The Alpha’s Surgeon

22

The convoy rolled up the winding gravel road surrounded by cypress and oak trees, sunlight filtering through the moss-draped branches. The air was warm and thick with the scent of pine and river water—home for the girls in every sense of the word.

Rae was leaning forward in the passenger seat, one hand on the dash as Trey slowed the truck to a stop in front of the tall, metal gate blocking the last stretch of the road. The thing looked like it belonged at a private military compound rather than a lakeside cabin—reinforced steel, motion sensors, and a keypad with a small scanner mounted beside it.

Trey blinked. “That’s… a little overkill for a weekend cabin, don’t you think?”

Rae grinned, already unbuckling her seatbelt. “You say that like you don’t trust my paranoia.”

Will’s truck pulled up behind them, Elijah leaning out the window with a low whistle. “Paranoia? Rae, this looks like it needs a security clearance.”

Del leaned across Remi from the backseat of Will’s truck and called out, “It’s not paranoia when people actually tried to break in three years ago, remember?”

Rae hopped out, Aspen bounding down right after her. “Exactly,” she said, stepping toward the gate. “We upgraded after that little incident.”

Trey followed, examining the keypad. “So what—code, fingerprint, retina scan?”

Rae smirked, reaching out to place her palm against the small pad on the post. The screen flickered, scanned, and beeped once before the gate began to swing open on its own.

“Biometric and voice recognition,” she said casually. “Del’s the only other one it’ll open for.”

Del, already out of the truck and stretching, grinned. “Because I’m the only one she trusts not to blow it up by accident.”

Will arched a brow. “And if someone else tries?”

Rae shrugged. “It locks down and alerts my system. Oh, and it sprays glitter dye.”

Elijah blinked. “Wait—what?”

“Bright pink,” Rae said with an innocent smile. “Lasts about two weeks. Learned that lesson the hard way.”

Del snorted. “Papi Sam’s still mad about that delivery driver who ignored the warning signs.”

Trey shook his head, clearly amused. “You’re a menace.”

Rae gave a mock salute. “Efficient menace.”

Aspen barked once in agreement, tail wagging.

The gate opened wide enough for the trucks to pass, and the group drove through, gravel crunching under their tires as they made their way down the shaded drive. Within minutes, the trees opened up to reveal the cabin—a wide, two-story wood-and-stone house perched near the riverbank. Wind chimes clinked gently on the porch, and a line of kayaks sat stacked beside the dock, just waiting for trouble.

Del whistled as they parked. “Still standing. Guess the storm didn’t get it last spring.”

Rae smirked. “My security system works, remember?”

Remi climbed out, stretching as she looked around. “This place is beautiful. Peaceful, too.”

Will chuckled, grabbing the cooler from the truck bed. “You sure that’s gonna last with you three and a dog?”

Elijah grinned, glancing at Aspen who had already sprinted toward the dock. “I give it twenty minutes before chaos resumes.”

As if on cue, Aspen launched himself into the water with a loud splash, sending ripples across the river.

Rae sighed, hands on her hips. “And there it is.”

Trey leaned against the truck, laughing softly. “Guess he decided to test the water before you do.”

Del grinned. “At least he doesn’t flip the kayak.”

Rae shot her a glare. “Keep talking, and you’re walking back to town.”

Remi covered her laugh with her hand as Will shook his head, amused. “You two never change, do you?”

“Wouldn’t be as fun if we did,” Del said cheerfully.

Rae walked toward the porch, Aspen shaking off river water right beside her, spraying droplets everywhere. She muttered in Cajun under her breath while Del laughed from a safe distance.

Trey followed with their bags, eyes scanning the property. “I’ll admit, Rae—this is… impressive. You really built all this security yourself?”

“Every wire, every code,” she said proudly, unlocking the front door with another palm scan. “If a squirrel so much as sneezes near the generator, I’ll know.”

Elijah grinned. “You’re terrifying and brilliant. A dangerous combo.”

“Compliment accepted,” Rae said, holding the door open for everyone.

They stepped inside to the cool, familiar scent of cedarwood and coffee. The space was cozy and rustic, filled with little details that screamed “home”—photographs, books, mismatched blankets, and a half-built puzzle on the coffee table that had clearly been there since their last visit.

Del dropped her bag on the couch with a satisfied sigh. “Alright, vacation mode: activated.”

Rae set hers by the stairs. “Don’t say that too loud—Aspen might take it as permission to destroy the couch.”

From outside came the sound of splashing followed by loud barking.

Will chuckled, heading toward the kitchen. “Too late for that.”

Remi smiled softly, glancing between the boys and the girls. “You know… this might actually be fun.”

Elijah leaned in the doorway, grinning. “Yeah,” he said, watching Rae and Del argue good-naturedly over who got the best bedroom, “I have a feeling it’s gonna be very entertaining.”