54. Dane
Chapter 54
Dane
T he light to turn into the courthouse blinks red, and I curse, looking at the clock on the dash. The hearing is scheduled for four o’clock, and I’m cutting it close.
I didn’t even have time to shower. I had to duck out at the end of practice, and the clothes I’ve stuffed myself into smell like it. The exhaustion from Quinn’s heat isn’t helping.
It was an epic heat, bringing our pack closer than ever. I can almost taste a future where we’re settled. But going back to a hot field the day after Quinn’s heat ends is something I plan to never do again.
When the light flashes to green, I turn by the courthouse and hunt for street parking. It’s a hike when I find a spot, but I jog while trying to put on my tie. After making it through the security checkpoint at the entrance, I study the board by the front and hop on an elevator.
I hate being late, especially for something as important as this .
The third floor, where the pack courts are located, is a maze of hallways. When I’m nearing our assigned room, I dip into the closest bathroom to try to get myself together. The cold water doesn’t do much, but at least I get my tie right.
On the way out, I double-check that the box is in my pocket, and I’m so distracted I nearly bump into a woman. Turning back, the apology dies on my lips when I realize it’s Rosie’s cousin Marigold.She looks the same as she did in high school, though older. The fact that she’s still trying to bully Rosie as an adult makes it clear she’s never grown up.
“Dane Daniels?” she shrieks, wiggling her shoulders before diving for a hug, her floral scent saturating the hallway. “What are you doing here, handsome?”
“I’m here for my pack,” I say, scraping myself out of the full-on hug with an awkward sidestep.
“Ugh, pack legal drama is the worst,” she says, giving me a sympathetic once-over. Her hand pushes against my chest, and she leans in, trying her best to look coy but only coming off desperate. “I bet we could help each other forget our troubles for a while.”
“Not happening,” I growl, taking her hand off me. I stare the omega down, letting her see my disgust. “I’m happily mated, and our pack is full. Even if that weren’t the case, I’d have to pass. I don’t like spending time with ugly people, Marigold, and you’ve never had a pretty heart.”
Her face pinches as though she’s tasted something nasty before she whines. “Dane…”
Her omega whine does nothing but annoy me, and I brush past her to find a wide-eyed Rosie standing in the hall. She’s toned down her look today. All her tattoos are covered under a long-sleeved black dress, and her curls have been tamed with a sleek clip. Even with her plain style, she can’t hide her hourglass curves or her light. She’s absolutely, breathtakingly radiant—like a pinup come to life.
I give her a sheepish expression, not sure exactly how much of that she caught. “Hey, sweetheart, sorry I’m running late.” I brush my lips against hers in a quick hello before tucking her into my side.
“There is no way the rumor is true—BB can’t be your mate!” Marigold screeches, visibly outraged and practically shaking. “That’s not even?—”
“She’s all ours, aren’t you, baby?” Nash says, rounding the corner with Quinn by his side. The two of them join us, hovering around Rosie.
Marigold makes a fish face impression, spluttering but not actually forming words.
Rosie steps forward, her voice calm but strong. “Stop coming after my family, Mari. I’m warning you that I’m done playing nice.” She turns back to us, without sparing her cousin another glance, and nods toward the room ahead. “Gentlemen?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nash whistles while Quinn pretends to fan himself.
I catch up to Rosie, roping a hand around her waist. She’s stiff beside me, her bond going a little haywire.
“You all right?” I stop in the middle of the hallway to study her face. I tilt her chin toward me.
“Did you just tell Marigold she’s ugly?” Her voice is an octave too high.
I rub her back, planting a kiss on her hair. “Just telling the truth.”
“Damn that was awesome, Coach.” Her arms wrap around my middle, and she nuzzles against my chest before a short giggle escapes.
“I think it’s time.” She sighs.
Pulling the box from my pocket, I fumble with it awkwardly while I try to keep holding her.
“What’s this?” she asks.
“Close your eyes for a minute.”
She does, a small smile on her lips. “What are you up to?”
“Making lists, what else?” Nash jokes.
I roll my eyes at him. “Nice. Thanks for the assist.”
Quinn reaches out to help me, taking the necklace box. I bought it after that day in the farmer’s market, but I’ve been waiting for it to come back engraved.
After kissing my bond mark on her neck, I say quietly in her ear, “I never plan to run out of reasons or to stop telling you about the ways we fit. Before we go into that courtroom, I want you to remember that you’re Rosie Daniels now. You’re ours, and anytime you need help drowning out those other voices, let this help you remember how much your pack loves you.”
I wrap the leather band around her neck and close the clasp.
Rosie fingers the necklace, opening her eyes. “An infinity sign? You’re gonna make me cry,” she says, but her bond and her scent are full of happiness. She goes to her tippy-toes and presses a fast kiss to my lips, her hand cupping my jaw. “I really, really love it. Thank you.” An errant tear escapes, and she huffs. “You three are always making me cry.”
Quinn pulls out his handkerchief and hands it to her. “What’s a few tears?”
Rosie looks around our gathered circle before holding her head high. “Thank you for helping me feel brave. Let’s do this!”
* * *
Judge Hernandez looks at the papers in front of him before turning to my father. “Is it correct that the pack formalized their bonding?”
“Yes, Your Honor. They wanted to show in good faith that they fully support their mate. The pack letter attached details their commitment to Ms. Bloomsdale’s care.”
The judge makes a thoughtful noise while he surveys the stack of papers.
Next to me, Rosie’s leg bounces, and her finger rubs back and forth over the charm on her new necklace. I squeeze the back of her neck, and Quinn’s hand traps her thigh.
“Breathe, Rosie,” Quinn murmurs so only we can hear.“With me. In and out. That’s a good girl.”
I use my bond to send her a wave of calm. She was riding a high from standing up to her cousin in the hallway, but after listening to her aunt’s lawyer make blatantly false accusations about her motives regarding her grandmother, she’s been on the edge of panic.
Judge Hernandez clears his throat and sets down the papers. “Typically, the natural heir has an obligation to care for the assets of an estate, and guardianship would naturally follow…”
Rosie’s nails dig into my thigh, and my bond surges with comfort, trying to stem her rising panic.
“Given that the elder omega in question has been in the guardianship of Rosie Daniels and not Aster Blackwell, who has provided a compelling counterclaim in the vested interest of Ms. Lily Bloomsdale’s care, I’m inclined to keep the status quo. Ms. Bloomsdale’s opinion here matters, and she is clear in her affidavit that she wishes to remain in Mrs. Daniels care. I hereby grant Rosie Daniels temporary guardianship, citing with it that I’m entrusting her care to Pack Daniels at large until such time as a trial is arranged. For the time being, I will appoint a court evaluation of the assets, and the property is to remain in its current status.”
The judge speaks briefly to a clerk before signing a series of papers and dismissing us. Rosie’s aunt and cousin are in an uproar on the other side of the room. The alphas with them are having a difficult time holding them back as they shout at their lawyer, but our Rosie is frozen.
Nash scoops her up from my hold, not giving one fuck that we’re in a courthouse, and tucks her into his arms, carrying her from the room.
My father grabs his briefcase and nods toward the hallway, his shark smile firmly in place.Outside the courtroom, Rosie and Nash are nowhere to be found. Quinn folds himself into my side, and we both look at my father expectantly.
My father pats my shoulder. “It’s good news, son. The trial we can try to avoid with a settlement once the court does an evaluation, but either way, we’re not losing. Judge Hernandez is a fair man. No more work on the house, though, until the court has finished their evaluations and approved repairs, and expect this to take a few weeks, maybe longer.”
“Thanks, Dad. We appreciate it.”
He nods toward the elevator down the hall. “You’re welcome. Now go find that mate of yours and tell her there’s nothing to worry about.”