Page 90 of Bonded By Christmas

She laughs. “No way, I never would have guessed.”

I smile like a fool.

Maybe Callum is rubbing off on me, but I love it when she gets a little feisty, and not because it gives me an excuse to spank her. I enjoy seeing her come out of her shell more and more as she grows confident in her place with us.

She holds the jewelry box in one hand and pops the lid with the other.

Callum hurries to get his phone out, snapping pictures as she examines the bracelet.

I give him a nod of thanks and snuggle my cheek to the side of her head. “It has a tracker.”

“What?” Lacey snorts, twisting her head to look up at me.

“I thought I should be honest about that. It has a battery that has to be replaced every three months,” I say, laying it all out there. “It’s housed in the heart.” Reaching around her, I point to the charm on the bracelet. “But I’ll take care of that. You just make sure you put it on when you plan to leave the house.”

“You weren’t joking,” she whispers, shaking her head. “Thank you for telling me. I never would have suspected. I’ll wear it whenever I’m out and about.”

“Me next.” Callum passes his phone to Wilder, goes over to the tree, and picks around for whatever he’s looking for. He comes back with a flat package that’s medium sized. He offers it to Lacey, taking a seat on the middle cushion.

It feels like the right thing to do, so I lift her and hand her off to him. Once she’s settled, I grab the bracelet box and set it on the coffee table.

Lacey rips into the paper, pulls out a photo album, and runs her fingers over the front cover.

“It’s empty,” Callum says, laughing awkwardly. “I didn’t have enough time to get any pictures printed, but we can do that soon.”

“I love that it has the year.” She twists, kissing his jaw.

I lean over and study the front of the album. She’s right. It says,Established inwith the year in a fancy script.

“It’s the least expensive thing that I got you, but it feels like maybe it’s the most meaningful? Fuck if I know.” Callum shrugs, and his face turns pink.

Damn.

I’ve never seen him blush before.

Lacey drops the album and tilts his face down to hers. They share a quick kiss, and I push myself off the couch, holding out a hand for Callum’s phone.

Wilder gives it to me and heads to the tree. I snap a few pictures of him as he browses and refocus on Callum and Lacey.

Cal nuzzles his nose to hers, and the little omega lights up with a smile that seems to steal all the air from my lungs. Seeing her joy and feeling her happiness echo through the bond is addictive.

I can’t wait to spend the next fifty years showering her with love and affection. We’ll make sure that smile grows brighter with every year that passes.

Wilder makes his way back to the couch, and I frown when I spot the small box in his hand.

Well, shit.

I thought we were saving that for tomorrow, but I suppose now is as good a time as any.

I swap to the record button as he hits a knee in front of her.

“You already let the three of us sink our teeth in, so this feels like a formality…” He grins, popping the box. “Will you marry us, beautiful?”

Lacey freezes, her eyes bugging as she examines the ring.

“This was my mother’s, but if you don’t feel comfortable?—”

“I love it,” she whispers. “I would be honored to wear your mom’s ring.”