Chapter Thirty-One
Fiona
We got the mattresses back where they belonged, changed the sheets, cleaned up all the chip crumbs, moved the snowmobile and the car, and put all of the dirty linens and blankets outside for housekeeping.
Much better. We didn’t need Dusty to get a reputation of being that sort of rockstar.
I definitely felt better after a shower, too. But the guys being sad concerned me. Did they not want me? But then, I wasn’t a stereotypical omega.
Wait, Carlos loved me. I knew that. He could be sad about other things. Like missing his game.
But Hale? He definitely wanted that stereotypical omega, didn’t he?
Bonding with Saoirse made me incredibly happy. No matter what, she’d love me.
I finished arranging the pillows on the bed in my room. Who would sleep in here with me tonight?
Saoirse came in and pinned me to the mattress, curling me to her tightly.
“I love you,” she said. “Are you alright with this? It’s perfectly fine to not be.”
“I have a pack of my own choosing. Of course I’m fine. I’m excited about having bonded with you and I’m serious about a party. It doesn’t have to be in a castle in Greece, but that sounds really fun. Maybe we could have it at a castle in Ireland?” I could see it now.
“Whatever you want. But your fathers will probably want it to be in Boston, so they can invite all their friends. Or not.” She chuckled derisively. “Also, I’m sorry for bonding with you without your permission.”
“Um, you know I wanted it,” I replied. We were just taking our time.
“How do you feel about the guys? That was… unplanned,” she said.
“Carlos already told me that he loves me and wants us to move in with him, so that’s not really a surprise.
It feels right to start a pack with you and him.
” I gave her an imploring look. “You like him well enough to be in a pack with him, don’t you?
It’s not like you have to fuck him, you just have to put up with him. ”
“I can put up with him.” A smile played on her lips. “I don’t know about Hale.”
“Hale’s regret is pretty strong,” I admitted softly. “He says it’s not me. But it is, isn't it?” I knew he took me being an assassin too well.
“No. Of course not. He’s in his last year of university. Hale has all these complicated plans for his future. I’m sure it has more to do with his life being disrupted,” she corrected.
“Okay. We could make this work. Right? Plenty of people mate while they’re still at university.” Anxiousness grew inside of me. But I’d had mated classmates at the academy.
We had to make it work. Mostly, so I could show my dads that I could manage my own life.
She gave me a kiss. “I think so. But if Hale wants you to let him go, you probably should. Not to mention, your dads could try to make you. Carlos, you can probably fight for. Me, as well. Before you tell me that your fathers don’t have a say, you know that to some extent they do.
I know it’s not all about money, but there are a lot of advantages to being on their good side.
While I’m happy to burn it to the ground and fight for your choices, I’m just offering the practical perspective here. ”
“Thank you. Though I don’t like it.” I made a face. Despite them being controlling, I still loved them. The idea of them cutting me off because they didn’t approve of who I mated, or being disappointed in me, was unsettling.
I just wanted them to be proud of me and love me unconditionally.
“Are you and Dusty married or just mated?” I teased.
Being married would give them the legal rights of spouses–being mated wouldn’t, because they weren't an alpha-omega pair.
Carlos and I would need to get married at some point. Hale and I had to register the bond for it to be legal. I’d be happy to marry both of them at the same time. I wanted to wear a sexy, long, gold mermaid-style dress with lots of sparkles.
Oooh, and my mother’s veil and wedding jewelry.
“I don’t think there’s a marriage license,” she replied. “Just the silliest wedding ever.”
“Do you have a problem with him calling it a publicity stunt?” I added. For some people that could hurt their feelings.
She shook her head. “No.”
“Are you going to un-bond, Dusty? You probably have legal grounds,” I added.
“That was my first thought, but there is absolutely no doubt that he holds me in the highest esteem of affections–and is willing to do just about anything to make this work.” Anxiousness filled her scent.
“How am I going to make this work? Fake wedding or not, it’s everywhere.
My name is out there. My face is out there.
This is an absolute disaster for an assassin. ”
“You back off on jobs for a few months and take more bodyguard assignments. This doesn’t have to ruin your career. You just pivot for a bit.” It wasn’t a big deal. We weren’t going to starve if she laid low for a while.
She thought for a moment. “There’s a lot more to it than that. But I do have options.”
“You are my favorite support delta,” I assured her. “Also, now I have Carlos and Hale.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’ll need to train them.”
“I’m going to teach Carlos to shoot,” I replied. “I can teach Hale, too.”
The door opened and Dusty appeared. “How about if we go for that walk? It’s really beautiful outside.
If you want, we can even walk to the lodge and have something to eat, maybe have a few drinks at the bar.
I don’t think our ski passes are good anymore, but I need to settle the bill.
We should collect our stuff from our lockers, since we’re heading out tomorrow. ”
“A walk sounds lovely–so does a trip to the bar. Perhaps we can sit out on the patio,” Saoirse suggested.
“That sounds good to me.” I looked over at Dusty. “Your moms will like me and Saoirse, right?”
Dusty grinned. “My moms are overwhelming, but they are also wonderful and loving people who will stuff you full of food. Carlos’ family’s going to adore you, too. What about your family? Are they going to like me?”
“My fathers support the arts. They’ll also admire your entrepreneurial spirit,” I replied. “You started a company from scratch and you’re only a couple of years older than me. That’s impressive.”
“My parents don’t like anyone. They have allies and colleagues not friends. But I don’t talk to them, so it doesn’t matter. My brother is a big fan, and he is insanely jealous of the fact that I’ve married you, so he’ll pester you with questions,” Saoirse added.
“Is your brother an assassin, too?” Dusty sat on the bed with us.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“This isn’t going to ruin Carlos’ career right?” I worried about that a little.
“Why would it?” Dusty asked. “Lots of players pack up while they’re still playing. His career will be fine. My career will be fine, and your careers will be fine.”
Saoirse gave him a skeptical look. “I might have to work at your underwear company now that my face is out there.”
“Whatever you need.” He gave her a kiss. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
We put on clothes suitable for outside and met everyone downstairs.
Hale pulled me and Carlos to him and held us tightly, reassuring us through the bond that he cared for us.
Dusty had his arm around Saoirse. Her hand reached out to mine and the five of us set off for the lodge. A path had been cleared for us to walk on and all around us was snow– it really was gorgeous, like being in a winter wonderland.
We were a pack now. Well, we would be once we got back and started the paperwork. Hopefully my dads would be on my side, because they could really help us with all the things we needed to do.
But, if not, the Omega Center would. There were a lot of legal things to get sorted–mating agreements, pack applications and paperwork, residency requirements for starting a pack, setting up the different pack accounts, moving into Carlos’ new townhouse, which hopefully would be big enough for the five of us, and of course, getting everyone’s jobs, families, and educations sorted.
I looked over and beamed at everyone. This was my pack.
And no one, not even my fathers, could do anything to stop it.