Chapter 69
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Sage
I’m breathless with nerves as we wait in line at the courthouse.
Riley has been excitedly chattering nonstop, and while normally that would help distract me, I can’t focus on it right now.
For some reason, this seems bigger than bonding.
Bigger than the bite marks on my neck, or being gifted a barn and pasture with two baby sheep.
When the clerk calls us up, I nervously shuffle to my feet, my hand instinctively reaching out for my pack. Brooks’ hand engulfs mine, and Vee’s warm palm settles on the nape of my neck. I force a slow breath into my lungs as we’re led into a different room.
“Judge Frasier,” Vee says. She steps forward with her hand out to greet the judge. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”
“Of course. I hope everything is in order with the protection order?” the judge replies.
“Oh yes, we’re very grateful to have it,” Vee says, stepping back and returning her comforting hand to my neck. “They actually showed up at the property that same night. I don’t know what would have happened if we weren’t prepared.”
The judge shakes their head, turning regretful eyes to me.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that,” they say. “If you ever need my assistance, please let me know.”
I blink, astonished. “Thank you,” I say, hoping they can sense how much I mean it.
“Now.” They turn back to Vee. “What can I help you with?”
Vee grins, glancing at each of us before looking back to the judge.
“We’re here to register as a pack.”
Judge Frasier claps their hands in delight, a smile blooming across their face. “Well now that is indeed fantastic news! You have the paperwork?”
Riley holds out a manila envelope, and their hand shakes with what I hope is excitement. I lean forward to look at them around Vee, and their bright blue eyes meet mine. They’re grinning, and when we make eye contact, Riley bites his lip, then bounces his eyebrows at me.
I pinch my lips together to avoid laughing. Yeah, they’re definitely excited.
And then I realize that I am, too. Sure, I’m nervous, but it’s a bouncy, bubbly sort of nervous excitement that lights up my veins.
My hand flexes in Brooks’ hold and he looks down at me, his eyes warm and lit with a matching anticipation that makes my blood sing.
He squeezes my hand in reply, and then we’re all turning our attention back to the judge.
“I see you’ve all filled out the name change forms as well,” they say. “So you’ll be registering as Pack Lavender, and adopting the surname ‘Lavender’ for each individual. Is that correct?”
They look up, making eye contact with each of us to ensure our assent.
“Very good.” They sign and initial, flipping through the pages quickly, then passing them to the clerk to sign as witness.
“We’ll get these notarized on your way out, and then it’s official. Congratulations, Pack Lavender.”
The judge beams at us, smiling indulgently as Riley whoops. We’re all grinning, and I feel like I might tremble right out of my skin.
This is real. This is my pack. This is really happening.
Love and excitement, satisfaction and victory, seep through the bond-lines and into my heart. I push gratitude and love back at each of them in an endless loop of affection as the paperwork is finalized.
As soon as we step back outside, Brooks scoops us all into his arms. I’m the closest to him, which means I’m smooshed hard against his chest, buried under Vee and Riley as Brooks somehow crushes all of us in a massive bear hug.
Vee huffs in surprise as the air is knocked out of her lungs, but then she starts laughing.
She wiggles her arms free and then flings them around Brooks and Riley, bending her head down to kiss the side of my forehead—likely the only spot on me she can reach—before throwing her head back and screaming.
“Yaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!” She swings her head as she yells, afro bouncing, so the sound ricochets around us.
“All packed up!” Riley shouts, throwing his one free hand into the air. “Pack Lavenderrrrrr, woo!”
I hear a couple cheers from what I assume to be random people out on the street, and Riley pumps their fist in the air. Brooks is purring violently, so hard I’m worried my entire right side might go numb if he keeps it up. I simply can’t stop smiling.
I’m grinning so wide my cheeks hurt, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop. My heart is somehow both light and full, a welcome change to the anxious apprehension I’m used to carrying.
But I guess…
I crane my neck back against Brooks’ bulging biceps so I can look at my pack, drinking them in. Their scents, their comfort, their strength and support and love.
This is life.