Page 65 of The Cuddle Clause

Maggie and I took our seats, and I immediately felt Seraphina’s eyes on me. She toasted her mimosa with asmirk. “To real love,” she said, sweetly venomous. “Not rushed nonsense.”

I raised my water glass. “To actually knowing your partner before you claim them.”

Maggie didn’t say anything, but her lips twitched.

The conversation meandered into boring pack small talk—border tensions; magical agriculture exports; Lucien’s new commission for a ceremonial cloak made from sustainably sourced silk.

Seraphina’s gaze never left me.

I shifted closer to Maggie and rested my hand on the back of her chair. She leaned into the contact, and the knot in my chest loosened. At least here, in this room, I could still fake it with her and pretend I wasn’t unraveling.

Lucien caught my eye from across the terrace and tipped his chin toward the house.

I excused myself, muttering something about needing air, and followed him to the study. He paced the room like he’d downed four espressos in quick succession.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Things are worse than I let on. The border’s under real threat. There’s a rival pack pressing in from the north, and the magical barrier is failing faster than expected. They want my land. My title.”

My mouth went dry. “Shit.”

“If word gets out about the barrier failing, we’re vulnerable. For the first time in hundreds of years, this place isn’t protected. We’re basically begging for a takeover.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “So, the mating stuff... it’s serious?”

Lucien nodded. “Exactly. The old magic is tied to our bonds, both as a pack and within it. Strength in unity. More bonded pairs mean more stability, more grounding energy.”

I swallowed hard.

He held up a hand. “I’m telling you this because I trust you. And because I see big things in your future.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “You do?”

“Of course, Roman. You’re loyal and respected. The pack notices. I want to start pulling you into leadership conversations. But first...” He trailed off, then said, “I need you to bond with Maggie. As soon as possible.”

I almost choked. “What?”

“It’s not ideal, but it’s urgent. We need that magical boost. Our familial blood, the alpha line, is tied to the magic stronger than others. Will that be a problem?”

I nodded too quickly. “No. No problem. I appreciate your faith in me.”

Lucien clapped me on the shoulder and left me there, staring at the wall.

No problem?

I was so fucked.

By the time I made it back to the table, I could already tell something was wrong.

Seraphina was leaning forward in her chair like a lioness stalking prey. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows were drawn in feigned curiosity, but the tension in her shoulders gave her away. Her voice, deceptively sweet, floated just above the clinking of silverware and background brunch noise.

Maggie sat across from her, stiff-backed, chin tilted. She was trying to keep her expression calm, but I saw her irritation in the way she tapped one finger against her thigh, and her smile was a little too still.

She was being cornered. I slowed my approach, catching just enough to know I was already too late.

“…I mean, it’s just odd, right?” one of Seraphina’s friends—Callie, I think—said, twirling her straw in her water like shewas trying not to choke on her own smugness. “You’re not from here, no family in the pack, no pack ties. And suddenly Roman’s bringing you around like…what? Like you’re his?”

“I don’tneedties to the pack,” Maggie said calmly, but I knew her tells by now. Her right shoulder had drawn slightly inward. She was guarding. “Roman’s capable of deciding who he wants without an approval panel.”