Page 54 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
“So you saw it work.”
“I saw it work better than the alternative.” He pressed another kiss to my temple. “Plus, I’m not the jealous type. Never have been. If you’re happy and I get to be part of that happiness, why would I complain about who else makes you happy?”
It was such a simple philosophy. So different from everything Vincent had taught me about possession and control.
“I really like you, Jace Maddox.”
“I really like you too, Talia Quinn.”
We stayed like that until he had to leave because he had an early shift in the morning. One more lingering kiss at the door, full of promise and possibility.
After he left, I stood in my cottage and looked around. Same space as last night, but everything felt different. Clearer. Like now that I’d finally stopped fighting myself about what I wanted, I could actually see the world around me now.
Three men. Three different ways of being seen. And Saturday, we’d find out if this could actually work.
But I already knew my answer. I was ready to try.
Chapter 16
Cassian
Friday morning arrived with the kind of crisp October clarity that made the mountains look close enough to touch. I’d been awake since five, unable to sleep, my mind churning through tomorrow’s meeting at The Brew.
Twenty-four hours until I sat down with Jace Maddox and Hollis Green to discuss whether three alphas could actually coordinate around one omega. Whether pack formation was a realistic possibility or just a beautiful theory that would collapse under the weight of actual human complexity.
Talia had texted me last night after Jace left:Are you nervous about Saturday?
Terrified,I’d admitted.But ready.
Her response had made something warm settle in my chest:Good. Me too. But I think we can do this.
I’d spent the rest of the evening researching pack dynamics with the same analytical focus I’d once applied to development projects. Academic papers on multi-alpha households.Psychological studies on polyamorous relationship structures. Forums where people discussed the practical realities of making unconventional families work.
The data was surprisingly encouraging. Pack bonds showed higher stability rates than traditional pairings when all parties entered with clear communication and mutual respect. The key factors were emotional maturity, willingness to address conflicts directly, and genuine care for the omega’s wellbeing above individual ego.
Could three competitive alphas actually achieve that? Could I?
My phone buzzed at eight thirty. Talia’s name on the screen made my pulse quicken in ways I was still learning to accept.
Are you free this morning? Something came up with the bistro. Could use a second opinion.
I was already reaching for my keys.Be there in ten minutes.
The drive to Main Street took exactly nine. I parked behind the bistro and found Talia’s Chevy already there, along with two contractor trucks I didn’t recognize and a vehicle with health department plates.
My stomach tightened. Health department meant inspection. And unscheduled inspections usually meant problems.
I found her in the kitchen, surrounded by three men in work clothes. The air tasted wrong. Damp and slightly musty with an underlying chemical tang that made my lungs protest. And Talia’s scent had spiked with stress, the vanilla sweetness buried under sharp anxiety.
She saw me and something in her expression shifted. Not quite relief, but close. Like reinforcements had arrived when she’d been bracing to fight alone.
“Cassian.” She crossed to me quickly. “Thank you for coming.”
“What’s wrong?” I kept my voice low, just for her.
“Black mold. Behind the kitchen walls.” Her hands twisted together, the only visible sign of how much this was costing her.“The health inspector was doing the preliminary walk-through. He found moisture damage near the ventilation system and made them open up the wall.”
I looked past her to where the contractors had removed a section of drywall, exposing wooden studs visibly darkened with water damage. Black growth spread across the surface in patterns I recognized from too many property evaluations.
