CASSY POVTeddy and I fought all night after he returned with them from the wild bayou party. Watching him wrestle that alligator into submission was an intense experience. Seeing him grill it and feed the entire pack, effortlessly stepping into the caregiver role, turned me on in ways I hadn't anticipated. Everything about him already captivated me, but this display of raw power, the energy, the muscles glistening with sweat as they flexed and moved.It was overwhelming.Until now, I had mostly been the one taking care of him. He was still recovering from his injury. It was the first time I'd seen him do something like that, and the image refused to leave me alone after. I couldn't close my eyes without seeing him straining against the massive beast without a shred of fear.We were making out on the couch in my closet, our usual spot that offered some privacy. Plus, it allowed us a moment to compose ourselves if someone walked in. As we kissed, trying to stay quiet, we often grunte
(KNOX POV)I walked into the kitchen and found Teddy staring into the pantry and fridge, completely confused. He looked like he'd seen a ghost or was trying to solve a Rubix cube. I couldn't help but laugh. "You look like you've seen a ghost, dude."Teddy quipped back, "Seems to be a trend around here." He closed the fridge and turned to me, looking somewhat defeated. "I want to make breakfast for Cassy. We've been fighting all night, and she gets angry when hungry."I chuckled. "That's an Alpha Monroe thing. So much power in our blood that we need the extra fuel."Teddy managed a weak smile. I walked over to him and started pulling out ingredients. "Let's get started. I'll show you how to make something she'll love."He was clearly overwhelmed, but I could see the determination to do something nice for my sister. I handed him some eggs. "Start with these. Cassy loves omelets.""You know," Teddy said, cracking an egg into a bowl, "the Bayou Pack catches most of our food. We even eat
(KNOX POV)I took Nola from Kael, who looked like he needed a break. "You smell funny, man. Go take a shower."Kael rolled his eyes but headed off. I took Nola outside, letting the fresh air clear my head. She babbled away, her little sounds filling the quiet morning. She sure talked a lot for a baby not even three months old, just like Cassy had when she was little.As I listened to her, my thoughts drifted back to the unsettling possibility of Oxxy being my son. Nola was my first child, or so I thought. It was clear she had inherited Kael's personality, but she was still my firstborn. Or was she? The thought of Oxxy possibly being my son was terrifying. If he was, then Nola might not be my first after all. And worse, my first might be living a feral life in the bayou.How would an alpha, unaware of his true nature, cope with living as an omega? Would he be dismissed like trash? My guess was not very well.The idea of Oxxy suffering was the worst feeling I think I've ever felt.No
Sky and I decided to visit the bayou the next day. "Hey, Knox," Teddy said, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You seem really interested in Oxxy. What's up with that?" I hesitated but decided to confide in him. "I'm worried I might be his dad. I've slept with Essie before." Teddy scoffed. "I don't think you are, bro. A lot is going on with that kid." "What do you mean?" I asked, but before Teddy could respond, Sky and Cassy interrupted. The next day, we headed to the bayou. Teddy led me down to the omega camp while Sky stayed at the house with Cassy, who despised airboats. The camp felt desolate, even for an omega camp. "So, what did you mean about Oxxy?" I pressed Teddy. He sighed. "Oxxy can't talk, only makes weird noises. Most of the pack pushes him out. No one knows if he even has a wolf. He's always bullied and does not try to do anything about it. I just don't think he has any alpha blood." As we approached the camp, I saw Oxxy playing in the dirt. My heart sank. When T
(KNOX POV) Missy walked in. "Knox, what's going on? Who is this?" She approached us, looking over the small boy clinging to my leg.The reality hit me. This was real. Oxxy was here, and my mom was about to meet him."Mom, this is Oxxy. He's... well, he might be my son. I'm pretty sure he is." The words felt heavy like I was admitting to something I couldn't fully grasp myself.She gasped, then quickly composed herself. "Oh my goodness. A new... A new grandchild. I... I can't believe it." She knelt down in front of Oxxy. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm Missy. Uhh, Grandma?"Oxxy looked at her with wide eyes, clutching his toy car. "Mini?" he asked. She smiled at him. "Mini will work. I like Mini." Mom had struggled with what her "Grandma" name would be once the twins started talking. I guess Oxxy chose for her. His eyes were so big and filled with curiosity and fear. My chest ached, wondering what he must be thinking. He had been through so much, and now he was surrounded by strangers in a co
(SKY POV) With Knox gone, Kael's breakdown intensified. His panic wasn't just surface-level... It was deep, visceral. He was sweating profusely, shaking as he gripped the edge of the couch. It hurt to see him like this, unraveling right before our eyes yet again.He'd managed to hold it together when Oxxy was here. That baby didn't deserve to ever see how much his existence was tearing at these guys' hearts. Ky remained eerily quiet, his eyes glued to the floor. I looked at him, trying to gauge his emotions. He almost seemed calm, but I knew better. Inside, he was a storm of conflicting feelings that I could feel. His stillness was his way of coping, of not letting the flood of emotions overwhelm him. I was always in awe of how different they all were, and moments like this only highlighted that. They may have started out as the same person, but it was clear that life and experience had shaped them into three distinct souls. "Kael, we need to move around before everyone gets over
(KNOX POX)The car ride to the doctor was quiet, save for the soft hum of the radio and the occasional singing from Oxxy in the back seat. Missy sat next to him, gently encouraging his enthusiasm. Ezra was driving. Oxxy's attempts to sing along to the radio were endearing. Despite his struggles, his spirit was undeterred, and his little voice filled the car with a sweet melody of hums and sounds.Missy turned to me. "What are you planning to do, Knox? With the twins? With...""Nothing changes, Mom," I said, looking back at Oxxy, who was absorbed in his toy cars as he hummed. "We just add another kid to the mix."Her eyes narrowed. "And what about his mom, son?"I sighed, glancing out the window as the scenery flew by. "She's not exactly fit, so I'll take over from here.""You can't do that, Knox," she argued. "You can't take a kid from his mother… you can't take a mother from her kid.""I'm staying firm on this, Mom. You didn't see what I did. When she gets help, and he won't be slee
(KNOX POV)Cassy sat across from me, twisting around a loose thread on the couch. "Teddy's convinced Oxxy isn't yours," she finally said. "He thinks Oxxy's actually Ferdinand's."I stared at her, struggling to process what she was saying. "What? That's impossible.""They found out after that Ferdinand was also sleeping with her," she continued, not looking at me."Who's 'they'?" I asked."Essie and Phin were involved. Pretty intensely, from what I've gathered. And I'm pretty sure Teddy was in on it too, even though he won't admit it outright."I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me."There's no way Oxxy isn't mine, Cassy."Cassy sighed, finally looking at me. "Knox, they were all pretty close. Maybe too close. I don't think they were trying to hide it. Teddy told me that Essie and Ferdinand were... well, let's just say they weren't just friends."I shook my head, refusing to accept what she was saying. "Oxxy looks like me. If he were Ferdinand's, he wouldn't have bl