The Surgeon and the Alpha

30

Momma Anna, Layla, Remi, Rae, and Del carried plates piled high with food from the kitchen to the table, the aroma of jambalaya, biscuits, and fresh fruit filling the cabin. Rae balanced a freshly baked pie in her hands, grinning mischievously as she set it down at the head of the table.

Just as she stepped back, Aspen, never one to sit still, leapt up with perfect timing—and knocked the pie right into Rae’s face. Whipped cream and flaky crust smeared across her cheeks and nose.

Rae froze for a second, then mumbled through the mess, “I… I have whipped cream shoved up my nose.”

Remi and Del immediately burst into laughter, clutching their sides and leaning forward so hard they nearly toppled off their chairs.

Rae, wiping at her face but still laughing, leaned toward them and shoved the pie remnants right into their faces. “Now you taste what joy feels like!”

The table erupted into chaos—Momma Anna cackling, Layla trying not to get hit, and Papi Sam giving Aspen a warning glare that he ignored entirely.

Trey and Elijah exchanged amused glances, while Will just shook his head, chuckling. “Aspen, you little menace,” he muttered, reaching over to grab a napkin.

Rae wiped some cream off her nose, smirking at Remi and Del, who were now covered in sticky pie as well. “Payback is sweet,” she declared dramatically, voice muffled by dessert.

Remi groaned, trying to wipe her own face, “I’m never sitting near you again.”

Del, still laughing, just shrugged. “Yeah, yeah, but it was worth it.”

Momma Anna shook her head, hands on her hips, laughing so hard she had to sit down. “You girls are impossible,” she said, eyes twinkling, “but I love it.”

Aspen, tail wagging furiously, plopped down at Rae’s feet, clearly proud of himself, while Rae muttered, “I swear… this dog has no boundaries.”

The cabin buzzed with laughter, the chaos of family, friends, and furry chaos blending into a perfect, messy harmony.

Papi Sam stepped forward with a flourish, carefully carrying the bottle of bourbon that Rae and Del had helped rescue along with the distillery rights. The golden liquid caught the late afternoon light, glinting like liquid amber.

“Well now,” Papi said, setting it on the table with pride, “this little beauty right here is thanks to these two,” he nodded at Rae and Del. “Girls saved the distillery from some big corporate sharks and made sure it stayed local. Thought it’s only fair y’all try it for yourselves.”

Rae leaned back in her chair, smirking at Del. “Remember when we almost bought this on a whim?”

Del grinned, lifting an eyebrow. “Drunk and sentimental, but technically we did it.”

Momma Anna chimed in, teasing, “And here I thought you girls couldn’t get into more trouble. Look at you, saving a distillery now!”

Will, Trey, and Elijah each took a cautious sip, eyes widening as the smooth warmth hit their tongues. Trey leaned back, impressed. “Wow… that’s actually really good. Smooth, but with a kick at the end. You two might be dangerous in more ways than one.”

Elijah nodded, swirling the bourbon in his glass. “I vote Rae and Del redo the whole pack system, then we toast with this every night.”

Will smirked at Remi, clinking glasses lightly. “Not bad, Remi. You picked good friends.”

Rae grinned and raised her glass, giving a mock bow. “To chaos that actually tastes amazing.”

Del raised hers alongside hers. “And to keeping it local—corporate be damned!”

Everyone laughed, the rich aroma of bourbon mingling with the warm cabin air. Aspen, never one to miss out on attention—or opportunity—nudged the bottle with his wet nose, earning another round of laughter as Rae groaned, “Mon chien, tu es impossible.”

The group settled into the easy rhythm of shared pride and mischief, toasting the day, the distillery, and the chaos that seemed to follow Rae and Del wherever they went.