Page 37 of Bound By Alphas 1: Bound

I shook my head, focusing intently on cutting my salmon. “Not really. Just sketched a bit.”

“You should show Cade those charcoal studies you did last week,” Drew suggested. “The ones of the coastline at dawn.”

“Maybe later,” I mumbled, not wanting to think about showing the brothers any of my art after what had happened in the studio.

An awkward silence fell over the table, broken only by the sound of silverware against china. I could feel the brothers exchanging glances over my head, having one of those silent alpha conversations that always made me feel like I was missing something important.

“Oh!” Drew suddenly exclaimed, pulling out his phone. “I meant to ask—some friends were wondering if they could come up for a weekend. Jake and Tyler from the Richardson Pack, and Sophia and Mia from the Blackwood Clan.”

I tensed immediately. More shifters? Here? While I was stuck with fox parts?

“I don’t know,” Cade said slowly, his eyes flicking to my ears. “This might not be the best time for guests.”

“They’re cool,” Drew insisted. “And they’ve been dying to see the estate.”

“You mean they’ve been dying to see if the rumors about the Sinclair alphas are true,” Keir corrected with a smirk.

Drew had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “Well, yeah, maybe. It would be nice to have some company our age around here.”

“Our age?” I repeated. “They’re all your classmates, Drew. They’re not my age.”

“Close enough.” He waved dismissively. “Come on, Cade. One weekend? They can stay in the guest wing.”

Cade looked at me, his expression unreadable. “What do you think, Finn? Would you be comfortable with visitors right now?”

The question caught me off guard. Since when did Cade ask for my opinion on pack matters?

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted, my tail wrapping tighter around my waist. “Not if I’m still like this.” I gestured to my ears.

“The partial shift will resolve itself,” Logan said with surprising gentleness. “It’s just a phase.”

“Your body is adjusting,” Keir explained. “Once your fox settles, you’ll have more control.”

“And if it doesn’t?” I challenged. “What if I’m stuck like this forever? Half-shifted, unable to control my own body?”

“You won’t be,” Cade said with such certainty I almost believed him. “But if you’re uncomfortable with visitors, we’ll postpone.”

Drew looked disappointed but nodded. “I get it. Another time.”

“No.” I sighed, feeling guilty. “It’s fine. Invite them. I’ll just… hide in my studio if I’m still like this.”

“You will do no such thing,” Logan growled, making me jump. “This is your home. You don’t hide.”

“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. “You’re not the one with animal parts.”

“Those ‘animal parts’ are part of who you are,” Cade said firmly. “Anyone who can’t respect that isn’t welcome here.”

The intensity in his voice made my ears perk up despite myself. There was something almost… possessive in his tone that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Fine,” I conceded, focusing on my food again. “Invite them. But don’t blame me if they think you’ve adopted a mascot.”

“They’ll think no such thing,” Keir said.

Drew, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject. “So, movie night? I’ve got snacks, drinks, and a playlist that’ll keep us going till midnight.”

“Some of us have work tomorrow,” Cade reminded him, though his lips quirked in a small smile.

“All the more reason to enjoy tonight,” Drew countered. “Live a little, old man.”

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