The Surgeon and the Alpha

29

Momma Anna and Layla hustled Remi, Rae, and Del into the kitchen, the smell of frying sausage and fresh bread wrapping around them like a warm hug. Plates clattered as they began fussing over the girls, handing them aprons and gesturing for them to help with simple tasks.

Meanwhile, Will, Trey, and Elijah lingered outside with Papi Sam and David, the sun catching on the porch railing as Aspen padded between them, occasionally glancing back toward the kitchen.

Papi Sam gave the three men a slow, appraising look, his eyes sharp. “Alright boys, I need to know something straight off. What are your intentions with these girls?” His tone wasn’t angry—it was firm, measured, the kind of question that made you sit up and really think. “We know how some folks treated Remi growing up. I don’t want to see any of that repeated here.”

David nodded, folding his arms. “And it ain’t just Remi. Rae and Del—those girls came to this shack when they were fifteen, looking for safety from bad homes. You think we didn’t give it to them? We did. And now they’re part of this family.”

Elijah and Trey exchanged a glance, suddenly feeling the weight of the moment. Will’s jaw tightened just slightly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Papi leaned in a little, lowering his voice. “Fact is, Aspen trusts them. And if you boys don’t understand the gravity of that, lemme make it simple—he doesn’t trust lightly. He makes it very clear when someone is off limits or dangerous. That trust means something, and you better respect it.”

Trey ran a hand through his hair, smirking but sober underneath. “Yeah… we get it. Very protective little furball, huh?”

David chuckled, though there was steel behind the laugh. “Little? That dog will bite anyone he feels is messing with his girls. Rae, Remi, Del—they’re his people. Anyone who forgets that gets a reminder—fast.”

Will’s gaze softened as he glanced toward the kitchen, where the girls were laughing with Momma Anna and Layla, aprons dusted in flour. “Understood,” he said quietly. “We’re not going to do anything to break that trust.”

Papi Sam’s eyes lingered on them a moment longer, then he gave a slow nod. “Good. Keep it that way.”

Aspen yipped softly, tail wagging, as if approving of the answer before padding back toward the kitchen, glancing up at the boys like he was silently saying, I’m watching you.

David’s eyes softened slightly, but his tone remained steady as he turned toward Will. “So tell me, son… when are you planning to actually tell my daughter, Remi, that she’s your mate?”

Will blinked, momentarily caught off guard, and then gave a tight-lipped smile. “I… haven’t exactly found the right moment yet.”

David chuckled lowly, shaking his head. “Right moment? Come on, Will. Papi and Momma Anna see it plain as day. Hell, I think Rae even knows—she’s hacked into your devices enough to know a thing or two.”

Will’s eyes flicked toward Rae, who was laughing with Momma Anna in the kitchen, oblivious to the conversation outside. He couldn’t help but grin, a little sheepishly. “Yeah… I guess she might have an idea.”

David raised an eyebrow. “And you think she’s the only one? I see it clear as day—Elijah and Trey feel the same about Del and Rae. Look at how they watch them, how they protect them. You can’t hide this from anyone who’s paying attention.”

Trey, Elijah, and Will exchanged looks, all three silently acknowledging David’s sharp observation. Aspen padded nearby, tail sweeping the dirt, seemingly in full agreement that their human counterparts were under a careful watch.

Papi Sam folded his arms, voice calm but carrying the weight of experience. “Boys, all I’m sayin’—don’t wait too long. Trust don’t stay hidden forever, and neither do feelings. Protect ‘em, love ‘em, and tell ‘em what they need to know. That’s your job.”

Will nodded slowly, a mix of determination and nerves tightening in his chest. “Yeah… I get it. I’ll… I’ll figure it out.”

David gave him a knowing smirk. “Good. Don’t make me wait too long—or Aspen will do it for you.”

The words hung in the air, a quiet warning from a man who’d seen enough to know that some truths can’t be kept secret forever. Will’s jaw tightened, already planning how—and when—he’d finally tell Remi what he truly felt.