Page 56 of The Flavor of Us

That’s what it feels like. We’re building something here. Something fragile, something tentative, butreal.

I lean back slightly, swirling the glass of whiskey in my hand as I watch Carleen fuss over Tati. It’s rare to see Carleen let her guard down like this, to see her so tender and soft. Normally, she’s all sharp edges and focus, but outside with me and here, with Tati tucked against her side, she’s softer. She’sherself.

The server arrives with our plates and the conversation shifts naturally to the food, to Culinova, to what comes next.

“So, Carleen,” I say, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table, my whiskey glass dangling lazily between my fingers. “How are you feeling about the menu submission? Confident?”

Carleen looks up at me, her brown eyes sharp but glittering with something almost playful. “There are a few finishing touches I need to add,” she says, cutting into her steak with precision, “but yeah. I’m confident. I wouldn’t have agreed to this if I wasn’t.”

Ryder hums his agreement, lifting his wine glass in a small toast. “You should be confident, Carleen. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s exceptional.”

The restaurant hums with quiet conversation and clinking cutlery, but all I can focus on isus.The four of us tucked into this cozy little corner, surrounded by soft candlelight and the faint scent of wine and herbs.

Tati’s beside me, her hazel eyes bright as she beams up at Carleen, who’s currently trying—and failing—not to blush asRyder leans in close, his nose skimming along the curve of her cheek.

Carleen’s trying to keep her composure, pretending she’s focused on her steak, but Ryder isn’t having it. His hand rests gently on her lower back, his thumb moving in slow, reassuring circles. The way he holds her—it’s so tender, sodelicate. He’s scenting her openly, marking her with his calm, steady presence, and Carleen’s letting him.

I don’t know if she realizes it yet, but she’s leaning into him, her shoulders relaxing under his touch.

Tati giggles at something Carleen mutters under her breath and I turn my focus back to her. She’s got this glow about her tonight, like she’s soaked up all the warmth and attention and is now radiating it back tenfold. Her plate’s still half-full, though, because every time she picks up her fork, her attention gets pulled elsewhere—usually by me or Ryder or Carleen.

“Here, little doe,” I murmur, reaching over with my knife and fork to cut her steak into neat little slices. “You’ll never finish if you keep getting distracted.”

Her eyes snap to me, her cheeks flushing as she presses her lips together in a shy smile. “I was gonna get to it…”

I smirk, spearing a slice of steak with my fork before holding it up to her lips. “Open up, Tati.”

She stares at me for half a second before her lips part, her tongue flicking briefly against the fork as she takes the bite. I don’t miss the soft sound she makes as she chews, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment like she’s savoring every flavor.

“That good?” I ask softly, my voice dipping just enough to make her cheeks turn pink again.

She nods, her voice muffled as she answers, “Steak is always good.”

Carleen snorts lightly, and Ryder chuckles low in his chest, but I’m still focused on Tati. She’sbeamingunder the attention—undermyattention. I want to ask them. I want to look around this table and say it out loud—let me be your Alpha. Let me be part of this family.

But I hold back.

Not yet. Not tonight.

Tonight, I’m just going to let myself be here.I’m going to relish every smile, every soft laugh, every flicker of connection that passes between us. Tati shifts beside me, leaning into my shoulder slightly as she sighs contentedly.

“Full already, little doe?” I ask softly, nudging her plate closer to her.

She shakes her head, her smile sleepy but happy. “No, just… happy. Really, really happy.”

I can’t help it—I lean down and press a soft kiss to her temple. “You deserve happy, Tati.”

Her hand finds my thigh under the table, her fingers curling slightly into the fabric of my pants. Next to us, Ryder’s still scenting Carleen, his nose running lightly along her jaw now. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips parted slightly, but she’s not pulling away. If anything, she’s leaning closer.

She trusts him.

As the night winds down and the check is paid, we step out into the cool night air, the faint hum of the city wrapping around us like a blanket. Tati’s tucked close to Carleen’s side, her head resting against Carleen’s shoulder as they walk a few steps ahead.

Ryder falls into step beside me, his sharp blue gaze focused on the two women in front of us. Neither of us speaks for a long moment. But then Ryder exhales softly and says, “We’re lucky, Ash.”

I nod, my voice low and certain as I reply, “Yeah. We really are.”

The trial might be ending but this little pack is just beginning.

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