Page 174 of Knot That Serious

She was helpless but to chuckle with him, and her gaze was drawn to the window, where the reunion was in full swing.

“How do things feel down there?” she asked.

“Mildly anxious,” Jack confirmed.

Poor Beckett. She wondered how Raj was faring. “Relatable,” she sighed. “We should probably go rescue them.” She groaned at the idea. “I haven’t even made it to your mom yet,” she whined.

“She’s so excited for us, I promise. She’ll be happy to see you,” Jack said, pecking a kiss on the top of her head before directing her toward the door.

Eli waited a beat. “Do you think your dad brought any weed?”

Jack laughed. “If he didn’t, I did.”

“Have I told you I love you?”

“Hm, no,” Jack said, shaking his head and flattening his lips. “Not ringing a bell, I don’t think.”

“Liar,” she said, and shoved her elbow into his side. He elbowed her back, and they battled all the way down the stairs, until she finally pushed Jack into the wall and raced to the back door.

Music was playing when she slid open the glass doors again, but thankfully there was no cheering this time, only slightly amused glances as she flew down the deck stairs, listening for Jack’s steps behind her.

Eli located her alphas in the darkly dressed crowd, and politely but quickly made her way to them.

“Hi,” she said, out of breath and hiding behind Raj, pushing her back into his.

“Hello,” he said, a smile in his tone. “Jack is coming.”

Eli bit down on her grin, holding her breath. Raj towered over her, and his broad shoulders would hide her, right? Beckett snickered and shared a glance with Raj, watching it all play out.

She was so intent on Jack not finding her that when he did—by silencing his steps as he neared their group and jumping out at her from beside Beckett—it startled her.

A squeak escaped as he grabbed at her sides and wiggled his fingers, trying to tickle her.

Eli dropped like a stone to the grass and grabbed her knees. “No, Jack! Absolutely not,” she scolded. “Raj, don’t betray me like this,” she begged, trying to stare up at him backwards.

He was holding his hands out innocently. “I’m not getting in the middle of this.”

“Brave man,” Jack teased, and held out a hand down to her. “I won’t tickle you, promise. Come on.”

Eli glared up at him, knowing he had to be lying, but decided to trust him anyway. She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her up, right into his arms.

“I’ll get you back later,” he whispered, and nipped at her bond mark before releasing her abruptly. It was so quick her head spun a little, both from the fast motions and the lightning-quick arousal that shot through her from his teeth on her neck.

Raj tsked at them before wrapping an arm over her shoulder and pulling her into his side. “Alright, alright, she’s officially under my protection,” he told Jack.

Dazed, Eli wrapped an arm around Raj’s waist and held on. They’d chosen a secluded-ish corner of the yard to hang around, beneath one of the trees.

“You’re not mingling?” she asked.

“Well, your dad—Tom,” he clarified, “was here, but he said he’d be back shortly.”

As if summoned, Tom came trotting over with three beers, and handed one each to Beckett and Raj. Jack’s dad was with him, but he didn’t have a beer in hand. Instead, he waggled a silver case at them. “There you guys are. Wanna try this new strain?”

“Uhm, yes, please,” Eli said, and freed herself from Raj to hug him.

Jack looked exactly like his dad, Michael, who was probably the only one in attendance who wasn’t in costume for the reunion. No, his black jeans and leather vest were all his own. His hair was longer than Jack’s, hanging to his shoulders and usually pulled back in a ponytail.

“It’s so good to see you,” she told him. He squeezed her before releasing her and standing back to take her in, her three alphas at her back.

---