Page 116 of Knot So Sweet
"But they look impressive," I protest. "Like we're intellectuals."
"We're idiots who got lucky," Garrick says, pulling me into a hug. "But we're your idiots."
"Damn right you are."
We eat dinner together, and I tell them about Meredith's text. About the town meeting tonight. About how everyone's going to know.
"You don't have to go," Liam says immediately. "If you're not ready..."
"I'm ready." I cut him off. "I'm tired of hiding. Tired of being scared. They're going to find out eventually. Might as well be tonight."
"You're sure?" Xaden's watching me carefully.
"I'm sure." I look at each of them in turn. "You're my pack. My family. I'm not hiding that. Not anymore."
Garrick grins. "Good. Because Frank's toast is going to be legendary."
The community center is packed when we arrive. Every chair filled, people standing along the walls, the air thick with conversation and curiosity.
The moment we walk through the door, the noise drops. Every head turns. Every pair of eyes locks on my throat, on the marks that are visible above my sweater's collar.
For a second, I want to run. Want to turn around and hide and pretend this isn't happening.
Then Garrick's hand finds mine. Liam's palm settles on my lower back. Xaden moves to my other side, solid and steady.
Pack. Supporting me. Claiming me. Proud to claim me.
I lift my chin and walk into the room.
Meredith's the first to approach, eyes bright with satisfaction. "Well, don't you four look cozy."
"Meredith," I say warningly.
"Don't Meredith me. I've been waiting for this since the day you walked into town." She pulls me into a hug, whispering in my ear, "Congratulations, dear. You picked good ones."
"They picked me too," I whisper back.
"That's what makes it perfect."
Frank's next, his weathered face split in a grin. "Heard the news. About damn time, if you ask me."
"Nobody asked you," Garrick mutters, but he's smiling.
"Going to ignore that." Frank raises his voice, addressing the room. "I'd like to propose a toast!"
The room goes silent. Everyone's looking at us now, openly curious.
"To Cedar Ridge's newest pack," Frank continues, raising his beer. "May they be as happy as Dorothy and I were. May their love be loud and messy. And may they give us all something to gossip about for years to come."
Laughter ripples through the crowd. Then everyone's raising their glasses, toasting, congratulating.
Sally from the diner pushes through the crowd. "You're bonded! All three of them?"
"All three," I confirm.
"That's..." She pauses, searching for words. "Wonderful. Unconventional, but wonderful."
"We don't do conventional," Xaden says dryly.
