“I feel incredible,” I say honestly, tipping my head back to look at him. “You look really good.”
His mouth curves in a little, shy smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Where are you going all dressed up?”
“Running somewhere with Cass,” he says easily.
My smile falters before I can stop it. Just a flicker. But enough.
Grason notices immediately.
He dips his head, fingers lifting my chin, and kisses my bottom lip.
“He wants to talk to a few business partners. He hasn’t seen them in months. It’ll be quick,” he says. “We’ll be back before you know it. Promise.”
I nod, the tightness easing as quickly as it came. I believe him. That’s the thing that still surprises me.
Raised voices drift in from the living room a second later, sharp enough to cut through the quiet hum of the house.
“—no, Warren, you need to fuckinghandle this.”
Cass.
Grason exhales softly against my hair, already turning toward the sound. “Time to go,” he murmurs, and I follow him out of the kitchen without thinking, curiosity getting the better of me.
Cass and Warren are mid-conversation, standing near the coffee table. Cass has his cane in one hand, posture rigid, jaw tight in that way that means he’s past irritated and heading toward pissed.
Warren stands opposite him, shoulders squared, hands shoved into his pockets as if he’s bracing for impact.
“It’s wildly inappropriate,” Cass says flatly. “Jimmy hasnoreason to be calling me.”
Warren drags a hand down his face and lets out a heavy sigh. “I know. I’m sorry.” He looks genuinely annoyed now. “I fired him. I told him I’d give him a reference to get in with another pack. I even tried to let him down gently,which in hindsight, was probably a mistake. But the kid clearly won’t let it go.”
Cass scoffs. “He doesn’t get tonot let it go. That’s not how this works.”
“I’ll fix it,” Warren says immediately. No hesitation. “I promise. He won’t bother you again.”
Cass holds his gaze for a long moment, then nods once, sharp and decisive. “Good.”
The tension breaks just enough for Grason to step in. “You ready?” he asks Cass quietly.
Cass adjusts his grip on the cane, testing his weight like he always does before moving. He’s walking better than he has in months—barely a limp now—but he still likes having it close in case he gets tired. And because he hates the lectures he gets from me and Beck when he pushes too hard.
We’re pretty ruthless about that.
All three alphas head for the door together, Warren holding the door open and Grason already reaching for his keys. Cass moves steadily, controlled, the cane tapping lightly against the floor.
Cass glances back at me once, expression softening just a fraction. “We won’t be long,” he says.
“I know,” I tell him, and I do. “Try not to get punched this time.” I laugh, and Cass smiles.
After I was mated, Grason finally told us how Cass popped himself in the face with a cabinet door at his accountant’s office. It sounded horribly embarrassing, but the bruise is completely gone now.
“Love you,” Cass and Grason say their goodbyes, then shut the door behind them.
Warren doesn’t move right away. He watches through the window next to the door for a beat longer than necessary,watching our alphas leave. Then turns to me, his expression easing into something warm and familiar. He crosses the room in long steps and cups my face, kissing me.
I hum into it, hands resting against his chest. Our bond answers immediately, a calm, steady presence that settles behind my eyes, smoothing everything out.
