Page 53 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
He started laughing. Genuine, warm amusement. “You moved to Hollow Haven and collected three alphas in under two months. That’s impressive.”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a yes.” He pulled me closer, tucking me against his side. “Cassian’s had a rough time. If you have feelings for him, he probably needs that. And Hollis is a good man. I respect him.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “So yeah. Three of us. Let’s figure it out.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” His voice was steady, certain. “But we should probably all meet. Talk about boundaries and expectations. Make sure we’re on the same page before this becomes official.”
“Hollis said the same thing.”
“Because he’s smart.” Jace smiled. “How about this weekend? The four of us. Neutral territory, maybe coffee at The Brew. Just talking, seeing if this could actually work.”
I pulled back to look at him properly. “You’re really okay with this. All of it.”
“I really am.” He cupped my face gently. “I want you happy, Talia. If that means sharing you with two other alphas and building something together, then that’s what we do.”
I kissed him. Direct and grateful and full of promise. He responded immediately, deepening the kiss until we were both breathless.
When we broke apart, he was grinning.
“Now. Want to cook some chanterelles? Because I’ve been thinking about this mushroom pasta all day.”
We migrated to the kitchen and fell into easy rhythm. Chopping, sautéing, talking. He told me about his work at the ranger station. I told him about the bistro renovations. Normal conversation between two people who liked each other.
Except now we were building toward something bigger. Something that included two other people and a whole lot of trust.
Over dinner, Jace pulled out his phone. “Should I text Hollis? Set up that meeting?”
“Let me.” I found Hollis’s contact and typed:I’ve talked with Jace about everything. We want to meet with you and Cassian this weekend. Jace suggested The Brew. All four of us. Are you free?
His response came within minutes:Saturday afternoon? 2 PM?
I showed the message to Jace, who nodded approval.
Perfect. I’ll ask Cassian.
I texted Cassian next:Are you free Saturday 2 PM to meet at The Brew? You, me, Hollis, and Jace. To talk about what we all want and if this thing could work.
His response was slower but equally direct:I’ll be there.
I set my phone down and looked at Jace in surprise. “This is really happening.”
“This is really happening.” He raised his wine glass. “To honesty. And figuring things out as we go.”
I clinked my glass against his. “To pack.”
“To pack,” he echoed.
After dinner, we moved back to the couch. Jace pulled me close and we just sat there for a while, comfortable in the quiet.
“Can I ask you something?” I said eventually.
“Anything.”
“What made you so okay with this? With pack dynamics instead of traditional coupling?”
He was quiet for a moment, thinking. “My parents had a traditional bond. Alpha and omega, just the two of them. And they were miserable. Constantly fighting, both of them wanting things the other couldn’t provide.” He traced patterns on my arm absently. “My aunt and her pack, though? Four alphas and an omega who’ve been bonded for thirty years. Happiest people I know. Because they each brought something different and nobody had to be everything for anyone else.”
