“Don’t we all?” I smirked.
Then Koa stepped under the pergola with Seri in his arms, her honey-gold curls tousled and her gray eyes half-lidded with sleep. She blinked at the morning light filtering through the wisteria blooms, all curled up against Koa’s chest like she belonged there.
Which, of course, she did.
Cas straightened immediately, his green eyes sharpening as he took her in. I couldn’t hold back the smirk; big bro was already on edge, and she wasn’t even fully awake yet.
“Seri,” Ko murmured, setting her down gently on her feet. “We have guests.”
She froze, her eyes widening as she took in Angelo and Emerson. A flush crept up her neck, and she fidgeted with the hem of her oversized hoodie.
Myhoodie.
“This is our wife, our beloved,” Cas announced, voice richer than twenty-year scotch. Pride rolled off him in waves, the kind he usually reserved for newly acquired artillery. “Serafina Cimmerian.”
Under a pair of strangers’ eyes, she stumbled and caught herself on the back of a chair. Five sets of predatory reflexes twitched toward her, evenAngelo, whosefingers flexed like he wanted to steady her.
“These are friends, starlight,” I told her as she sat down. “Angelo and Beta Emerson del Vecchio, who somehow convinced the Angel of Death to play house with him.”
“Oh, I— I didn’t know we had company,” she stammered, still trying to wake up. “I’m so sorry I’m not—”
Angelo cut her off with a wave of his hand, his usually stern features softening in a way that made me raise an eyebrow.
“No apologies,bella. You’re healing. Rest is important.”
“You’ve been through enough. The last thing you need to worry about is us.” Emerson nodded, his deep voice warm.
“Wow. Who knew you two could be sonice? Emerson, I thought your default setting was ‘stoic mountain.’ And Angelo, I didn’t think you had a soft side.”
“Only a monster would hurt someone already savaged by monsters,” Angelo muttered, shooting me a glare, and for once, I didn’t feel the urge to crack a joke.
“You remind me of my luna back home.” Emerson leaned forward slightly, his brown eyes studying her. “A badass survivor.”
Seri ducked her head, her cheeks pink, as she tucked a curl behind her ear and murmured, “Thank you.”
As her shoulders relaxed more, she glanced at Emerson.
“You’re a shifter? My mother, Jocelyn, was from the Royal pack.”
“So your mates tell me. If you have questions about anything shifter-related, I’d be happy to help. And Angelo comes from a magical family. Our pack’s coven could help you learn about your talents, if you’d like.”
“That sounds amazing.” Seri’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated, her fingers twisting inmyhoodie. “Maybe later? When I’m strong again?”
“Anytime you’re ready,” Emerson assured her.
Angelo glanced at me, and the unspoken question hung there, heavier than my tactical boots.
“You’re one of only two we’d let touch her,” I said, serious as the grave, “and Gemma Shepherd isn’t available right now.”
He gave a sharp nod, respect in his eyes, then stood and moved toward Seri. Cas’ growl rumbled low in his chest.
“Relax, bro,” I snickered as Ko grinned. “Angelo’s not into breasts. He’s more of a balls guy.”
Emerson shot me a withering look that made my smirk widen.
“Your husbands say you’re injured,bella.” Angelo approached slowly. “I can heal you, if you will allow me?”
When she nodded, he crouched before her, his hands glowing faintly as he touched her ankle.
