Page 100 of Mating With My Grumpy Alphas
“That’s incredible,” Wes said, pride clear in his voice. “Your work could help people understand what we’re fighting to save.”
“We’ll support you however we can,” Elias added. “Whatever you need to make this happen.”
“What about you guys and your careers?” I asked. “Are you happy with how things are? Do you want to expand or change anything?”
“I love my work,” Wes said firmly. “Protecting the local environment, managing wildlife populations. It’s exactly what I’m meant to be doing.”
“And I’ve got more business than I can handle,” Rhett added. “Good clients, interesting projects, work that challenges me without consuming my life.”
“The apothecary is thriving,” Elias said with satisfaction. “I’m helping people, building connections with the community. What more could I want?”
“So we’re all exactly where we want to be,” I said, understanding settling into place.
“Exactly,” Wes said. “We don’t need to chase the next big thing. We have what matters.”
The afternoon dissolved into detailed planning sessions for both the gallery collection and the cabin expansion. By evening,we had sketches for the barn studio, a preliminary timeline for my photography project, and a shared understanding of how we wanted our future to unfold.
“I should probably check on Cassian again,” Wes said as we finished dinner. “Just want to make sure he’s settling in okay.”
“Give him our best,” I said, and the others nodded in agreement. A part of me wanted to go with him but maybe Cassian would feel more comfortable talking to Wes if it was just the two of them.
When Wes returned an hour later, there was tension in his shoulders that hadn’t been there when he’d left.
“Everything okay?” I asked, looking up from the photos I’d been editing.
“Cassian wasn’t home,” Wes said, running a hand through his hair. “His car’s gone, and I asked around town but no one has seen him all day. I drove around but couldn’t find him anywhere.”
“Maybe he just needed to get away for a while,” Elias suggested gently. “Process everything that’s happened.”
“Maybe,” Wes said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “I just hope he’s not doing anything drastic. Losing your entire family support system overnight can make people desperate.”
“He seemed stable when you talked to him yesterday,” Rhett pointed out.
“He did,” Wes agreed. “But you never know how someone’s really handling things until they’re alone with their thoughts.”
I could feel his worry through our bond, the way his protective instincts extended beyond just our pack to anyone who might need help. It was one of the things I loved most about him.
“Want me to drive around with you tomorrow?” I offered. “Check some of the hiking trails or scenic spots where someone might go to think?”
“I’d appreciate that,” he said, settling beside me on the couch. “For now, I guess there’s nothing more we can do tonight.”
After that, the three of us settled into our quiet evening routine. Rhett worked on construction sketches while Elias prepared herbal blends. I edited photos, occasionally asking for opinions on composition or lighting.
It was domestic and peaceful and absolutely ordinary in the best possible way, though I could still sense Wes’s underlying concern about Cassian
“Can I ask you something?” I said as we prepared for bed.
“Anything,” Elias said, speaking for all of them.
“Do you ever miss it? The way things were before? When you didn’t have to consider anyone else’s needs or schedules or dreams?”
They exchanged a look that held entire conversations, the kind of wordless communication that came from deep emotional connection.
“Do you miss being hungry?” Rhett asked finally.
“What?”
“Do you miss the feeling of being hungry? Not just wanting food, but that hollow, empty sensation that comes from real need?”
