Grason lets out an exaggerated huff. “Wow.” He folds his arms, pretending to be offended. “What about me?”
Cass doesn’t miss a beat. He reaches up, grabs a handful of Grason’s curls, and tugs him down just enough to meethis eyes. “You were amazing too,” he says, then leans in and kisses him square on the mouth.
Grason freezes for half a second, then absolutely melts. His ears go red, cheeks quickly following. He grins like an idiot when Cass lets him go, clearly way too pleased with himself.
The doorbell rings, sharp and unexpected, breaking our little bubble of happiness.
I start to move, already wiping my hands on a towel. “I’ll get it.”
“I’ve got it,” Warren says immediately, pushing back his chair. “Finish your breakfast.” He kisses the top of my head as he moves around the table.
Cass settles back into his seat and looks at me. “What’s the plan for today?” he asks, taking a sip of his coffee.
I shrug and smile. “I think maybe a movie. But I’m honestly down for whatever Tansy wants to do.” I look up at the omega.
Tansy shifts slightly, shoulders curling in on themselves. “Actually,” her voice drops as she tugs the sleeves of the oversized hoodie down over her hands, fidgeting with the fabric. “I was thinking I might like to call my family.”
She looks so scared that I immediately glance at Cass, trying to read his face to see what’s moving through their bond. But the alpha gives nothing away. His expression is almost blank, bordering on serious.
“Of course,” Cass finally says, his voice deliberately gentle, almost like he doesn’t want to startle her.
Across the kitchen, Grason catches my eye. We share a brief look, the same unspoken question passing between us, both of us wishing we knew what wasn’t being said.
“We can call them whenever you’re ready,” Cass says. “We can go to my office right now if youlike.”
“That’s okay,” Tansy says quickly. “We don’t have to do it right now. Maybe here in a minute.”
Cass nods, then whispers, “Of course, omega. Whenever you’re ready.”
That makes Tansy smile. Just a little.
Then she takes a slow breath, shoulders lifting and falling as she gathers herself. When she looks up again, there’s a bright smile in place as she turns toward Grason. “Actually, someone promised me a tour of the garden yesterday,” she says. “And you mentioned beehives. I’d really love to see those.”
Grason’s face lights up like she just offered him the best gift in the world. “Yeah,” he says. “I’d love to show you around.” He rubs his hands together as he glances out the back porch. “It’s a little cooler today, which means the bees will be a little sedated, so it’s actually a good time. They’ll still be active, but calmer.”
“That sounds perfect,” she says. “I’ve never seen a beehive before.”
Heavy boots thump right outside the kitchen. Warren steps in, followed by a young alpha with tired eyes.
It takes me half a second to place him. I haven’t seen Jimmy in ages, which honestly doesn’t surprise me. He has a real talent for irritating the hell out of Cass. Still, my first instinct is to be polite.
“Good morning, Jimmy,” I say.
The alpha glances at me and gives a distracted nod, already scanning the room. His dark hair looks tangled along the top, and he has deep lines etched around his eyes. “Did someone say they wanted to see abeehive?” he asks with disbelief.
“Yeah.” Grason stands a little taller, proud and toweringover everyone in the room. “I’ve got a few in the greenhouse out back.”
“Fuck.” Jimmy makes a face. “Why?” He shivers in an exaggerated way, making an awful retching sound.
I catch the look on Tansy’s face out of the corner of my eye. Her dark eyes narrow, sharp and assessing, like she’s already decided she doesn’t like Jimmy one bit. And I have to agree. Anyone who walks into a room and immediately tries to stomp all over Gray’s joy is definitely an ass.
“Those damn things are terrifying,” Jimmy continues, and Warren pinches the bridge of his nose, like he’s losing all patience.
“They aren’t terrifying.” Grason frowns. “They’re protective of what’s theirs. Any alpha should understand that.”
“Maybe.” Jimmy rolls his eyes, not even trying to hide how ridiculous he thinks Grason is. It makes my blood boil, but I stay quiet, not wanting to snap at one of Cass’s employees. It’s not my place.
“But I still wouldn’t want to hang out with them.” Jimmy’s gaze drifts like he’s remembering something. “Little fuckers almost killed me when I was six. My mother made me carry an EpiPen everywhere after that.”
