Page 42 of Knottily Ever After (Crescent Lake Cozy Omegaverse #1)

Chapter Forty-One

Vaughn

“ A nd when Vaugnie told us he’d found his Omega at last, and completed his pack,” my dad swallows a sob that I feel deep in my own chest, “we were just so happy for our boy.” He looks at each member of my pack, eyes watering, smile warm, champagne glass high.

“To all of you! May your lives be forever filled with joy!”

“And maybe a baby or two!” my mom shouts from her seat beside him, bringing laughter to the crowd before we all sip our champagne, sealing the well-wishes into place.

We’d just cut the beautiful tiered cake and sat down to allow the caterers to serve us all when the toasts began.

Quinn’s dad, Bill, stands next, looking stoic but moved. I’ve met him and Quinn’s mother several times before, and Quinn is a perfect fifty-fifty mixture of their looks.

“We weren’t sure Quinn would ever settle down,” Bill begins, a murmured chuckle rippling through the crowd. “But when he found his pack brothers, Buffy and I knew that it wouldn’t be long before they were graced with their Omega.” He pauses, brow raised. “I’m glad we were right.”

Quinn laughs loudly, his cheeks a bit pink with emotion.

“Son, we couldn’t be more proud or happy for you and your family. Here’s to a lifetime of bliss together!”

“Here-here!” I shout, and everyone cheers and sips.

Adam stands next, looking a little awkward, and Ben shifts forward, looking surprised.

“Uh, hey, everybody,” he begins, a little shuffle of his feet.

“I’m Ben’s brother, Adam.” He clears his throat.

“I don’t know much about love and packs, but I knew from the moment Ben told me he found his brothers—his pack brothers—that he’d found a kind of peace others would be envious of.

Myself included. On some levels,” he laughs nervously.

“Then he found Violet, and everything changed for the better. I’ve never seen my brother this happy,” he looks at Violet when he says that.

“Ben is the best brother anyone could ask for. I’m lucky to have him in my life, and I know that no matter what, he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re all living your best life together.

” He raises his soda glass. “To Ben, Violet, Quinn, and Vaughn!”

Ben raises his glass, clasps his chest with his fist, tears streaming down his face. The emotions are so strong, we’re all overwhelmed, and Violet hugs his free arm tight.

Then, Bec, Violet’s friend and editor, rises, clinking her glass loud enough that I wince and hope she doesn’t break it.

“Violet is the luckiest woman I’ve ever met,” she begins, tone a bit brash.

“But she’s worked hard to earn that luck, to rise above some painful things in her past that would have broken a lesser person.

” There’s a warble to her voice, filled with emotion.

“She’s my dearest friend, and she deserves the whole world.

” She looks pointedly at me, Ben, and Quinn, one brow impressively raised.

“You guys had better deliver on that. Or I’m going to have to throw hands. You hear me?”

“We hear you loud and clear,” I assure her with a strong voice and meaningful smile while my pack brothers agree.

“Good!” Her whole demeanor switches to bright and happy. “Vi, girl, I couldn’t be happier for you! To a lifetime of wonderful experiences!”

We all toast again, then the room settles, murmurs growing as everyone’s conversations pick back up, people finally getting to taste the delicious cake Violet chose.

Violet is whispering to Ben when Quinn nudges me, gestures at the table adjacent to ours where Steve rises from his seat, glass in his hand shaking.

It’s Sam who clinks his glass from his seat beside him, clearing his throat dramatically for attention.

Everyone looks at Steve, and Violet lets out a tiny gasp beside me.

Steve lets out a nervous laugh. “H-hello. My name is Steve, and I’m…

” he looks lost a moment, gaze falling on Violet.

When I turn to her, a tear streams down her face.

It’s apparent when Steve notices it, too, because the nerves lift from his body, and he puts on the air of an Alpha, back straight, energy serious.

“I’m Violet’s oldest friend,” he says. “We’ve known each other since we were little.

We’ve been through more together than most people in this world have, and I love her dearly.

The sister I never had, and definitely don’t deserve.

” He swallows, takes a breath. “I haven’t treated her well.

I’ve lied to her, hurt her. Yet she found it in her heart to forgive me.

And I think we may be closer today than ever before, no falsehoods between us.

” His attention is rapt on Violet, his smile is sad, yet filled with love.

“I am eternally grateful to you, Vi. You’ve helped me more than I can ever express, especially these past few months.

It’s because of you that I’m not afraid of who I am anymore.

You helped me find my strength, my peace, and I will love you forever.

” He raises his glass high, arm now steady.

“To your eternal happiness, Violet Marshall. May your pack give you the life you deserve above all others. Here’s to your Happily Ever After. ”

Everyone not only toasts, but cheers erupt when he’s finished, and, always one to follow her heart, Violet jumps out of her seat and rushes Steve, hugging him tightly as Sam blots his face. Then, she hugs him, too.

“Our Omega is amazing,” Quinn whispers.

That she is, indeed.