Riley meets my eyes in the mirror, something in her expression softening just a fraction. "Maybe."
We fall into comfortable silence as I work through her hair, section by section, the only sounds the gentle brush strokes and the occasional hum of the bathroom fan. By the time I finish, her hair is tangle-free, but still with those tight, gorgeous curls like her brother’s. Riley watches in the mirror as I gather her hair and twist it into two small buns, one on each side of her head, securing them carefully.
"There," I say, stepping back so she can see the full effect. "What do you think?"
Riley touches one of the buns carefully, then the other, her fingers gentle like she's afraid they might fall apart. Something like a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. "It's nice."
"Your mom taught you well."
"Thanks for helping."
"Anytime, Riley."
Riley retreats to her room with a book after that, and I head back downstairs to finish prepping the side dish, chopping the last of the vegetables. I've just slid it into the oven alongside the lasagna when Riley comes back downstairs, moving slower than usual.
"Hey." I set down my knife and wipe my hands on the dish towel. "You okay?"
She shrugs, most likely meaning no, but she doesn't want to talk about it. Then, so quietly I almost miss it, "Do you know how to dance?"
The question surprises me. "A little bit. Why?"
"Mama used to dance with us when we were sad. She said it was the best way to shake off the bad feelings." Riley's voice wavers slightly, her eyes dropping to her feet instead of at me. "But nobody dances anymore."
My heart aches for her, for both of these kids, for three Alphas so lost in their own grief they've forgotten how to help their children through theirs. Dancing away the sadness. What a beautiful thing Evie must have been.
"We should fix that," I say, making the decision quickly before I can second-guess myself. "Want to wake up your brother and have a dance party?"
Riley's face doesn't exactly light up, but some of the heaviness lifts from her expression. "Really?"
"Really. Go wake up your brother. I'll find some music."
I pull up a playlist on my phone while Riley crosses to her brother, something upbeat and kid-friendly that won't give anyone a headache. Some part of me wonders what Hunter will do when he hears it, but this isn’t about that Alpha. It’s about the kids and giving them what they need. Still, I message Hunter anyway, letting him know that we’re playing some music so it doesn’t come as a surprise.
I turn the volume up just loud enough to fill the living room, Riley shaking Isaac awake gently. He sits straight up, confused and grumpy for about three seconds before he figures out what's happening. Then he scrambles to his feet, jumping and spinning with the kind of boundless energy only a four-year-old can have after almost-napping.
I start dancing, feeling ridiculous and self-conscious at first, but the kids don't care about my lack of rhythm or coordination. Riley moves stiffly, like she's forgotten how her body is supposed to move to music, but she's trying. Isaac is pure chaos in motion, all flailing limbs and uncoordinated giggles. I spin them botharound, holding their hands and making up silly moves that have no business being called dancing.
And that’s when I catch Riley smiling. A real, genuine smile that transforms her whole face and makes her look like the carefree six-year-old she should be.
Isaac’s giggles fill the room as Riley steps up closer to me, gripping my hand a little tighter.Another step forward.The door opens, my first instinct to stop but Riley just shakes her head. “It’s just Dad. Keep going. Maybe he’ll dance, too.”
I realize that this moment isn’t all for us, that Riley has seen her fathers and her uncle and wants to bring some of the happiness back into this house as well. The problem is that I don’t know how I feel about an Alpha in my space, even ones who Dylan trusts.
But, I try anyway, continuing to move, a little stiffer than before, suddenly aware that Wyatt’s watching from the foyer. His citrus scent hits my nose, fraying my nerves a little as he steps closer. "Are we having a party without me?"
"Daddy!" Isaac shrieks, launching himself across the room. Wyatt catches him easily, swinging him up and around while Isaac squeals with pure delight. Wyatt sets Isaac down and holds out his hand to Riley with exaggerated formality. "May I have this dance?"
Riley rolls her eyes, but she takes his hand without hesitation. He spins her in a careful circle, Riley’s smile widening even further. The happiness on her face is worth everything.
"Your hair looks beautiful, sweetheart," Wyatt says softly, noticing the two neat buns for the first time. "Did you do that yourself?"
"Miss Amelia helped me," Riley admits, her cheeks reddening slightly.
Wyatt's eyes find mine across the room, something warm flashing across his face before he extends his other hand toward me. "Don't think you're getting out of this."
My heart stutters in my chest. Dancing with the kids is one thing. Dancing with an Alpha is something else entirely, something that crosses lines I've been trying so hard to maintain. But Isaac runs over to tug me toward Wyatt, Riley watching with those hopeful eyes, it feels like a crime to say no.
I suck my bottom lip beneath my teeth, warring with my emotions as Wyatt makes a small, barely there sound that breaks my resolve.A purr.The Alpha standing in front of me just purred.For me.I don’t even know what to do with that because I’ve never heard that sound directed at me before from an Alpha. Hesitantly, I take his hand.
