I findTessa backstage with Milo and Elijah already there. She’s still holding her clipboard, but her grip has loosened. She looks... lighter. Like a weight’s been lifted.
Milo is shaking his head, a disbelieving grin on his face. “You absolute madman.”
“You said trust you,” Elijah adds. His voice is dry, but there’s warmth underneath. “You didn’t say you were going to buy us.”
“Surprise.”
“Twelve hundred dollars, Ben.” Milo laughs. “You could’ve just told us the plan.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Hey,” I say to Tessa, stepping past them.
She turns. Her eyes are shining. “You spent twelve hundred dollars.”
“Maeve made sure of that.”
“Ben.”
“Tessa.” I step closer, taking the clipboard from her hands. “I had a plan.”
“You bought them. Both of them.”
“I bought us.” I take her hands. “A pack Valentine’s date. You, me, Milo, Elijah. If you want.”
“If I want?” She laughs, half sob, half joy. “Ben, I was up there terrified. Every time that woman raised her paddle, I thought?—”
“Cara wasn’t going to bid on them. She came back for other people.” I squeeze her hands. “Your alphas were always safe.”
“I didn’t know that.” She looks at Milo, at Elijah, back at me. “I finally understood why you refused to do the auction. You couldn’t stand the thought of someone else winning a date with you.”
“No. I couldn’t.”
“I feel the same way.” Her voice breaks. “About all of you.”
“Good.” I pull her close. “Because you’re stuck with us now.”
“No take-backs,” she whispers.
“No take-backs.”
The auction winnershave an hour to claim their prizes before dinner is served.
We find our table near the back—one of the special “winner’s dinner” tables set up for the bachelor dates. There’s a little card in the center that says “Reserved for Ben Wilson + Guests” and I have never been more grateful for my mother’s meddling.
Across the room, I spot Cara Donovan at another winner’s table with Theo, Lucas, and Nate. They’re all sitting stiffly, barely looking at each other. Nate is staring at his water glass like it personally offended him. Lucas keeps running his hand through his hair. Theo’s arms are crossed, his jaw tight.
Whatever Cara was hoping for when she bid on them, that’s not what’s happening at that table.
“That looks... tense,” Milo observes, following my gaze.
“They were supposed to be a pack in high school,” I say quietly. “Everyone thought they’d end up together. Then Cara left for college and never came back.”
“Until now.”
“Until now.”
Tessa squeezes my hand under the table. “That’s sad.”
