Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,143

You, though? I can hang with you. I mean, I could probably even get used to getting called Dad or something, but I'll probably get all embarrassed."

"I want something cooler," Pax decided. "I dunno, like Big Daddy."

"Gross," Gabby told him. "Not happening."

He just laughed, making it clear he hadn't been serious. "Gabby, so far as I care, you can call all of us your uncles. Would probably make it easier at school."

"No," Lane said. "I don't want to be an uncle."

"She'll figure it out on her own," I told him. "It's not like there's a switch that flips, and all of you still call Dad Henry. So maybe she doesn't give you personal names. Do you honestly care?"

Lane just sighed, clearly wanting to say yes but knowing better. "She's my pup too, Ian."

"I know, Lane, but she has a few opinions of her own. Elena hasn't even said yes." I turned back to Gabby. "Are you willing to help when it's time? We might need a little interference to make sure she doesn't run off just when we have our big plan ready."

She nodded. "I'm in. Also, Mom says diamonds are boring. She never really liked her last wedding ring, either. It was too big and always got caught in her hair. She didn't complain, but sometimes she'd just huff, you know? And I can't count how many times she'd pick a hair from it, but Gerardo wanted to make sure she had this big rock that he could show off. It was like she was his little trophy, you know? And I was supposed to be the little doll, but it didn't work."

I just sighed. "Gabby, I'm sorry, but I hate that man a little. I know he's your father, but - "

"He's not," she told me. "Remember, he signed the papers."

"I meant biologically," I explained. "But as far as I'm concerned, the only good thing he's ever done?" And I pointed at her. "So, any advice for what kind of ring we should look for?"

She immediately pulled out her phone, crossed her legs under her, and began to search. "Yeah, we've talked about it. I mean, in general type of talk, not like, about you guys or anything. How are you going to ask her?"

"No idea," Trent grumbled. "We kinda thought we'd get a ring first, then go from there."

"Well, she'll want something to remember, but nothing too fancy. Don't corner her in public, because she told me that sucks. Everyone's looking at you, and then you feel like you have to say yes, and you always wonder what you would've done if you'd been alone."

"Because that's what Gerardo did," I realized.

She nodded. "Big family dinner, and he popped the question at the table. Oh, and it was his family. The same ones who have now forgotten that I ever existed. I mean, except my cousin, but you know how it goes." Then she paused. "I have a question."

"Ok?" I asked, bracing for the worst.

"Well, we can't wear rings when we shift, and I haven't seen a lot of men in the pack wearing them. David, but he only started shifting when Mom did. So... How does that work?"

"She can wear the ring or not," I explained. "Ideally, she can wear it at work, so any of our new applicants know she's off limits."

"But you won't wear a ring?" she asked.

I just ducked my head. "First, I would never expect her to buy five different wedding rings, so it's more of a practicality. Second, I would if she asked. See, Gabby, that's the thing. I would do pretty much anything if she asked. We all feel the same way."

"But if you don't get a ring," she pressed, "then how do the women who come in know you're all taken?"

"You have an idea," Pax realized.

Gabby grinned. "Have you seen the silicone ones? They're safe to work in, and they stretch, so they'd work if you shifted, right? Lev said that's what he and Nik's mom had. Wasn't comfortable as a tiger, but if they forgot, they didn't lose a finger."

"You think I need to get your mom a cheap, stretchy ring?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "No. Mom needs a nice one. She's human enough to want it. I'm saying that she should get all of you one. Would that work? And then you would be visibly married when some lady moves in next door and checks you out in the garage."

"What?" Seth asked, leaning forward. "Oh, I didn't