Chapter 90
Casper's POV
The heat of the ballroom surrounded us as we continued our dance, the three of us moving in perfect harmony after our public declaration. The surprised murmurs and shocked glances from the pack had begun to fade into background noise as we celebrated our bond. My heart still hammered with exhilaration—we'd done it. We'd stood before everyone and claimed each other.
"I still can't believe we pulled this off," I whispered in Elowen's ear as I held her close against me, the golden fabric of her dress cool beneath my fingertips.
Her amber eyes sparkled with joy and mischief. "What, you thought I'd back out at the last minute?"
Cassian's hand slid around her waist from the other side, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on her bare shoulders. "No, but I half expected someone to object."
The DJ shifted to a slower, more sensual beat, and I held Elowen's gaze as we continued to move together, our bodies in perfect sync. She shivered between us, a delicious little tremor I could feel under my palm.
"Everyone's still watching," she murmured, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Good," I replied, spinning her slowly so her back pressed against my chest. "Let them see who you belong to."
Cassian stepped forward, closing the gap between them. He moved with the fluid grace he always possessed, his hands finding her waist as mine settled on her hips from behind.
She smells so fucking good, Leo growled inside my head. Want to taste her mark again.
I clenched my jaw, trying to quiet my wolf's demanding voice. His agitation had been building all night, a constant pressure behind my eyes ever since our minds reconnected. The urge to claim, to possess, to mark—it was becoming a physical ache.
Not now, I warned him. This is about her, not your needs.
Always about control with you, Leo snarled back. We should claim her properly. Right here.
I pushed him down, focusing on the feel of Elowen in my arms instead, her body warm and soft as she swayed between us.
"You look incredible tonight," Cassian said, his voice low and husky as he gazed down at her. "Every eye in the room is on you."
"I only care about four of those eyes," she replied, reaching one hand back to touch my face while keeping the other on Cassian's chest.
The music changed again, and I noticed Cindy and Ethan approaching. Cindy looked stunning in her blue gown, her face flushed with excitement.
"I can't believe you three pulled this off!" she squealed, throwing her arms around Elowen. "My best friend and my brothers! It's weird but perfect!"
Elowen laughed as she returned Cindy's hug. "Not exactly how I planned things either."
Ethan extended his hand to me, then Cassian. "Congratulations. I've never seen a triple bond before. It's... impressive."
"You mean scandalous," Cassian said with a smirk.
"That too," Ethan admitted with a grin.
Cindy grabbed Elowen's hands, tears welling in her eyes. "Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your position? These two gorgeous idiots worshipping the ground you walk on?" She glanced between me and my brother. "El, you seriously won the mate lottery."
"Hey," I protested with a laugh. "We're the lucky ones."
"Never thought my childhood best friend would become my sister-in-law," Cindy continued, wiping at her eyes. "It's weird, but god, I'm so happy for you three."
Elowen's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I never thought I'd belong anywhere, and now I have all of you."
She's going to cry, Leo observed, surprisingly gentle for once.
Cassian stepped forward immediately, thumb brushing her cheek. "Don't cry, baby. We'll only ever make you happier from here on out."
She nodded, blinking back tears. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"Promise," I added softly.
As I held Elowen close, I caught Cassian's eye across her head. He gave me a subtle nod, his lips quirking into a satisfied smirk. Earlier, he'd leaned in close and whispered with a wicked grin: "I made Drake drink the very champagne he'd spiked for me...What a fucking idiot that pig is."
My attention was drawn to the edge of the room by Leo's sudden growl in my mind.
Look who's still here, Leo snarled.
Drake was there, leaning heavily against the wall near the exit. His face was ashen, a sheen of sweat visible even from this distance. Despite his obvious physical distress, he'd gathered a small group around him, heads bent together as they listened to whatever poison he was spewing.
"Strange that Beta Jessica doesn't look thrilled about her daughter becoming the twins' plaything," Drake's voice carried just enough, strained but deliberately pitched to be overheard. One hand clutched his stomach while the other gripped the wall for support.
A woman in a green dress nodded. "So she's sleeping with both of them? Seems a bit slutty if you ask me."
"Maybe we should ask why Jessica disapproves," another man added, glancing nervously at Drake's deteriorating condition. "There must be a reason."
"Shut up. Alpha approved it," someone countered.
Leo's rage exploded inside me, the force of it almost making me stagger. He's STILL trying to hurt our mate! Let me out! I'll finish what your brother started!
The fury was overwhelming, a red-hot wave threatening to drown my control. Memories flashed unbidden—I was fifteen again, facing a rogue wolf who'd been harassing our younger pack members. I remembered the moment Leo had completely taken over, the savage joy as he tore into our enemy, going far beyond defense into something primal and terrifying. My father's face afterward—not just angry, but afraid of what lived inside his son. The order for both our wolves to be suppressed until we could control them better. Zero, being naturally more controlled, had adapted quickly. Leo hadn't.
The suppression had left scars—sometimes I woke with unexplained cuts on my body, evidence of Leo's nighttime struggles to break free. It was my darkest secret, the reason I worked so hard to maintain control.
"Casper?" Elowen touched my arm, concern in her eyes. "Your eyes are changing."
Cassian noticed immediately, stepping between me and Drake's direction. "Breathe, brother. Not here."
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just happy."
But Leo was growing louder, more insistent. Let me out! I'll tear his throat out for talking about our mate that way!
"Dance with me," Elowen said suddenly, tugging me back to the center of the floor, away from Drake. She pressed her body against mine, hands cupping my face. "Just focus on me, okay?"
Her scent—vanilla and honey—filled my senses. I buried my face in her neck, breathing her in, letting her calm the storm inside me.
"That's it," she whispered. "I'm right here."