“Oh, yes,” Warren says, completely serious. “That’s a fabulous idea. In fact, I think it’s important for pack morale that we all see this.”
Grason shoots him a playful look, eyes narrowing. “Careful, alpha,” he says. “You might not be able to handle these moves, and I can’t be held responsible if you fall in love.”
Cass lets out a surprised laugh, sharp and genuine, shaking his head as Warren leans back in his chair.
“Please, Gray,” Warren says, setting down his fork. “I need this.”
“Youneedit?” Grason pushes away from the table, smile growing by the second.
“Yes,” Warren nods once. “Show me what you got.”
Grason takes a giant step away from the table. “I warned you.” Then he does a slow turn on the ball of his foot, arms lifting as he finds his balance. It is surprisingly clean, controlled in a way that makes it obvious he is not making this up on the spot.
He plants his feet, straightens his posture, and then he starts moving.
It’s not a polished tap. It is not fancy. But it has rhythm.
Sharp steps and quick shifts of weight, heels striking the floor with deliberate beats. He adds a clap, a shoulder roll, a little flourish that is more confidence than technique, and the sound fills the kitchen in a way that makes it impossible not to watch.
Cass smiles as he watches, chin resting on Tansy’s shoulder. Warren stares, eyebrows raised and mouth open,like he did not expect to be proven wrong so thoroughly. And Tansy lights up immediately.
She clutches her hands under her chin, watching Grason’s feet, then his shoulders, then the timing of his turns. She starts tapping her feet lightly on the floor, copying him, but I’m not sure if she even realizes it.
“That’s actually not bad,” Warren admits as he looks at me. I quickly nod, agreeing.
“Careful,” Grason shoots back without missing a beat. “That almost sounded like praise.”
I laugh as Grason finishes his dance with a quick stamp and a grin, then turns toward Tansy like he’s on a stage instead of in our kitchen. He bows, clears his throat dramatically, and holds out a hand to her.
“May I have this dance?” he asks, formal as hell.
Tansy is all smiles as she takes his hand without hesitation. Grason gives a gentle tug and pulls her up and off Cass’s lap, earning a surprised giggle from her and a soft huff of amusement from Cass as he lets her go.
They face each other in the middle of the kitchen, hands linked. Grason starts again, slower this time, exaggerating the steps like he’s teaching instead of performing. It turns into something halfway between an Irish step and an awkward shimmy, all stiff legs and loose shoulders, but he commits to it fully.
Tansy watches his feet for about two seconds before giving up and just moving with him. She laughs when she misses a step, then tries again, adding little hops and turns that are pure instinct. They bump into each other once, and both crack up, Grason steadying her with a hand at her elbow before launching back into it.
“The big finale,” Grason warns Tansy, and she nods, like she’s ready for whatever he’s got in mind.
Gray adds a few exaggerated steps, louder and faster, arms swinging wide like he’s performing for an invisible audience. Tansy matches him as best she can, laughing the whole time, her movements looser and more confident now that she’s stopped worrying about getting it right.
Grason finishes with a sharp stamp and a dramatic spin, then he steps in close and wraps an arm around Tansy’s waist. Before she can even react, he dips her back, smooth and controlled, like he’s done this a hundred times.
Tansy lets out a surprised laugh, one hand bracing against his shoulder as her hair falls back. Grason grins down at her, clearly very pleased with himself.
Cass lets out a low laugh, and Warren starts slow clapping.
“Very impressive.” Warren raises his hands, nodding like he accepts that he was wrong.
Breathing hard, Grason brings Tansy back upright just as easily, hands still steady at her waist for a second longer than necessary. Tansy’s cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright, and she looks a little breathless in the best way.
“Yup. I’ve still got it,” Grason says proudly.
Tansy laughs again, pushing lightly at his chest. “You’re ridiculous.”
Cass pushes back from the table and stands, the chair legs scraping softly against the floor. He takes two careful steps forward and cups Tansy’s face. He kisses her quickly on the lips.
“That was amazing,” he tells her, smiling like he means every word.
