, I turn to Archie quickly. "You'll have to forgive him, he can be a little—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Miles laughs, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close to his side. "All jokes aside, it's nice to meet you too, Archie. I've heard nothing but good things about you."
