Making Breakfast #2
“Hey,” Cass pops the side of her leg. “Don’t insult your curves.” He gives her a serious look. “They belong to me, and I won’t have you talking bad about them.”
That makes Tansy giggle. Her cheeks flush, and she ducks her head briefly. “No insult, alpha. Just a fact.”
“I wanted to do ballet as a kid,” Grason says, shocking everyone at the table.
“My sister was into it, and I wanted to be near all those pretty girls.” His eyes float closed.
“Pink tights and ribbons in their hair, fuck.” He lets out a rumbling breath.
“I would have killed to be allowed to dance with them, but my father wouldn’t have it.
” His mouth pulls into a defeated smile.
“My mom talked him into letting me do tap instead. It was still fun, but the outfits weren’t nearly as tempting. ”
“You did tap?’’ Tansy leans toward him.
“I did,” he says proudly. “Twice a week for two years. Then I discovered rugby and hitting other alphas was more fun.”
I snort, and Warren laughs outright.
“I’d love to see you dance,” Tansy says, eyes bright.
“Oh, yes,” Warren says, completely serious. “That’s a fabulous idea. In fact, I think it’s important for pack morale that we all see this.”
Grason shoots him a playful look, eyes narrowing. “Careful, alpha,” he says. “You might not be able to handle these moves, and I can’t be held responsible if you fall in love.”
Cass lets out a surprised laugh, sharp and genuine, shaking his head as Warren leans back in his chair.
“Please, Gray,” Warren says, setting down his fork. “I need this.”
“You need it?” Grason pushes away from the table, smile growing by the second.
“Yes,” Warren nods once. “Show me what you got.”
Grason takes a giant step away from the table. “I warned you.” Then he does a slow turn on the ball of his foot, arms lifting as he finds his balance. It is surprisingly clean, controlled in a way that makes it obvious he is not making this up on the spot.
He plants his feet, straightens his posture, and then he starts moving.
It’s not a polished tap. It is not fancy. But it has rhythm.
Sharp steps and quick shifts of weight, heels striking the floor with deliberate beats. He adds a clap, a shoulder roll, a little flourish that is more confidence than technique, and the sound fills the kitchen in a way that makes it impossible not to watch.
Cass smiles as he watches, chin resting on Tansy’s shoulder. Warren stares, eyebrows raised and mouth open, like he did not expect to be proven wrong so thoroughly. And Tansy lights up immediately.
She clutches her hands under her chin, watching Grason’s feet, then his shoulders, then the timing of his turns. She starts tapping her feet lightly on the floor, copying him, but I’m not sure if she even realizes it.
“That’s actually not bad,” Warren admits as he looks at me. I quickly nod, agreeing.
“Careful,” Grason shoots back without missing a beat. “That almost sounded like praise.”
I laugh as Grason finishes his dance with a quick stamp and a grin, then turns toward Tansy like he’s on a stage instead of in our kitchen. He bows, clears his throat dramatically, and holds out a hand to her.
“May I have this dance?” he asks, formal as hell.
Tansy is all smiles as she takes his hand without hesitation. Grason gives a gentle tug and pulls her up and off Cass’s lap, earning a surprised giggle from her and a soft huff of amusement from Cass as he lets her go.
They face each other in the middle of the kitchen, hands linked.
Grason starts again, slower this time, exaggerating the steps like he’s teaching instead of performing.
It turns into something halfway between an Irish step and an awkward shimmy, all stiff legs and loose shoulders, but he commits to it fully.
Tansy watches his feet for about two seconds before giving up and just moving with him.
She laughs when she misses a step, then tries again, adding little hops and turns that are pure instinct.
They bump into each other once, and both crack up, Grason steadying her with a hand at her elbow before launching back into it.
“The big finale,” Grason warns Tansy, and she nods, like she’s ready for whatever he’s got in mind.
Gray adds a few exaggerated steps, louder and faster, arms swinging wide like he’s performing for an invisible audience. Tansy matches him as best she can, laughing the whole time, her movements looser and more confident now that she’s stopped worrying about getting it right.
Grason finishes with a sharp stamp and a dramatic spin, then he steps in close and wraps an arm around Tansy’s waist. Before she can even react, he dips her back, smooth and controlled, like he’s done this a hundred times.
Tansy lets out a surprised laugh, one hand bracing against his shoulder as her hair falls back. Grason grins down at her, clearly very pleased with himself.
Cass lets out a low laugh, and Warren starts slow clapping.
“Very impressive.” Warren raises his hands, nodding like he accepts that he was wrong.
Breathing hard, Grason brings Tansy back upright just as easily, hands still steady at her waist for a second longer than necessary. Tansy’s cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright, and she looks a little breathless in the best way.
“Yup. I’ve still got it,” Grason says proudly.
Tansy laughs again, pushing lightly at his chest. “You’re ridiculous.”
Cass pushes back from the table and stands, the chair legs scraping softly against the floor. He takes two careful steps forward and cups Tansy’s face. He kisses her quickly on the lips.
“That was amazing,” he tells her, smiling like he means every word.
Grason lets out an exaggerated huff. “Wow.” He folds his arms, pretending to be offended. “What about me?”
Cass doesn’t miss a beat. He reaches up, grabs a handful of Grason’s curls, and tugs him down just enough to meet his eyes. “You were amazing too,” he says, then leans in and kisses him square on the mouth.
Grason freezes for half a second, then absolutely melts. His ears go red, cheeks quickly following. He grins like an idiot when Cass lets him go, clearly way too pleased with himself.
The doorbell rings, sharp and unexpected, breaking our little bubble of happiness.
I start to move, already wiping my hands on a towel. “I’ll get it.”
“I’ve got it,” Warren says immediately, pushing back his chair. “Finish your breakfast.” He kisses the top of my head as he moves around the table.
Cass settles back into his seat and looks at me. “What’s the plan for today?” he asks, taking a sip of his coffee.
I shrug and smile. “I think maybe a movie. But I’m honestly down for whatever Tansy wants to do.” I look up at the omega.
Tansy shifts slightly, shoulders curling in on themselves. “Actually,” her voice drops as she tugs the sleeves of the oversized hoodie down over her hands, fidgeting with the fabric. “I was thinking I might like to call my family.”
She looks so scared that I immediately glance at Cass, trying to read his face to see what’s moving through their bond. But the alpha gives nothing away. His expression is almost blank, bordering on serious.
“Of course,” Cass finally says, his voice deliberately gentle, almost like he doesn’t want to startle her.
Across the kitchen, Grason catches my eye. We share a brief look, the same unspoken question passing between us, both of us wishing we knew what wasn’t being said.
“We can call them whenever you’re ready,” Cass says. “We can go to my office right now if you like.”
“That’s okay,” Tansy says quickly. “We don’t have to do it right now. Maybe here in a minute.”
Cass nods, then whispers, “Of course, omega. Whenever you’re ready.”
That makes Tansy smile. Just a little.
Then she takes a slow breath, shoulders lifting and falling as she gathers herself.
When she looks up again, there’s a bright smile in place as she turns toward Grason.
“Actually, someone promised me a tour of the garden yesterday,” she says.
“And you mentioned beehives. I’d really love to see those. ”
Grason’s face lights up like she just offered him the best gift in the world.
“Yeah,” he says. “I’d love to show you around.
” He rubs his hands together as he glances out the back porch.
“It’s a little cooler today, which means the bees will be a little sedated, so it’s actually a good time. They’ll still be active, but calmer.”
“That sounds perfect,” she says. “I’ve never seen a beehive before.”
Heavy boots thump right outside the kitchen. Warren steps in, followed by a young alpha with tired eyes.
It takes me half a second to place him. I haven’t seen Jimmy in ages, which honestly doesn’t surprise me. He has a real talent for irritating the hell out of Cass. Still, my first instinct is to be polite.
“Good morning, Jimmy,” I say.
The alpha glances at me and gives a distracted nod, already scanning the room. His dark hair looks tangled along the top, and he has deep lines etched around his eyes. “Did someone say they wanted to see a beehive?” he asks with disbelief.
“Yeah.” Grason stands a little taller, proud and towering over everyone in the room. “I’ve got a few in the greenhouse out back.”
“Fuck.” Jimmy makes a face. “Why?” He shivers in an exaggerated way, making an awful retching sound.
I catch the look on Tansy’s face out of the corner of my eye. Her dark eyes narrow, sharp and assessing, like she’s already decided she doesn’t like Jimmy one bit. And I have to agree. Anyone who walks into a room and immediately tries to stomp all over Gray’s joy is definitely an ass.
“Those damn things are terrifying,” Jimmy continues, and Warren pinches the bridge of his nose, like he’s losing all patience.
“They aren’t terrifying.” Grason frowns. “They’re protective of what’s theirs. Any alpha should understand that.”
“Maybe.” Jimmy rolls his eyes, not even trying to hide how ridiculous he thinks Grason is. It makes my blood boil, but I stay quiet, not wanting to snap at one of Cass’s employees. It’s not my place.
“But I still wouldn’t want to hang out with them.” Jimmy’s gaze drifts like he’s remembering something. “Little fuckers almost killed me when I was six. My mother made me carry an EpiPen everywhere after that.”
“What do you want, Jimmy?” Cass jumps in, his forceful tone cutting straight to the point.
Jimmy shifts, irritation flaring across his face for a split second, before he pulls it back under control. He straightens, posture tightening. “Your knee looks rough.” He eyes Cass’s leg, and my eyes dart to Cass.
The pack alpha looks enraged, his dark eyes narrowed right at Jimmy’s face.
“Anyway,” Jimmy shifts nervously, before looking up at Warren. “I just came to let you know I handled everything from last night.”
The room goes very still.
“Everything’s been disposed,” he adds, lingering on the word like he’s trying to pass along some private understanding. But there’s zero subtlety to it. No discretion. Just Jimmy saying it out loud in the middle of our kitchen like that’s acceptable.
Cass’s jaw tightens. Warren’s head snaps up.
My stomach drops, and I feel my shoulders tense without meaning to. I know what my pack does for a living. But this is our home. And Tansy is standing right here.
You don’t talk about shit like this in front of an omega.
“You do not talk about business in my home,” Cass says, low and furious, every word controlled. “Ever.”
Jimmy opens his mouth, but Warren cuts in, voice sharp. “You’re done. Get out.” Then he growls deep and loud. “Now.”
Tansy makes a small sound, and I glance over at her.
She’s frozen in place, eyes wide, fear plain on her face.
Grason reacts instantly. He steps in front of her and lifts a hand, guiding her back until she’s tucked safely behind his broad frame.
I want to run to her, but I’d have to cut between Cass and Jimmy, and you never get in between two angry alphas.
“Look,” Jimmy lifts his hands, as if to surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I just—”
“Get out!” Cass roars, standing up abruptly. His chair jerks backward, hitting the floor with a loud crack.
Jimmy lets out a short, nervous laugh, the sound sharp and breathy like he can’t quite believe this is happening. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Warren says. “Right now.”
Jimmy looks between them, clearly realizing he’s miscalculated. He scoffs, mutters something under his breath, then starts toward the door at a pace that’s just slow enough to be irritating.
“Gray,” Cass grits his teeth. “Get him the fuck out of here.”
Jimmy hears that and starts to walk faster, but it’s too late.
Grason is already moving toward the jerk.
He grabs Jimmy by the collar and hauls him the rest of the way out of the kitchen without a word.
Jimmy yelps in surprise, stumbling to keep his feet under him as Grason drags him into the hallway.
We hear a faint “Can I just talk to Warren for a second?” then a door slams shut on the other side of the house.
The second the house goes quiet, I move to Tansy.
I slip an arm around her shoulders and pull her in close.
When I talk, I keep my voice gentle and upbeat, like I can pull the happiness back into the room.
“Hey,” I say with a small smile. “How about we grab some snacks and go hang out in your nest for a bit?”
Thankfully, that seems to make her happy.
Tansy exhales softly, the tension easing out of her shoulders as she leans into me. “That would be lovely,” she says.
“Okay,” I tell her, then glance over at Warren. “Would you mind bringing up some snacks?”
Warren quickly smiles, but it's very forced. “Of course,” he manages to say very calmly. “I’ll be right up.”
Relieved, I take Tansy’s hand, then guide her toward the living room.
I’m focused on one simple thing right now: getting our omega somewhere quiet and safe.