Page 108 of Knot on the Market

The question reveals exactly what I was afraid of—that she might see this as doubt instead of celebration.

"No," I say firmly, tightening my arms around her. "This is because I want to celebrate what we have. Want to make it official in every way that matters. Not because I doubt your commitment, but because I'm so sure of mine that I want to be bonded to you permanently."

I shift so I can look at her directly, needing her to see how serious I am about this. "Lila, I have never been more certain of anything in my life. You are it for me. For all of us. And claimingbites... they're how we make that permanent. How we become true pack, bonded in ways that go deeper than anything else."

Something shifts in her expression, a softening that suggests my words are hitting the way I hoped they would.

"You want to make us permanently bonded," she says slowly, testing the idea.

"I want us to be claimed," I correct gently. "In every way that counts. Pack-bonded, connected by something deeper than choice or emotion. Something that can never be broken."

The word 'claimed' seems to resonate with her, because I can see some of the tension leave her shoulders. This isn't about biology or alpha possessiveness or pack politics. This is about love, commitment, the desire to build something that lasts forever.

"Have you talked to Julian and Callum about this?" she asks, though I can hear the slight acceleration in her breathing that suggests this isn't unwelcome news.

"Not yet," I admit. "I wanted to talk to you first. See how you felt about the idea before I got them all worked up about it too."

As if summoned by our conversation, Julian appears in the doorway with coffee and that careful attention he brings to important moments. Behind him, Callum fills the frame, already dressed for the day but moving with the focused energy that means he's picked up on the significance of what's happening.

"Morning," Julian says carefully, offering Lila coffee with movements that are slightly too precise, which means he's nervous. "Everything okay? The emotional atmosphere in here is quite... intense."

"Dean wants to claim me," Lila says simply, accepting the mug but not moving from my side.

The effect on both of them is immediate and unmistakable. Julian nearly drops the coffee pot, and Callum's shoulders tense with sudden attention. The air in the room shifts, becomingcharged with possibility and want and barely contained alpha instincts.

"Claiming bites," I clarify, looking at both of them. "Making this permanent. Making us a true pack, bonded in the deepest way possible."

"You want this?" Callum asks Lila, his voice rougher than usual, though I can see the hope he's trying to contain.

Lila is quiet for a moment, but I can see the answer building in her expression, the way her scent starts to warm with interest and excitement.

"I want it so badly," she says finally, her voice thick with emotion. "I've been thinking about it too, but I didn't want to seem too eager. Didn't want you to think I was rushing things."

"Too eager?" Julian asks with wonder. "Lila, we've been thinking about it since the day you let us take care of you during your heat. We just weren't sure you were ready."

"I'm ready," she says with growing confidence. "I want to be claimed by all of you. Want to claim you back. Want to be bonded in every way that matters."

The silence that follows is charged with possibility and love and something that feels like destiny finally arriving.

"You're sure?" I ask, even though I can see the certainty growing in her face. "Because once we do this, that's it. You're stuck with us forever. Pack-bonded, claimed, connected in ways that can never be broken."

"I'm sure," she says, looking at each of us in turn with eyes bright with joy and determination. "I want you to claim me. All of you. Today, if you're ready."

The simple declaration makes something warm and possessive settle in my chest. She wants this. Wants us. Wants to be bonded to us in the most permanent way possible.

"Today?" Callum asks, his practical mind clearly working through logistics.

"Why wait?" she asks, rising on her knees on the bed with the kind of excitement that makes her glow. "We love each other, we're living together, we're committed to building a life together. What's the point of waiting?"

"No point at all," I agree, grinning because her enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. "Let's do this."

"Let's claim each other," Julian echoes, his analytical mind clearly delighted by the certainty of it all.

"About time," Callum says with satisfaction, like he's been waiting for this moment since the day we met.

And just like that, our claiming ceremony becomes today.

Chapter 35

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