Chapter 24: The One Who Sold the Watch

The square was quiet enough to hear the pines.

I stood at the head of my pack's table, in front of every plate in the village, and looked up at Cade Merrick.

"Three years ago I was registered as a man's chosen partner," I said. "He never asked me. The paper was filed by his father's office."

"This time I'm doing the asking."

Cade didn't move.

"Cade Merrick. I choose you. I want your name on my line at Cedar Pass, in the pack's book, in front of everyone here."

"And when I'm ready, which is soon, I want your mark."

The oldest councilor made a small pleased sound.

"No moon," I said. "No bond. A man I picked, who picked me back."

"Say yes or no. You can take your time."

"Lara," he said.

His voice cracked on it.

He cleared his throat and tried again.

"I came up here to ask if you'd keep Crimson Sand's hall as your own. I had a speech."

"You can still give it."

"It was worse than yours." He turned his hat once in his hands. "Yes."

"Yes, to which part?"

"Yes to all of it. The book, the name, the mark. Whenever you say."

The pack erupted.

A child on the bench started chanting "Kiss! Kiss!" and was shushed and then joined by four others.

I took Cade by his shirt front and kissed him.

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