Page 106 of Justice for Puck Bunnies

“You don’t know him.”

“I know plenty like him. Hell, King was him before we met your mother.”

“Gross.”

“Take it as you will. I wish you’d pick someone else.”

“You kept me from registering so I could make my own decisions.”

“I wish you’d think this through. I don’t think he’d abuse you or I’d report you to the Admin myself.”

The curse perches on my lips, but he drops his hands on my shoulders.

“I’m not reporting you anywhere,” he says. “I’m only saying I’ll never let anything happen to you even if it means an alternative none of us want.”

“Thanks, I think?”

“These boys seem nice. Stable. Safe. I can tell you like them a lot. Wait a year. Everything could be different then.”

Wait a year.

Would that do it?

My dad doesn’t let me dwell on it though.

“You can tell how much an omega loves herself by the pack she chooses, sweetheart. Please think this through. Give them the year,” he says solemnly.

The words ricochet in my mind.

I love myself fine.

Brad’s the star captain of a professional hockey team. Who could do better?

And I... I don’t know if I can last a year. Every week I stay with the guys raises more eyebrows. It was fine when it was only a few weeks. Now the pack is formalizing and my presence is more a question than an answer. They’re garnering more attention.

Yes, I recognize the irony of my social media work being to literally bring more attention to them.

If I put it off for a year, I’m certain I’ll lose Brad for good. It’ll be impossible to string him along that long.

And I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave them with my heart intact in another year. I’m already on thin ice.

Who am I kidding? I’m drowning and there’s no one to rescue me but myself.

Brad’s going to ask me. He has to. Hell, I’m shocked he didn’t knock the door down when all four of us went missing because of “mono.” He must’ve known what was going on.

None of that will convince my dad, though.

“I’ll think about it,” I say in lieu of arguing more.

He doesn’t seem to believe me, but he doesn’t push further.

We somehow survive the dinner without any blood loss. Mason charms everyone except King, and King and Trick come to some kind of gentlemen’s agreement I don’t totally understand.

Vin shares pictures of his sisters and their families.

Leon and Vin get into a lively argument over the league’s best offensive lines that draws everyone else in and takes over the dinner conversation. It sucks up all the time until the food is gone and there’s nothing to do but for my family to leave.

The visit has been a mixed blessing.

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