Archer simply stared at the rings in the case without an ounce of emotion. "Why do we need this?"

"It's a symbol of marriage," I said quietly so the jewelers wouldn't hear.

"I have your mark." He shrugged. "I'm good with that and it won't get in the way."

I put an arm around his shoulders. "We're going to need one for the wedding. Look around and see if you like anything." My pocket started to vibrate.

He sucked in his cheeks. "I don't like rings."

"Learn to." Taking it out, I saw grandma written across the screen. "Hey." I walked away from him.

"Hello, Saigon. I called because I need to know what day you're coming for Christmas? You ran out so fast that you forgot to tell me."

"It depends on my finals"—I rubbed the back of my neck—"but as soon as they're done, I'll be on my way."

"Great to hear. I already invited Rupert and Peter again. They are going to be a part of this family. No in-law nonsense."

"Good to know." I swallowed hard. "Speaking of them, I have something to tell you..."

Things got very quiet on the other end of the line.

"I marked Archer."

"Accident or consent?" She sounded like she was holding her breath.

"My god, he told me to do it."

She cheered in delight. "Oh my goodness, oh my, Quint! Quint! I can't believe it. We must have made a good impression. Oh, Quint, Quint, Saigon marked Archer. They're engaged. Engaged, right?" she asked me.

"Yeah, we're waiting for... for other stuff." I glanced at Archer.

He was at least sort of looking at the different options.

"That's great," said my grandpa. "Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"He says thanks," said my grandma. "I can't believe it. You're engaged."

I sighed. "Are you crying?"

"I'm so happy for you. Archer is a wonderful young man and I know you two will be happy together." She cleared her throat. "So, I can start then?"

I peeked over my shoulder at Archer, who was scowling at a jewelry case. "I guess," I replied, adjusting my phone.

My grandma squealed with delight. "Thank the lord, it's finally happening. I'm going to have your dad come this weekend and bring Peter. He's the sweetest man in the world. It thought my Aden was just darling, and then I met Peter. I need to call my sister. She has all the connections. She had a few more kids than me," she chuckled. "And plenty more grandchildren."

"Grandma," I muttered. "You're making this weird."

"I'm excited, sweetheart. I only have you and Aden, so I couldn't use all of my wedding ideas the first time. Do you know how horrendous that would have looked if I did?"

"No idea," I breathed.

Archer wandered off, looking clearly done with our shopping trip.

"I haven't told anyone else yet, so could you hold off calling my parents until later?"

"Oh good things you told me, I was going to call your dad right after I hung up," she laughed.

"Well, I guess we'll talk about it more in-depth during Christmas. I have to make sure Archer doesn't make a run for the car. We're looking at rings."

"Oh my goodness, rings. I am fighting the urge not to jump in the car right now."

"Probably not a good idea. It's not going good at the moment."

"Alright, alright, go track your fiance down. Good luck ring shopping," my grandma sang. "Let me know if you need a woman's perspective."

I laughed. "I will. Bye."

"Bye, sweetheart. Send Archer my love."

The call ended, and I tucked my phone away. Archer was hovering next to the exit. I hurried over before he escaped.

"Come and look at these." I grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the back of the store.

"It was your grandma on the phone, right?"

"She was calling about Christmas. I told her about us." I showed him the case with simple black rings.

"I bet she was excited."

"Very." I waved my arm over the options. "So?"

He turned to me. "I hate everything here. I'm not a ring person. There's nothing natural about putting a piece of metal on your finger."

Groaning, I rubbed my neck. "It's tradition." I spotted a sale's woman closing in.

"Can I be of any help?" she asked with a smile.

I put my arm around Archer's shoulders. "We're getting married."

"Congratulations, what kind of rings are you looking for?"

"None," muttered Archer.

I bumped him and forced a smile. "He's not a jewelry person." I cleared my throat. "Do you have anything more woodsy? He's not into industrial or sparkly."

She nodded. "I have exactly what you're looking for."

***

Cyrus hovered nearby as I browned the meat for tacos. "So, can I see the rings?"

"At the wedding," I replied.

"Come on," he groaned. "The wedding thing is so human. It's kind of cool."

I shook my head. "I barely got Archer to argue to the ones we choose. I don't need him changing his mind by showing everyone."

Cyrus muttered something under his breath. "Did you tell your parents?"

I nodded. "They're probably at my grandparents planning the whole thing."

He smiled. "I'm kind of excited to get to go to a wedding. Maybe, I should have a wedding."

"You're already mated." I eyed the man.

"It would be fun to have a big party."

"No," said a stern voice. "We're werewolves." Liam entered the kitchen with the case of movies. "We don't have weddings and it's staying that way."

Cyrus motioned to me. "They're werewolves."

"Half," stated the sub. "Both Archer and Saigon are half, so it makes sense."

With a groan, Cyrus trudged over to his mate. "I think it would be fun."

"No." Liam sat at the table and looked through the sleeves with Cyrus moping beside him.

Archer walked down the stairs. "It smells good in here."

"Tacos," I replied.

He hummed. "I like those." Archer came over to check out what I was doing.

I slipped an arm around his waist. "What did your parents have to say?"

"They were happy for us." He turned to me. "My father said something weird. Did you make him some promise? He wouldn't tell me what, but he said to remind you about it."

Laughing to myself, I focused on the pan. "It's no big deal. It was about the normal stuff: taking care of you properly, don't be a jerk about rank, occasional gifts, cleaning up after myself."

He scoffed. "Hmm... some of that sounds like him." Sneaking some of the grated cheese from the bowl, he sprinkled it in his mouth.

"Hey, Archer," said Cyrus. "Tell your boyfriend to let me see the rings."

Archer frowned. "Don't remind me about them."

"You said you like them," I muttered.

"They're nice, okay. But do you know the amount of shit I'm going to get from the pack for wearing jewelry?"

"We're going to put them in a box. That's what my parents did. I asked my dad to carve us one."

He shrugged. "Still."

Cyrus groaned. "Come on. I wanted to see them."

"Whatever." Archer marched off and went upstairs.

"You're annoying sometimes, you know that?" I eyed Cyrus, who simply grinned.

Returning, Archer put the small black box on the table. Cyrus went to grab it but Liam got to it first. The sub opened it with his mate peering over his shoulder.

"Wow, fancy. What's the stone?" asked Cyrus.

"Elk ivory," I replied.

"What?" said Cyrus. "Elk, what?"

"Ivory," said Liam. "You're showing us how much of a city wolf you are." He snapped the case shut and handed it to Archer. "They're nice. If I had to wear a ring, I'd do that instead of a diamond."

"Thanks." Archer backed into the counter.

"Well, dinner is ready," I announced. I moved the pan onto the hot pad.

Liam and Cyrus came over to start making their tacos. I slipped over to Archer and opened the case. The two rings inside were silver with trees carved into the band that held a piece of elk ivory.

I kissed the side of his head. "I'll beat up anyone who makes fun of you for wearing a ring," I said in his ear.

Archer smiled. "I have a feeling that's what you really promised my father."