“I know the paperwork’s done,” he says, voice steady even as his wolf stands straighter. “But I didn’t want to leave this unsaid.”
He looks at Ignatius first, then Nimue, then Elysia.
“You’re ours now. Not because of law or necessity. Because we chose you. Because you chose us.” His mouth tilts into a soft, almost shy smile. “Welcome to the pack.”
“Oh, my dear boy,” Ignatius says warmly. “We are fortunate to be included in your family. We’ve grown quite fond, as you know. Another new adventure.” He turns his head toward Elysia, already half-distracted. “Don’t you think, Elys—?”
He trails off, attention caught by a chipmunk perched boldly on the stone planter beside the steps, tiny paws tucked neatly to its chest as it stares back at him with equal curiosity.
Elysia doesn’t look away from Jay. Her gaze is steady, sincere, and full of quiet understanding.
“It’s an honor to be part of your family, Alpha,” she says softly. “Thank you.”
She reaches out without looking and catches Ignatius by the sleeve just as he starts to wander off after the rodent.
Nimue’s chuckle is low and fond. “Thank you for welcoming me into your pack. I won’t take the honor lightly.”
The word lands deep, settling somewhere behind Jay’s sternum where doubt usually lives. He has carried leadership like a weight for so long that he sometimes forgets it can also be an invitation. He’s always surprised that people can say yes to him, not because they must, but because they want to.
Leo’s hand finds Jay’s back, warm and familiar through his jacket. His scent is warm with relief, cinnamon, and comfort, his cheeks pink with happiness.
“They’ve always been family. Now it’s just official,” Leo murmurs, low enough that only Jay can hear.
Leo grew up in a house where safety was assumed, where his pack expanded instead of fracturing under pressure. Neighbors and co-workers are treated like family, and their door is always open in welcome. Of course he would want that same certainty for their pack, and Rosie, Mari, and Skye.
Antonio clears his throat gently, already shifting back into logistics as naturally as breathing. “Blair will follow up with the filings this afternoon. Thirty days to get the ritual done is generous, all things considered.”
Blair nods, her expression calm. “You are not required to perform the ceremony immediately. Rest first.”
“Rest sounds good,” Nimue murmurs beside him.
“We’ll get you back to your hotel, and then we can get together tonight for dinner and make some plans topartay.” Leo rubs his hands together, and Jay can already see the wheels turning on champagne and catering.
“Thank you both. For everything,” Jay says, shaking Blair’s hand.
“My pleasure to finally meet you. Tony speaks highly of you both.”
Antonio grimaces at the nickname, and Jay wonders how far back these two go for her to even attempt it.
Leo gasps before breaking into laughter.
“Don’t even think about it,Boo-Boo.” Antonio pulls Leo in for a hug and then does the same to Jay. “Proud of you, son,” he murmurs near Jay’s ear, careful not to make a spectacle of it.
It’s a good thing. If he did, Jay might lose it completely, crying right there on the sidewalk, in front of his new pack mates and that enthusiastic chipmunk.
He’s thinking about doing it anyway when Jay’s bond with Nix goes taut—like a hand closing around his ribs from the inside.
It carries that same unsettled tension Jay hasn’t been able to shake since they learned what Dahlia Kirwan had been doing.
Since the realization that someone had been touching Grayson’s magic without his consent.
Instinct, raw and unfiltered, surges up his spine. His wolf’s hackles go up.
Leo’s laughter cuts off mid-exhale. “Jaybird?” Leo’s brows knit, his own instincts catching on the shift. He steps in closer, shoulder brushing Jay’s. “What is it?”
Jay doesn’t answer right away. He presses a palm to his sternum, feeling the bond burn with Nix’s anger.
“Something’s wrong,” Jay says finally. “At the Guild.”
