The Greenhouse
Grason
“Dandelions,” I say. “They’re good for the bees.” I motion to the little pots around us. “I try to plant flowers that they can enjoy all season long.”
“And they sleep during the winter?” she asks, looking over at the beehives.
They’re simple wooden boxes, weathered but clean, stacked two deep with flat lids weighted down by smooth stones.
Each one has a narrow opening near the bottom, where bees come and go in a steady, purposeful flow.
A few of them crawl along the fronts now, legs dusted yellow with pollen, completely unbothered by us standing here.
“Not exactly sleeping,” I say. “They cluster together inside when it gets cold to keep the queen warm. They eat the honey they stored and wait it out.” I shrug a little. “It’s quieter, but they’re still working. Focused on surviving instead of growing.”
I watch her eyes track the movement, the way her attention sticks to their rhythm. “They look calm,” she says.
“They are,” I reply. “As long as you don’t mess with them. They don’t waste energy on people who aren’t threatening. Everything they do has a reason.”
Tansy nods slowly as she tilts her head back, looking at the ceiling.
Condensation beads along the glass panes above us, sunlight diffused into a soft glow that makes everything inside feel slower while the bees buzz softly, steady and calm.
My gaze moves over my omega, taking in her beauty in this light.
She’s wearing a lavender dress that falls right to her knees. The fabric skims her hips and cinches gently at her waist, giving a glimpse of her lovely shape. The neckline dips enough to show a hint of cleavage.
Her dark red hair spills over one shoulder, the contrast sharp and beautiful against the pale purple. Sunlight catches the curls and turns them coppery at the edges.
I find myself staring longer than I mean to, struck all over again by how stunning she is. How the fuck did we get so lucky?
The soft hum shifts around me, pulling my attention back to the present. One of the bees has broken from its lazy path and drifted toward Tansy. It settles on her shoulder, right near the seam of her pretty dress.
She doesn’t notice.
I walk toward her, careful not to move too fast as I lift a hand toward her. “Hey,” I say gently. “Don’t panic. There’s a bee on you.”
Tansy freezes, then does exactly what I asked. She doesn’t flinch or swat. She slowly lowers her chin, eyes crossing as she tries to see her own shoulder.
“Where?” she asks quietly.
“Right there,” I say. I reach out and coax the bee onto my finger, slow and easy so it doesn’t feel threatened. Then I carry it back to the hive and let it crawl off near the entrance, completely unbothered. “Good job,” I add as I come back. “Most people freak out.”
She shrugs like it’s nothing. “I’ve never been scared of bees. We had fat bumblebees at Danvers. They used to bump into us and cling to my hair when I was outside.”
I huff a soft laugh before I can stop myself. “Sounds like you’re a natural bee charmer.”
That finally does it. She finally smiles. It’s small but real, and something in my chest eases at the sight of it.
Reaching up, I brush a loose strand of hair away from the side of her face. My fingers slide along her temple, and I let my hand settle there, cupping her cheek. She’s so warm under my palm, solid and real.
“I don’t know all the specifics with your family,” I say quietly. “But I know enough to see how wound up this makes you.” I hold her gaze. “You don’t have to do this, Tansy. If you want to leave right now, we can. No explanations. We’ll leave, and Cass can handle them.”
Her breath catches a little. She leans into my hand, cheek pressing more firmly into my palm. Then she turns her head and presses a soft kiss into the center of my hand, right against my skin.
“Thank you,” she whispers, before letting out a long sigh. “But I’d rather get it over with.”
I nod, thumb brushing once along her jaw before I let my hand fall away. “Okay,” I say. “But if at any time you want to go, give me a look.”
Tansy’s smile grows, and she nods.
And I can’t help it. I lean in and kiss her.
It’s a slow kiss, my mouth warm against hers, feeling her beneath me.
Tansy relaxes into it almost immediately, her shoulders easing, her breath evening out as if this is exactly what she needed.
When I finally lean back, her eyes are soft, and her cheeks are flushed pink, that shy smile already pulling at her mouth.
It’s the kind of smile that makes my chest puff out with pride.
I rest my forehead lightly against hers for a moment, steady and close, before straightening and letting her have her space again.
“You ready?” I ask, and she immediately answers.
“Yup.” She straightens her back and nods firmly. “Let’s get this over with.”
I hold Tansy’s hand as we walk quietly back toward the house, then through the kitchen where Cass’s hired chef has a team of betas moving in a quiet, efficient rhythm. Pans sizzle on the stove, a low voice checking on the dishes.
I guide Tansy straight into the living room, where Beck is looming over the couch, rearranging the pillows for the fifth time today. The beta looks good in his fitted gray slacks and baby blue polo. It’s tucked in, his belt and shoes matching perfectly.
Beck looks up the second we step into the room, his face splitting into an overly excited smile that’s a little too wide and a little too forced. It’s like he’s trying to will the tension out of the air through sheer enthusiasm.
“Hey!” he says brightly. “There you are. Wow, you look great.” His eyes flick over Tansy in quick approval before snapping back to her face. “Everything’s totally fine. We’re totally fine.”
Tansy smiles, clearly thankful for his vibrant energy.
I arch a brow at him. “Where’s Cass?”
“Office,” Beck answers immediately, nodding a little too fast. “He and Warren have been in there for a bit.”
I squeeze Tansy’s hand once, kiss her cheek, then let go. “I’ll go grab them,” I say. “You stay here with Beck, okay?”
She nods, and Beck slides closer to her like it’s his job to keep her distracted. “I’ve got her,” he says, still smiling hard.
I turn and head down the hall toward Cass’s office, already bracing myself for whatever mood I’m about to walk into.
I knock once on Cass’s office door and step inside without waiting.
Both of them look up, and I nod.
They’re standing near the desk, mid-conversation, both dressed sharp enough that it takes me a second to recalibrate.
Cass is in a dark suit that fits him like it was tailored with a purpose, jacket structured, shoulders broad, everything about it perfect down to the stitches.
Warren’s suit is lighter, a dark charcoal instead of black, with crisp lines.
The kind of clean look that makes him seem even more composed than usual.
I glance down at myself before I can stop it. Slacks. A simple dress shirt, sleeves rolled neatly at my forearms. I’m clean and pressed, but plain. For half a second, I wonder if I missed a memo. Then I shove the thought aside. I’m not changing now.
Warren is already talking again. “Are you sure they’re not going to show up with cops?” he asks, voice low but edged. “I know I would if my daughter was kidnapped and mated without my knowledge.”
Cass doesn’t hesitate. “I’m sure,” he says. “They want to see her. That’s it.”
Warren exhales through his nose, not fully convinced. “You’re betting a lot on that.”
Cass’s jaw tightens slightly, but his voice stays even. “I’m betting on the fact that Tansy’s twenty-seven with no other prospects. The last thing her parents want is for her to be left all alone with no pack or protection, while we rot in prison.”
I clear my throat, stepping fully into the room. “They should be here soon,” I say, pointing at my wrist. I’m not wearing a watch, but they get the idea.
“Where’s Tansy?” Cass asks.
“She’s in the living room with Beck,” I say. “But fair warning, he’s trying to out-smile the tension. It’s working.”
Warren huffs despite himself, and Cass’s mouth twitches, barely.
“Okay.” Cass grabs his cane. “Let’s go.”
We head into the living room together, and Tansy draws my attention immediately. She’s standing a few feet from the front door, hands clasped in front of her, posture tight, eyes fixed on the wood like she’s expecting it to explode any second now.
Warren steps in close without warning and presses a quick kiss to her cheek.
She startles, shoulders jumping, then lets out a breathless, nervous laugh when she realizes it’s him.
“Sorry,” Warren says. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s fine,” she says too fast, smoothing her hands down the front of her dress like she can iron the tension out of herself. “I was just thinking.” A nervous laugh bubbles from her throat. “I’m good.” She licks her lips, then turns back to the door. “Everything’s good.”
Then the doorbell rings.
Cass moves first.
He crosses the room with his cane in hand, his stride steady but not smooth.
There’s a slight hitch when he puts weight on his bad leg, a momentary pause that most people would miss if they weren’t looking for it.
I notice it because I always do. He adjusts without breaking pace, shoulders squared, posture controlled, like it’s another thing he’s learned to live with.
He opens the door, and I take two big steps forward, stopping right next to Tansy.
Her whole family fills the entryway.
Cass offers his hand without hesitation. “Cassian.”
“William,” an older alpha with silver-white hair says. “I appreciate you welcoming us.”
He’s broad through the shoulders with a barrel chest, dressed in a dark jacket and green tie. His eyes are sharp as they meet Cass’s, looking him up and down the way pack alphas do.
“Welcome to our home,” Cass replies evenly.
William nods once, then shifts slightly to the side as he starts the introductions. “This is Daniel,” he says, gesturing to the alpha behind him.
Daniel is tall and bald. His posture is relaxed for the most part, but he stays alert, eyes already taking in the room and everyone in it. He gives Cass a respectful nod before looking right at Tansy. But he doesn’t go to her. He waits.
“Our omega, Renee,” William continues, motioning to the tiny woman next to Daniel.
She’s incredibly small—which is surprising given Tansy’s height—but she stands like she’s ready to command a battalion of soldiers.
Her back is straight, shoulders squared, and her chestnut hair is pulled into a tight twist at the nape of her neck, silver threading through the strands at her temples.
Her gaze moves over Cass, eyes lingering on his cane.
But she doesn’t say anything.
She doesn’t look at Tansy or thank anyone for the invitation. She just continues to stare at Cass’s legs, like she’s trying to figure out what’s wrong with him.
“And this is Ken,” William finishes.
Ken moves in with an easy smile that feels warm on contact. He’s tall, handsome in a way that looks effortless rather than worked at, his suit fitting him perfectly. His posture is loose, open, inviting.
Beside me, Tansy goes still.
She doesn’t tense or react otherwise. She looks… empty.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cassian.” Ken extends his hand to Cass, shaking it with a warm smile.
Cass returns the greeting, then he introduces us. We each nod as he says our names. Warren even steps forward and shakes William’s hand. I stay put next to Tansy, not wanting to leave her side for a second.
Her scent is…odd.
It’s faint, but I catch it anyway. The warm sweetness she usually carries has thinned out, replaced by something sharp and flat, like her body has slammed on the brakes.
Cass steps aside and gestures them in with an open hand. “Please,” he says. “Come in.”
They move past him, and I brace myself, waiting for the rush for them to get to Tansy.
It doesn’t come.
Daniel is the first to step toward our omega. He smiles at her, soft and genuine, then leans in to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “You look good, kiddo,” he says quietly, like that’s all he wants to say right now.
She beams up at him, a bright smile that looks real, not forced, and my shoulders ease a fraction.
William comes next. He doesn’t crowd her either. He reaches out and squeezes her hand, firm and grounding. “It’s good to see you,” he says.
“Yeah,” she says, still smiling. “It really is.”
Then Renee steps forward.
It’s awkward in a way that makes my skin prickle.
There’s a brief pause, a beat where neither of them seems quite sure what the other expects. Renee leans in and gives Tansy a light kiss on the cheek, careful and distant, like they’re casual acquaintances greeting each other instead of mother and daughter.
Tansy mirrors it, polite and restrained, her smile tense but staying in place.
I notice the way her fingers curl into the fabric of her lavender dress at her side, knuckles whitening. She doesn’t look at Cass or me. Her gaze drops, breaking eye contact with everyone at once.
And then there’s Ken.
He doesn’t come closer. He stays where he is, a few steps back, hands tucked into his pockets. He watches with an easy smile fixed on his face. “This is a nice house you’ve got here, Tansy,” he says, tone warm and smooth.
The air around her changes. Not fear exactly. But more like absence. Like a trapped animal that’s accepted their fate in the face of a predator.
“Thanks,” she whispers to her feet.
That’s it.
There are no tears. No tight hugs or cries of relief.
I glance at Warren, and he’s already looking at me. His jaw tightens a fraction, eyes sharp on Ken like he’s clocked the same thing I have.
Something’s definitely wrong.