“That sounds perfect.” He ruffles Abel’s hair, then mine, and I feel a pulse of joy so strong I have to bite my lip.
We detour to the grocery store and buy at least $150 in cheese alone, pasta, and frozen bread. Buckle insists on carrying every bag, flexing in the parking lot while Abel and I heckle him. The world feels lighter for a moment.
Back at our place, Abel takes over the kitchen with a kind of chaotic energy that makes every step a little faster than necessary. I chop and grate and wash and mix, playing sous chef. Buckle hovers, arranging ingredients and taste-testing raw veggies with single-minded focus. We’re an excellent team, if I do say so myself.
By hour two, we’ve got three lasagnas, a vat of chili, four trays of different casseroles, and at least six containers of homemade soup. The counter is a disaster, but we’re all glowing with accomplishment. Every now and then, Buckle leans over and kisses the top of my head, or Abel’s, and for a second I can believe we’re the only three people in the world.
We’re just finishing the last batch of freezer breakfast burritos when Abel’s phone buzzes.
He doesn’t look at it right away. He’s elbow-deep in kneading fresh dough and too focused on the task. I’m the one who notices the screen, a name flashing in sharp, angry letters: ANYA.
I freeze. “Abel,” I say softly, nudging his sleeve. He blinks, then follows my gaze. His face falls. His shoulders drop. The happy bubble we’d been in for hours pops.
“You don’t have to answer,” Buckle says, instantly at Abel’s side. “You don’t owe her anything.”
But Abel shakes his head. “She’ll just keep calling. Better to get it over with.”
He wipes his hands, answers, and puts the phone on speaker. “What do you want?” There’s harshness in his voice that I don’t think I’ve ever heard before.
There’s a long, pregnant pause before Anya answers.
“Your time is almost up.” Anya’s cold, commanding voice crackles through the speaker, and I want to strangle the woman. It’s been a long time since I’ve been violent, but for Abel, I’ll do anything. By the low growls coming from our Alpha, he feels the same.
Buckle’s hands clench tighter. For a second, I actually want to bite someone.
Abel’s jaw tightens, conflicted emotions crossing his face. “Leave me alone, Anya,” he replies, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. “My life is in Mink Hollow.”
Every word he speaks fills me with pride. Abel stands his ground, pushing back against one of the people who caused him so much pain. My heart swells as I watch him assert himself, refusing to let his past dictate his life any longer.
“You don’t have a choice. I’m just giving you the curtesy of telling you we’re coming for you. You were right the other week. I used to be kind to you. Take this as me going back to my roots.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was gentle, but the threat’s still there.
“It’s a little late for that,” Abel says quietly.
“Don’t test me, Abel,” Anya warns, but he cuts her off.
“I’m not afraid of you anymore,” he says, his voice rising slightly, determination etched across his features. “I’mchoosing my own future. And my future is with my mates in Mink Hollow.”
With that, he hangs up, the finality of the action echoing in the room. The atmosphere shifts, the warmth we shared minutes ago now tinged with tension and uncertainty.
For a few seconds, nobody moves. Abel looks at his hands as if he’s surprised they’re not shaking. I’m the first to move, wrapping him in my arms.
There’s a mix of pride and concern rumbling in my gut. “You are incredible, Abel. I’m so proud of you for standing up to her. To them.”
His face is still clouded with worry, but there’s a flicker of relief behind his fear. “What if she comes after me?” he asks quietly.
“We’ll protect you.” Buckle kneels in front of us. “No one is taking you away from us. Not now, not ever.”
I can’t shake the feeling that this battle is far from over. The storm looming on the horizon feels closer, but I know we can face it together.
“I won’t let Anya ruin a good day.” Abel fiddles with his phone and pop music blares out. “We won’t let Pax and Aaron go hungry.” He nods and marches right back to the kitchen to finish what we started.
