The so-called contract negotiation went by quickly because we basically agreed to everything Trinity asked for, including the non-disclosure agreement and mandatory STD testing.
In fact, I paid about as much attention to the discussion as I did the color of the walls in Amara’s office. All I could think about was that there is only one reason Trinity would want medical records.
She’s thinking about fucking us.
Even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself.
The part of the contract normally reserved for discussing sexual limits during heat-breaking was deliberately left blank, even though there is nothing in the contract itself covering sexual content.
Technically, pretty much anything is potentially on the table.
Don’t worry, sweetheart. My dick and I are thinking the exact same thing.
The memory of her scent and the feel of her arms carried me all the way out of the building that we had towalk out of together because it would look weird if a pack left in separate cars.
Until these two idiots decide to ruin my high by getting into a pointless argument.
“Kyren isn’t the same asshole he was in college. This will work,” Matheo stubbornly insists. “Once I’ve explained everything, he’ll be cool.”
“Kyren is a walking disaster,” Cash continues, his voice tightening with each word. “He stole my girlfriend sophomore year and almost got me expelled when we were seniors, for Christ’s sake. And he constantly calls me insulting nicknames like we’re all still immature frat boys.”
“What girlfriend?” I ask, nudging Cash’s shoulder playfully.
Cash wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “Don’t worry about it, baby. She was no one.”
“If she was no one,” Matheo interjects with a triumphant grin, “then why are you still upset about it?”
“A cheating ex isn’t the point,” Cash’s gripes. “Kyren can’t be trusted. He’s never held down a job for more than a few months and no relationship of his has even lasted that long. He’s immature, impulsive, and?—”
“And exactly what we need right now,” Matheo cuts in. “Look, I get it. Kyren can be a lot. But he’s also charming when he wants to be, and Trinity needs three alphas.”
Cash adjusts his glasses, a nervous habit I’ve come to recognize when he’s frustrated. “There has to be someone else.”
“Fine.” Matheo crosses his arms. “Go back in there and explain to Trinity that we’re lying about both Kyren and being a pack. Tell her we’re just random guys who’ve been friends since college, trying to scam her.”
“Don’t you dare,” I interrupt, stepping between them.The thought of losing Trinity before we’ve even started makes my chest ache. Her scent still lingers on my skin, summer-sweet and intoxicating. “We need this to work.”
Cash must see something in my expression because his stance softens. I rarely put my foot down about anything, but this feels important in a way I can’t fully articulate.
“If you can think of any other alphas who might be available, I’m all ears,” Matheo adds, gentler now. “But we need someone immediately, and Kyren has never let me down.”
Cash runs a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “Fine. But any problems Kyren causes are your responsibility, Matheo. Every single one.”
“There won’t be any problems,” Matheo promises, relief evident in his voice.
I’m not sure I believe him, but I’m too focused on the memory of Trinity’s body against mine—the way she melted into my touch—to care about potential complications. The contract gives us one week with her. One week to convince her we’re a real pack and she belongs with us forever. One week for her to fall for us the way I’m already falling for her.
“We should celebrate,” I suggest, trying to lighten the mood. “Our first pack outing. First round is on you, Matheo. Since you’re a billionaire and all.”
Matheo rolls his eyes, but doesn’t argue. A good sign.
“We’re not actually a pack,” Cash reminds me, but there’s no heat behind his words.
“Not yet,” Matheo says with a confidence I envy. “But we will be, at least for as long as it takes to convince Trinity that I’m not going anywhere. I get my chance with the most amazing omega I’ve ever met and you get your baby.”
His words put a pall on my excitement. Adoption is barely on my mind at all right now.
But it isn’t just Trinity who will need convincing that this is more than happenstance. Fate has brought us all together. Kismet. A unique alignment of the universe that we would be fools to ignore.
