Page 113 of False Catch

"Theoretically," Gray echoes, and they exchange a look I can't quite read.

"It would make sense," Eli says, his analytical tone matching Tyler's. "The legal protection alone would be worth it. But it's a massive commitment."

"You're hesitating," Jackson observes.

"I'm being realistic." Eli's voice stays measured. "We should all be."

Cameron just nods once when I look at him. No hesitation, which I would expect after last night’s close call.

That leaves Beckett, Eli, Tyler, and Gray still undecided. I can’t believe this is what we’ve come to. I can’t deny that it’s the most logical choice, or that part of me absolutely wants this, but the rational side of me knows this isn’t something to rush into. It’s essentially the nine of us getting married just so the administration can’t kick us out of the Aquatics Department, only with mate bonds, it’s even more permanent. You don’t just divorce a mate. That’s insane, right?

But…when I think about how all eight of them make me feel, how right being with them seems even when everything is falling apart…how that instinctual part of me calls for them anytime we’re apart…

I don’t know. It seems like this it the right choice. But I can’t force it on any of them and I wouldn’t want to.

"This is insane," Beckett runs his hands through his hair. "We're talking about a lifetime commitment because of some bureaucratic—"

"It's not about the bureaucracy," Zane interrupts. "Is it? It's about the fact that we all feel it. This pull. This need to be near her, to protect her, to—" He breaks off, flushing. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Beckett can't. None of them can. I can see it on all their faces.

"Tyler?" I prompt, since he brought this to us but hasn't stated his own position.

He adjusts his glasses again. "My parents... they have expectations. Traditional ones." He glances at Gray, and I realize they've discussed this between them. "But logically, it's our best option."

"Logic isn't everything," Gray says quietly.

"No," Tyler agrees. "It's not."

"Gray?" I prompt.

Our captain stares at his hands, jaw working like he's fighting a war with himself. When he finally looks up, his eyes are storm-dark.

"My father will disown me."

Everyone knows Alexander Lockwood's reputation. Old money, older values. A son in a progressive pack bond with an Omega would be worse than death in his eyes.

"Then he's an idiot," Jackson says bluntly. "And you're better off without him."

"Easy for you to say. Your family already wrote you off."

Jackson flinches. Eli glares at Gray, along with half the others, but no one moves.

"We don't have to decide today," Tyler interjects, ever the mediator. "The paperwork takes weeks to process and she would need our bites before we could even file it all. But we should start considering what this means for each of us."

"It means everything changes," Gray says quietly. Then he huffs out a breath and slumps back in his seat, dropping his head back to stare at the ceiling. “This is insane.”

Apparently, that’s the word of the hour.

"It's not insane if it keeps us together," Zane says softly.

"Together." Gray's laugh is bitter. "We can barely manage a practice without someone losing control. You think a legal document will fix that?"

"No," I say, standing. Every muscle protests the movement, reminders of last night shooting through me. "But maybe stopping pretending might."

Gray's eyes narrow. "Meaning?"

"Meaning we're already feeling the pull. Fighting it is what's tearing us apart." I look at each of them. "Tyler's right. The numbers don't lie. But neither does what's happening between us."