Page 114 of Holly Jolly Heat
CozyFan22: I'M SOBBING
HolidayVibes: THAT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'VE EVER SEEN
StreamSniper: PACK GOALS FOREVER
RegularViewer: congratulations you beautiful humans
Bill was beaming. Janet was openly crying. Maya was filming everything on her phone. Josh was monitoring chat reactions and giving thumbs up.
And Michelle was in my arms, Ro and Dex surrounding us, all of us bonded and claimed and permanent.
"Happy New Year," I whispered, checking my phone. It was 11:47 PM. "We got mated thirteen minutes before midnight."
"Perfect timing," Michelle said, her voice muffled against my chest.
"Perfect everything," Ro corrected.
Through the bond, I felt our unified completion. Our certainty. Our absolute rightness.
"Thank you," Michelle said to all of us. "For not giving up. For being patient. For loving me enough to fight for this."
"Always," we said in unison.
The guests moved in for congratulations, and we were swept up in celebration, hugs and well-wishes and champagne toasts. The Cozy Crew continued celebrating in chat, their messages filling the screen with love and support.
At 11:58 PM, Bill turned on the TV for the New Year's countdown.
We gathered in front of it, pack and family and friends, counting down to midnight.
"Ten... nine... eight..."
Michelle was tucked against my side, Ro's arm around her waist, Dex's hand on her shoulder. All of us connected through touch and bond.
"Seven... six... five..."
Through the bond, I felt her happiness. Her contentment. Her absolute certainty that this was right.
"Four... three... two..."
"I love you," I whispered to her.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
"ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
And as midnight struck, as the room erupted in celebration, as fireworks exploded somewhere in the distance, I kissed my omega, my mate, my pack, my everything.
The cameras captured it all. The Cozy Crew cheered. Our families celebrated.
And we started the new year exactly as we meant to continue, together.
As a pack.
Forever.
EPILOGUE
Michelle
