The Alpha’s Surgeon

30

Remi paused mid-step, her eyes catching a framed photo on the wall. Her lips curved into a grin as she stepped closer.

“Well, would you look at that,” she said, pointing. “Three tiny troublemakers—and Aspen, barely bigger than a loaf of bread—when Rae and Del first brought me here.”

Rae leaned in, eyebrows raised. “Oh no… don’t start with the nostalgia trip.”

Del nudged her shoulder, smirking. “Ten years ago, you were this tiny ball of sass, Remi. And look at you now—still sassy, but taller.”

Will, Trey, and Elijah, who glanced over, amusement flickering in their eyes.

Trey chuckled. “Ten years already, huh? Time flies when chaos follows you around.”

Elijah nodded, folding his arms. “And somehow, Aspen’s still causing just as much trouble.”

Will smirked, looking between the girls. “I think what amazes me is that even ten years later, the energy hasn’t changed. You three are still as… relentless as ever.”

Rae rolled her eyes, trying to hide her grin. “Relentless, huh? That’s one way to put it. I prefer ‘legendary.’”

Del laughed, pointing at the photo. “Legendary troublemakers, yes. But admit it—this little gang made life here way more interesting.”

Aspen barked from below, tail wagging furiously, as if confirming the sentiment.

Remi shook her head, laughing softly. “Ten years… and some things never change.”

Trey grinned. “Nope. And judging by Aspen, probably never will.”

Elijah let out a low laugh, glancing at Rae and Del. “Good thing some traditions stick, I guess.”

The drive back to the cabin was filled with laughter and teasing, the girls trading playful jabs the entire way. Rae shot Del a wicked grin from the passenger seat.

“You’re going down,” Rae announced dramatically, tapping the dash. “First one to the kitchen gets the ice cream.”

Del laughed, gripping the wheel. “Oh, it’s on. Don’t cry when I beat you, Rae.”

Remi shook her head from the backseat, smiling. “You two are ridiculous.”

As soon as the cabin door swung open, the race was on. Rae and Del sprinted toward the kitchen, Aspen barking excitedly, tail wagging like a metronome, dashing between their legs as if refereeing the chaos.

The boys—Will, Trey, and Elijah—stood frozen in the doorway, watching the spectacle. Will raised an eyebrow, amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. “This is what we signed up for, huh?”

Trey smirked, arms crossed. “Ice cream chaos, apparently. And a very enthusiastic security dog.”

Elijah laughed, shaking his head. “I’m just glad they’re happy… and that Aspen’s still alive after this.”

Inside the kitchen, Rae lunged for the freezer, Del hot on her heels. Aspen barked and leapt, scattering a stray napkin on the floor, as the girls shrieked and laughed, the room filled with pure, chaotic energy.

Will muttered under his breath, smiling. “We need to make sure the ice cream survives the apocalypse.”

Trey chuckled, leaning against the counter. “Spoiler alert: it won’t.”

Elijah shook his head, still laughing quietly. “This is going to be a long weekend.”

Remi joined them, arms folded, smiling indulgently. “Yep. And I wouldn’t trade a second of it.”

Rae yanked the ice cream from the freezer, grinning triumphantly as she stuck out her tongue, chocolate smeared across her lips.

“Ha! Victory is mine!” she shouted, spinning around to dodge Del’s outstretched arms.

Del lunged after her, laughing hysterically. “Oh no, you did not just steal my victory!”

The chase turned the kitchen into a whirlwind. Rae zigzagged between the counter and the table, Del close behind, both of them laughing so hard it echoed through the cabin.

Will, Trey, and Elijah leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, trying to hide their amusement.

“Somehow, I knew this would happen,” Will muttered, shaking his head.

Trey smirked, eyes twinkling. “Ice cream chaos: exactly as advertised.”

Elijah chuckled softly. “And that’s why we don’t let them out of the room unsupervised.”

Remi, standing near the fridge, laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach. “I… can’t… I’ve seen this before, and it’s just as ridiculous every time.”

Just as Del lunged for the ice cream cone in Rae’s hand, Aspen decided he had had enough of the chaos. With a bark that echoed like a command, he leapt between them, sending both girls sprawling onto the floor in a tangle of arms, legs, and giggles.

“Merde!” Rae sputtered, still laughing as she scrambled to her knees.

Del groaned, wiping tears from her eyes. “Aspen! Traitor!”

The boys and Remi couldn’t stop laughing at the scene—Rae and Del sitting on the floor, covered in laughter and chocolate, while Aspen sat proudly between them, tail wagging like a general surveying his troops.

Will shook his head, smiling. “I think Aspen just declared himself captain of the kitchen.”

Trey laughed, pointing at the dog. “And he’s doing a very good job.”

Elijah smirked, leaning on the counter. “Someone has to keep these two in line… apparently it’s him.”

Remi grinned. “Good luck trying to convince them of that.”