Page 51 of My Pucking Family

The Twilight werewolves weren't immortal, so they didn't have the time and resources to build something like all of this.

I have to stop comparing, but it still makes me laugh. I can't believe this is real life.

I've been taking pictures of how beautiful everything is too. The people working. The trees. The lake. Roman working with his shirt off.Whew.I'm so glad I brought my camera. It also feels like having my parents here with me for the big day.

Having finished all the chores, Penelope and I have been braiding wildflower crowns for each other and any of the women who would like one, but we stop when we see Roman approaching us. “I hate to spoil the fun, but it's almost time to begin the acceptance ceremony. Would you be by my side?” he asks with his hand extended to me like a fairytale prince.

“I'd be honored.” And my goofy ass curtsies with a snort, causing him to throw his head back and laugh.

When we've pulled ourselves together and make eye contact, the world threatens to fall away and leave just the two of us. The moment is quickly broken when little Penelope takes Roman's other hand to pull herself from the ground where we were sitting.

“Thank you, kind sir,” she says with a dramatic curtsy of her own, then skips over to where her mother is standing, and we break into another small fit of laughter.

Roman takes my hand and leads me to where everyone is gathering by the still unlit bonfire, just as the sun touches the horizon. The rest of his men are waiting near the front as well. Benny winks and smiles his contagious smile, making mine grow wider.

Once everyone gathers around, Roman speaks, “Good evening! I first want to thank everyone for allowing me and Leera to help prepare for this evening. I hope to be much more present in pack activities moving forward.”

He stops for a moment to smile at me, and I know I've got to be red as a tomato.

“We have a new wolf joining our pack this evening. I think everyone else has gotten to know him well since his arrival. Thomas, can you join us?”

The group parts to allow him easier access to join us at the front of the space.

“Thomas, do you vow to honor and protect this pack, participate in traditions, and remain loyal to our people and myself?”

“I swear,” he answers and holds his hand out to Roman.

Roman takes his hand and does this weird move with his jaw, bringing his large canines out like magic, before leaning in and biting the flesh between his thumb and forefinger, just like he described. It begins to bleed, but Roman licks the wound, healing it. There's a small murmur through the crowd, and I assume it's from the physical effects of adding another member to their pack. Roman said they can physically feel it, more similar to a family bond, as it's not as strong as a mate bond.

Thomas nods, as though to bow to Roman, and Roman claps him on the shoulder in that weird man-hug thing men do. They then turn to the crowd. “Everyone, let’s formally welcome Thomas into the pack!” Roman bellows, and everyone claps and whoops.

Now that the ceremony is over and the sun is slowly sinking, some men begin to light the bonfire, and the women begin bringing all the food out of the community building. I smile at Roman before running over to help.

It probably takes us thirty minutes to carry out what's basically a massive feast of smoked meats, veggies, salads, pasta, fruit, and homemade breads. I haven't seen so much homemade food in one place, well, ever. When it's all laid out and Penelope has gone through and put a spoon or tongs in each bowl and platter, Miss Tilly yells, “Come and get it!” The twins start running towards the tables when she levels them with a look. “Children first!”

They pout in jest and kick rocks like scolded children.

The kids and pups scurry to the tables, some dragging their mothers, and begin making plates. A couple of them try to woo their parents into letting them have dessert first. Roman comes up to my side, and I lean into him, just taking it all in.

“I love it here,” I tell him breathlessly. “Your pack, the lands—it feels like the real world, except none of my problems can reach us here.”

He wraps one arm around me, pulling me closer, and kisses the top of my head. “I've always felt at peace here, but nothing compares to being here with you.”

I turn into him, resting my hand on his heart. “I'm beginning to understand that my peace seems to be wherever you are.”

Just as I lean in to kiss him, Benny pops out from behind Roman. “New guy seems okay, yeah?” He's smiling like he knows exactly what he just did, and he narrowly dodges a smack to the back of the head. “Gotta be quicker than that, old man!”

“Can we eat now? I'm starved.” And on cue, my stomach rumbles.

Slate reaches the tables as we do, and it's weird not to see him tethered to an electronic of some kind. “What, no research tonight?”

I swear, he almost smiled! I saw his lip twitch!

“Unfortunately not, there isn't cell service out here, and the only internet that works remotely well is the hardwired stuff,” he explains with a shrug.

“That makes sense. I hadn't even thought of that. Well, as a pack, you don't really need cell phones since you can communicate without them,” I rationalize out loud.

Both men nod, loading their plates with enough food to feed, well, a wolf.

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