I move past him to the counter, setting my purse down and trying to figure out where to start. Jett hands me his beer without a word, and I take a grateful sip before passing it back.
"I spent the day with Penelope," I say, and I watch as all three of them go very still.
"You what?" Cassian asks, his voice carefully controlled in that way that means he's trying not to react badly.
"She came to my hotel room yesterday," I say quickly, before any of them can start lecturing me. "She was crying. She told me her grandmother is dying and she needs money for medication. She said Ben convinced her to marry him so she could access his family money to pay for it."
Pine sets down the knife with a soft click. "And you believed her?"
"I don't know," I admit honestly. "Her scent was all over the place. She seemed genuinely distressed. But I also know she's been buying books about manipulation, so I don't know if it was real or if she's just that good at lying."
Jett pushes off the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "What did you do?"
"I offered to help her plan the wedding the right way," I say, and I can see the exact moment all three of them decide I've lost my mind. "Before you start, just listen. I spent today with her going to all the vendors where she has debt. She paid everything off. Eight hundred dollars in debt, gone. She ordered flowers and a cake. She's trying to do this honestly now."
"Sharon," Cassian says slowly, like he's explaining something to a child. "Her grandmother died years ago. We went to the funeral. Ben made us all go. It was a few years back."
The world tilts slightly under my feet. "What?"
"Her grandmother," Pine repeats, his voice steady but firm. "She's been dead for years. Penelope gave this big speech at the funeral about how her grandmother was her inspiration. We all sat through it."
My stomach drops like I've just stepped off a cliff. "Maybe she meant a different grandmother. Her other grandmother. People have two grandmothers."
The three of them exchange looks that make it clear they think I'm grasping at straws.
"Maybe," Jett says, but he doesn't sound convinced. "Or maybe she's lying to manipulate you into helping her."
I lean back against the counter, suddenly exhausted in a way that has nothing to do with walking around Pine Hollow all day. "I just hope you're right. About the other grandmother thing. I hope I'm not being completely played."
Cassian moves closer, his hand finding my waist in that possessive way he has. "Even if you are, we're here. We've got your back."
"We're more than just your support network, Sharon," Pine says, his dark eyes locked on mine. "We're here for you. No matter what."
"You're stuck with us," Jett adds, moving to stand on my other side. "Whether you like it or not."
Something warm and tight unfolds in my chest. Something that feels dangerously close to belonging.
"Thank you," I say quietly, looking at each of them in turn. "Thank you for not immediately telling me I'm an idiot."
"You're not an idiot," Cassian says firmly. "You're an omega who wants to help someone who seems desperate. That's not stupidity. That's compassion."
"Even if she's playing you," Pine says, "you tried to do the right thing. That matters."
I let out a long breath, feeling some of the tension drain from my shoulders. "I really hope I'm right about this."
"So do we," Jett says. "But if you're not, we'll figure it out together."
Cassian tugs me closer, his chin resting on top of my head. "Now stop worrying and let us feed you. Pine actually managed not to burn anything, which is a miracle we should celebrate."
"I never burn anything," Pine mutters, but there's fondness in his voice.
As they move around the kitchen, plating food and arguing about proper pasta-to-sauce ratios, I let myself just stand there and feel grateful. Grateful that I'm not alone anymore.
Thank you, universe, for giving me alphas who care. Even when I'm making questionable life choices involving my ex's fiancée and potential fraud schemes.
This might be a disaster, but at least I'm not facing it alone.
15
