We hear about the dinner two days later.
"New pack next door," Ragon says at breakfast, like he's reading a memo. "I invited them over for Friday."
The words land like a dropped pot.
"All three?" Drake asks. "At once?"
"That's usually what 'pack' means," Eli says mildly.
Marie brightens. "It'll be nice to have more people over. Less focus on us."
"Less focus on me," I mutter quietly into my tea.
Ragon's gaze brushes over me, clinical. "Vee will cook. Something simple. Enough for everyone."
"Yes, Alpha."
Jasper lifts a brow. "You're volunteering her a lot."
Ragon shrugs. "She likes to cook. And she does it well. It's good for her to have useful structure."
Useful structure.
I stir my tea so hard the spoon clinks against the mug.
"What are you thinking for the menu?" Eli asks carefully.
I stare into the cup. "Roast chicken. Lemon and thyme. Potatoes. A big salad. Bread."
"Dessert?" Drake asks, hopeful.
"If there's time. Maybe a tart. Or brownies."
Marie perks up. "I could do the dessert. If you want. So you don't have to do it all."
"I'm fine," I say, too fast. "I've got it."
Ragon's gaze clicks to me and holds. "Good. Simple, appropriate. You're making smart choices." He nods once. "That's exactly how I want you. Focused. Calm."
Heat climbs my neck. Calm feels like a new way to say quiet.
"I'll do the wine," Eli says. "And non-alcoholic options."
Jasper hums. "Assume varied tolerances. Keep diffusers off. They're on blockers; don't make them work harder."
Ragon points at me. "You'll greet when they arrive and then return to the kitchen. No crowding the entry. No scent-pushing. No crusades."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Good girl," he says, smooth as breath. "Exactly like that."
The words shock something low in me and immediately curdle it. I look at the table. The tea tastes like metal.
Marie glances between us, then down at her napkin. Drake grimaces. Eli goes still, quiet fury tamped under a polite face. Jasper watches me like the heat signature of the room just shifted.
"I appreciate how you're handling this," Ragon continues. "No arguing, no dramatics. When I say structure is useful for you, this is what I mean." He gestures toward my posture like it's a demonstration. "You're easier. For everyone."
I have to swallow twice. "I'll make a list. Shopping. Timers."
