MasukRhett's POV
I stepped into the dimly lit interrogation room, the scent of blood and disinfectant stinging my nose. The heavy metal door groaned shut behind me, sealing us in like two animals left to gnaw at each other’s truths. Varric was chained to the metal chair in the center of the room, his wrists cuffed and his legs bound. He looked worse than I remembered—face hollow, eyes sunken, his once perfectly combed hair a greasy mop clinging to his forehead.“Rhett,” he rasped, his voice barely holding together. “I asked for this meeting because I have information you’ll want to hear.”I crossed my arms, refusing to take a seat. “You better start talking before I decide your tongue isn’t worth the air it breathes.”He let out a wheezy laugh. “Always the dramatic one.”I didn’t flinch. “Try me, Varric.”His amusement faded. The man straightened up with effort, wincing as his back protested. “The Shadow Assassins… they’re not gone.”I tilted my head. “What arRhett's POV I leaned back in the conference chair and let out the loudest laugh I’d had in weeks. “Nikolai, please, for the love of everything holy, open the calendar and tell me what fresh hell today has in store.”Nikolai already had his tablet out, scrolling with one finger while sipping coffee like it was the only thing keeping him alive. He didn’t even look up. “Are you sure you want the full list?”Killian dropped his forehead to the table with a dramatic thud. “I’ll do it. Ten-thirty press conference about the annual celebration. Eleven-thirty shareholders update on the same budget. One o’clock interview with Forbes. Two-thirty security demo for the city council. Four o’clock budget reconciliation with accounting because someone approved a three-tier wolf cake the size of a car.”Colt raised his hand. “That was me. No regrets.”Nikolai snorted. “And remind me never, ever to throw another party the night before a full board day.”I wiped my eyes. “We said that last year.”“
Nikolai's POV I woke up to sunlight stabbing me straight in the eyeballs and the clock screaming 9:17 in angry red numbers. My mouth tasted like I had licked the bonfire pit. Killian was sprawled on his stomach next to me, one arm flung over my waist, snoring like a freight train. I shot upright. “Killian. Killian, wake the fuck up!” He groaned and tried to burrow deeper into the pillow. I grabbed his ankle and yanked. “The meeting is at ten! Get up!” He lifted his head, hair sticking out everywhere. “What year is it?” “Move!” I was already out of bed, hopping into yesterday’s jeans because they were closest. I threw a shirt at his face. “Shower later, dress now!” He sat up, blinking. “Coffee.” “Coffee after we survive this meeting!” I bolted out of the room still buttoning my shirt and hammered on Rhett’s door. No answer. I shoved it open. Empty bed, sheets thrown back. Bathroom door closed, shower running. “Rhett! We’re late! Ten minutes to get downtown!” The shower was
Rhett's POV I stood on the third stair so everyone could see me and raised my beer. The music cut off mid-song and the room went quiet fast. All those faces turned toward me, some grinning, some already tipsy, some holding plates of cake like they were afraid I’d confiscate them. I cleared my throat. “Okay. You animals shut up for five seconds, so here goes.” Laughter rippled through the room. “First, thank you for ignoring every single time I said I didn’t want a party. You were right. I needed this. Needed all of you in my house making noise and eating my food and glitter-bombing my ceiling.” I pointed at Colt. “Especially you, glitter terrorist.” Colt saluted with a cupcake. “Second,” I said, finding Declan in the front row, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and that soft smile he only gives me, “thank you for giving me the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” I tapped the pocket where his letter still sat. “I haven’t stopped carrying it since you handed it over. Read i
Killian's POV I slid up beside Rhett while he leaned against the kitchen counter nursing a fresh beer. Declan was across the room trying to look casual while refilling his drink, but every step was careful, thighs pressed together like he was still feeling Rhett hours later. I bumped Rhett’s shoulder. “So. Get your fill yet, birthday boy?” Rhett smirked into his bottle. “Completely.” “Yeah, I can tell.” I nodded toward Declan. “Kid’s walking like he's sitting on a fence post.” Rhett barked a laugh so loud half the room turned. “He’ll live.” “Poor baby,” I teased. “You broke him.” “Worth it,” Rhett said, eyes soft. “Totally worth it.” I grinned. “Good. Now go make your alpha speech or whatever before the pups start howling for attention. Some of us still haven’t gotten ours tonight.” Rhett raised an eyebrow. “That's a complaint, beta?” “Observation,” I said. “My man’s been running around playing party planner all night. I’m starving.” Rhett threw his head back and laughed a
Declan's POV I spotted Colt near the gift table and waved him over. “Hey, help me with the big one.” He jogged up, eyes wide. “The one you wouldn’t let any of us touch? Dude, I’m honored.” I rolled my eyes. “Just grab the other side.” We lifted the long flat box together. It was heavier than it looked, wrapped in plain black paper with a single gold ribbon. I carried it through the crowd until I found Rhett leaning against the wall, beer in hand, watching everyone with that soft look he only lets out when he thinks no one is paying attention. I stopped in front of him. “This one’s from me.” Rhett set his drink down and took the box. His fingers brushed mine. “You already gave me the letter.” “That was words. This is… different.” He raised an eyebrow but started pulling the ribbon. Colt and I stepped back. The paper came off and Rhett stared at the framed photograph inside. It was huge, black and white, taken last summer on the river trip. Rhett mid-laugh, hair wet, sunlight
Nikolai's POV I found Killian on the back porch swing, legs stretched out, beer dangling from his fingers. The party had spilled outside hours ago; someone had started a bonfire in the pit, and the glow lit up the garden in shifting orange. Music thumped from the house, muffled but steady. Most of the pack was inside dancing or arguing over the playlist, but out here it was quieter. Just the crackle of wood and the low hum of voices. I walked straight to him, dropped onto his lap without asking, and wrapped my arms around his neck. He made a soft surprised sound, then smiled against my mouth when I kissed him. Slow. Lazy. The kind of kiss that said we had all the time in the world. His hands settled on my hips, thumbs rubbing small circles through my shirt. I tasted beer and smoke and him, and I could have stayed right there forever. A dramatic squeal cut through the night. “Oh my god, you two have no respect for your alpha! There are children present! Get a room!” Rhett was le







