My blood runs cold at the mention of Alpha Graves. That woman is dangerous, ruthless in ways that most people can't comprehend. She's built an empire on the backs of vulnerable Omegas, hiding behind legal protections and government contracts while running what amounts to a trafficking operation.
"She demanded to see Solana," Kade continues. "Despite knowing she was in heat. Despite the fact that interrupting an Omega's heat is not only dangerous but completely inappropriate. She stood there on our porch and insisted she had the right to evaluate Solana's living conditions immediately."
Stefan jumps in, his expression darkening further. "I went to check the perimeter to make sure no one was lurking around the property. Found two guys skulking around near the back fence. Both Driscoll family based on the tattoos I saw before they ran. Apparently came back to retrieve Ashton." He pauses, his jaw clenching. "I've heard nothing from Charles. No calls, no messages, nothing. One of them shot at my head when I confronted them, missed by maybe six inches. Then they took off when I returned fire."
The image of Stefan being shot at makes my chest tighten painfully. I lost him once already when he disappeared into that life with Charles Driscoll. The thought of losing him permanently, of getting a phone call saying he'd been killed, is too much to bear.
"And you both just showed back up in the bedroom like nothing happened," I say, my voice cracking slightly. "Refusing to tell us anything while Solana was freaking out."
Kade's hand tightens on the back of my neck, his thumb rubbing soothing circles against my skin. "I called a few more men in around the perimeter to make sure we didn't have to worry about anyone else showing up. Phones were on the whole time in case something went wrong. But yes, I don't think this particular location is the safest anymore."
The admission hangs heavy in the air between us. Our home, the ranch we've built together, is no longer safe. Not with Harmony House sending people to check on Solana. Not with the Driscoll family trying to retrieve Ashton. Not with whatever mess is brewing between the remaining Volkovs and anyone else who might want a piece of what Charles built.
A thought occurs to me suddenly, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "And Moo-Shu?"
Stefan frowns, confusion replacing some of the tension on his face. "What?"
Kade chuckles behind me, the sound vibrating through my back. "Solana's cow. Dustin brought it home as a courting gift." He pauses, and I can hear the smile in his voice when he continues. "And for some reason, I have to believe you had something to do with it."
Stefan's eyes widen as understanding dawns. "Wait, what? I just told him to make sure he goes and gets something for her when he left her during her heat spike." He looks at me, disbelief written across his face. "Shit, Dustin, you went and got her a cow?"
I shift slightly, suddenly feeling defensive about my choice. "Just a small one! A highland cow from Morrison's breeder up north. They're adorable and fluffy and Solana loves him."
Stefan snorts, shaking his head. Kade's chest moves against my back as he laughs harder, his arms tightening around my waist.
"You didn't really mention where you got it from, love," Kade says, amusement clear in his voice. "Morrison breeds full-size cows. I swear to God, sometimes I don't believe that you help run a ranch. We're going to have a full fucking size highland cow on our property."
Heat floods my cheeks as the reality of that sinks in. Morrison's highlands are beautiful, sure, but they're also massive when fully grown. What seemed like a perfect courting gift in the moment is going to turn into a twelve-hundred-pound animal that Solana will probably want living in the house.
I take a long drink of my coffee, avoiding both their gazes. "What now?" I ask, trying to redirect the conversation away from my impulsive decision-making.
Kade's expression sobers, the amusement fading back into serious concern. He looks at Stefan, some unspoken communication passing between them. "We talk logistics," Kade says finally. "Because I have a feeling there's going to be quite a lot of growing pains ahead of us."
Stefan nods, his arms still crossed over his chest. The exhaustion on his face seems to deepen, making him look older than his years. "Alpha Graves is coming back in two weeks to check on Solana," he adds. "Which means we've got two weeks to figure out how to keep both our Omegas safe."
The weight of that statement settles over all of us. Two weeks. Fourteen days to come up with a plan that will satisfy Alpha Graves while keeping Solana away from Harmony House permanently. Fourteen days to figure out what to do about Ashton and the Driscoll empire tied to his name. Fourteen days to secure this property or find somewhere safer to relocate everyone.
It feels impossible. Like too much to accomplish in such a short time. But looking at Kade's determined expression and Stefan's fierce protectiveness, I know we'll find a way. We have to. Because the alternative, losing either Solana or Ashton back to the systems that hurt them, is completely unacceptable.
I drain the rest of my coffee, setting the empty mug in the sink behind me. "Alright," I say, straightening up slightly in Kade's arms. "Let's figure this out. What's the first priority?"
Kade's hand moves from the back of my neck to rest against my chest, his palm flat over my heart. "Keeping everyone inside the house for now. No unnecessary trips outside, no exposure that could give anyone else an opportunity to grab one of them."
Stefan nods his agreement. "I'll keep monitoring the perimeter, make sure we don't have any more unexpected visitors. And I need to try reaching out to some contacts, see if I can get more information about what happened with Charles and the Volkovs. The more we know about who might be coming after Ashton, the better prepared we can be."
"What about Harmony House?" I ask. "What do we tell Alpha Graves when she comes back?"
Kade is quiet for a moment, his hand still resting over my heart. I can feel him thinking, working through options and scenarios. "We tell her the truth," he says finally. "That Solana is thriving here. That she's happy and healthy and well-cared for. We document everything, take photos, show her all the ways Solana's life has improved since leaving their facility."
"And if that's not enough?" The question comes out quieter than I intend.
"Then we find another way," Kade says firmly. "I'm not letting them take her back. I don't care what laws or paperwork or government contracts say she belongs to them. Solana belongs here, with us. And I'll burn Harmony House to the ground before I let them drag her back there."
The fierce protectiveness in his voice makes something warm bloom in my chest. This is the Alpha I fell in love with, the one who will move heaven and earth to protect what's his. And Solana is ours now, part of our pack, regardless of what any institution says.
"We've got this," Stefan says, his voice carrying more confidence than his expression shows. "Two weeks is enough time to come up with something. We just need to be smart about it."
I nod, wanting to believe him. Wanting to believe that two weeks will be enough to untangle this mess and keep everyone safe. But doubt lingers at the edges of my mind, whispering that we're running out of time and options.
