Mia Carlen wife of Rick carlen had never believed that gatherings needed a reason beyond wanting to see people.
That belief was precisely why Rick's house—normally a fortress of alpha order and sharp lines—felt entirely different tonight.
Soft lamps replaced overhead lights. The sharp scent of polished wood had been overtaken by citrus tea, baked pastries, and something floral that Mia had insisted was necessary for atmosphere. Cushions were scattered without symmetry. Shoes were abandoned near the entrance.
This was not a power space.
This was an omega space.
Mia stood barefoot in the kitchen, laughing as she nudged a tray into place. "I swear," she said cheerfully, "if Rick complains about crumbs tomorrow, I'll remind him this house wouldn't even feel like a home without them."
Avery Kinlton leaned against the counter nearby, posture elegant as always, sleeves rolled just enough to look deliberate. He accepted a cup of tea without comment, expression calm, observant.
"You've mellowed," Avery said lightly.
Mia snorted. "I got married. That happens you should do too."
Avery tsked and ignore the question.
From the couch, Clara Londall wife of Wren londall smiled softly. "She were never sharp to begin with."
Mia pointed at her. "And you were always too gentle."
Clara laughed quietly, unoffended. She had always been like that—soft-spoken, steady, the calm center in any room.
Avery watched them both with fond familiarity.
High school felt far away now, but the bond between the three of them hadn't thinned with time. If anything, it had sharpened—tempered by adulthood, marriage, and shared history. They were besties from back then.
They had survived adolescence together.
They had survived courtships, engagements, and the complicated dance of omega–alpha politics.
And Avery had stood between both marriages—calm, impartial, terrifyingly competent.
He was a Middle man.
When Mia had nearly walked out on Rick during their engagement, Avery had talked her down. Rick had accepted him as a god back then.
When Clara had doubted whether Wren truly love her, Avery had forced Wren into a conversation he couldn't evade.
Avery Kinlton didn't arrange marriages.
He ensured they survived.
Jurian—Jury—sat cross-legged on the rug, comfortably at ease, a plate balanced on his knee. He was the only one who hadn't known them back then.
He had come into the circle later—after marrying Mason—and had been absorbed quietly, carefully, the way one integrates something precious rather than disruptive.
"You all talk about high school like it was a battlefield, come on guys I'm here too" Jury said with amusement. "Was it really that dramatic?"
Mia laughed. "You have no idea."
Avery sipped his tea. "You would have thrived."
Clara nodded. "You're adaptable."
Jury smiled. "That's omega code for I survived Massian."
Avery's lips curved faintly. "Indeed."
The atmosphere was easy. Familiar. No pretense.
Which was exactly why—
The front door opened without warning.
Alpha pheromones rolled in like a storm front.
Mia froze mid-step.
Avery closed his eyes.
Clara's brows lifted slightly.
Jury sighed. "…I knew it was too peaceful."
Rick's voice echoed cheerfully from the entrance. "Hey, everyone!"
Cassian Drakov stepped inside behind him, tall, composed, coat immaculate as if he hadn't just violated the sanctity of an omega gathering. Mason Ristal followed with an unapologetic grin, and Wren Londall entered last, calm as ever.
Four alphas.
Uninvited.
Mia turned slowly.
Rick winced. "Before you throw anything—"
"RICK CARLEN," Mia snapped, pointing a spoon at him, "WHY ARE THERE ALPHAS IN MY HOUSE?"
Rick raised his hands. "In my defense—"
"You don't have a defense!"
Wren spoke calmly. "We weren't invited."
Mia glared. "You noticed."
Mason laughed. "We corrected the oversight."
Avery opened his eyes. "You trespassed."
Rick gestured vaguely. "Cassian said it was unfair."
"I didn't," Cassian corrected evenly, Mason spoke unfairly " if there was an omega gathering, there should be an alpha one as well."
Avery tilted his head. "And you decided to merge them. Without consent."
Mason nodded once. "Efficient."
Mia stared at him for a long second—then laughed despite herself. "You're unbelievable."
She turned to Rick. "You're sleeping on the couch."
Rick grinned. "Worth it."
Cassian removed his coat, gaze sweeping the room. "You all seem… relaxed."
Jury smiled sweetly. "That's because you weren't here."
Mason choked on a laugh.
Wren settled into a chair calmly. "It appears resistance is futile."
Mia crossed her arms, then sighed dramatically. "Fine. You're here. But no alpha nonsense."
Rick opened his mouth.
Mia raised the spoon again.
Rick shut it.
Cassian sat without argument.
And for the first time in a long while, surrounded by people who knew him before titles, before power, before obsession—
Something inside Cassian loosened.
Just slightly.
They rearranged themselves naturally, the way people who had known one another for years always did—without discussion, without hesitation.
Alphas sat opposite their spouses, an unspoken symmetry settling over the room.
Mason dropped onto the couch beside Jurian and, as naturally as breathing, wrapped an arm around him. His hand rested at Jury's waist, fingers absentminded, familiar.
Jurian stiffened.
Just slightly. Not enough for anyone to notice.
He adjusted the plate on his lap, forcing his shoulders to relax. Mason's weight was warm, solid—too present—but this was normal. It had always been normal. Mason was like this in public, in private, everywhere. Possessive without malice. Casual without awareness.
Jurian didn't say anything.
No one noticed that he didn't lean back.
Because no one ever did.
Across from them, Clara settled beside Wren, fingers lightly laced together. Their quiet was comfortable, earned over years of understanding. Wren's attention flicked toward her instinctively every few seconds, subtle and protective.
Cassian took the seat beside Avery.
Avery didn't comment on it. He simply poured another drink and passed the glass over without looking.
Cassian accepted it, their fingers brushing briefly.
Mia dropped onto the opposite couch with a content sigh, surveying the room like a host finally satisfied.
"It's been a while," she said, smiling softly, "since we've all come together like this, right?"
Rick hummed in agreement. "Too long. Schedules, politics, Cassian vanishing into work like a ghost—"
"I don't vanish," Cassian said calmly, taking a sip.
"You brood," Mason corrected. "Aggressively."
Avery's lips twitched. "Productively."
Mia laughed. "See? This. This is why I wanted tonight. No agendas. No power plays. Just us."
Rick raised his glass. "And the fact that my house hasn't been destroyed yet is a miracle."
"Give it time," Mason said.
Clara smiled. "It's nice," she added softly. "Being together without pressure."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Jurian, who smiled back politely, even as Mason's arm tightened unconsciously when someone laughed too close.
Mia followed the look and tilted her head. "Jury, you've been quiet."
Jurian blinked, then smiled brighter. "Just listening."
"You always do that," Mia said fondly. "You observe first."
Cassian watched him over the rim of his glass.
Jurian was good at disappearing in plain sight.