“She told me,” Cass continues, voice low and steady, “that revenge invites more violence. That it’s a vicious cycle. Someone always pays for it later.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want her to spend the rest of her life waiting for retaliation,” Cass says. “Waiting for William to come knocking.”
I nod slowly and start the car, deciding that it's okay to keep this one secret from her.
“Come on,” Cass taps my leg. “Let’s get home to our girl.”
On the Couch
Tansy
I’m curledup on the couch, tucked between Beck and Warren, the credits rolling silently across the TV. The room is dim except for the flicker of the screen and the low lamp in the corner.
“That was disgusting,” Beck says, as he shifts closer to me like the movie might somehow get him. “No one bleeds that much from a head wound. And the physics made zero sense.”
I grin, still riding the excitement from the last jump scare. “It was fun,” I say. “Goryscary movies are the best ones.”
“It wasstupid,” he corrects me, rolling his eyes hard enough I’m surprised they don’t get stuck. “And it wasn’t even realistic.” He points a finger at the TV like it personally offended him. “Hell, one guy fell into a vat of acid and didn’t even die right away. He just clung to the edge whilehis skin melted off in chunks.” He scoffs. “Whoever wrote that needs therapy.”
Warren snorts, clearly enjoying this way too much.
“I’m serious.” Beck glares at the alpha. “It wasn’t even scary. It was just excessive,” he says flatly.
Warren lets out a laugh, warm and quiet, the sound vibrating lightly against my back. “If it wasn’t scary, then why’d you scream?” he asks.
“I did not scream,” Beck says immediately.
“You absolutely did,” Warren teases him. “You grabbed Tansy like the couch was collapsing.” He chuckles again. “It looked like you were trying to crawl inside her for safety.”
Beck huffs, then grumbles, “Shut up.”
I lean in before Beck can come up with a better insult and press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Ignore him,” I murmur. “He’s just mad you have better survival instincts.”
Beck freezes for half a second, then mutters, “Damn right I do,” but his ears are pink and he doesn’t look nearly as annoyed anymore.
“Alright.” Warren reaches forward and grabs the remote off the coffee table. “What’s next?” he asks, scrolling.
“I need something cheerful,” Beck says immediately. “Bright. Optimistic. Preferably animated.”
Warren hums thoughtfully. “Akira?”
I clamp a hand over my mouth, but it’s too late. A laugh escapes anyway.
Beck turns slowly to stare at him. “You are the worst.”
Warren shrugs, face completely deadpan. “I don’t see the problem.”
“That movie is existential dread wrapped in body-horror,” Beck says flatly. “I willnotbe emotionally ambushed twice in one day.”
Warren chuckles again and keeps flippingthrough the menu, clearly enjoying himself. The remote clicks softly as the thumbnail slides by on the screen.
“Oh!” Beck sits a little taller. “The Princess Bride!”
Warren gives the beta a pointed look, clearly not in the mood for a romcom. But the second Beck’s bottom lip pops out, Warren sighs and I already know he’s going to cave.
“Fine.” The alpha shakes his head and clicks on it. “Whatever makes you happy.” He leans over me and kisses the top of Beck’s head. Then he stands. “Does anyone want a drink?”
“I want cookies,” I say immediately. “The soft ones.”
Beck perks up. “And gummy bears. The good ones. Not the sad off-brand kind that Grason keeps buying.”
