Page 58 of Home: Posy 5

I grinned at that. Ash always said it was Sid who loved pups so much, but we knew that he was just as smitten with babies and children.

"Why didn't they put us or Dad's family in a guest house?" I asked as I scrambled to climb into my seat.

"Maybe they don't have one, or it's under construction or something." He shrugged and gave me a boost. "Or maybe because you're family. He didn't say, and I didn't ask."

"Do you think they'll be okay with the Everleighs? Grandma was worried because they're omegas, and because she's afraid they'll blame my dad for not protecting my mom better." I fiddled with my seat belt, trying to get it to stop strangling me.

"One, they all understand who the real monster and villain is in this tragedy, and it's not Logan Everleigh. Two, Alpha Liam welcomes your family with open arms. He was four or five when he met your dad and brothers and vaguely remembers themandyour cousin Ethan. The Swifts have no prejudice against them, or omegas in general. Besides, bias against omegas is against the law. They are to be afforded the same rights and privileges as any other member of a pack."

"Just because it's a law doesn't mean people obey it," I reminded him, then threw my hands up in the air with a huff of frustration. "Ugh! I hate seat belts!"

With a frown, he reached over me, flipped open the front seat console, grabbed a funny-shaped piece of plastic, and clipped it in place. The seat belt sat where it was supposed to now and wasn't cutting into my neck.

"Better?"

"Much. Thank you! I didn't even know there was a thing that did that!" I flashed him a dimpled smile.

"Ash bought it a while ago, thinking it might help you, but out of sight is out of mind for him."

"Were you waiting to see if he remembered?" I grinned and tapped him on the nose.

"Yeah, but I can't stand seeing you get garroted by a seat belt any longer," he murmured with a straight face, but his gray eyes twinkled. "Trials of being a shortcake, I guess."

"Itisa trial," I sighed dramatically and laid the back of my hand on my forehead. "Thank you for acknowledging my daily struggle and providing what relief you can."

He snorted as the rest of my mates piled in the SUV, Ash making the whole vehicle rock as he jumped in the driver's seat.

"What are you laughing at?" Cole turned around from the front seat to stare at us.

"Nothing," Mason told him. "You peed, right?"

"Yes, I peed, although it's none of your business!" Cole snapped.

"I meantPosy,not you, moron." Mason rolled his eyes.

"I peed, too!" I chirped. "Is that question going to be a standard protocol now before we go on a long drive somewhere?"

"Of course, baby." He grinned and dropped a kiss on my cheek, then stepped back. "Cuts down on the stops we have to make."

I gave him The Look, but he only chuckled as he closed my door.

#

Crystal Caverns Pack was located in a lovely area, nestled amid mountains, rivers, and thick forests. Jayden told me several caves on the territory were full of interesting rock formations, including one "room" full of beautiful white crystals, hence the name of the pack. He promised we could go explore them; if we didn't have time during this trip, we'd come again when we did.

I was really looking forward to that, as well as meeting my mom's family, although that part kind of scared me.

"Cutie, why are you getting all worked up?"

As usual, Wyatt had finagled his way to sit next to me, and he pulled my twisting fingers apart to hold my hands in his.

"What if they don't like me?" I whispered.

"Then they lose out on getting to know an amazing woman." He shrugged. "But whether they like you or not, theywillrespect you as the luna of Five Fangs. We have an alliance with them and treating you any other way would result in a termination of terms. To be frank, they can't afford that."

"I remember Jayden saying he went to help their pack in the spring." I tilted my head in question. Was it finally the right time to ask about Everett Breckenridge?

"A group of hunters turned a dozen hellhounds loose in the heart of the pack as a distraction while they took hostages," Jayden said before Wyatt could. "Alpha Liam asked for our assistance as he and his warriors had their hands full with the 'hounds. I took Beta Everett Breckenridge and we led a small team to find and free the hostages."

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