Page 206 of One Winter Knight
“You seem to know what you need to do, and I really appreciate that,” the pack services coordinator told us as we sat around the table in the meeting room with a workbook and some pamphlets.
“We’re trying,” Carlos said earnestly.
I squeezed his hand.
“Right now, communication is absolutely key. You don’t have to start the paperwork that you’ll need for your application or get a lawyer yet. But this framework,” she held up another brochure, “will outline all the things that you need to do. Some of which are included in the residency establishment checklist. This ensures that you’ll have everything you need by the time you’re ready. Also, you don’t need to submit everything the day the waiting period is up.”
Well, we kind of did. But we didn’t tell her any of that.
“You’re going to want to get your bond with your alpha registered, Fiona. We have a registry office at this center and it’s open today,” she said, her eyes flickering over to Hale.
“We should do that after this, if you’re ready.” I squeezed his hand. I had a little bit of time before my appointment.
“It’ll be good to have it populate in our files. My university needs it before they can authorize any accommodations anyway,” Hale added.
“Fiona, you have a meeting with your advocate today, correct? You should have them look over your mating agreements or other paperwork before you sign anything,” she added. “The rest of you should all have someone look over any paperwork if the same lawyer prepared them.”
“I already planned on doing that, thank you,” I replied. I had both mine and Saoirse’s and mine and Carlos’.
She continued going over the basics and she assigned everyone tasks. Also, she encouraged us to sign up for pre-pack-formation counseling.
“Thank you so much, I feel so much better about everything now. I mean, I know we can do it. There’s just a lot. It’s easy to get overwhelmed,” Hale blurted.
“That’s what we’re here for. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks,” she told us as we left the room and went back out to the pack waiting area.
“How does everyone feel now?” Dusty asked. “Personally, I thought it was helpful.”
“Me, too,” Carlos replied.
Hale nodded, holding up a pamphlet. “I like these. It makes it seem less daunting.”
“I agree,” Saoirse added. She still seemed like she didn’t feel well.
“That’s why we’re here.” I was so glad Hale was feeling more optimistic about everything.
A woman came out with a clipboard and looked around. “I think there was somebody wanting to register their bonds?”
Hale beamed at me. “Let’s do this.”
The two of us followed the lab tech to a little medical office that saidMating Bond Confirmation. There was already a tray with a couple of vials and syringes.
“It’s very easy. I take blood samples from both of you and then I enter them into the reader, which runs a government test to confirm that there’s a bond and it’s a match. After confirmation, it will populate in your files. I just need you to fill out these forms, confirming the date of bonding and certifying that this was what you both wanted.” She handed us each a tablet.
We filled out the paperwork. She talked to us both individually, and then did the blood tests.
The lab tech looked over at us as she ran it through the machine. “You both did such a good job. Everything is set. It should populate in your records in the next day or two.”
“Since we got blood drawn does that mean we get something from the comfort cupboard?” I grinned.
“I have these.” She went to a cupboard and came back with a little basket that had candies and trinkets in it.
“Wait, I get a treat for getting blood drawn?” Hale’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, you do.” She handed us the basket.
“I’ll take this one. Thank you.” I grabbed a little chocolate, unwrapped it, and popped it in my mouth.
Hale took one as well. “Wow, I’d go to the doctors more if I got treats.”
