Chapter 85
# Elowen's POV
I woke up sandwiched between two warm bodies, Casper's arm draped over my waist while Cassian's chest pressed against my back. After the whirlwind of Cindy's post-wedding celebration a few days ago, we'd finally had some quiet moments to ourselves. But now the weekend had arrived, bringing with it the Annual Thornwood Pack Ball tonight.
These high-profile pack events were coming so close together that I barely had time to catch my breath. From Cindy's wedding to her after-party, and now this formal ball—it was overwhelming for someone who'd spent most of her life avoiding attention.
"Morning, cutie," Casper murmured against my hair, his voice still thick with sleep. "You're thinking too loud."
I smiled despite myself. "Just trying to keep up with the Thornwood social calendar. It never stops, does it?"
Cassian's arm tightened around me. "The Annual Ball is different," he reminded us, his breath warm against my neck. "Tonight is important. That's what's really on your mind, isn't it?"
He was right. Tonight was the night they would officially announce me as their mate to the entire pack. The thought made my stomach flutter with both excitement and nerves.
"I've never been to a formal wolf pack ball before," I admitted, turning to face them both. "What if I mess up? What if people stare?"
Casper chuckled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingertips lingered on my cheek, sending a rush of warmth through my body. "They'll stare because you'll be the most beautiful woman there, Little Freckle."
"And because you'll be with both of us," Cassian added, his ice-blue eyes intense as he watched me. "That's not exactly common."
I bit my lip. "Your father—"
"Is coming around," Cassian interrupted, sitting up against the headboard. His bare chest distracted me momentarily before I forced myself to focus on his words. "I spoke with him privately. He understands this is real."
"And Cindy has been talking him to death about how amazing you are," Casper added with a grin. "She keeps telling him that her best friend deserves to be happy."
"Really?" I couldn't keep the surprise from my voice. Despite everything, Alpha Austin had always intimidated me.
"He knows what happened with Jessica wasn't your fault," Cassian said, his voice hardening at the mention of my mother. "And he recognizes that Drake is the real problem here."
I sighed, sitting up and pulling the sheet around me. "I know Drake is a dangerous manipulator, but I still don't understand how he has such control over my mother. What does he have on her? How can an Omega, even with his twisted mind games and fake alpha scent, have that kind of power over a Beta?"
Casper reached for me, pulling me into his warm embrace. His heartbeat was steady against my ear as he held me tight. "After what he did to Cassian, I don't underestimate him anymore. His mental abilities are... disturbing. But whatever hold he has on Jessica, we'll figure it out together."
"You're right," I said, nuzzling against Casper's chest.
"Of course I am," he replied with that cocky grin I couldn't help but love. "And from now on, my parents are your parents. You're part of our family now."
The words brought tears to my eyes. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to being treated like this."
Cassian moved closer, his hand sliding up my back in a gentle caress. "Like what, babe?"
"Like I matter. Like I'm worth something."
"You're worth everything," Cassian said firmly, his fingers finding my chin and tilting my face up to meet his intense gaze. "And tonight, everyone will know you're ours."
The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear. Juno, my wolf spirit, practically purred with approval.
"Speaking of tonight," Casper said, suddenly jumping out of bed in just his boxers, "we've got some surprises for you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Surprises?"
Cassian smirked. "Don't look so suspicious. They're good surprises."
Casper disappeared into the walk-in closet and returned carrying several glossy shopping bags. He placed them on the bed in front of me with an expectant grin.
"What's all this?" I asked, picking up the first bag.
"Open them," Cassian urged, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Inside the first bag was the newest iPhone model, still in its box. The second contained a high-end laptop. I stared at them in shock.
"I can't accept these," I whispered, overwhelmed by the extravagance. "This is too much."
"You can and you will," Casper said firmly, sitting beside me on the bed. "Your old phone is a dinosaur, and you need a proper laptop just to binge Netflix properly."
"But—"
"Being our mate means accepting gifts," Cassian interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "You'll have to get used to it."
I ran my fingers over the sleek phone box, fighting back tears. "I'm just not used to people giving me things without wanting something in return."
Casper's face softened. "All we want is for you to be happy, cutie."
"And that's only part of the package," Cassian added with a wicked grin that made my cheeks burn. "The complete mate experience also includes seeing you naked as often as possible."
"Cassian!" I gasped, trying to sound scandalized but failing miserably as my body responded to his words.
"What? It's true," he shrugged unapologetically. "Gifts, protection, and mind-blowing intimacy—all yours when you sign up for Team Thornwood Twins."
I couldn't help but laugh, the tension broken. "You're terrible."
"He's right though," Casper said, his hand sliding up my thigh under the sheet. "That is part of the deal."
The heat of his palm against my bare skin made my breath catch. When Cassian leaned in and pressed his lips to the mark on my neck—his mark—I nearly melted.
"We have hours before we need to get ready," Cassian murmured against my skin, sending jolts of electricity down my spine.
"And we know exactly how to spend them," Casper added, his fingers inching higher up my thigh.
A knock on the door interrupted us, and I jerked back, pulling the sheet up to my chin as Casper called out, "Who is it?"
"Your father wants to see all three of you downstairs in ten minutes," Luna Ella's voice came through the door. "And don't even think about being late."
I heard her footsteps retreating, and let out the breath I'd been holding.
"Saved by the bell," Cassian muttered, clearly disappointed as he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Casper groaned and flopped back onto the pillows. "Why does this keep happening? Every damn time!"
I couldn't help but giggle at his frustration, even as I felt the same disappointment. "Rain check?"
He pulled me down for a quick, fierce kiss. "Definitely. After the ball tonight, we're going to properly celebrate you becoming officially ours."
I smiled against his lips, my heart racing at the promise in his words. "I can't wait for everyone to know I belong to you both."
And I meant it. For the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of belonging to someone. Because with Casper and Cassian, belonging didn't mean being owned—it meant being loved, protected, and cherished.
Tonight couldn't come soon enough.