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Chapter fifty-eight

SOFIE

All I got from all of that is that this bullshit isn’t over. Tucked into Lance’s side doesn’t make it any better, knowing that the real investigation is just starting. It’s a terrifying thought. Lance squeezes my shoulder, pressing a kiss to my head as he guides me back up the stairs. People are filing back inside after Gray threw a punch at Nolan’s face and then Puma just said that he’s holding his for later.

Without any more excitement, everyone really wants to get back to the art. I just want to hold my Beta against me and tell her how much I love her and then complain about this fucking Orion bullshit. Lance runs his fingers along my shoulder, a breathy sigh falling from my lips. “That’s a problem we worry about at another time.”

“But that means it’s not over! I just want a little peace. To be a family. To not have to look over my goddamn shoulder and wonder if Nolan has something else planned.”

“The authorities have him and I’m sure sooner than later, we’ll find out the truth. Something we can brace ourselves for and if it’s too much, then we move onto something else.” Lance shrugs like it’s no big deal, like he would just give up his entire livelihood if it meant our safety.

I’m about to protest when Hawk joins us, affirming the same thing. “It’d take some getting used to but it wouldn’t be the end of the world, Sofie. I’m sure we could figure out life without all the lavish parties and bullshit.”

My Beta steals my attention as she climbs the steps toward me, her head held high, her shoulders back. I can’t help myself; the second she’s within reach, I’m all over her. My arms lock around her waist, my hands digging into the small of her back like I need to hold her close just to breathe right. “You looked fierce,” I whisper against her ear, and she lets out this tiny, breathless laugh before turning to kiss me. It’s not soft, not shy—her lips move against mine like she’s still got adrenaline pumping in her veins, and I love every second of it.

Hawk’s there a heartbeat later, his big arms coming around the both of us, pressing me against Violet. He murmurs something about being proud, about how Violet handled everything, but honestly, I’m not even listening. My attention’s on her, on the way she holds me like I’m the most important thing in the world.

A noise from downstairs pulls us apart. I glance over Violet’s shoulder just in time to see Puma and Gray coming up the steps. Gray immediately swipes over to Violet’s side, gently massaging her ear until she’s nearly melting against me. “You bastard!” She hisses but there’s no heat in it, even if I’m one step away from slick gathering in my panties. Thank fuck for the liners Violet brought home a week ago.

It keeps my Alphas from immediately descending like vultures.

I thread my fingers through Violet’s turning to face Puma. “What now? They’re still out there and—”

“Sofie, that is a problem for another time. If someone shows up, then we’ll tackle it. But not until then. Right now, I’m going to show off my mates and enjoy the rest of this little showing because it’s the last one we’re doing for a while.” He mumbles something else before stepping inside, people yelling that they never doubted him or that they were always on his side.

I snort at everyone being so damn obvious as Gray gestures to the door. “We should probably get in there. As much as Puma likes art and showing it off, he’s not a real big fan of people in his house.”

“Wait, what?” That’s news to me. “Why did he throw this party then?”

Hawk squeezes my shoulder and then points to Violet. “Because our Beta suggested it and Gray is his other mate. Between the two of them, I’m sure Puma would burn down the world if he thought it would make them happy.”

The evening stretches on and despite the looming disaster somewhere in the future, I can’t stop grinning. Every time I turn, one of them is there—Lance brushing a kiss to my temple as he passes with a plate of appetizers, Hawk catching my waist and spinning me around like we’re on some grand stage, Gray’s deep chuckle rolling through me as he slips a chocolate truffle into my hand. Puma’s been keeping watchful eyes on the guests, but even he’s taken a moment to lean down and press his lips to my forehead, a grounding warmth that sends my heart fluttering. It’s like I’m floating in a dream, everything soft and sweet and perfect.

Why did I ever think this wouldn’t happen? Why did I spend so long convinced that happiness wasn’t something I could reach out and touch, that it wasn’t something I deserved? Now it’s everywhere, in the laughter that fills the room, in the way my Alphas hold me like I’m the center of their universe, and in the way Violet stands out like a star—bright and shining, like she was always meant to be here.

But then it hits me, that faint ache just beneath the joy. It’s not mine. My smile falters as I glance around the room. Guests swirl past, glasses clinking and low murmurs filling the space. And then I see her—Violet. She’s standing beside Gray, laughing at something he said, head tossed back like she doesn’t have a care in the world. But I know better. I can see it beneath her laughter, that small shadow in her eyes. My chest tightens. She’s not okay.

I make my way over, weaving through the crowd, ignoring the soft calls and offers of drinks. She looks up as I approach, her smile still in place, but I see the way it slips for just a second. It’s like she knows I can see her, really see her. “What’s wrong?” I ask softly, slipping my hand into hers. She hesitates, glancing at Gray, then back at me. I squeeze her fingers. “Vi, you don’t have to pretend with me. I can feel it.”

Her shoulders drop, just a little, and she leans in closer so only I can hear. “I’m sorry, Sofie,” she says quietly, her voice trembling at the edges. “I’m so sorry I made you suffer for so long. I thought I could do it on my own, that I had to do it on my own. But I couldn’t. I never could have. I was so fucking wrong.”

The weight behind those words makes my chest ache. I shake my head against her, my arms wrapping tighter around her waist. “Don’t do that, Vi. Don’t beat yourself up over those months. We got through them, right?”

She lets out a small, shaky laugh, but it’s not really humor—it’s relief, maybe. Regret. “We got through them, but it could’ve been so much worse. You were right. I needed someone... or someones,” she says, her voice breaking just a little on the word. “You were right all along.”

Hearing her say it, hearing her admit it, doesn’t fill me with satisfaction. I don’t want to be right. I just want her to be happy. I pull back just enough to look up at her. “Vi, I don’t fault you for those months. They were hard, sure, but they were also bittersweet. It was you and me against the world, like always. I’ll never hold that against you.”

Her smile is faint, but it’s there, a soft curve of her lips that makes her whole face gentler, lighter. “Are you happy, Sofie?” she asks, her voice so soft it’s barely more than a whisper.

I nod, no hesitation. “Yeah, Vi. I’m happy. I mean, look at this—look at us. How could I not be?”

Her hand comes up to cup my cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against my skin. “And what about you?” I ask her. “Is this everything you wanted?”

Violet’s eyes meet mine, and they’re warm, steady, full of something I can’t quite name but feel down to my bones. “Everything I want is right here in my arms,” she says, her voice firm and honest. “But I’m more than happy to have the four men that came with it.”

That pulls a laugh from me, a genuine one that bubbles up and fills the room as she dips her lips back to mine. It’s like the world fades away, just the two of us in it even as heat builds in my lower belly, threatening to ruin this moment. Hawk is also now on my shit list. Until the bite heals, we’re both going to succumb to this feeling and it’s impossible not to touch my Beta.

A warm hand on my waist yanks me back, breaking the kiss and pulling me a step away from Violet’s warmth. I blink up, startled, only to see Lance looking down at me with that familiar mix of fondness and teasing. Hawk is just behind him, arms crossed and smirking like the devil himself.

“Sofie,” Lance says, his voice low and amused, “your scent’s getting a little too sweet.”

I glance back at Violet, her lips parted, cheeks flushed, and I know exactly what Lance means. I feel the heat on my own skin, and my tongue darts out to taste the faint tang of my own arousal lingering in the air. My first instinct is to shove him off, but before I can, Hawk cuts in with a laugh. “We’re not giving the guests a free show.”

The guests. Right. There are people here. A lot of people, scattered around the house, sipping wine and murmuring in low voices. It’s easy to forget when Violet’s hands are on me. And now most of them are looking, chuckling, admiring.

I scowl at them both, my lips still tingling, and grumble, “Then send them home.”

That earns me more laughter, Lance shaking his head and Hawk giving me a playful nudge. “Not how it works, sweetheart,” Hawk says, his voice light but his smile soft. “You’re stuck with us until they leave. Besides, we haven’t fully introduced the two of you as part of the Ashford pack.”

I cross my arms and glance around the room, my eyes moving over the small groups of people lingering near the art displays, the faint hum of conversation in the air. It’s still strange to me, seeing this place filled with strangers, but the thing that strikes me the most is how natural it all feels. How we’ve fallen into this life, this family, with all its chaos and tension and love.

It’s not just Violet and me anymore, not just us against the world. It’s her, me, and these four infuriating, wonderful Alphas who have somehow managed to anchor us in a way I didn’t think was possible. I catch Violet’s gaze across the short distance Lance put between us. She’s watching me with a small, knowing smile, and my heart stutters. We’ve been through so much—struggled, fought, cried, and healed—but now, standing here with our mates around us, I realize that this is what a happily ever after looks like. Not the perfect fairy tale, but something messy and real, something we’ve built together.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.