Page 67 of A Promise of Forever
Forrest turns to me, love and determination written all over his face. "I'm making my claim on you official. With Wilson gone, there's no legal urgency to file the paperwork immediately. But I don't want to wait any longer. I want everyone to fucking know that you're mine and I'm yours."
My breath catches in my throat. "Really? You want to make it legal and official?"
"I want to tell every goddamn person who will listen that you're my Omega and how proud I am to be yours," Forrest purrs. "I want our child to be born into a legally recognized family. I want you to have all the protections and rights that come with being my bonded mate."
Tears well up in my eyes, emotion overwhelming me. "I'm so happy I ran into your office that day," I whisper, my words getting stuck in my throat as a tear runs down my cheek. "So happy I was desperate enough to hide under your desk and trust you."
"You and me both, little dove. Best decision I ever made was letting you stay."
A Month Later
Sterling
It's been a month since we officially registered our bond at the courthouse, and I'm sitting in the living room, caressing my belly that's just starting to show a small bump. The baby is growing quickly and I'm already at the point where I can feel small flutters of movement.
Astra is sitting beside me, staring at the small velvet box in his hands with obvious excitement. Inside is a sleek black ring with one diamond set into the middle, custom-designed specificallyfor Forrest. I've been planning this for weeks, working with Astra and Koa to get every detail perfect.
"It's so gorgeous," Astra gushes, reaching out to trace the box with one finger. "It came out even better than I thought it would. Forrest is going to lose his mind when you give it to him."
I laugh nervously, my stomach doing flips that have nothing to do with the baby. "You really think he'll like it? It's not too much?"
"Sterling, the man let you build a nest under his desk before he even claimed you," Astra says with affectionate exasperation. "Trust me, he's going to love that you're asking him to marry you officially."
I've been enjoying my life over the past month, finding unexpected pleasure in helping set up the house for Caelan and his pack to move in. They're taking over the entire east wing on the main floor, which hasn’t been used in almost a decade. The last several weeks have been full of making everything perfect and setting it up to what I thought would bring back the life it used to have. I find that I genuinely enjoy the menial tasks of organizing spaces and working with the staff on household items.
There were some growing pains at first. I wasn't sure how to interact with the household staff, worried they'd resent me for suddenly having authority over them. But Marcus started working with me directly, teaching me how to manage a household this size. He told me I reminded him of Forrest's Omega father, who also enjoyed taking care of the house while maintaining private time with his Valla.
The comparison made me emotional in ways I didn't expect. The idea that I'm following in the footsteps of someone Forrest loved and respected feels like validation that I belong here.
I twist around at the knock at the door, reminding myself of the importance of this evening. Astra and Koa were adamantabout throwing me a baby shower, even though I have everything I need in life. I think it was just an excuse to spend time here in this space, which I’m all for. However, the moment Astra showed up, he’s been making fun of me for becoming a "stay-at-home daddy," but it's said with so much affection that I can't even pretend to be offended.
Especially when his smile keeps getting bigger every time one of the maids asks me for clarification or permission before they continue working in the east wing.
Bryn opens the front door and the St. Clairs step inside, their presence immediately filling the space with additional warm energy. I officially met them once before at a dinner a few weeks ago, and they've become important friends to both Forrest and me.
Their Omega, Koa, is nearly ten years older than Astra and I, but she's absolutely adorable in ways that make her age irrelevant. The way she makes her powerful Valla and Alpha mates melt with just a look immediately made her a friend in my book. She understands what it's like to be an Omega in a non-traditional pack structure, and her advice has been invaluable.
Koa comes to sit on the other side of me, settling in as she folds her legs beneath her. "You're finally going to do it?" she asks with a knowing smile, nodding toward the velvet box Astra is still clutching.
Before I can answer, boisterous laughter erupts from the kitchen. All of us turn around to look at our mates gathered there, discussing what sounds like business but with an ease that speaks to growing friendship. Forrest, Caelan, Bryn, Moses, Hunter, and Ames are all clustered around the island, gesturing animatedly about something.
I turn up my nose at them playfully, and they all glance over, seemingly aware their Omegas are staring. Their gazes softenwhen they see us watching them, territorial affection clear in every expression.
"Don't they all look fucking adorable?" Hunter asks, his voice carrying just enough to reach us.
Koa throws him a middle finger as she sticks her lips out in a playful pout. "I'm in my mid-thirties, you assholes. I'm not adorable, I'm distinguished."
Moses snorts with obvious affection. "And yet you're still my adorable Omega. Distinguished and adorable aren't mutually exclusive."
Koa throws her hands up in mock defeat, but there’s a genuine smile playing on her lips. The playful banter between them reminds me of what I have with Forrest, the way we've learned to tease each other while still maintaining deep respect.
I twist back around to face Astra and Koa as Astra closes the velvet box and hands it back to me. "When are you going to do it? The suspense is killing me."
"I was waiting for Koa to get here," I admit, running my thumb over the soft velvet. "I wouldn't be sitting here if it weren't for both of your packs helping us. You saved me from Wilson, helped Forrest track him down, supported us through everything. It only felt right that you both be here when I do this."
Astra's expression softens with emotion. "Well, dinner is in thirty minutes, according to Marcus. Do you need us to set the mood? We could dim the lights, put on some romantic music, make it all dramatic?"
"Don't be weird," I say quickly, anxiety spiking in my chest. "I'm already freaking out enough as it is. If I start breathing weird or my scent goes off, Forrest is going to come over here immediately."
