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Cammie is beautiful of course, as always. She’s in a white T-shirt today under a pair of paint-splattered overalls that somehow make her look sexy and cute. The gold chain sits right in the center of her throat, and in cursive it says, “Pack Camden.” A round diamond links the curvy K to the C. It’s simple but stunning.
“You look gorgeous, baby.”
“Perfect,” Reid purrs. He pulls her in for a kiss that is entirely too heated for the fact that we should have already been out the door.
“I wanna see,” Em calls from the kitchen.
She races around the corner, the buns on top of her head shaking, as Waffles follows behind. That gets us moving. Cammie picks up Em and shows her as I gather the donuts Reid grabbed early this morning.
It’s a whirlwind after that. By the time we’re all loaded and on our way the two blocks over to Cammie’s rental, we’re running another ten minutes behind. When we pull up, it's down the street, and my family is already waiting.
I only called in half the sibling cavalry. We don’t actually need the help. We could have made the couple of trips by ourselves with the stuff Cammie has left. But I wanted an opportunity for her to meet some of my siblings in a situation where she wouldn’t be swarmed or completely overwhelmed.
My sister Payton and her pack are here to help, along with Riley and some of their crew. Melissa and Jamie, my other two sisters, have babies and toddlers at home, so I let them sit this one out. Besides, half my siblings with mates and kids in tow is still a shit-ton of people and the Fields family can be a lot.
“Nice of you to show up, Finney,” Riley teases. She pushes off her truck and walks straight to Cammie, her gaze assessing and standoffish. “And you must be the beta.”
My sisters are all alphas, and unlike Payton, Riley has the energy of one.
Reid steps forward, but Payton pushes through our gathered crowd, rolling her eyes. “Give the bulldog routine a break, Ri.” She pulls Cammie into a hug, then tugs her toward her pack for introductions. “It’s nice to see you again. Come on and meet some of my pack before we get started.”
The kids follow them, Em already introducing everyone from the time she stayed at their house. Reid gives me a questioning look, but I shoo him on with the others.
“Let Reid tell you guys where to get started,” Riley says to her pack. “It’s sibling squabble time.”
She’s trying for funny, but she’s only pissing me off.
“Hey, she doesn’t have anything to prove, and I’d rather you don’t draw attention to her designation.” I let my sister see I’m not playing.
I’m the baby of the family and they’re all protective of me. They love Reid, but it took them almost a year to stop calling him “Country Bumpkin.” To. His. Face. Gods, they were assholes as teenagers. But Cammie isn’t the same as Reid, we’re not kids, and the rules here are going to be different.
“She’s skittish and the last thing she needs is you giving her a courting trial. Be sweet to her,” I say.
Riley looks like the tennis-playing female version of me. Tall and broad, but delicate featured and always immaculate. Right now, I hate the way she is so contained.
She sighs. “It’s a rite of passage. Besides, I have some questions, Finney. Any sister would. Two kids are a lot to take on. They’re coming in with baggage and I want you to be careful. I know you want a pack, but?—”
“Respectfully, kick rocks barefoot, Ri. And also, don’t let me hear that shit come out of your mouth again. She’s my mate. Her kids are ours. Nobody asked any questions like that about your decision to bond Lilian.” I cross my arms, fuming, and my scent is a plume of my ire.
My polished sister stares at me wide-eyed. For all my reputation in the family, I’m generally full of hot wind. Usually, when I’m mad, I cry, but not this time. She triggered my territorial instincts. It has only happened one other time when an omega hit on Reid at a club and he wouldn’t get the hint that my alpha was taken. There may have been fists involved. Not my best moment, but the sex in the parking lot with Reid after was top five.
Riley puts up her hands, surrendering. “I’m not doubting she’s your mate. I’m only worried?—"
“Well, don’t be.She is my mate.That’s all you need to know. So when we go inside, I better see a damn red carpet, you got it?”
My sister tugs me to her, giving me a noogie as if I’m still eleven. Sisters are vicious. “Fine. I do love you, Finney.” She turns her assault into a hug. “And I hope for everybody that it all works out.”
“Babe?” Reid calls from Cammie’s front door, saving me.
I tug my sister along. “Wow me with actions, not words.”
She runs ahead of me, and I hang back, but I overhear her apology to Cammie. She blames it on being protective and Cammie is easy to forgive the initial cool welcome. It still pisses me off, but at least Riley did as I asked.
Reid grabs my waist, bringing my focus to him. “You good?”
“I know our situation is a little unusual, but the judgey vibes from Riley are not happening. I don’t want Cammie hearing that stupid shit out of the house, so she better damn well not hear it with our families.”
“Look at you, babe. It’s hot to see you go omega-territorial. I like it,” Reid growls, kissing my neck.
